Chapter 18
eighteen
Adelaide
Hearing his voice over the intercom was the last thing I expected tonight, but having him and Bodhi show up is the sweetest. And yes, my talk with Mom may have just smoothed things over and made me think about things from a different perspective.
I also threw in a few texts to Delaney and she more or less said the same thing.
Hearing him out, for one. I know deep down Denver would never hurt me, that Hannah is trouble and I shouldn’t have run away like that.
I’m glad he’s here. My heart flutters as I look at him dressed in dark jeans, a black hoodie, and a baseball cap. His bright eyes capture me as he looks up from under the brim.
“Please talk to me.”
Hearing him say those words, from a man who isn’t great at expressing himself, is like music to my ears. He wants to talk. He wants to be heard, and I need to give him that opportunity.
He palms the back of his neck. “Listen, Adi, what happened back there was terrible. I know how it looks.”
I nod, folding my arms around myself. “Not the best timing. And I overreacted. I know you’d never do anything to hurt me, D. I just—I just tend to run away when things get hard. I was so stressed in my last relationship that I just forgot how to breathe for a moment.”
His eyes soften. “I should never have put you in that position.”
“It wasn’t exactly your fault if she copied a key and let herself in. The woman is fucking bat shit crazy.”
“That I can agree with, but still, she’s ruining everything.
I didn’t treat her badly. I didn’t cheat on her.
I tried to juggle my time between work and her needs, but that’s hard to do when she was secretive and really only into me because I’m a fucking firefighter.
It was as if it was on her bucket list or something—”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” I scoff. I look down to the carrier he’s holding. “Would Bodhi like to come out?”
“Yes,” he says, his voice quiet and a little guarded.
“It’s sweet you brought Bodhi with you,” I say.
“Well, he wanted to come over too and tell you I’m not a perfect person, heck, I don’t pretend to be. I’m a work in progress, and sometimes I can be incredibly selfish without realizing I’m doing it. I’m used to doing things alone, living alone, being alone. That is something I need help with.”
“He told you all that?”
“Uh-hu.”
I reach for him, unable to stop. “You don’t need help with anything,” I say. “You’re being open and honest, and that’s all I ever wanted. We will figure out the rest.”
He swiftly places Bodhi on the ground still in the carrier. “I think this is the part where I’m meant to grovel.”
I laugh. “Let’s see it then.”
He drops to his knees, the donut bag still in hand and a large book under his arm.
“I’ll never ever lie to you, Adi. That I can promise.
I’m sorry my ex keeps lurking around and trying to ruin what we have together, but we do have something.
I want to explore that. I want to date you, get to know you properly, learn what makes you tick, all the fun stuff. ”
I reach down, taking his hands in mine. “I’d like that, too.”
He pulls me into his arms and we hold each other for a long time, before he pulls back he cups my face. “Permission to kiss you?”
I smile softly. “You always have permission to kiss me.”
You don’t have to tell Denver twice. His lips find mine in an instant, dusting over me, soft at first, controlled. But as I press my body to his, we quickly become intense. We may be new to this, but kissing him feels like everything I never knew I needed. It feels right. Everything with him does.
He pulls back to look at me. “That’s better.”
“It sure is. I’m glad you came over, D.”
“Thank you for not slamming the door in my face.”
I’m about to reply when a big meow breaks our little reunion and makes us both laugh. “He’s getting impatient,” I say. “And for the record, I’d never slam a door in your face.”
“Phew for that.” He gives me a cheeky wink and unzips the pet carrier. It takes a second or two for a little furry head to peek out. “Come on, Bodes, come say hello to Adelaide.”
I giggle watching him. It’s pretty darned cute, the two of them. Now they’re here together, I can totally see Denver as a cat dad. “He’s a little shy,” I observe. “It’s understandable in a new place.”
“Once you get to know him, he’ll love you.”
“Hopefully he won’t hiss at me like he did with, um—her.”
Denver shakes his head. “No, I don’t think he’d ever do that to you. I think she saw Bodhi as a bit of a nuisance. Cats pick up on vibes like that.”
“No way.” I lean towards the pet carrier where Bodhi is taking a curious look around. His shiny, dark eyes rest on mine like he’s trying to figure me out. “You could never be a nuisance, Bodhi-boo-boo.”
A laugh erupts from Denver that I wasn’t expecting. “What did you just call my cat?”
I repeat the Bodhi-boo-boo, and Denver laughs again, just the same as before.
“I think he likes it,” I say, testing the waters and reaching my closed fist to him so he can smell it. I know you’re supposed to do that to dogs rather than trying to pat their heads, but I’m not sure if it works the same with cats. Bodhi sniffs my hand and then gives my knuckles a little lick.
“See!” I can’t contain my smile.
“Maybe you’re right.” Denver sits back on his heels. “Do you want to come out, Bodes? Don’t be shy now.”
There’s no movement still so Denver reaches in to pull Bodhi out and snuggles him to his chest as I watch the two of them. It’s so, so cute. “Hello, I’m Adelaide,” I say.
Denver waves his paw. “I’m Bodhi,” he chimes in a funny voice, making us both laugh.
“He sure is a cutie.”
“Just like his dad, clearly.” Denver winks.
I roll my eyes with amusement. “Can I pet him?”
“Yes. He won’t bite your fingers off, I don’t think.”
I give Denver a shove in the shoulder. “He looks pretty placid to me.” I gently reach out and give him a little rub under the chin. He seems to like that as he watches me.
“He’s pretty chill,” Denver says.
I advance to stroking him on the head after a minute or two, and he really does seem to like it. Maybe I have the knack after all. “What would you and your dad like to do?” I ask, my eyes flicking up to Denver. Right away I see there’s a little fire in those beautiful irises.
“Anything with you,” he replies with a mischievous smile.
“Why don’t we set Bodhi up comfy on the couch and we can have a glass of wine and watch some TV or a movie?”
“Sounds good.”
Denver releases Bodhi to the floor and he has a good old stretch out with his front paws leading the way. Then he decides to take a little trot around my lounge room to check things out.
“He’s a curious one,” I muse as I watch him. I feel Denver’s hands on my waist from behind.
“Much like his dad in that respect,” he says, bending down close to my ear. The warmth of his breath caresses my skin and gives me butterflies.
“Very much.”
“Can I show you what I was doing before I got interrupted by… her?”
I blink a few times, watching him reach for the sketchbook he’s been carrying. “By all means.”
I watch as he opens the first page and flicks through a few black and white sketches. “Wow, D, I didn’t know you were such a good artist.”
He laughs, stopping at a page full of bright color and scrubs a hand over his chin. “I’m really not. It’s more of a relaxation thing. But I was working on this sketch, inspired by you.” He holds it so I can see a beautiful burnt orange sky and vivid green water lapping below.
“It’s beautiful, Denver.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you. And you recognise the color palette? I took liberty from your hair and your eyes.”
Tears form in an instant, my fingers touch the edge of the page as I take it in. “You did this for me?”
“Yes. I got inspired. I haven’t picked this up in a while.”
“I love it. I really love it.”
“Thank you.” He smiles and slides the sketchbook onto the coffee table. He stands and pulls me up into his arms. Immediately he rocks his hips into me and I can feel the heat rising between us. I can feel his hardness against my lower back.
“You seem happy to see me,” I giggle.
He rocks again and I lean back into him, loving the way his big, warm hands feel on me.
“Very happy, baby girl.” He steers me over to the couch. It’s a big, soft plushy one with plenty of cushions. “Maybe while Bodhi makes himself at home we can make out?”
I stifle a laugh as he snuggles into me. His strong arms feel protective and safe wrapped around my body. “Make out, huh?”
“If I’m lucky.”
“You just might get lucky.”
He bumps me with his hips again and I spin around. He catches me in a kiss, his lips more urgent this time as both his hands frame my face. “I’ve been dying to kiss you.” His murmur sends shivers up my spine and I pull the material on his shirt, balling it up into both hands.
“I need you, Denver.” Our kisses lock and intertwine as he steers me back toward the couch.
“You and that beautiful body.”
“Let me see you,” he says, his eyes flicking down to my chest. “All of you.”
I waste little time in pulling my sweatshirt over my head and dropping it on the floor. Glad I have a lacey bra on, I reach around and unclasp the back.
I let it fall to the floor as Denver’s eyes devour me. He makes me feel so sexy with his heated gaze, and the lick of his lips says it all.
He reaches for the edge of his hoodie and pulls it off with his shirt underneath in one tug.
I stare at his gloriousness. It’s surreal that we’re here like this and how well we fit. “Pants please, Mister Banks.”
His grin is wide as he wags a finger at me. “Ladies first.”
I press my lips together and tug at my sweatpants, pushing them off my legs and stepping out.
He quickly rids himself of his pants so we’re both just in our underwear.
He steps closer and leans in to kiss me while cupping my breasts, but before I can pull him down onto the couch with me, he drops to his knees.
He breathes into the middle of my chest, rubbing my nipples with his thumbs, then kisses each one, his tongue working a sexy dance.
“I’ll get to these later,” he says, dropping lower, his nose trailing down the soft flesh over my belly button.
I’m shaking inside as he skirts closer to the apex of my thighs. His nose rubs over my sweet spot as I take a big inhale. He kisses me through the lace of my panties. “I’ll get to this, too.” His breath is hot and full of promise as I squirm from absolute delight, tugging on his hair.
“Oh, D.” I’m a panting, blithering mess just from that. If he gets his whole mouth on my bare skin, I will explode.
“But I need to be inside you,” he grunts, running his nose over my most sensitive area. “Now, Adi.”
He stands and eases me back onto the couch, pushing his boxers down as he goes. My eyes will probably never fail to bug wide when I see him in all his glory. That beautiful specimen of a body, and of course his impressive hard on. “Panties off.”
His demanding tone is so sexy—another thing that gets me all worked up. I get a secret thrill and butterflies roam in my belly when he’s like this and asks for what he wants… No, demands what he wants. I roll them off in a few seconds flat and they drop to the floor.
I watch as he lowers his body, stroking himself on the way over to me. Our eyes meet and he smiles. “He’s eager,” he says by way of explanation.
“Oh, he is!” I giggle as our mouths collide again and his hips start to rock against mine. He guides his cock to my entrance as I open my legs wider for him. Our kisses come in thick and fast, his free hand squeezing my breast as he eases into me.
I let out a cry because damn does he feel good. So good. How have I lived without this man?
“Oh, baby,” I pant. “That’s s-so good.”
He pauses, seated deep within me, our bodies as close as they can get.
“What you do to me, Adi, and how you feel,” he groans as he starts to move, not breaking contact with my eyes.
“You have no idea.” I glance down to watch him slide in and out of me.
His body ripples with a sensuality that I’ve never seen before.
He’s an absolute god in the sack and I love watching him claim me like this.
I grip onto his arms and start to move with him, meeting him thrust for thrust. It’s slower, hard, and absolutely divine.
“You feel so good, too,” I whisper. I love the way he fits so well, and does not seem to care about my wobbly bits. Nope, in fact he loves them.
“I want you, Adi. Baby girl, do you hear me?”
Our eyes connect. “I always want to be like this,” I whisper.
His eyes soften. “Always.”
I groan as he works his magic, my head tipping back as I come like fucking thunder.
This man has a will over my body that even I don’t understand.
I’m his puppet when it comes to making me feel good.
I cry out his name, gripping his ass as he hisses, his mouth finding my neck as he peppers me with kisses.
He’s insatiable, too. The man just can’t get enough.
That freaking sex chair is gonna live rent free in my mind for the rest of time.
But there’s a time and a place for kink, and tonight?
Tonight we’re making love, not fucking. There’s a difference, and I love both, but this feels intimate. It feels… real.
“I love you,” I whisper.
He stills and I feel him as he empties himself inside me with a groan, my name a feral shout from his lips. I love that I make him this undone. I love that little old me has this effect on him. It makes me feel powerful. Strong. Adored.
“I love you, too, Adi.”
Denver slides off, still wrapped around me. Still inside me. I don’t know how long we lie like that, but it’s the most cherished I’ve ever felt in my life.
“I’ve found my person,” I whisper sleepily. Unsure if I’ve even spoken the words. I’m exhausted.
He kisses my forehead. “And I’ve found mine. Sleep, baby girl.”
I snuggle into his chest and fall into blissful slumber.