Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Cassidy
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I HEARD THE buzz of my cell phone and set my Kindle aside. couldn’t imagine who would be texting me at midnight other than Carter, but we’d just seen each other, so hopefully, something wasn’t wrong.
*Open your window, babe*
I frowned and slid out of bed, pushing open the window and peering into the dark.
“Cass?” Carter whispered.
“I’m here,” I whispered back. “What are you doing?”
“Comin‘ up, give me a sec.”
I shook my head and stepped back from the window, forcing down a groan as I watched Carter shimmy his way out onto the large branch closest to my window and swing into my room with a thud. “Fuck me, that’s harder than I remember.”
I giggled. “Well, you are twice the size you used to be.”
“Not quite.” He turned and closed the window and then slid off his boots.
“You okay?”
Carter sighed and wrapped his arms around me. “I am now.”
I hugged him back. “What happened?”
“Just missed you.”
I pulled away and frowned up at him. “Honey, you saw me less than an hour ago. What happened?”
He sighed and dragged his hands down his face. “Nothin‘ for you to worry about, yeah? Just workin‘ some shit out and needed to hold you for a bit.”
“Translation, your mom’s not happy we’re seeing each other and giving you grief.”
“Babe, it’s not your problem.”
“It is if you have to choose between us. I can’t be the reason you’re estranged from your family, honey, and if I lose you… well…” I couldn’t even verbalize the thought.
His hand slid to my neck and he pulled me against his chest. “Again, you’re not gonna lose me. And if my mother doesn’t pull her head out of her ass, any estrangement that might result from that’ll be on her. She threw away my letters to you.”
“What?” I whispered.
“And sent you the email.”
“Why?”
“Who the fuck knows? She’s obviously demented. But it doesn’t matter, Cass. I love you. She can’t come between us anymore.”
I hugged him tighter. “So, are you staying here tonight?”
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Chapter 74
*If you want me to?
“Yeah, I want you to.” I smiled up at him. “But the rules still apply
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“I don’t have any condoms with me, so I’ll keep my clothes on,” promised. “But I’m not promising I won’t cop a feel.”
I grinned. “I’m counting on it.”
The way my parents house was set up was unique. They’d built it to their specifications and it might be a little weird to some people, but it worked perfectly for us. On both the first and second floor there were bedrooms with attached baths. My parents took the downstairs one and Shannon got the upstairs master since she was the eldest. I didn’t mind because my
room had the tree.
There were two bedrooms with a jack–and–jill bathroom between, which Mia and I shared. It was a little different since we each had a toilet and a sink, but the shower, bath combo was between the toilets. There were also another two bedrooms with one more bathroom on the second floor which was where all the kids now were. One of them used to be a TV room, but had been converted when we’d all left.
He grinned and slid his hands under the waistband of my panties and cupped my bottom. “Fuck, your ass is incredible.”
“You think so?*
“Yeah, baby. Everything about you is.” He frowned. “Why?”
I shrugged. “No reason.”
He moved his hands to my waist. “You get that you’re gorgeous, right?”
I snorted. “Don’t be a dork, Carter.”
“Baby, look at me.”
“Let’s just go to bed,” I said, and tried to pull away, but he held firm.
“Hey, this is important, Cass.” I met his eyes and he smiled. “There isn’t a more beautiful woman in the world to me.”
“Well, you haven’t seen me naked yet.”
“So, let’s make that happen.”
“Soon
He frowned, but he let me escape and I flipped off my light and slid under the covers. Carter climbed in beside me and pulled me close.
“I love you, Cassidy.”
I rolled to face him and stroked his cheek. “I love you, too.”
“You on the pill?”
I shook my head. “Not currently, no, but I’ll make an appointment with my doctor this week and take care of that.”
His hand slid under my cami and cupped a breast. “That’d be good, baby.”
1 arched into his hand as his thumb slid over my nipple. “Wow. Maybe you should have brought condoms.”
He chuckled. “I don’t need condoms to take care of you, honey
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He chuckled. “It’s okay, I’ve got a plan.”
“I’ll pee and then you can enact your plan.”
On my way to the bathroom, I found my discarded clothing, grabbed a pair of clean panties, and made myself a little less naked before stretching out next to Carter again.
“Why’d you get dressed?” he grumbled as he wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed the back of my neck.
I smiled. “In case Maverick decides to wake me… us earlier than usual.”
He sighed.
I rolled to face him. “What do you care? You’re still fully clothed
“Yeah, but I like having your naked body close.”
I giggled. “You’ll have it again.”
“Can’t wait.” He grinned, kissing me quickly. “Pill next week, right?”
“Yes, honey. Promise.”
“Can I go back to sleep now?”
“You could have gone back to sleep before,” I countered.
“I need to hold you to the bed first.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Roll over, baby.”
I did, so my back was to his front and he threw a leg over my thigh and his arm over my waist.
“Mmm, love you, Carter.”
“Love you too, baby.”
With his arms wrapped tightly around me, I fell asleep within minutes and didn’t wake again until I heard the squeal of children’s laughter filter in through my open window. I rolled over and found my bed empty, so I sat up and slid off the mattress. Checking my phone, it was past ten, so I peeked outside and grinned. Carter was running around with Maverick and Kai, throwing a football, and my brother–in–law, John was close, holding Alana.
Since my child was in good hands, I showered quickly and then headed downstairs where Mom, Shannon, and Mia were in the kitchen making something that smelled a lot like cinnamon rolls. Dad was sitting at the table, sipping his coffee and reading the paper.
“Why didn’t anyone wake me?” I asked as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
“Carter said you should sleep,” Shannon offered.
“Are you gonna bust her for having a boy in her room?” Mia asked.
“If it were anyone other than Carter, then probably,” Dad said.
I gasped. “You’re on the Carter fan committee too?”
“President, honey,” he said, and raised his mug in mock toast.
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“Why am I just finding all of this out?”
“Because we’ve been trying not to meddle,” Mom said, and kissed my cheek as she passed me to deliver a cinnamon roll to my dad.
I heard the sliding glass door open and turned just as Maverick walked into the kitchen, followed by Carter and John.
“Morning, Mom,” Maverick said.
“Hi, kiddo. Having fun?” I asked and hugged John in greeting, taking the baby from him.
“Yeah, I beat Carter at football,” Maverick said.
“You did?” I caught Carter’s eye and smiled when he shook his head before kissing me quickly.
“He did great,” Carter said.
“How about you wash up, Mav, and then you can have one of Grandma’s cinnamon rolls.”
“Okay!” he said, and headed to the sink.
I slid into Carter’s arms and grinned up at him. “You let him win. I take it,” I whispered.
He chuckled. “I’ll never tell.”
“Did you sleep?”
He nodded. “You tried a few times to pull away from me, something and lock you to the bed.”
I giggled. “Kinky.”
“Hell yeah,” he whispered, and kissed me.
but settled quickly. We might
need to buy some handcuffs or
The rest of the morning was spent getting reacquainted with my niece and nephew, and firmly cementing Carter’s place within our family dynamic. Carter had apparently talked with my parents about staying with us for the remainder of the trip, which they quickly agreed to, and Jaxon dropped the dog off before he left (earlier than planned).
“I feel like I’ve totally screwed everything up,” I admitted after we put Maverick to bed that night.
“How so?” Carter asked, pulling me onto the loveseat (and practically in his lap).
“Jaxon left early, you’re here… your mom’s probably seething right now.”
“Who wants wine?” Shannon called from the kitchen.
“Me, please,” I said.
“I’ll grab a beer in a bit, Shan,” Carter returned, and then focused on me again. “You haven’t screwed anything up, Cassidy, got it?”
I sighed. “So, why did Jaxon leave early?”
“I have no idea. He said it was a work thing.” He smiled. “And I’m here because I love you. Whatever my mom’s issues are, they have nothing to do with us.”
I bit my lip and studied him for a few seconds. “Okay, I’m dropping it.”
He grinned and kissed me. “Thank you. You’re it for me, baby. Don’t ever doubt it.”
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Chapter 74
“Same, honey.”
Carter kissed me again and then rose to get his beer.
“Grab me some cheese when you come back, would you, please I called.
“Sure.”
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The rest of the family filed in as I grabbed a stack of movies and we went through the voting process of which one to watch.
Once the film had been picked, I handed the remote to my dad, and curled up next to Carter again, promptly falling asleep. I woke the next morning in my bed with his arms wrapped around me, and smiled realizing just how strong he was. I didn’t even know he’d moved me.
God, I loved this man.
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