47. Chapter 47 - Rosalyn
I don’t know how he can be so much older than me and still up before me?
Like, I’m exhausted, shouldn’t he be?
Rolling onto my belly, I tuck the pillow under my chin and stare at my hand. I like this gold band so much better than the ruby I wore for Ava that’s now tucked safely in a jewelry box.
Cade’s must have given him super powers. He kept me up all night after our impromptu wedding at the courthouse.
My body grumbles from the ways he stretched me in every position but it’s a good sore.
How he got my ankles that far past my ears…my cheeks are burning just remembering it.
“You know, you lying there with that cute little ass hanging out makes a man want to miss breakfast.” He sets down two cups of coffee on the nightstand, then bends to nip my bare butt.
I squeal and giggle, rolling just far enough that he leans over me, pinning me into the tousled blankets.
“Good morning, Mrs. McCullough.” He gives me that smirk that tugs up his cheek and makes him look like a hot shot gunslinger from an old western.
I run my fingers through his hair, catching the gleam of the morning sun on my wedding ring. “I like that. It’s like taking on a new identity. Maybe now I’ll be braver?”
His lips thin, then purse. “Baby, you’re already one of the bravest people I know.
” He drops to kiss my jaw, following it down to my throat before he growls, pulling away.
“While you feel that way, we need to talk about Montana.” He pushes himself to sit, framing my waist with his arm.
“I didn’t want to yesterday. Wade texted again last night. ”
“I thought you seemed like you were in a good mood when you came to bed?” I can’t resist running my fingers down his shoulder. It’s my favorite pastime, making new paths over his scars.
He shifts to smooth the wrinkles from my forehead. “I didn’t get it until this morning. I was firmly on ‘do not disturb’ for our honeymoon.”
I curl around him until my thighs press against his bare lower back and my arm drapes his knee. If he married me that must mean he likes it when I touch him? It almost feels like I have permission now.
As if it wasn’t addictive before. I love this connection that I’ve never had with anyone else.
When his hand works over my ribs and down my hip in long strokes, I think I can finally believe he likes it too.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do.” My lips press just above his kneecap where one of the jagged lines from his surgery ends.
“Ros,” he sighs. “I like that in our bed. But I also want you to make an informed choice.” He reaches out and picks up a coffee, made just the way I love it.
The knot in my throat might not let me drink it. “I don’t want to know. Anything I choose is wrong in my head.”
“I can tell you what I’d prefer, will that help?” He patiently holds my cup as he stares at my mouth.
Sometimes I feel like he can read me better than I know myself. “Yes.” I concede and take the stupid peace offering.
Damn it. It’s delicious.
He takes a deep breath, covering my elbow with his warm palm. “I need to go.”
Fear grips my chest and my teeth find my lip.
I catch him narrow his gaze.
“I figure you have a couple of options.” He flips out a finger. “Stay here.” Another digit. “Come with me.” Then his thumb. “Tell me to fuck off.” He snorts after the last. “To be honest, I expect number three in combination with either of the first two.”
Reaching out, I flatten his thumb and stare at the others. “Which do you prefer?” I hope it’s the second.
I don’t want to be here alone. That scares me more.
“Baby, I want you by my side. I don’t know how long I’ll be there. The idea of spending even one night without you tears me apart.” Then he takes a long inhale.
Here comes the ‘but’.
“But if you want to stay, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of and safe. Gil and Daphne are good folks—”
“I’ll always choose you, Cade.” I wrap my body tighter around him, hugging him with my entire length to try and prove to him the truth behind my words. “Please don’t leave me alone?” I whimper.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He takes a sip of coffee and sighs. “That’s why I scheduled us down at the shooting range today. You’re going to learn how to use a pistol before we go.”
“Wait, why?” I thought he was going to protect me?
“Because we’ll be in the same state as your brothers. They’re monsters, Ros.” He lifts my arm to rub the smooth glass on my bracelet. “The thing about them, a rock won’t keep them away.” He turns, meeting my eyes with his. “But a fucking nine millimeter might.”