14. Fourteen
Fourteen
Cass
Kendrick stands with her arms wrapped around her as if to shield herself from my words. She stares out at the shoreline, watching the waves roll in.
“It wasn’t just you, Cass,” Kendrick finally responds, turning toward me. I hear the heavy weight of her confession in her voice. “Leaving tore me apart, too. There wasn’t a single day that I didn’t wonder if I had made the right decision–or the biggest mistake of my life.”
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “Did it ever occur to you that I might have chosen us over fame? That I needed you—and our child?”
My words seem to pierce through her, and she has to look away. The guilt and regret are etched on her face. “I’m sorry, Cass,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t want you to have to choose between your chance at fame and us.”
We stand there in silence for a while, the weight of our shared pain pressing down on us yet somehow bringing us closer. Finally, I reach out, taking her hand in mine. The warmth of my touch sends a shiver through her.
“I won’t lie to you, Kendrick,” I tell her, my voice steady and low. “It still hurts. But, having Cassidy in my life, with you, with this—us—hopefully, we can find a way forward from here.”
I meet her gaze, the honesty and vulnerability in her eyes unraveling the last of my defenses. “I want that, Cass,” she says softly, and I tighten my hand around hers. “More than anything.”
For the first time, the pain we share feels less like a wound and more like a bridge we can start crossing together.
We stand there; the only sounds are the waves breaking on the sand. When she turns to me, I notice her kissable lips… and I remember how she looked standing nude and damp in the downstairs bathroom–and I’m tempted. So very tempted. In the dim light, I see Kendrick shiver from the cool breeze, and I realize I still have hold of her hand.
“Come on, let’s go in,” I say softly, pulling her behind me as I open the sliding glass doors. “Before you get chilled.”
We enter the house and continue to the kitchen. I grab a beer while Kendrick pours herself a glass of wine. I turn on some slow music and then join her. I sit close, not wanting to lose our current personal connection.
We’re both silent, feeling like we’ve already said all that needed saying, at least for now. We both seem loath to disrupt the quiet. Once her wine is gone and my beer is finished, we both rise carefully from the couch, being careful not to touch. We’re both equally aware that we are alone in the house for the first time since we found each other again.
“Goodnight, Kendrick,” I say softly, leaving her at her bedroom door like a perfect gentleman.
Continuing down the hall to the master suite, I close the door. My eyes go to the king-sized bed. I stand there looking at the empty bed while memories of Kendrick and how we once were flood my mind. How she would silently mouth my name as I made love to her. I can almost feel the sting of her nails on my back.
“Shit,” I say with a groan as a sudden need pierces through me. “Fuck this! I’m no gentleman.” I wrench open the door, and with a determined stride, I approach her bedroom. As I reach out, the door suddenly swings open, revealing a startled Kendrick. My eyes rake over her form as she stands there in a silky nightgown. As I continue to stare at her hungrily, I notice her breath turn choppy.
“Where were you going?” I ask, my voice gruff.
Her clear gray eyes meet mine, and without any coyness, she answers simply, “To find you.”
Without hesitation, I pull her to me, my lips crashing against hers in a kiss that’s raw and consuming. Bending down, I pick her up and carry her boldly back to my bed.
I quickly strip and follow her down, feeling her arms wrap around me. We roll together until she’s on top of me. We share another hot, urgent kiss as I undress her, pulling her nightgown over her head. Once she’s nude, I caress her full breasts, paying special attention to her sensitive nipples as I tweak them into stiff peaks. She stirs restlessly against me as I continue to fondle her.
I roll again, and she’s beside me on the bed.
“Are you ready for me, Kendrick?” I ask as my searching hand finds her warm core. I slowly probe her wetness. Slipping in a finger, I murmur, “You’re so tight.” I feel her body react as I continue to rock my palm against her, pushing in another finger. I watch as Kendrick’s eyes darken and then close. I don’t stop, continuing to pump inside her until her body suddenly clamps down on my fingers, milking them. And I watch as she shatters in my arms.
When her eyes flutter open, I smile in satisfaction. “I’m glad I can still get you there, Kendrick.”
Rolling again until she’s underneath me, I spread her legs apart with my thigh. As I enter her, I again watch her eyes—eyes that are a clear, deep gray. Eyes that I would willingly drown in. As I surge into her, she gives a small gasp. At my frown, she gives me a reassuring smile and lifts her legs, wrapping them around me. As I pull out and then push in again, I see her mouth my name, “Cass,” she says silently, and I’m gone. Conscious only of Kendrick below me as the world disappears and the momentum builds. Soon, we’re both reaching, straining for that moment when our passion lifts us higher.
Suddenly, the bliss overtakes us, and she cries out my name. Giving a hoarse groan of my own, I join her. I’m slow to recover, but as our breathing returns to normal, I shift my weight to the side as soon as I can. My arm wrapping around her slim waist, pulling her against me.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper against her forehead, “I’ve missed this—us.”
I hear her soft breath as she whispers back, “I’ve missed you, too.”
Then, as our breathing continues to slow, I pull her snuggly against me. With my arm still draped around her waist, we both fall asleep—exhausted but sated in each other’s arms.
Sometime later, while it’s still dark outside, I awaken and realize the space beside me is empty. I’m alone in my bed. Standing, I walk to Kendrick’s bedroom, but her bed is still made. Naked, I walk down the stairs and through the quiet rooms. Not finding her, I turn again to the stairs when a movement on the outside deck catches my eye. The deck is dark, cloaked in shadows, but the moonlight catches the curve of her silhouette, drawing me toward her.
I silently open the sliding glass doors. Kendrick turns toward me with a soft smile. I walk up behind her, wrap my arms around her, and pull her back to rest against my bare chest.
“I woke up, and you were gone,” I tell her in a low voice.
Feeling her deep sigh, I reach up, and my hands cover her soft breasts through the silky fabric of the nightgown she slipped back on.
I feel more than see her soft smile in the darkness as she presses against my searching hands. They continue to wander slowly over the silky fabric, discovering all of her gentle curves. Straightening, I take her hand and lead us over to the lounger. As I settle into the cushions, I pull her onto my lap, facing me. The darkness conceals us from any prying eyes.
It’s silent except for the sound of the unseen surf as I pull her face toward mine. I bend forward, my mouth covering hers in a consuming kiss, while my hands slide over her firm backside, pulling her hips closer. So close she can feel my hard arousal.
My hands slowly gather the skirt of her nightgown, bunching it up around her waist as I help her position herself above me. Grasping her waist through the fabric to steady her as she slowly takes me in. Once I’m fully seated and we’re locked together, she slowly begins to move. Rocking against me, with an occasional twist that steals my breath with a low groan. I hear her breathing as it quickens, and she increases the tempo of our loving making.
Her back arches as she throws her head back, her long hair glistening in the faint moonlight, and I feel her body start to spasm as she orgasms, taking me with her. When we’re both spent, she slumps against my chest as I wrap her securely in my arms.
“That was—even better than I remember,” I say in a gruff voice as my hands caress the curve of her back.
“Hmm…,” she murmurs sleepily in agreement. “I don’t remember us ever making love outside, in the open like this before.”
Giving a light laugh, I state, “That’s because we couldn’t even afford a nice hotel room back then,” I chuckle, thinking back to those times. “We were lucky if we could find a bed.”
Hearing a girlish giggle escape her lips, Kendrick says, “Remember that time in the single bed? We hardly got any sleep.”
“Yes, I remember,” I reply in a husky voice, “but it wasn’t because of the single bed. You were insatiable that night. A tigress.”
“Yes, I was,” she agrees lightly. “Looking back, I know it was the baby hormones,” she admits ruefully.
My hands reach down and cover her abdomen with a broad hand. I wait for the resentment to take hold, and I’m relieved when all I feel is curiosity. “Is that why I was so irresistible those last few weeks?”
“Yes,” she replies, sounding almost shy.
We stay like that for a few minutes, listening to the pounding of the surf in the background and the beating of our hearts, until I feel goosebumps on her arms.
“Let’s go back to bed,” I whisper, feeling her nod. She gracefully stands, and we walk together into the house, up the stairs, and back to my bedroom.
When I wake again, it’s to Kendrick’s warm, soft body pressed close against mine. A smile of masculine satisfaction tugs at my lips as I tighten my arm around her waist. My eyes remain closed as I take in the light scent of her floral shampoo, breathing deeply.
When I next open my eyes, there’s dim light filtering in through the windows, and Kendrick and I are tangled up in the sheets.
“Good morning,” I state huskily, my eyes searching her face for any regrets. I grin when I spot her sleepy smile.
“Morning,” she yawns back, a slender hand covering her mouth.
Feeling good, I pull Kendrick out of bed and into the shower. It’s later—much later, when we step out of the bathroom, both of us with pruned skin.
Stepping into a pair of board shorts, I make my way to the kitchen. Kendrick’s wearing an old T-shirt, the hem brushing her thighs, making her legs look impossibly long.
I narrow my eyes and arch a brow. “Is that one of my T-shirts?” I demand.
She gives me an innocent smile. “This old thing? Why I’ve had this for years.”
“Uh-huh, I went to that concert, and you didn’t. That’s my T-shirt. I can’t believe you claimed it as yours,” I pretend to huff.
“Are you saying you want it back?” she asks, raising her chin.
I pretend to think it over. “I’m considering it,” I tell her with a sexy grin. “What color panties are you wearing?”
A pretty pink flush sweeps over her face, and she turns toward the stove, ignoring my question. “I think I’ll fix scrambled eggs and cheese.”
We work together, and it feels like old times. Me, making advances and sexual innuendos, and Kendrick acting like she doesn’t know the hidden meanings. A sudden feeling of déjà vu comes over me, and I grin because it feels so good to be here with Kendrick, doing something so mundane as preparing breakfast.
When she reaches up to get a bowl, I say in a husky voice. “Purple.” She blinks, and her blush deepens. “Purple always was your favorite color.”
My hands wrap around her waist, and I pull her closer. I give her a quick kiss, which is more playful than sensual. She leans back, at ease, in my arms.
“And what about your favorite color? I remember you always said you didn’t have one.”
“That hasn’t changed,” I say with a nod. “I like all colors, depending on the shade.” I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Right now, I’m very fond of purple.”
Kendrick starts to laugh as she lightly pulls out of my arms to tend to the food. As I set out plates on the counter, I hear the hot sizzle of bacon hitting the skillet. Soon, the tantalizing smell fills the air, and my stomach rumbles. Loudly.
A light chuckle spills from Kendrick’s lips. “And you always have an appetite. Breakfast is ready.” She fills the plates at the stove and sets mine in front of me. “Let’s eat.”
As I dig in, I’m surprised at how normal everything feels. It gives me hope for the future. A future with–stop! I don’t want to let outside forces intrude on this time with Kendrick. I’m just going to enjoy it.