Chapter 29
CHAD
My nerves are at an all-time high as we head back home from camping. It was amazing. Well, the actual camping and hiking and nature stuff I could’ve probably done without, but I’ve never felt closer to John.
After what John shared with me this weekend, I am a teeny tiny bit terrified that maybe the fireplace upgrade will be too big of a shock now that I know it’s Luke’s childhood house.
This will be the first big change, and I didn’t have his brothers restore it exactly as it was previously, so now I’m anxious I overstepped.
Big time.
James has been sending me updates that they’re nearly finished, so no going back now. I don’t know if they’ll be out of the house by the time we get there either. He said they’d do their best, but I’m concerned the surprise might be even more overwhelming if a bunch of people are there…
Nope, no use worrying; it’ll be great!
I tried to convince John we should go to the farm with Blake and Liam so I could get my car from them and check on Jack and Jenny before going to his place, but he insisted on going home to shower and change first. All plans of giving his brothers more time to get the fuck out vanished because John seems so eager to continue hanging out with me, and I didn’t even have to beg or anything, so here we are.
I glance over at John, trying to gauge his mood.
He seems relaxed, one arm resting on the window frame as he drives, his expression loose in a way that tells me the weekend did exactly what he needed it to do.
Camping was good for him. Good for both of us, really, because he finally opened up about Luke.
As long as I didn’t fuck up all our progress with my surprise.
I check my phone again, shifting in my seat, nerves once again holding my focus.
“You okay?” John asks, and I look out the window. I’m sure my face is doing nothing to hide my nerves.
“Yeah, mm-hmm,” I confirm as we drive down the road to his house.
“We’ll see Jack and Jenny in like twenty minutes, but they’re fine.
Wyatt coddles them just as much as you do, as you know.
” He attempts to reassure me, and if I could think about anything other than this surprise, I would be eating that shit up like candy.
John is getting more and more obvious about showing how much he cares about me, and it makes me so happy.
“Just my first weekend away from them, that’s all,” I respond, playing into his idea that I’m all fidgety because I’m anxious about leaving the donkeys for longer.
I’m not all that worried though. Wyatt is amazing with them, they’re so smart, and they’ve got each other. I’m sure they had a great weekend.
As soon as John can see his house with his brothers’ trucks in the driveway, he visibly tenses. “What the fuck are they doing here?”
I chew on my lip because I have no idea what to say. My nerves feel like they’re clawing their way up my throat trying to strangle me. This was a bad idea, wasn’t it?
“Chad, do you know why my brothers are here?” John asks slowly when I don’t respond, facing me as he turns the truck off in the driveway.
“Uh, maybe? Let’s go and see them,” I suggest, quickly opening the door and running toward the house before he can ask more questions. “Guys! We’re here,” I shout the second I’m inside.
“Hey, we’re literally about to walk out the door,” Mark says apologetically, looking equally as nervous as I feel.
“Don’t bother,” John growls. “What is this? What’s going on?”
Fuck. I am dealing with too many emotions right now for him to add in that voice. I love it when he uses that tone. Even though he’s obviously upset, and I need to focus, it’s hard to ignore how hot he is when he’s all grumbly and scoldy.
“So, I’m aware you don’t like surprises, and I know I’ve been springing a lot on you lately, I’m sorry! I just can’t help it. I want to do nice things for you, so, I, um, asked your brothers to fix your fireplace this weekend to get it back to working order,” I rush out.
“You what?” John mutters, sounding more confused than upset as he storms past us all to see it for himself.
“We ripped out all the old crumbling brick and mortar, repointed the joints, repaired the damper with sealant and lined it with stainless steel,” James explains.
“We also replaced the indoor brick with stone and added a mantel. Outside, we only replaced the broken bricks and patched those up, but it should be working great and be safe now,” Mark goes on, knowing John would want the exact details and process.
Shit, that really was a lot of work. It looks amazing to me though.
Drew had to be the designer behind it, so I smile at him and give him a thumbs up.
With the stones, it feels modern and updated without being flashy or soulless.
The newly added wooden mantel they told me about over text is an old barn beam, which really makes it fit the vibe of the space and goes so well with the hardwood floors. I love it… I just hope John agrees.
“Everyone out now. Except Chad,” John demands, his voice back to being all gravelly.
“Fuck, please don’t be mad at him, bro,” Drew says, stepping between us. “He was just trying to do something nice for you.”
John glares at him, and I brace for him to demand they fix it like it was before, or tell me how much I overstepped. But he doesn’t.
Instead, he nods and slowly answers in that deep controlled tone like he’s about to snap.
“It was very nice, and I love it. You guys did a great job. Thank you for helping him. But I would like to thank him properly, and that means I need to get Chad naked right now. So I’d appreciate it if none of you were here to see it. ”
He loves it! Oh thank God. I feel like I can take my first real breath since we approached his house. He loves it so much he wants… Wait. Did he just say what I think he said?
Holy. Shit.
My mind kind of short-circuited when he said he loved it, but he loves it and he wants to get me naked! This is amazing; the best possible reaction ever. Not to mention he basically just told his brothers we’re together.
I’m vaguely aware that my mouth is hanging open.
One of his brothers says, “Oh,” and another says through a laugh that they “don’t need to be told twice.
” They grab their stuff and leave, but the whole time I’m just staring at John adoringly.
My big bad tattooed biker man is so perfect and wonderful.
So sweet and thoughtful. So powerful and dominant.
So mine even if he’s still only getting used to the idea of us.
“You love it?” I repeat in question.
“Yeah, Princess. I really do,” John answers, his voice somehow even rougher than it was a second ago. His eyes move over the fireplace again, then back to me, something warm and almost disbelieving settling in his expression. “And I want to show you just how much.”
Before I can ask what he means, he steps forward and grabs the front of my shirt, pulling me toward him.
His mouth crashes into mine in a kiss that’s hungry and overwhelming in the best possible way; the kind of kiss that steals the air from my lungs and replaces it with pure ecstasy.
I barely have time to react before my hands are grabbing his sides, holding on as he backs me up a few steps until my shoulders hit the wall.
“I wasn’t expecting… this level of gratitude,” I say between kisses.
Eventually, he pulls back just long enough to murmur against my lips, “Shower.”
I scrunch my eyebrows at him then remember we did just spend an entire weekend camping.
“Excellent suggestion,” I reply, already pulling away.
I nearly sprint up the stairs, two at a time, my pulse racing with a completely different kind of anticipation now. Behind me, I hear John laugh under his breath, the sound following me up the staircase as I make it to the bathroom first and turn the shower on as hot as it will go.
By the time John reaches the doorway a minute later, steam is already starting to fill the room.
“You’re eager,” he observes, leaning casually against the frame.
“Yeah, I want to be ravished for my thoughtful surprise.” I shrug, already pulling my shirt over my head. “But I know we need to be clean first.”
“Mm-hmm,” John hums as his eyes move slowly down my body to my hard dick.
“What do you want to do to me as a thank you?” I prompt as I get into the shower. I’m so excited that this went even better than I could’ve imagined. He loves the fireplace!
“Well,” he starts as he strips and then joins me in the shower. “I was thinking maybe we could attempt Shibari for real, with me this time?”
“Oh, hell yeah. I’ll be your rope bunny,” I agree eagerly. “Tie me up, Daddy.” I was going for fun and playful, but the moment the word leaves my mouth, I burst out laughing.
John just stares at me blankly, hands pausing from soaping himself up to answer flatly, “Absolutely not.”
“I know, I know,” I concede, wiping my face as I keep laughing. “Daddy definitely isn’t your vibe. Is it, Sir?”
“Not even a little.”
“I had to try it once,” I explain, taking the soap from him.
John shakes his head, but the corner of his mouth lifts slightly. “You tried it in Vegas too. You’re ridiculous.”
“Okay, but that was different. We weren’t… this yet.” I wave my hand between us. “Now you’re actually letting me join you in the shower.”
John chuckles and steals the soap back from me. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. Want me to wash you, Princess?”
The nickname sends a familiar thrill through me, almost as much as his admission about enjoying my company does.
“Yes, please.” I throw my arms around his shoulders, immediately leaning into him like standing on my own has suddenly become impossible.
“I’m so ready to be your princess. Camping was hard! I’m tired from all the outside time.”
John raises an amused eyebrow as he sarcastically answers, “You poor thing.”