Chapter 20 - Cayden
I fixed my cuff links, popping the left one into position. I rolled my neck when I heard heels coming down the hallway.
"Ok, so I went a little out of normal for this outfit," Riley said as she came down the hallway.
"I'm sure you look amazing," I said, turning as she turned the corner. My voice got stuck in my throat as I took Riley in. She wore a tight black dress that sparkled in the light and paired it with black heels. Her hair was curled slightly, all pulled to the side with a braid. She was wearing some dangling earrings and a necklace that shined.
My mouth dropped at the sight of her, and she blushed. "Is something wrong?" She turned, and my cock ached, taking the full view in.
I shook my head. "No, you look wonderful. Jesus, that dress…." I bite on my cheek from groaning at the sight of her.
She softly smiled, running her hands down the front. "You like it? Like I said, I went a little more out of my comfort zone on this. Your sister would wear this more than I would."
"You look good," I growled, walking to her. "And I'm tempted just to ignore the party. I will happily stripe that dress off you and take you right here against the wall."
She snorted, shaking her head. "We made a deal, remember. No sex."
"Yeah, but that was before you stepped out looking like sex in a dress."
She blushed harder, her entire face going red. "Should I change? Is this going to be a problem for you?"
"Absolutely not," I said, walking over, placing my hand on her hips and pulling her to me. "You look amazing in that, and I will suffer through." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "But you promise to wear that when we open the sex factor back up."
"Ok, then we're ready?" I nodded, turned, and pulled the door open.
We arrived at the fire station, and everyone was dressed, including the kids. Wendy and Ayden stood in the kitchen, setting the food out. Poppy stood next to Wendy, waving her hands around. "I'll make the food float, watch mom."
I watched as Wendy quickly picked Poppy up. "Let's not."
Ayden laughed, reaching over and pinched Poppy's cheeks.
"Hey, Riley and Cayden are here," Wendy said as we stopped at the top of the stairs. "Oh my god, that dress looks amazing! Where did you get that?"
Riley looked down at her dress, blushing. "I got it at the mall."
I leaned closer to her, leaning into her ear. "I told you that you looked good."
She smirked, flashing her teeth at me. I reached a hand around, cupping her ass for a moment before I let go. Riley's face went bright red.
"Want some champagne?" Wendy asked.
"Yes, please," she said, happily accepting a glass from Wendy and taking a deep gulp of it.
"Foods out," Ayden said, his eyes going around the entire room but stopping on Miles. "Let the kids grab first."
Miles threw his hands up. "Why are you looking at me? You act like I'm a monster."
"You pushed Michelle out of the way last year," Ayden said, crossing his arms.
"I did not."
"You did," Laura said, stopping next to him. "And we all agreed you eat last this year."
Miles scowled. "You all say I act like a child. I might as well get the perks that come with it."
Laura snorted, shaking her head at him. "I'm questioning my love for you," she teased, giving him a kiss. "But if you grab food before our son, I'll have you washing our entire house with a toothbrush."
I looked around, taking everyone in. Ayden and Wendy had a loving relationship that everyone seemed to swoon at. Miles and Laura bickered and teased each other, but you could tell they were deeply in love. Lucas said little, but he handed Gina her glass, kissing her forehead, and you knew they didn't really need words for their relationship. Owen was even sitting with Ivy on his lap, talking to her with Ashley, and trying to fix their daughter's hair.
They all had different relationships that were built on love and trust. I glanced at Riley, wondering if that was how we looked. Did we look like we had a good relationship?
I glanced at Riley, and her face shifted. "What's wrong?" I asked as the kids all hurried to the kitchen to grab food.
"Nothing. I'm just taking it all in." She softly smiled. "They all have such beautiful relationships and children."
I gave her shoulder a squeeze, and she relaxed a little.
After the kids finished, we all got some food. We ate and chatted while sipping champagne. We played some board games and allowed the kids to win most of them. We were all sitting around telling stories, watching the clock turn and getting closer to midnight.
"The last of the kids are asleep," Owen said, walking out from a hallway.
"That means you guys can start your race," Wendy chirped. She pulled herself out of her chair and headed into the kitchen, pouring herself another glass.
"You know I asked Cayden why the girls haven't joined," Riley asked, looking at them. When in wolf form, the women were just as fast as the guys, so it wasn't like they had an advantage.
"We just haven't," Laura said, looking around the group. "But mostly because one of us was pregnant at the time."
"No one is pregnant this year," Gina said, looking around. "Right? Or is someone holding out on some life-changing information?"
All eyes fell on Wendy and Ayden. Wendy snorted, shaking her head. "You have all watched me drink an entire bottle of champagne tonight."
"Ayden could have been drinking it secretly, like when you were pregnant with Zayden. You have ways to hide the truth."
She shook her head. "I'm not pregnant. But not because of the lack of trying."
The guys all made a face, and Ayden laughed. Wendy took a seat on his lap. "But you know it would be kind of fun to join. We've never been given the chance."
"I'd like to play," Gina said, nodding her head. "I bet I could take the win. Main man sounds like a good title for a year." Gina looked at Lucas. "I wouldn't have to hear you say that all year."
I suddenly grew giddy with excitement. All of us were racing to see who was the fastest. It was always interesting to see who was the winner.
Suddenly, the clock chimed for midnight, and I looked at Riley, who turned to me. "It's midnight, " someone said in a cheerful voice.
I reached up, cupping Riley's face, and leaned in, kissing her. It wasn't a soft kiss, either. I kissed her like it was the last time I would, and I heard a soft moan leave her lips.
I smirked as I leaned back, taking in her flushed face. "Happy New Year, Riley. May this year be amazing and full of opportunities."
I could hear the others saying the same to their spouses, and as she looked at me, I could see the lust in her eyes. I wanted her so goddamn badly it hurt.
She straightened herself and tried to wipe her face like she could wipe away the redness.
"All right! Let's head outside!" Owen said, a kick in his step as he walked past us. "Rules are simple. We start at the forest's edge, and you run straight until you see the flag, which is about a mile out. You can do anything to win, but remember we will do this again next year, and if you trip someone this year, they will likely trip you back next year."
All eyes went to Lucas, who shrugged. I couldn't help but laugh because last year he had tripped Miles because he won the year before, and I knew he wouldn't let him live it down.
We all headed outside and towards the forest. My eyes were on Riley, who was excited. I asked her about shifting in front of the others, and she said she didn't mind as long as she had clothes to put on afterward. We all had clothes stashed at the flag.
"Once everyone has shifted, we wait, and then we go," Ayden said.
We all shifted into our wolf form and got ready. It was silent for a moment before Ayden spoke up. "Go."
We all took off into the wood, following the edge. I didn't care about winning but making sure that Riley had a good time.
Miles quickly slammed into Lucas, who went rolling, and the girls and I ran past them. I couldn't help but laugh as Miles spoke up. "Your out, asshole! You ain't winning this year."
"Neither are you," Lucas snapped back.
We kept running, and Wendy took the lead with the girls.
"You're a little slow this year," Wendy chirped.
"Your husband is going for the win," I said, watching as Ayden and Owen were in front, going head and head. Thomas was closing in right behind them, though.
We ran faster, catching up with the guys, and I could see the excitement in Riley's eyes as she ran. She looked loose and carefree, like the day we went running before.
I couldn't keep my eyes off her as we ran, getting closer and closer to the flag. It was in sight now, and Ayden was the closest.
"I'm going to win," Ayden said excitedly.
As they closed in on the flag, I watched Thomas take off ahead of Ayden at the last minute, taking the flag out. We all came to a sudden halt as Ayden turned, looking at Thomas in shock.
I couldn't help but laugh, watching as Thomas moved around happily. He wiggled, and his tail wagged around with him. "Main man! Main man! I win." Thomas cheered happily.
I glanced at Riley, who stood with the girls, looking peaceful. The wind blew, and her brown fur ruffled in the air. And I felt my heart skip a beat. I had already thought I was in love with her before, but I knew I was now. I loved her, and I wanted a life with her.