Chapter 42
GRAE
My heart cracked into a million little pieces at Caden’s words, each shard so tiny I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to put it back together again. Not the way it was.
What had happened tonight would change us both forever. But Caden was paying the highest price.
My thumbs swept across his cheeks. “Do you know what I see when I look at you?”
Caden was silent, but his eyes flared.
“The man who’s always there when I need him the most. The person who gets me better than anyone else. Someone who’s kind and loyal and will do anything for the people he loves.”
“I failed you,” he croaked.
I let one hand trail down his face to the back of his neck and squeezed. “I’m standing in front of you. Breathing. Living. Because you came. And it’s not the first time you saved my life. You always show up when I really need you.”
The corner of my mouth kicked up. “You even let me maul you when I was trying to escape a bad date.”
“Gigi…”
“I will only ever see the best things when I look at you. I’ll only ever see the truth.”
Caden searched my eyes. “How?”
“Because you’ve always been that glimmer of light for me. A beacon of hope. Even when I didn’t want you to be.”
Caden brushed the hair out of my face, his fingers tangling in the strands. “You shine so brightly it terrified me. Worried if I ever lost you, my world would go black.”
“But I’m right here. No matter what happens, we always seem to find our way back to each other.”
The gold in Caden’s eyes burned bright. “Love you, Gigi. I always have. Every moment we were side by side. Every moment we were apart. I think the times I pushed you away…I only loved you more.”
My breath hitched, everything in me pulling taut. “I love you, too. Even when I didn’t want to, I couldn’t burn you out of me. You were always there.”
Caden’s hand slid along my jaw, tipping my head back. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I was a coward.”
“Losing each other just makes us appreciate this more.” I stretched up onto my tiptoes, bringing my mouth to his.
I poured everything I didn’t have the words for into the kiss.
Because what I felt for Caden went beyond love.
It was something indescribable. Something I could only paint with my body against his.
“Gigi…” he whispered against my lips. “You need to rest.”
“I need you.”
It was the simple truth. I needed to feel him. To reassure myself that we were okay, still here, and would always find our way back to each other.
Caden stared down at me, his eyes searching. And then he hoisted me into his arms.
My legs encircled his waist, holding tightly. As if I needed to guarantee that I wouldn’t lose him.
Caden strode down the hall toward his bedroom, but I didn’t let that stop me. My lips trailed over his neck, and when my teeth grazed his ear, he let out a growl that made me grin.
A second later, Caden lowered me to the mattress, his fingers coming to the T-shirt I wore. His movements were so incredibly gentle as he lifted it over my head and sent it sailing to the floor. His eyes flared. “No bra?”
I shrugged. “We were going to bed.”
Caden’s gaze dipped to the baggy sweats I wore. His hand trailed up my thigh, to the very core of me. “And here?”
My eyes danced. “Why don’t you find out?”
His fingers unhooked my insulin pump and then latched on to the waistband of my sweats. He pulled them off in one swift move. That muscle in his jaw flexed. “Gigi…”
“I don’t like sleeping in underwear.”
Caden’s fingers dipped between my legs, stroking. “It does make for easy access.”
“I’m all for practicality,” I said between pants.
He grinned as a finger teased my opening. “Good to know.”
“Caden,” I whispered.
“Tell me what you want, Gigi.”
“I want you. Inside me. Filling me. Need all of you.”
Caden’s hand was gone, and he was stripping out of his tux faster than I could blink. He lowered himself so he hovered over me. “I’ll always give you what you need.” His eyes locked with mine as my legs encircled his hips. “Tell me you’re sure.”
“Never been more sure of anything.”
It was all Caden needed. He slid inside on a slow glide. Usually, when Caden took me, there was a hint of feral need. But not now. Caden took his time with each thrust as if he wanted to make sure I felt every possible sensation.
My fingers dug into his shoulders, my back arching. My hips rose to meet his, finding the path that was ours alone. But I didn’t lose Caden’s eyes for a single second.
I saw it all before he said a single word.
“Love you, Gigi.”
Those words I’d craved for so long sent me spiraling over the edge. My walls clamped around Caden, and he came on a shout, his forehead pressing against mine as he thrust deeply.
We stayed like that, locked together, until both of us caught our breath. When Caden slid from my body, I wanted to weep at the loss. But he pulled me against him and wrapped me in his arms. His body cocooned mine in a way that said he’d always be with me.
Caden shifted again, pulling open the drawer on his nightstand. The light was so low I couldn’t see what he was grasping for but then he was back again. His lips ghosted over my hair.
“I told my parents I’m leaving the company.”
I stilled then and turned in his hold. “You did?”
He nodded. “Mom was supportive. Dad was pissed.”
I wasn’t surprised. “I’m glad your mom handled it well.”
Caden’s fingers trailed up and down my arm. “You’ve made me see what family should be. What it means to truly love someone.”
My heart picked up speed. “You’ve always known. You just needed someone to have your back while you fought for that.”
Caden’s lips brushed mine. “And you’ve been that for me. Never had a fiercer defender.”
“And you always will,” I promised.
“Build that family with me. One that always supports and defends. One that loves with everything we have.”
“Caden,” I whispered.
He held up a ring that glinted in the low light.
“I know the timing’s shit, and I should wait to sweep you off your feet with a million flowers or a helicopter tour or a fancy dinner, but I don’t want to waste another second living without you.
I want you in my bed, in our home, by my side.
I want to make babies with you and grow old and gray. ”
I couldn’t hold back. I jumped on him.
Caden let out a grunt as I straddled him.
“Yes!” Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I kissed him. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
His mouth curved against mine as he slid the ring onto my finger. “Think we could get married tomorrow?”