Chapter 22
Caydence
I stretch as I pry my eyes open, and I’m shocked to see sunlight spilling through Devon’s curtains. What the fuck time is it? I sit up, and Devon isn’t here, but it appears he slept on the other side of the bed. I look over and grab my phone off the nightstand to see that it’s ten in the morning.
The door opens, and Devon walks in with a cup of something in his hand.
“Morning,” he greets me as he brings me the cup. It’s coffee, which I desperately need.
“Why did you let me sleep so long?”
“You were tired. Obviously, you needed the rest,” he says as I take the cup and bring it to my lips. I savor the taste as it slides down my throat.
“I didn’t mean to sleep that long,” I tell him.
“Caydence, it’s fine. You were tired. Your body needed the rest,” he reassures me once more. “Your feminine products are in the bathroom,” he adds.
I climb out of bed and walk into the bathroom to handle my business. I don’t know why it shocks me to see the exact kind of products I use sitting on the counter. Nothing about Devon should surprise me anymore, but it does.
When I come back out, he’s sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for me. I walk over and sit down next to him when he throws his arm around my shoulder.
“I ordered you some food. It should be here soon,” he says.
“Why are you taking care of me?” He looks at me, almost shocked by the question.
“Why wouldn’t I take care of you?”
“It’s just … you do so much for me,” I start.
“Again, why wouldn’t I? I found what I wanted in you, Caydence. I plan on taking care of that.”
“I’ve never had anyone take care of me. I’ve always taken care of myself. It’s just something I’m not really used to.”
“So you get used to it. I know your life wasn’t the best. I know people hurt you, and you had a rough time growing up, but that’s all different now. You have me.”
“I don’t want to rely on you, though,” I explain to him.
“You aren’t relying on me. I want to take care of you. I want you to have everything you deserve in life.”
“That’s just it. I want to earn those things, Devon. I don’t want you handing them to me.”
“You do earn them by being with me. I’ve never had anyone I wanted to take care of, Caydence. Just let me have this,” he argues, and it almost sounds like he’s begging. I’ve never heard him beg before.
Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I nod my head. I can give him this after what he’s given me.
“Okay.”
“Good. Now what do you want to do today?” he asks.
“I have some work to catch up on. I need to go help Megan clean the house up, too,” I reply.
“That can wait.”
“No, it can’t. I promised her,” I add. Devon sighs and puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.
“You’re stubborn.”
“But you like it,” I tease him. He laughs and presses a kiss to the side of my head.
“You’re right. I do. And you’re lucky I love that about you,” he adds. “Because I do have chains in the basement, I could bring up and make sure you didn’t go anywhere.” There’s no doubt in my mind that he would actually do it, too.
“Drop me off at home?” I ask him. He nods his head as I stand and grab my clothes. I pull them on, opting to stay in his shirt when he leaves the room. I finish getting myself together and walk out and down the stairs to find him in the kitchen with the food he ordered.
“You’re eating first.” He nods toward the plate on the counter. I walk over and sit on the stool, grabbing the fork her set out for me.
He brings his plate around and sits next to me, and we eat quietly. When we’re finished, he cleans up, and I follow him out of the house. He stops at the car, pulls a key from his pocket, and holds it out to me.
“What’s this?” I ask taking it from him.
“A key to the house,” he answers.
“Your house?”
“Obviously, my house. I want you to be able to come when you want,” he explains.
“It’s your house, though,” I say.
“I know that, but I want you here, Caydence. Anytime you want to be here.” I look down at the key in my hand before reaching up and wrapping my free hand around his neck, pulling his face to mine, kissing him. His hands wrap around my waist, tugging me closer to him.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips.
“You never have to thank me for anything,” he says.
“I do, though. You’ve given me so much in such a short time. It means a lot to me, Devon.”
“I’ll give you everything. Everything.” I smile, and he kisses me once more before we climb in the car and take off.