Luna
FORTY-SEVEN
He smiles against my lips, and every part of me radiates happiness.
Last night, he trusted me enough to let me carry some of his weight. He’s realizing he’s not alone anymore…that I can hold him when he’s not strong enough.
He came to me last night seeking comfort, and in turn, he gave me so much more.
His forehead rests against mine, our breaths mingling.
Neither of us says anything…we don’t have to.
Last night changed something between us.
His hands skim up my back and slide into my hair as his tongue sweeps my bottom lip before diving back in.
Gripping my hair, I’m pulled back, exposing my neck as he moves to kiss along my collarbone before finding my breasts.
Bringing me forward, he sucks and teases my nipples until I’m on the verge of exploding. He’s still deep inside me as our bodies rock together, becoming more urgent with each deep thrust.
Sitting up, his fingers dig into my hips as I begin to ride him harder. My breasts bounce each time our bodies connect as he watches me through hooded eyes with a look that ignites a passion inside me that feels like I’m being swallowed whole.
“That’s it, sweetheart,” he growls, as I use my thigh muscles to take him deeper as my core starts to tighten. “Show me how much your sweet pussy has missed my cock.”
My thighs start to quiver…my vision dims in and out of focus as the buildup expands until one final thrust has me combusting around him.
Crying out his name, I pulse and squeeze him as my body finally lets go.
His moan is deep and guttural like a beast that’s finally been set free as he pours inside me in a violent rush.
“Jesus,” he pants, his chest heaving from the effort.
My breaths come out in little huffs as I smile at him through my lashes. His hair is all askew, and his green eyes are sated with a bedroom look that makes him look sexy and boyish all at the same time.
His chest has a sheen of sweat as my fingers slowly trace his tattoo.
He watches me through hooded eyes as I touch the delicate lines of the scarred side. The wings torn, jagged, and broken over his heart. The star shining through the jagged cracks is the only glimpse of hope out of the ruin as I lightly trace it with my finger.
It feels impossible that ink could tell the story of a person’s heart so perfectly.
Gently taking my hand, he moves me to the other side, and I raise my eyes to his.
“Because of you, more of me is here now.”
Tears blur my vision as I begin to trace the beautiful feathers. It’s the healed side of him with the translucent wing, strong and perfect. Just looking at it gives you a sense of peace and a knowing that everything is going to be okay…that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
“Come here,” he says hoarsely, pulling me down to him as he cups the back of my head and brings my lips to his.
Without words, he shows me how he feels as his mouth moves slowly over mine.
Keeping our bodies joined, he flips us over as he’s above me, his lips and gentle touches mirroring the love I feel radiating deep inside me.
I feel him swell inside me, and my eyes widen in surprise.
He smiles against my lips and slowly starts to move, our bodies becoming one again.
“I can’t believe you're already ready,” I whisper, feeling him stretch me as my body wraps around his fully hard length. Wrapping my legs around him, I take him deeper. “Not that I’m complaining,” I sigh as his hand caresses my breast.
“I’m always ready with you,” he murmurs in my ear. “If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m kind of obsessed with you.”
“Good. Because I’m kind of obsessed with you, too,” I smile.
“Does that mean the odds are in my favor that you’ll come back with me today?”
“Scarlett’s birthday is tomorrow…”
“I know. I want you there for her birthday breakfast.”
His eyes lift to mine, and he intertwines our fingers.
This isn’t a date or a day at the beach…this is family traditions.
This is me being part of his family.
My heart pounds in my chest as I see everything I so desperately want to hear.
Every day, he shows me another piece of himself…trusts me just a little bit more.
He’s made room for me beside him, but there are still three little words my heart longs to hear.
The more I spend with him and Scarlett, the more I fall deeply in love.
My heart would splinter into pieces if he ever decided to walk away, and I know it would be a painful scar that I would never recover from.
But it’s a risk I’m willing to take to keep this man next to me.
“I’ll come back with you,” I nod, knowing I’d do anything he asks if it means making him happy.
“Good,” he smiles, “because I’m pretty sure kidnapping is frowned upon in the NHL.”
“I think it’s frowned upon anywhere,” I laugh.
“True,” he grins, his lips finding my neck as he does things with his mouth that have me arching my head back for more. “But it wouldn’t have stopped me,” he whispers.
His body moves above mine, making it impossible to disappear into my own thoughts.
Maybe the words aren’t there yet.
But every touch…every kiss…
Every moment we have like this together…
He’s finding another way to tell me.
“It’s beautiful, honey,” my mom laughs. “Don’t touch another thing.”
I stand back and look at the backdrop I set up. Various colors of pink balloons frame the top of the greenery wall outside before trailing down the sides.
Happy 3rd Birthday, Scarlett, hangs in a gold glittered banner, giving everyone the perfect spot to take pictures.
Pink pool floats drift along the water in the slight breeze, and tables are set up with pink tulle wrapped around the edges because I know how much she loves to wear her tutu.
After Scarlett’s birthday breakfast, I came straight here while Cayden went to practice. He should be arriving home within the next hour to pick up Mae and Scarlett before heading over here.
“I just want everything to be perfect,” I whisper.
“And it will be,” she smiles.
“We’re here,” Bella rings out as she steps outside holding two vases of assorted pink flowers.
Emma and Sophia come in behind her, holding various trays of food.
“We thought you could use the help with setting up. The guys are watching the kids and bringing them over when the party starts, so we can actually get things done,” she laughs.
Emotions swell inside me, and my sister shakes her head.
“Oh no, you don’t. No tears today.”
“I just…the flowers..the extra food…” I look at my family showing up for Scarlett. Not because they have to, but because they know how much she means to me. “Thank you,” I smile.
“You don’t have to thank us,” Emma says, shaking her head. “It’s what families do.”
“And, judging by how beautiful you made this backyard for a certain three-year-old, I would say Cayden and Scarlett are becoming a part of this family, too,” Sophia smiles.
“I really hope so,” I admit softly.
“We do too,” Bella smiles as our strong sister bond passes between us.
“Well,” my mom says, clearing her throat and wiping her eyes. “Before we all ruin our makeup, how about we get the last of the food and drinks ready and give this special little girl a party she will never forget.”
“Let’s do it,” I grin, feeling the excitement bubble up inside me.
An hour later, the outdoor patio has turned into a fairy ballerina land. Pink and tulle decorations are scattered about, and the blow-up fairy castle with water slide sitting next to the pool makes a nice addition to my parents’ backyard for the afternoon.
Cayden will probably think I went overboard, but it was my gift to Scarlett, and I wanted to do this for her. Besides, it was my money, and this was how I wanted to spend it. I’ll deal with the aftermath of not using the credit card he gave me later.
“Geez, it’s like I stepped into a Disney princess movie,” Noah chuckles, walking into the backyard with my niece Lily Anna and my nephew Jax.
“We got a slide!” My three-year-old nephew says, bouncing up and down.
“We have to wait for the birthday girl, Jax,” Lily Anna says to her brother.
I smile at my eight-year-old niece, who has always been the sweet motherly type. She’s the perfect combination of my brother and Emma, with her long brunette hair and eyes the color of the ocean, with a mix of blue and green from both parents.
“I know that,” Jax scoffs, his blue eyes scrunching up before they get wide with excitement when he spots his cousin, Holden, coming outside, followed by his seven-year-old sister, Maven.
Maverick chuckles at his son’s excitement before the four of them quickly run off to check out the food table.
Noah catches Maverick’s eye, and they both turn to stare at me.
Sighing, I cross my arms over my chest, knowing this was coming.
“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter.
“Maybe we should wait for Travis,” Mav asks, his lip twitching at the corner.
“Oh, for crying out loud,” I say, waving my hand in the air, “just tell me what you think because Lord knows you both have had opinions on every single person I’ve dated.”
They both chuckle softly, and I roll my eyes.
“We’re just looking out for you, Lunabug,” Mav says, tugging lightly on my hair.
“I’m not going to let just any guy date my sister,” Noah smiles, shaking his head.
“So….” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Does Cayden get your approval?”
“Does he make you happy?” Mav asks, his green eyes searching my face.
“I love them,” I say, simply. “Both of them. I’ve never been happier.”
“Does he know?” Noah asks softly.
“Not yet. I’m giving him the time he needs to come to terms with everything.”
They nod in understanding before a smile appears on their faces.
“Okay, then,” Noah says.
“Okay, what?” I ask, looking between the two of them.
“We like the guy,” Mav chuckles, “have since we met him at Knox’s wedding.”
“He’s a great guy,” Noah grins. “If you’re happy, then we’re happy.”
“Just like that?” I ask, surprised. They never accept someone into our circle this easily.
“Just like that,” Mav says before giving me a wicked grin. “Just as long as he says the right things when we pull him aside later.”
“Is that really necessary?” I groan.
“Absolutely,” Noah laughs. “Although, judging by the look on his face right now,” he says, looking over my shoulder, “I’m pretty sure we don’t have anything to worry about.”
My head whips around, and Cayden’s standing there, holding Scarlett’s hand. His gaze drifts over the balloons…the fairy castle…the flowers…the girls already running around in pink dresses.
Then he finds me.
His smile is slow, and his green eyes have a look of wonder in them.
“Luna!”
Scarlett’s voice rings out, and she comes flying toward me with her tiny tutu bouncing with every step.
Laughing, I scoop her into my arms as she wraps herself around my neck.
“It’s pink!” She squeals, pointing at all the balloons and the castle.
“Happy Birthday, love,” I smile.
I glance over her shoulder, and Cayden hasn’t looked away.
And somehow…I know.
He’s falling in love with this life just as much as I am.