Chapter 24
POV: Kiera?
By the time morning rolled around, I was half groggy, half fully awake.
And as I glanced next to me, I realized why.
Cain.
I hadn’t slept next to him in days and last night, I finally did. And for some reason it literally…calmed me.
Every nerve inside of me, every negative thought, every fear about my pregnancy…dulled, next to him.
And I still haven’t been able to understand why.
I didn’t think I’d ever be able to.
Being with Cain—just being near him had a way of calming me. It was like stepping into a space where I could breathe, a place where judgment didn’t exist. He’d always tell me I was beautiful, even when I wore sweatpants, and he saw a side of me that no one else ever had. And for some reason, that grounded me. That gave me the ability to breathe easy, feeling as if he would always accept me, no matter what.
But I knew that it wasn’t normal. It wasn’t natural. It wasn’t how I felt with other men. It was exclusive…to him.
I was way past fear now.
I didn’t fear him any longer.
I just needed him.
But it wasn’t just my mind or body that felt it anymore, it was something deeper—something that reached straight into my soul.
It was as if my soul needed him.
My hand glided up to his chest, settling on it, as I ran my fingers down his craved muscles and let out a happy sigh.
“That sounded good,” he laughed.
I glanced up and caught him smirking.
“Yeah,” I whispered, pressing my cheek further into his chest and letting out another heavy sigh.
He ran his fingers slowly through my hair, anchoring me with each soft touch. “What are you thinking about, Kiera?”
He always knew.
God, he always knew.
“Nothing,” I lied, coolly. But I couldn’t help myself. “Well, something.”
“And?” he asked, as his hand dipped lower, to caress my collarbone.
“Just about work and the pregnancy,” I whispered out.
His touch felt warm, lighting my skin on fire with quick movements, grounding me in this moment.
He was quiet for a moment.
I looked up at him, running my hand tenderly along his cheek, “now what are you thinking about?”
“You’re going to probably hate it…knowing you,” he chuckled but his grip tightened around my waist.
I narrowed my eyes, giving him a playful smile. “And what is that something I’m sure to hate?”
“A trip.”
“A trip? To where?” I laughed.
“To visit my family,” he replied.
And my heart began to beat faster. “Um—Cain—”
“We should visit them, Kiera. We should tell them about the pregnancy.” His tone changed from a soft whisper to almost a command.
“Um, what?” I asked, in disbelief, pressing myself into a seated position and shaking my head in confusion. “I’m confused. Why do we need to tell them, now? I’m not even showing.”
“They’d want to know,” he said as if it was the most simple thing in the world.
“I guess,” I said. “But I don’t know—”
He cut me off. “They’ll love you.”
But something inside his eyes told a different story. I didn’t believe it.
“They would?” I cocked an eyebrow. “I haven’t even heard about them until today, Cain. I know nothing about your family or even where they live.”
Tension filled his face. His jaw ticked. His eyes glowed. His nose flared.
“In the mountains, outside of Denver.”
“Ok, well that’s a start I guess…” I mumbled.
His gaze never left mine, as he cradled my hand in his. “Please, Kiera.”
I shook my head, tearing my gaze away from him quickly. “I don’t know…it all seems so fast.”
Using his thumb, he tilted my gaze back towards his. “Pregnancies are fast. Before you know it the baby will be here. And then you don’t have to worry about work,” he said.
“So, I’m just supposed to go into hiding? Who will be your assistant then?” I scoffed.
“Not hiding,” he explained. “I’m going with you. I’ll have Vance handle the day to day and I’ll be available online for a while—until you get settled. It’ll be good for us. It’ll be good for the baby.” His other hand rested on my stomach gingerly.
And I could swear I felt an almost magnetic pull, a part of me aching to give in.
I bit my lip, thinking about it. “I guess time in the mountains could be nice…”
“There’s my girl,” he smiled, wrapping me into a hug then pulling me into his lap.
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Only when you get your way.”
“I always get my way,” he said with pride.
“Only when I allow it.”
The words felt empty. Because he was right…he did always get his way.
He tilted his head towards me, his lips hovering above my neck before landing on it. His kisses were soft and caused my eyes to flutter close to revel in his touch.
He whispered into my skin as he continued kissing down my neck in a perfect line, “but seriously, baby, you’ll love it there. Mountains. Fresh air. Peace and quiet.”
“If you say so,” I smiled, as he pressed another kiss down my collarbone towards my chest.
“I do say so,” he chuckled, as his hand dipped lower.
I moaned as he stroked my wetness.
“Cain—” I breathed out quickly, but his finger kept working its magic, rubbing against my slickness, then entering me with one quick movement.
“You deserve some release,” he whispered as he pressed another kiss into the top of my shoulder. “You’re carrying our baby, after all.”
I giggled. “You act like it’s some great act of service.”
“It is,” he said, jamming his finger inside of me again. “This is our first pregnancy.”
“You’re already thinking about a second one?” I laughed, as he stroked his thumb across my clit again, causing my body to spasm then tense.
“With you, of course,” he replied, nipping at my ear.
We did little talking after that.
But something in his words made me pause, stirring thoughts I hadn’t expected—about his family, about the baby, about the mountains….and about what awaited me there.