Chapter 15
It was the end of the first full day Caden had Dru in his home.
While he may have appeared calm on the outside, his mind and heart had been working a mile a minute.
He’d been thinking of everything he could do to make her life easier, everything he could do to make his home feel like her home.
Because though Caden meant it when he told Dru that she could leave at any time, he was hoping she’d stay.
He was hoping sixty days would roll by, and she would be so in love with him that she’d choose him willingly, regardless of any other options she had.
Today had been the first day Caden didn’t handle business, legally or illegally, in what felt like forever.
It was nice waking up next to Dru’s warm, soft body and not having to rush out and handle business.
While that wasn’t something he could do every day, he did plan on taking at least one day off a week so he could have uninterrupted time with Dru.
Seeing a future that included her and kids made him want to work less and enjoy life more.
But before he could plan too far ahead, he had to make sure Dru would be on the same page as him.
While he may have controlled the distance of their relationship, Dru controlled the pacing.
Tapping softly on the doorframe of her guest room, Caden gained her attention.
She looked up at him with a warm smile, looking just as beautiful in his T-shirt as she’d looked every other time he’d seen her.
In fact, he loved her in his shirt more.
Her locs were flowing loosely around her flawless face, and Caden had to keep himself from walking over and kissing her freckles.
“I didn’t want to impose and assume you wanted to sleep in the same bed as me again, but if you decide later that you want company, my door will be open,” Caden told her.
“Sleeping next to you, I got the most peaceful sleep of my life.”
“Then whenever you’re ready, feel free to join me.”
A wide grin spread her lips before she climbed out of bed, grabbed her phone, and made her way in his direction.
Caden chuckled as she skipped behind him to his room.
As she climbed into his bed, he used the remote to close the blinds, cut on the ceiling fan, and cut the lights out.
Without Caden’s urging, Dru snuggled up against him and laid her head on his chest.
“Sometimes, I feel like this is a dream and I’m going to wake up,” she confessed as he cut on the TV.
“Why’s that?” Caden asked, dropping a kiss to the top of her head as his arms wrapped around her.
“You swooped in, paid off my debt, brought me into this big, beautiful home . . . Stuff like this doesn’t happen in real life. Just in fairy tales. Urban fairy tales.”
Caden laughed as she giggled. “Maybe for others, but this is real for us, and it’s your life now. I’ll say it however many times you need me to. I’m here, I’m yours. I want you to use me to your heart’s content.”
“I don’t think my heart will ever grow full or tired of you, K.”
“I’m upgraded to nickname status now? How long till I move up to bae?”
Dru laughed as she shifted against him and tossed her leg over his. “Hmm, maybe over breakfast tomorrow. Will you have time to eat with me?”
“Yeah. If ya man don’t do nothing else in this house, he gon’ eat. I did want to talk to you about tomorrow and the days ahead though.”
“Okay. Let me have it.”
“I took off today so we could spend time together, and I wanted to be here while you adjusted to my home. I have to start handling business tomorrow, but I’ll leave you with cash and one of my bank cards. Ian will be at your disposal, and if you need anything, you can call me at any time.”
“What time will you be back?”
“Honestly, it depends on what happens throughout the day. I’ll be checking in at some of the pharmacies and handling business for my fraction of The Syndicate.”
Dru didn’t respond right away, but when she did, it was with, “I understand you’re a busy and powerful man, so I’m not expecting to have all of your time.
I do want us to spend quality time together and continue to get to know each other.
If you want me to be one of those women who are okay never being with her man just because he spoils her and pays her bills, that isn’t me. ”
“Thanks for letting me know what you require, and that’s nothing for me to provide. I’m not usually home until the sun goes down because there hasn’t been a reason for me to be home . . .” He kissed her again. “Now that I have you, I have a reason to come home.”
Dru shifted slightly and looked up at him. “Where did you come from?”
“Whatever prayers you prayed to God. You’re definitely the answer to mine.”
She smiled, muttering a soft “Aww, bae,” before cupping the back of his neck and lowering his lips to hers.
“A nickname and a pet name in the same conversation? I’m on fire.”
“Caden!” she yelled playfully through her laugh. “Shut up and kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he granted, almost moaning, before connecting his lips with hers.
There weren’t too many people who could tell Caden Nikolai Spencer what to do. In fact, there were only three: God and his parents. Now, it seemed Dru was also on that list, and as she moaned against his lips and straddled him, Caden decided he didn’t mind that at all.
He took pride in being the first man she’d given herself to in three years, and Caden was confident he’d be the last.
The last man she fucked and made love to.
The last man she went on dates with.
The last man she gave her heart to, unless she gave him a son.
The last man she’d risk being hurt by to feel love.
The last man she’d give all of herself to, but he’d also be the first man who made life and love a soft, safe space for her and her sister.