Chapter 15 #2
We practically fall through my bedroom doorway, Caden accidentally bumping his broad shoulders against the jamb, and then he’s dropping the paper bag onto the floor as his palms slide lower, caressing my hips.
He looks up at me, his chest heaving, and his eyes crinkle at the sides as I stroke his stubble.
“Hey,” he rumbles deeply, his mouth lifting into a gorgeous grin as I push his hair back.
“Hey,” I whisper back to him, giggling when he grips my chin and swoops in for a lingering kiss.
“Missed you like crazy,” he murmurs hoarsely, quietly nudging the door until it’s ninety-nine percent closed – because even though my parents approve of Caden, when they’re home, he never locks my door.
“I missed you, too,” I say back to him, laughing breathlessly as he kisses his way down my throat. And when his stubble rasps over my skin, I tug his hair and whisper, “You didn’t shave.”
I feel him smile against my skin, purposefully scraping me with his dark stubble.
“You said you liked it,” he rumbles deeply, his lips soft and warm as he kisses my neck.
“I meant it,” I whisper back to him, and he chuckles quietly as he meets my gaze.
I tighten my hold as I smile back at him, tracing his dimples as he squeezes my waist.
“You been to the salon?” he asks softly, and I swish my curls, making him laugh.
“Do you like it?” I ask playfully.
He all but growls, “So fuckin’ pretty.”
“Caden!” I laugh, smothering his mouth with the palm of my hand, and he smirks roguishly as he caresses my back, before dropping me carefully to the floor. I smile mischievously as he towers over me, and he gently licks my palm as I back-step toward the bed.
“Naughty,” I whisper up at him, dropping my hand as he pulls me closer, and he smiles down at me as he kisses my cheek, his forearms tightening in their possessive hold. “How was your flight? And what’s in the bag?” I ask, caressing his broad shoulders as they steadily rise and fall.
“Flight was fine,” he murmurs, laughing huskily when I peek around his biceps, eyeing the little brown bag on the floor, and wondering what he’s got inside.
He smirks as he picks it up, making his way to the bed and pulling me along for the ride, and then he sits down at the foot of it, positioning me gently between his quads.
Then he opens the bag between us, unwrapping it carefully so that I can look inside.
And when I see what he’s got in there, I laugh in surprise, making him grin.
“About ten minutes after we left the airport, we saw a sign on the road-side talking about Christmas stuff, so Maverick drove us to this little farm where they were selling a couple of these.”
He tucks his hand inside the bag and eases out a tiny emerald Christmas tree, its ruby red pot wrapped in brown hessian fabric, and tied up with a little bow. He nudges a miniature Christmas decoration dangling off of it, that looks like a tiny baby in a manger.
“They didn’t have many decorations, but this one was cute,” he adds in that deep voice of his, and then he’s looking up at me from under his dark lashes, gauging my reaction as I take the tree.
“You bought us a tree,” I whisper happily, inspecting the tiny bauble with a little smile. Then I take the decoration off the branch and hold it in front of him. “Is this baby Jesus?”
Caden breathes out a laugh, his cheekbones flushing, and he nods his head as he shoves his fringe back.
“Uh, I think so,” he rumbles gruffly. “If you don’t like it, we can–”
I clutch baby Jesus against my heart. “I love my baby Jesus.”
He grins up at me, his dimples flexing, and I place the tree on the carpet so that I can wrap my arms around him. He circles my waist with his strong forearms, and splays his palms on my back as I play with his hair.
“It’s perfect,” I tell him simply, smiling as I rub his nape. “Just like you.”
He chuckles hoarsely and shakes his head. “I’m nowhere near perfect,” he says softly.
“How many of your games did you win this semester, again?” I tease, and he ducks his head to hide his smile. Because, yeah, they won every single one, including the last two before winter break, which were against two of the best teams in the league.
I thread my fingers through his hair, tugging it playfully as he kisses my stomach, and his palms splay beneath my top, caressing my waist as he exhales roughly.
“Do you want to head back to your parents’ place tonight?” I ask, remembering what Ade said earlier, and presuming that Caden hasn’t eaten yet. And, even though he would never complain, Caden needs more food than most to stay sustained.
He kisses my belly button and looks up at me. “I’ll head back to the ranch if you’re coming with me.”
“My dad isn’t home from church yet,” I admit, knowing that Caden likes to run things by both of my parents. Even though I’m no longer a teenager, my parents are old-fashioned, and Caden respects that.
“Wanna wait until he gets back? Or can I ask your mom, and I’ll see your dad tomorrow?” Then he gets to his feet, massaging my waist. “I was thinking we could have an early night tonight.”
I twist my lips, hiding my smile, because that’s what I want too.
“Okay,” I whisper. “You can go and ask my mom.”
“Yeah?” he rumbles, his smile-creases flexing as I playfully shove him, and he laughs gruffly as he hauls me backwards, making me squeal as he squeezes me against him.
“You’re coming home with me?” he asks again, my back against his front as I try to wriggle free, and I giggle into the comforter as he throws us onto it, his broad chest heavy against my back.
“Yes!” I squeal, laughing uncontrollably as he grazes my neck, and then he’s covering my mouth with one of his hands as he roughly squeezes my butt.
“Caden!” I giggle breathlessly, and he moves his hand to my throat, gently kissing my shoulder.
“Mm-hm,” he rumbles back to me, his voice deepening as he smirks.
“Remember where we are right now,” I whisper, and, after a long moment, he rolls me over.
“Sorry,” he murmurs, his biceps bulging as he holds his weight.
“It’s fine,” I whisper back to him. “I’ll pack my stuff while you ask my mom.”
He nods and swallows quietly, dropping onto his back as I sit upright again. Then he glances up at me with a wary expression and rumbles, “I’m gonna need a minute before I go out there.”
My eyes brighten as I glance at his pants and his cheeks burn crimson as he hides his groin.
“One minute,” he rasps again, and I lean down to kiss his bicep as he breathes unsteadily.
He covers his eyes with his tattooed forearm and I giggle softly as I push back to my feet.
“You’re so cute,” I tell him gently, and he groans out a laugh as he drops his arm.
I place baby Jesus on the pillow beside him and grab my bag as I open my wardrobe.
I’m around half-packed by the time that he finally heaves himself off the bed, his arms wrapping me up from behind before he releases me and heads to the door.
I watch his broad shoulders disappear around the doorjamb, and then I start selecting underwear to add to my bag.
He walks back into my room around half a minute later, pushing his dark hair back from his forehead as he moves his body behind mine. His chest rises with satisfaction as I zip up my bag, and he rests his chin on my shoulder, abrading me with his stubble as he kisses my neck.
“Did she say okay?” I whisper up to him.
He smiles playfully. “You’re all mine.”
I beam up at him and he kisses the tip of my nose, his smile-creases flexing as I turn in his arms, squeezing his shoulders.
“Should we bring the tree?” I ask, and Caden chuckles as he picks it up.
He tucks it securely under his bicep and nods. “Don’t want the little fella wiltin’ without us.”
“What makes you think that she isn’t a lady?” I tease.
“She can be a lady if you want her to be.”
I jump up to kiss his jaw and he chuckles quietly as he squeezes my hips, and then I reach across the bed, picking the little Christmas decoration from my pillow.
Caden nods, smiling down at me. “Can’t forget about Him.”
I dangle the tiny ornament with a playful smile. “It is His birthday, after all.”
Caden laughs and takes my hand, picking my bag off the bed and slinging it over his shoulder.
“I like this outfit,” he adds, giving me a once-over as I grab my furry nightgown.
“They’re just pyjamas,” I say with a smile.
He shakes his head. “They’re real sexy.”
I give him a twirl as I head to the door, and he groans out a chuckle as he tugs me against him.
Then I stroke his jaw with the tips of my fingers, and his gruff voice deepens.
“It’s good to be home.”