Chapter 13
Caden knew he was treading a fine line and playing a dangerous game.
When Dru found out about the conversation he had with her mother earlier, she’d be upset.
There was no way she’d agree to live with him for sixty days if she didn’t trust him.
But for just one night, he wanted to have her all to himself.
When they first made it back to his home, he took the time to give her a tour of the seven thousand square feet abode.
She oohed and aahed and commented on everything she loved.
They settled in the kitchen, where he told her she could have literally whatever she wanted.
If she wanted something he didn’t have the ingredients for, his private chef would do a grocery order.
“Hmm, I don’t know,” Dru said with a relaxed expression and warm smile, which was new. This was the first time he’d seen her look so relaxed and at peace since they’d met. “We can eat anything I want?”
“Anything you want,” he replied. “What’s your favorite thing to eat?”
“Potatoes of any kind and seafood,” she said, then giggled.
“Aight, bet. Seafood boil, surf and turf . . . What are you thinking?”
“Hmm, you pick.”
“Let’s do surf and turf. I’m cool with seafood, but ain’t nothing topping a good steak with me.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
“What vegetables would you all like?” Sidney, his private chef, asked.
“Baked sweet potato for me,” Caden said. “What do you want, sweetheart?”
“That sounds good. Oh, and maybe broccolini too?”
“And for dessert?” Sidney inquired.
“I love cookies. Any kind,” Dru answered.
“Since this one only eats chocolate chip and peanut butter, we’ll go with that,” Sidney said before moving over to her mounted tablet to get together a grocery list.
“That’s the only kind of cookies you eat?” Dru confirmed, as if she couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
Caden chuckled as they walked out of the kitchen. “Yes, ma’am. I used to eat butter cookies in school, but now I just stick to those two.”
“I guess,” she muttered, following him into the living room.
“So what would you like to do until dinner is ready, Dru? We can chill and watch TV or go to the theater room and watch a movie, play some shit in the game room, talk and get to know each other a little better. It’s up to you.”
“We can talk. You keep showing me sides of you that pique my curiosity, and I can’t lie and say I don’t want to get to know you better.”
“Cool with me.”
They got comfortable on the couch, and Caden cut the TV on for background noise. “Did you want to get a bit more comfortable?” he checked. “Since I kind of kidnapped you, I can give you something of mine to put on.”
Dru looked down at herself with a smile. “I’m okay for now. I’ve gotten used to dressing like this for hours, so it’s cool.”
Caden couldn’t stop himself from taking in the crop top, shorts, and heels. Forcing himself to look away, he nodded his agreement.
“Tell me about you, beautiful. And actually tell me about you, not your family or anyone else.”
“That makes it trickier,” she confessed. “There’s not really much to tell. I think I’m officially jobless at this point. I’m thirty. No kids, but Dreya may as well be my daughter. I’m single—”
“Not anymore. You’re very much taken and mine.”
Her eyes rolled playfully. “I love swimming, reading, and painting. And I absolutely love the art you have around your home.” Caden locked in that bit of information for a future date.
“If I would have gone to college, I would’ve majored in Fine Arts.
Hmm, what else? I just told you what my favorite food is.
My favorite color is yellow, and I love watching shows from the late ’80s and ’90s.
I can listen to any kind of music, depending on the vibe, but Al Green is probably my favorite artist. Now tell me some things about you. ”
“You already know what I do. Who I am. I’m thirty-eight, my favorite food is anything Southern.
I have a private chef to ensure I eat healthy, but I do believe Black people can eat our food every day, just like other ethnicities and cultures, when it’s prepared properly.
My favorite color is blue. My hobbies are reading, sports, gambling, and art.
I love to collect it and go to galleries and showcases in and out of the city. ”
“That’s so exciting. I’ve gone to all the galleries here except the new one.”
“Divine?” Caden confirmed. “Oh, you’re missing out. It’s bomb as hell. I’ll have to take you one day.”
She didn’t reject the invitation, so that was progress. They continued to talk, sharing their birthdays and describing their personalities and character. More things they liked and disliked. By the time the groceries had arrived, they’d shifted into more casual conversation.
“I’m too competitive to gamble,” Dru shared. “I would hate to lose.”
“I get that. I think I love the high of it. The adrenaline of the risk and reward.”
“I can tell you’re like that with all things, including your pursuit of me.”
Caden couldn’t help but smile. “I’d like to think that’s a good trait. Not being afraid to lose if it means something, someone as beautiful as you will be what I gain.”
“You’re too much.” She cooed, trying to hide her blush, but Caden had worked far too hard for that smile to not take it in. “Have you gone to Cash’s casino yet? I’ve been wanting to go, but I’m always so busy I haven’t had time.”
“I have, and you’ll love it. Now that you don’t have to worry about work, you have all the time in the world to do whatever you want to do.”
Her head shook as she chuckled. “I can’t let you take care of me, Caden.”
“Why not?”
“For one, I’m a grown ass woman.”
“A grown ass woman who’s never been taken care of before.
Am I right?” Dru’s expression saddened, which was what Caden wanted to avoid, but he had to ask.
“Your parents didn’t do it; your sister can’t do it.
You said you have no friends, and you haven’t been in a relationship in years.
” When her head hung, Caden tilted it by her chin.
“So while you’re out here playing Superwoman, .
. . who’s taking care of and prioritizing you? ”
Licking the corner of her mouth, Dru swallowed back her tears. “No one, I guess. Being honest, I barely have the time to even take care of myself.”
“Then let me take care of you,” he offered.
The sound of Sidney’s bell alerted them that dinner was ready to be served. Giving Dru time to consider his offer, Caden stood and extended his hand for hers. She put her hand inside his, and he led her to the dining room, where they feasted on their perfectly prepared meal.
Dru yawned and muttered about how stuffed she was, which Caden loved.
He offered to show her to the guest room she could sleep in, which was right next to his room.
While she sat on the bench in front of the bed, Caden turned on the water in the soaking tub that was in the center of the shower, then the showerheads.
Because of the drain, the tub and shower could overflow and run at the same time.
The sound of a gasp gained Caden’s attention. “I’ve been seeing these kinds of showers at hotels and wanted to go try one. You have these in every room?”
“Every room,” Caden confirmed, closing the door to the shower and stepping further into the bathroom. “Mine is slightly different. It has a bench as well, but yeah. Same soaking tub in the shower.”
“Oh yeah. I’m going to enjoy this.”
Caden laughed, glad she was opening up more and enjoying what he had to offer.
“If you accepted that you were mine, I’d offer to undress you and bathe you,” Caden confessed.
“If you offered, I’d let you.”
A shaky breath escaped him. As much self-control and discipline as Caden had, he couldn’t deny how much he wanted her.
“Nothing I’ve said or done has been to get you in my bed. I want to repeat that I didn’t bring you here for sex, sweetheart. I don’t want that.” His head shook. “I mean, I do, but that’s not what I’m on right now.”
Dru laughed softly as she stepped closer to him. “What if it’s what I’m on right now?” When he didn’t respond immediately, Dru confessed, “No one’s ever looked out for me the way you do. I feel bonded to you, even if I don’t want to. So whatever happens tonight, I consent to.”
Brushing her cheek with his thumb, Caden asked, “Are you sure, Dru?”
“Ye—”
Before she could get the word out completely, Caden was using her belt buckle to pull her close. Their lips connected, shooting sparks through Caden’s heart, warmth through his body, and a territorial declaration that no one else would get to kiss her again through his mind.
Caden took his time undressing her, wanting the moment to be engrained in his brain forever.
When he was done, he dressed down to his boxers, then carried her into the shower and placed her in the tub.
A smile instantly lifted the corners of her mouth as the water overflowed out of the tub and onto the shower floor.
“Just so you know, I stopped by the store and got these roses for you. I don’t have a random stash that I use on random women,” Caden clarified before grabbing a few roses out of the bouquet on the sink.
When he returned, Dru slid down further in the warm water, eyes fluttering and closing completely as he pulled the rose petals and allowed them to drop onto her and the water.
Lowering himself to his knees, Caden pulled her close, and their lips connected for another kiss.
He grabbed the towel that was on the tray across the tub and used it to rub her skin.
Any doubts he had about Dru wanting him faded away when she gently plucked the towel from his hand, putting his bare fingers on her chest instead.
Following her lead, his hands familiarized themselves with her body.
By the time he made it between her legs, her chest heaved from anticipation.
Dru spread her legs further, giving him access to her pussy.
While his fingers worked her clit, his free hand lifted her foot.
His tongue slipped up her foot as his finger slipped inside of her.
A quiet moan escaped her as she gripped the edge of the tub.
The longer he licked and sucked her toes and fingered her, the heavier her breathing became.
Her head flung back and eyes closed as she moaned, walls pulsing as she came against him.
When their eyes locked again, Dru leaned forward and kissed him.
Caden stood and removed his boxers, then picked her up.
He placed her behind the rain showerhead, where they took turns washing each other’s bodies.
After, they dried off and moisturized each other’s skin before making their way to bed.
It wasn’t until Caden made his way between her legs that a brief flicker of nervousness flashed across her face.
“You good?” Caden confirmed, ready to stop if she was going to change her mind.
“Yes. It’s just . . . It’s been a while.”
“What’s a while?” he asked skeptically.
“Three years.”
“Mm.” Tugging his bottom lip between his teeth, Caden shook his head.
If she hadn’t been with a man in three years, her pussy was going to have him in a chokehold.
“I’ll be gentle,” he promised, and for the rest of the night, as he alternated between feasting on her pussy and gently fucking her senselessly, that was exactly what he was.