25. Paige
Belong Together – Mark Ambo r
I ’m practically dragging Cade along main street towards Chapters and Brews. As the cozy storefront comes into view, I let out an audible gasp. Hand-painted vines and whimsical book quotes adorn the large picture windows. I tug Cade through the door, a small bell signaling our arrival. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, mingled with the scent of old books creates a comforting, almost nostalgic atmosphere. It’s a book-lover’s dream: floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with an eclectic mix of new releases and well-loved classics. The romance section is expansive, with a Beauty and the Beast style ladder that glides across the wall to wall shelves.
Mismatched cozy armchairs, and vintage wood tables are scattered throughout the space. The cafe counter is tucked into a corner, where a barista is preparing lattes and pastries for the morning rush. Cade smiles, but his eyes hold a hint of something I can’t quite place; mischief maybe. Suddenly, a small orange and white kitten is circling my legs. He lets out a little mewl and starts purring loudl y. I crouch down to scratch his chin and he reaches up with his tiny paw and boops my nose. I think I’m in love.
“Hey there, little guy. What are you doing here?” I glance over at Cade, whose gaze is fixed on the back corner of the shop. I follow his line of sight to find a large sign advertising a cat adoption event in conjunction with the local animal shelter. It’s been transformed into a mini cat haven, complete with scratching posts, cozy beds, and every cat’s favorite toy — cardboard boxes. There’s a litter of kittens playfully chasing each other, along with several older cats scattered around the area. “Surprise, Sunshine.”
“You knew?! Books, coffee AND CATS?! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“I have to keep you on your toes.”
My little orange friend practically climbs my legs, so I hug him to my chest and follow Cade towards the back. We spend some time playing with the cats and talking to a few of the shelter volunteers. It’s heaven. An hour later, I’m sitting criss cross inside the little pen, the tiny orange ball of fluff asleep on my lap.
“What do you think… should we take him home?” A sudden rush of tears fills my eyes. I'm not sure if it’s from the word ‘home’ or the idea that Cade wants to adopt a cat with me. “I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to ignore the universal cat distribution system. It looks like this guy was meant to find you.”
“Yes! A thousand times, yes!” I have to resist the urge to shout and throw myself at Cade because my fluffy friend is fast asleep and I don’t want to startle him; I’ll have to show my appreciation some other way later tonight.
“Looks like Cheeto made a friend.” I glance toward the unfamiliar voice, finding one of the volunteers standing beside Cade. She’s short, barely more than 5 ft tall, but something tells me she’ll fight a bitch if p rovoked. “Hey, I’m Ivy. I’m a volunteer for the ‘Beans and Brews’ adoption event.”
“Nice to meet you! I’m Paige and this is my fiancé, Cade. Did you say this little guy’s name is Cheeto?” Something passes over her face when I introduce Cade, but the expression is fleeting and she replaces it with a soft smile.
“Yep! I’ve never seen him so calm before. He’s usually a ball of chaos and destruction.”
“We’d love to take him home, if that's ok?”
“Absolutely! Let’s get your paperwork filled out.”
“I’ll take care of everything. It looks like my girl is preoccupied.” Cade says, before he joins her at a small table in the corner.
As Cade finishes the adoption paperwork, I spot a curly haired toddler holding out a ribbon wand for the kittens to chase. She has the sweetest face with chubby cheeks and big blue eyes, and I notice she has a tiny pink nose and whiskers drawn on her cheeks. Ivy approaches her a moment later,“Hey, love. Are you ready to go? It’s almost time for your visit.”
“But kitties!”
“I know baby, we can come back and play with the kitties another day. Your daddy is waiting for you.”
“No daddy,” she pouts. “Kitties.”
The interaction pulls at my heartstrings and, not for the first time, I wonder what mine and Cade’s kids will look like. I can’t help but dream of a little curly haired toddler with Cade’s honey brown eyes and my dimples. The little orange menace snaps me out of my daydream when he takes a big stretch and inadvertently digs his claws into my thigh. “Ouch! Careful little guy.”
“Ready to go? Cheeto is officially a Brooks.”
“I think you mean Roberts-Brooks. We’re sharing custody, Cowboy. ”
“You will be taking my last name, eventually. Get used to it.”
The volunteers provided us with a cardboard carrier that looks like a kitty takeout box with holes, and we loaded Cheeto up before heading over to the pet store to buy all the necessary supplies. Cade immediately gets carried away in the store, buying 2 different cat towers, an ungodly amount of treats, and more toys than this tiny kitten will need in a lifetime. He asks the clerk for the best food recommendation for a 2-month-old kitten and then we head back home to the cabin.
“We definitely need to change his name. Seems like a travesty to be named after a snack food.” Cade laughs and shakes his head. I don’t think he could care any less what his name is. No, he definitely did this simply to put a smile on my face.
It’s been a few weeks since the adoption event and our little furry friend has settled in nicely. Despite his chaotic energy, we’re absolutely in love with him. Cade had to run over to the bar to meet with the delivery guys for the weekly beer shipment this morning so I drove myself over to Chapters and Brews.
As I walk into my newest happy place, the scent of fresh coffee and new books permeating the air, I spot a familiar head full of curls at a small children’s table near the window.
Scanning around the area for Ivy, I find her crouched down, hovering near the bottom of a shelf in the romance section. I’m not usually one to approach people, content to let other people find me, but something about Ivy eases my social anxiety.
“Hey! I’m not sure if you remember me. We met a few weeks ago at the adoption event.”
“O f course! Paige, right? Cheeto’s new friend. How’s he settling in?”
“Definitely living up to his reputation. He seems pretty comfortable considering the chaotic energy he’s already unleashing on us.”
I laugh at the memory of Goose climbing to the top of the curtains earlier today, leaving tiny pin holes along the way. I can’t even be mad about it — he’s too damn cute. “We actually renamed him,” I say a little sheepishly. “I wasn’t a huge fan of ‘Cheeto’ so I let his energy speak to me and we landed on Goose.” I laugh as I recount the incident that led to his new moniker.
I had been soaking in a bubble bath when the little orange fluff ball jumped onto the ledge, and, in a moment of curiosity, started swatting at the bubbles. He suddenly lost his footing and tumbled into the tub. You might assume that plunging headfirst into a tub full of water would cause some sort of distress, but he simply floated for a moment before he used a washcloth to climb back out leaving behind a trail of suds leading back out the bathroom door. I heard an unmistakable boom of laughter, before Cade’s head popped into the bathroom muttering “silly goose” under his breath.
“That’s such a cute nickname,” Ivy laughs, “And definitely fitting!”
“Mommy. Book.” I hear from somewhere behind me before a tiny tornado runs into Ivy’s arms, holding a board book with a kitten on the cover. “Kitty book!”
“That’s right baby, that’s a book about kitties. Do you want mommy to get that one for you?” The little girl’s eyes light up as she nods her head vigorously.
“Rylin, this is Miss Paige. Can you say hi?”
The little girl hides her face in Ivy’s shirt but I can see a small smile playing at the corners of her lips, so I crouch down to her level and hold out my hand.
“H i Rylin, it’s so nice to meet you! I saw you playing with the kitties a few weeks ago. Did you know that I have a kitty? His name is Goose and he’s orange and white and super playful!”
I’m hoping our shared love of cats and the excitement in my voice might make her more comfortable. As a child, I was a lot like Rylin — hesitant to make new friends. As an adult, I still clam up in a lot of social situations.
Rylin steps away from her mom and takes my proffered hand in a tiny handshake before she launches herself at me in a huge embrace.
“I see kitty?” How could I say no to that? I take out my phone and show her the plethora of pictures and videos that Cade and I have taken over the last few weeks. We’re both completely smitten with him.
Ivy returns to the dark romance book she was looking at before I approached while Rylin and I settle on the floor nearby to watch cat videos. A few minutes pass before Ivy approaches, “want to grab a coffee and find a table?”
“Sure, sounds great!” I rise from my position and help Rylin up with me. She reaches her arms into the air and flaps her little hands in an unmistakable “pick me up” signal. I oblige, lifting the sweet little girl in my arms before walking over to the little cafe. We place our orders and, with Ivy’s permission, I add a cat shaped cake pop to my order for Rylin, before we snag a spot at one of the oversized sofas. Ivy and I sit facing each other with Rylin in the middle, chomping on her treat.
She must notice the moment my eyes snag on the book in her hand. “It’s a dark romance, reverse harem, Beauty and the Beast retelling.”
My eyes bug out of my face. I’ve never really ventured into the darker genres, except for the occasional SJ Tilly mafia romance, and the premise of multiple partners has never really spoken to me, but I’m not one to yuck anyone’s yum.
Sending my trepidation, she launches into a diatribe about the benefits of expanding your horizons, and I can’t seem to find a single argument to refute her claims. By the end of her speech, we’re exchanging phone numbers so she can send me some book recs.
“Well, I have to get this little love home for a nap before she has a visitation with her dad this afternoon and, as usual, I’m dreading it.”
She places her hands over the little girl's ears who seems completely unfazed by it. “He’s an absolute piece of shit, but we’re still waiting for some paperwork to be filed with the county courthouse.”
I love how open she is about her life — the complete antithesis to my closed off demeanor. Before I can respond, she fills the silence, “It was nice seeing you, Paige. I’ll text you those book recs later!”
She raises from her spot on the couch and pulls me into a hug. I momentarily stiffen, but I don’t get away with it. “One thing you’re going to learn about me is I’m a hugger. Get used to it.” I laugh and resign myself to the embrace. Rylin offers me a high five before she takes her mom’s hand, offering me a silent wave over her shoulder as they walk out onto the sidewalk.
As I peruse the contemporary romance shelves, I find myself smiling ear to ear, recalling the events of the morning. Oak Ridge is feeling more and more like home and I’m dreading the day that I have to go back to my hometown, and my mom’s judgmental tirades and icy glares. I’m snapped out of my thoughts when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Cade: Almost done with work. Need anything?
Paige: Nope. I’m at Chapters, meet me here?
Cade: See you in a few.
I continue browsing the stacks when two strong arms wrap around my waist, enveloping me in the familiar leather and sandalwood scent that I’ve come to associate with comfort. “Hey Sunshine.”
It’s disgusting how those two little words can make my knees weak — or maybe it’s just the effect of the man behind them.
“Hey Cowboy,” I respond a little breathlessly. He spins me in his arms and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead. I never understood the appeal of forehead kisses until Cade. Now I don’t think I can ever live without them. The simple gesture sets off the butterflies that have taken up residence in my belly.
We pay for the small stack of books that I picked out, including the dark romance novel that Ivy suggested for a buddy read. Cade ushers me out to the truck and we make the short trek back to the cabin; home .
Cade
Having Paige here with me feels so right. We’ve settled into a comfortable routine and it feels like she belongs here in Oak Ridge — with me.
“Hey, baby. I’m home,” I call into the foyer.
Paige was still asleep when I left to grab us some breakfast from Rosie’s this morning. She looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake her. I thought for sure she’d be awake by now based on the routine we've fallen into the last few days, but the house is eerily quiet. Not even Goos e arrives to greet me. I leave the takeout boxes on the counter and trudge up the stairs. I’m expecting to hear the shower when I reach the top, but there’s nothing but silence.
“Paige? Are you up?” I hear a quiet groan from the direction of the bedroom and I’m immediately concerned. She’s never slept this late before. Walking into our room, I notice the bed is disheveled and Paige is nowhere to be found. I round the corner into the bathroom where my girl is hunched over the toilet with tears in her eyes, her curls sticking to her forehead.
“Baby, what happened?”
“Not feeling so good.” Her voice is quiet and listless. She dry heaves over the toilet but nothing comes out. Crouching beside her, I take the scrunchie off my wrist, the one I stole after our weekend in Toronto, and carefully tie her hair back for her in a sloppy bun. She gently lays her head on my shoulder as I gently stroke her back. I can feel the heat radiating off her skin.
“You’re burning up. We need to get some medicine in your system.”
“K.”
“I’m going to help you up now, ok?” She nods and I place my hands under her arms, lifting her just enough so she can sit on the toilet. I bring myself to a standing position before I scoop her into my arms bridal style and carry her back to the bed, propping her against the pillows lining the headboard. I cup her face and kiss her clammy forehead.
“I’ll be right back.”
I take a quick walk downstairs to the kitchen, nearly tripping over Goose on the stairs before returning with a glass of cold water, 2 ibuprofen, and a bucket lined with a grocery bag, just in case. She takes the medicine without argument and lays her head back against the pillows, closing her eyes.
“D o you want to watch a movie?”
She gives me a halfhearted nod. I snag the remote from my nightstand, knowing exactly which movie to put on. Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring is her comfort movie, so I press play on the extended edition, then stride over to the dresser to put on some sweatpants and a tee. I don’t intend to leave her side today, so I text Dean to cancel our lunch plans.
Cade: Raincheck. Paige is sick.
Dean: Y’all need anything?
Cade: Thanks, but I think we’re good.
Dean: Holler if you need me. Tell her I said to get well soon.
Cade: Will do.
I’m about to settle in beside her, when I notice that she’s shivering so I snag an extra blanket from the bench at the foot of the bed, walking around to her side before tucking it all the way to her chin. She opens her eyes and gives me a soft smile when she notices my movie selection.
Cupping her flushed cheek, I ask, “Can I get you anything?”
She lazily shakes her head, so I walk back to my side of the bed, settling against the headboard on top of the covers, then pull her to my chest. She tries to pull back but I don’t release my hold.
“I’ll get you sick.”
“I don’t care. Just let me take care of you.”
She glances at me with eyes full of affection before turning back to where the hobbits are having a birthday party. Paige is usually the caretaker; I don’t kno w how many times in her life she’s let someone else take care of her, but I’m all too happy to be the man to do that for her.
Goose stumbles into the room like he’s just received a new set of paws, then jumps onto the bed and settles on Paige’s feet. I stroke her hair, willing the fever to break. We make it about 30 minutes into the movie when her breathing slows, and she drifts off to sleep.
Paige
I startle awake at the sound of a door snicking closed, hearing hushed voices coming from the hallway. I can just make out Cade’s voice speaking to a woman.
“Thanks so much for this, Jem.”
“How is she?”
“She’s asleep. Her fever broke so I think she’ll make a quick recovery.”
“Good. Call if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and Cade? You really need to take her to meet Grandma.”
I hear a rough exhale. “Yeah. I know. See you later, Jem. Thanks again.”
I roll onto my side at the sound of retreating footsteps as Cade walks back into the room holding a tray with what looks like a bowl of soup.
“Hey baby, you’re awake.”
I give him a soft smile, “so it would seem.”
“Feeling better?”
“A little. Was that Jemma?”
He nods. “She brought some soup from Rosie’s.”
“Have I mentioned how much I love her?”
“N ot more than me, I hope.”
“Never.”
Cade helps me sit myself against the headboard, making sure to tuck my favorite throw blanket around me then places the tray over my lap and takes a seat near my legs. He puts his palm to my forehead and cheek, checking for a fever. When he doesn’t feel anything out of the ordinary, he tilts my chin and brings his lips to meet mine in a chaste kiss. I’ll never get tired of his easy affection. It’s like he has to have some part of his body touching mine at all times. It’s understandable given the months we spent not being able to touch each other at all.
“You scared me, Sunshine.”
I’ve never had someone want to take care of me so completely the way that Cade does, both emotionally and physically. I usually put on a brave face and make the best of things but Cade has been by my side every step of the way. It’s comforting to know that I have someone to help me carry the load when things get too heavy.
“Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Always,” he says, giving me an affectionate smile. “You missed the Council of Elrond. Should we rewind?”
“How do you just get me?”
“It’s the little things, baby.”
I was down and out for a few days but I’ve finally recovered. I’m finally showered, feeling fully refreshed. Walking into the closet to grab some clothes, I throw on an oversized tee and a pair of black panties before something else catches my eye.
“Um, Cade? What’s this?” I call out from the walk-in closet in our room. Our room.
He w alks up behind me, taking in the item I’m holding out in front of me. His eyes meet mine in the reflection of the full-length mirror in front of us.
“Babe, why do you have an adult size dinosaur onesie?” I raise a brow in question, trying my best to hold back the laugh that’s threatening to escape.
“It’s called fashion, Sunshine. You wouldn’t understand,” he jokes, lunging for the hilarious garment in my hands. It’s a dark green with yellow spikes trailing from the hood all the way to a tail protruding between two claw tipped feet.
“Did the bar do some rebranding? Please tell me Liam has to wear one, too,” I tease.
"Hey, it's comfortable! And surprisingly warm." He wraps his arms around my waist, leaning his face into the crook of my neck, peppering me with kisses as his stubble tickles my skin.
“Just so we’re clear, it’s not like… a kinky thing, right?” Thunderous laughter escapes his throat as he doubles over, clutching his stomach.
“No, baby. I’m not into dinosaur role play. It was my dirty Santa gift at Christmas.”
“Hey, I’m not trying to yuck your yum, Cowboy. I won’t judge if you want to get a little prehistoric. You’re practically ancient, anyway.”
“Oh you’re going to pay for that,” he says, tossing me over his shoulder, the onesie toppling to the ground as Cade brings his palm down flat on my ass cheek in a stinging slap that reverberates through the small space.
He makes it over to the bed in 3 strides and all but tosses me down on the plush comforter. Crawling over me, his hand taking both of my wrists in a tight grip before bringing my arms to rest above my head, keeping me pinned to the bed. His free hand trails across my body and I let out a stuttered exhale, my lips parting to say something, anything, but all I can muster is a guttural moan as his han d lifts the hem of my oversized tee, finding my black lace panties already soaked.
Cade’s throat bobs on a swallow as his eyes darken with lust. “You’re going to be the death of me, baby.” His eyes are glued to my apex, and my cheeks are flushed as he plunges two fingers into my tight heat, causing me to gasp at the intrusion.
“I’ll never get enough of this sweet pussy. You’re so goddamn sexy like this.”
“Yes. Fuck, Cade.” I’m so close to the edge already, and he knows it. His thumb finds my clit, and our mouths collide in a greedy kiss, our tongues tangling as I dance on the precipice of my release. I pull back to look into his hungry eyes. “I’m gonna come.”
Before I can get there, Cade pulls away, releasing my arms as he sits back on his haunches, leaving me empty and unsatisfied. I narrow my gaze, the displeasure evident on my face.
“You fucking asshole!”
“I told you that you would pay for it, Paige,” he says, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He has no idea what he’s just done.
“You’re going to regret this, Cowboy,” I say, bringing myself to a sitting position against the headboard. I lift the hem of my shirt over my head and toss it over the bed, putting myself on full display — no bra. I’ve never felt sexier than I do when Cade is looking at me with lust in his eyes.
As I lock eyes with him, his tongue darts out to wet his lips. I remove my lacy black boy shorts, along with my shirt, and position myself with my knees bent and my thighs spread wide. I trail my hand across my nipples, over my soft belly, and towards my swollen center. I dip two fingers through my wetness then bring them to my mouth, letting out an exaggerated moan as I taste my arousal.
Cade’s face is flushed, his restraint hanging on by a thread, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “What’s wrong, Cade?”
His hand instinctively moves towards the waistband of his pants. “Uh uh, I don’t think so, Cowboy.”
I can see his cock straining against his sexy as sin gray sweatpants when he lets out a pained groan.
“Two can play at this game, babe. Are you sure you want to deny me?”
He closes his eyes, his head tilted up to the ceiling in contemplation. I take the opportunity to reach over to my nightstand, pulling out a small bullet vibrator. The light sound of vibration fills the silence and Cade’s eyes snap to the spot between my thighs where I’m holding the toy to my clit.
“Fuck it.”
In one quick motion, he reaches out for me, his arms encircling my waist as he pulls me towards the foot of the bed. He rips the vibrator from my hand, replacing it with his mouth as he consumes me like a man starved. I’m writhing and squirming under his grip, my fingers threading through his hair as I grind into his face.
He pulls back, “Good girl. Take what you need.”
I feel the shivers racing up my spine as stars dance across my vision, my orgasm crashing over me like waves on a rocky shore. I cry out his name and he continues to lap at my sensitive flesh. Not even waiting for me to come down from the high, he shucks his joggers and plunges into me without restraint, chasing his own release.
“Goddammit, baby. The things you do to me,” he growls. He pulls my legs up over his shoulders, nearly folding me in half as he continues to hammer into me, the new angle is fucking nirvana.
“Cade, fuck. It’s too much.”
“You can take it, Paige. You’re doing so well baby, look at you.” My pussy flutters and clenches at his praise, causing Cade to cry out my name as he fills me with his release, my own orgasm following close behind .
“Well, this was an interesting turn of events,” I say, stroking his hair as he rests his head on my chest. We’re both breathless and slick from the exertion. His body shakes as he laughs into my breasts.
“Fucking dinosaur onesie,” he says, both of us dissolving into unrestrained laughter.