“Yum, this looks delicious. I’m rather hungry now.”
“How’s Beth handling me and Rona being together?” I ask.
“You’ll find out later.” I raise an eyebrow at Jake’s comment. “Beth and Anna are going to come over in about an hour or so.”
“Please ask Elise to come with them.” Rona mumbles with a mouth full of muffin.
“Will do. Thanks Rona, for not blaming her and for being her friend.”
Rona smiles, “I could never blame her.”
“Jake, how much work is expected over the next few weeks?”
“Taking some time off?” he asks.
Glancing at Rona, I have her full attention now. “Yes, I want to spend more time with Rona. I’m planning on taking her away somewhere, but until she’s well enough to travel I’m going to stay close, just in case Nick shows up again.”
“Okay Dad, what we have scheduled can be handled by me or a couple of the part-timers if needs be, but we don’t have anything major for the next six weeks.”
“When you’re in the office later, mark on the calendar that I’m unavailable for the next four weeks.”
“What are you planning?” Rona asks me.
I smile at her, “A surprise.”
“Oh good, I love surprises.” Winking at me, my eyes open wider, because this usually means ‘shock Jake’, “Does it involve being naked?”
As expected, Jake reacts by choking on his coffee. “I think I’ll leave you two alone.” Jake makes a dash for the door.
“Jake, please don’t go, I promise to behave.” Jake glances at Rona and then me, deciding to stay. He takes his seat again.
“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. I’m not usually so.... well you know,” Rona says, waving her arm around, wincing in pain.
“Don’t worry about it love, I’m sure he’s heard worse from his friends.”
“They’re not usually talking about my Dad and his girlfriend getting naked though!” Jake shudders.
After breakfast Jake cleans up and heads over to the stables to re-arrange the work schedule. I want to take Rona some place where we can be alone, to a warmer climate and I have just the destination in mind.
~~ Rona ~~
Cade helps me to the sofa and then goes upstairs for a few minutes. I’m still in a lot of discomfort, with my hip mainly, although I keep having shooting pains in my leg. The bruising is horrid to look at, but hopefully it will fade soon.
I’ve never actually seen anyone killed until yesterday. I only looked briefly, and didn’t really take anything in. I was just relieved to be away from him. I think Cade was expecting me to be affected more than I am. I hadn’t met Tom until yesterday, so whether my reaction would have been different if I’d known him, I don’t know, maybe. He was an evil person and I for one am glad he can’t hurt anyone else. I just have Nick to worry about.
Thinking about Cade always brings a smile to my face. I feel as though we’ve been together a very long time. In the short time I’ve known him; he’s come to mean everything to me. I’m very curious about what he’s planning over the next few weeks though.
I glance towards the stairs just in time to watch Cade walk down with a few things, and my favorite cardigan.
“I’ve brought your iPad down in case you want to read or something, while I do some work on my laptop.” He places his laptop on the coffee table and comes over to help me put my cardigan on.
“Cade.” I pull him close for a quick, hard, wet kiss.
“Rona.” He cups my head and brings me in for another kiss. Chasing his tongue in and out of his mouth, he tastes of syrup and coffee and I really want him to make love to me, but I’m in too much pain.
“Hell, love.” He pulls away from me, taking some deep breaths while re-arranging himself in his sweats.
“I want to be naked with you.”
“I know love, I want that too.” Cade moves my hand to the front of his sweats, to feel just how much he wants me. He moves my hand away. “It will only be a few more days while your hip heals then I’ll have you naked in my arms.” Grinning now, he carries on, “My hand and mouth can work wonders until your hip is fully healed and you can take me inside you again.”
Passing me my iPad he sits at the end of the sofa with his hand on my ankle, as though he has to touch me.
Booting up his laptop, he starts concentrating on whatever it is he’s doing.
“It was a serious question that I asked at breakfast, about being naked, you know.” I look at him with raised eyebrows.
Laughing at me, “Will you please stop talking about being naked; you’re not helping me here.”
“I was referring to what you are planning for the next four weeks.”
“You will have to wait and see. One thing I can promise you is that I’m going to take you somewhere warm and private and dedicate my whole time to you.” Cade places a kiss on my foot.
“When are you going to tell me?” I’m all excited.
“You aren’t by any chance a Gemini are you?” he laughs.
“Why?”
“Because Beth is and she’s so impatient. She always wants to know her surprise as soon as she knows she’s getting one. Impatience is a sign of a Gemini, or so I’m told.”
“As a matter of fact I am!” We laugh.
I’m trying to read on my iPad, but find it difficult to concentrate. Cade has got me all excited about going away. I just hope it’s somewhere I can wear my pink bikini. It’s new and I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet. If I’m truthful I haven’t been brave enough to wear it. I’ll have to make sure Cade isn’t eating or drinking when I appear in it.
Feeling wicked and rather frustrated, “Cade, what would you think if I appear in a hot pink bikini thong and a top barely covering my breasts?” Cade’s eyes grow wide with shock.
“What?” he just manages to choke out.
“I bought a bikini a while ago and it’s a thong with very small triangles over my breasts in hot pink. I’ve never worn it. I was wondering if we’re going somewhere that I can wear it?”
“Hell, if you wear that, I’m one hundred percent certain you won’t be wearing it long!” I can see him starting to ‘rise’ to the occasion.
“I might have to try it on as soon as I can move upstairs.” I grin.
“Like hell you will. You can hardly move and I’ll probably shoot my load in my sweats at the sight and embarrass myself.”
Laughing now. “You could use your very talented mouth and fingers on me.” He moves his laptop to the table, wincing.
Sitting back he groans, “Look what you’ve done to me.” He strokes along his shaft.
“Mmm, delicious. Want a hand?” I lick my tongue. He arches off the sofa.
“Shit. Please stop now. You’re not in any condition to do anything and I’m in real pain here.” He removes his hand and leans forward, his arms resting on his knees and his head bent sucking in a deep breath.
“I’m sorry. I’m just as frustrated. Hell, I’m wet and aching for you to be inside me right now. In fact I’ll probably go off like a rocket the minute you touch me. That’s how much I want you.”
“Shit,” Cade says, taking deep breaths. I decide to take pity on him and shut up for now, while he gets his body under control.
“Cade you okay? I really am sorry; no one has ever reacted to me like you do.”
“That’s because no one has or will, love you as much as I do”.
“I love you too honey, you’re my heart.”
Hearing the door bell ring, Cade once again in control of his emotions, goes to answer the door.
Chapter 16
~~ Rona ~~
“Hi Dad, how’s Rona?” Beth asks hugging Cade, followed by Anna and Elise.
Still not being able to move too well, I stay put on the sofa.
Seeing Elise holding back, as Anna and Beth take a seat, I hold out my hand to her. “Elise, come here.” I pat the seat to the side of me. As she appro
aches I can see tears in her eyes. Swallowing my own back, “Elise, under no circumstances do I want you to blame yourself for what happened. The only people responsible are Tom and Nick, not you.” I pull her into my arms. She cries and I cry with her.
Moving slightly away. “What about you, Elise? Are you doing okay? None of this must be easy for you.”
She takes a few deep breaths, “I’m doing okay. Jake is helping, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel. By the time I got away from him, I hated him for what he said about me and Jake and for what he did to me.” She dabs at her eyes with a tissue.
Cade moves over to Elise. Taking her by the hand he pulls her in for a hug. “You’ll be fine.” He places a kiss on her forehead. Then he grins, “Welcome to the family.”
She smiles through her tears, “Thanks Cade.”
“Am I missing something here?” I ask looking at everyone.
Cade takes hold of Elise’s hand, “She’s wearing the ring Jake bought for her a while back.”
“Oh my god, you’re engaged.... I’ll kill him, he never said anything.... just wait until I see him.” Everyone laughs.
“Congratulations Elise, I’m so happy it all finally worked out for you both.”
“Thanks Rona. Really thank you.”
I try to get in to a more comfortable position. Cade sees me, releases Elise and moves towards me, “Here love, wait, let me help.”
Putting his arms around my waist, he lifts me further up on the sofa. Turning around he freezes and as I look, there are three pairs of eyes looking at us – all smiling. I’m just so happy that, Jake, Anna and now, I hope Beth, are okay with my relationship with their father.
“Guys, please stop embarrassing your father.”
Sitting down, Cade moves in close to me on the sofa. He places my legs in his lap and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together, before placing a kiss to my knuckles.
“Rona, I didn’t see you yesterday. How are you really?” Beth asks, looking concerned.
“I’m in pain with mainly my left hip, but my thigh hurts occasionally, otherwise I’m fine.” After a pause, “Does anyone know how Grace is doing, I feel partly responsible for what happened to her?”
“Love, what happened to Grace isn’t your fault. Nick was already friends with Tom before you even met so for all we know Grace already knew him. Please don’t blame yourself for what happened to Grace,” Cade says to me.
“Grace is doing well, I called in to see her first thing this morning and I found her sat up in bed, blushing away, while that hot DEA guy, Josh, asked her questions.” Taking a much needed breath, Anna continues, “Actually, when he was leaving he actually gave her one hell of a hot look, and if she’d been standing up, she would have ended up a melted puddle at his feet.”
“Anna. Does Justin know you look at other guys like that?”
“Of course not, it’s a girl thing.”
“He was giving Rona the eye yesterday. Did you look at him like that?” he asks me.
“Are you asking me if I found him hot?” I try not to laugh, hearing the others snickering in the background.
“Yes!”
“He’s hot, but you’re a lot hotter than him.” Seeing the look on Cades face. “If it helps, when I first saw you, I undressed you with my eyes, but I didn’t with him. Does that answer your question, honey?”
Smiling now, “Yes.”
He leans over to kiss me, “Idiot. I will only ever love you,” I whisper.
After a minute of sitting quietly, I sense Cade is uncomfortable. I figure it’s because no one has mentioned us being together. I don’t like my guy being uncomfortable, so taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, “I love your father with all my heart, as he loves me.” I blurt out, looking between Anna and Beth. Cade squeezes my hand. Glancing at him I see his eyes full of love and pride directed towards me.
“What Rona says is the truth. You both know what happened between your mother and me, I’ve made no secret about that, so you know I didn’t love her and I haven’t been in love before, until now. I know there is a large age difference, but I hope you will accept Rona as the woman of my heart.”
“I told you last night Dad, that I’m happy for you both and I meant it.” Anna looks at us both while nudging Beth.
“I was upset last night,” Beth says, “Until Anna and Jake told me to grow up and to think about how much happier you’ve been since Rona has been here. I realized I was being selfish. Like Anna says you need someone to love you as a guy and not a father and seeing you with Rona just now, I realize you finally have that. So, yes, I’m okay with you and Rona being together.... besides, she has good taste in clothes which will probably fit me!”
I look across to Cade and he looks to be having difficulty controlling his emotions. Letting go of my hand he stands up and walks over to Beth, who has stood up to meet him, and hugs her. Kissing her on the forehead, “Thank you.” He releases her.
“I’m feeling kinda left out over here!” I look directly at Cade; I just need his arms around me right now.
Coming over to me, he helps me to sit up before pulling me into his arms. I have my arms around his neck. I run my fingers through his hair. I nibble his ear. He shivers. “Mmm.” I moan.
“Dad, why don’t you disappear for an hour and we’ll look after Rona,” Anna grins, when she sees her dad’s expression. “She’ll be fine. Don’t you have some work to do on your laptop? Go get it done, then when you’ve finished you’ll be able to concentrate on Rona.”
“I guess. At least Rona won’t be able to see what vacation I’m planning with it being arranged in my office.” He looks at me and winks, but still seems reluctant to leave me.
“Vacation! Hey can we come, I could do with a break?” Beth asks.
“If you need a break, I would have a word with your husband, Beth.”
“Last time I said that, he took me away and I ended up pregnant with Edith!”
“That really is too much information” Cade shudders.
“If you think that, then think how we feel knowing our father actually has sex!” Beth says, tongue in cheek.
This has me in stitches laughing so much that I ache.
“Rona, what is it?” Cade asks me, I’m now crying with laughter.
“I’m okay, I just forgot about my hip.” I take some deep breaths to try and stop laughing.
Heck, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.
“Alright, fun’s over. Dad you go and sort your vacation out and we’ll take care of Rona.” Anna shoos Cade away.
“I’ll be fine. I’m comfortable here plus all you have to do is look out your office door to see me.” I give him a kiss, then a slight shove.
“Now that’s sorted, who wants a coffee? Dad before you go, grab a cup of coffee and a slice of cake to take with you.” Anna heads towards the kitchen.
~~ Cade ~~
Looking over my shoulder on my way up the stairs, I can see Rona is comfortable on the sofa, surrounded by my family, and before my four week’s vacation are up I intend to make Rona officially a part of that.
I’m going to look up a couple of vacation ideas I have while Rona can’t see what I’m doing. She told me not long after we first met that she wanted to go to an island in the Maldives, so that is where I plan to start. Having no idea how long the flight is, I decide to look the flights up first. The length of the flight will tell me whether we can go tomorrow or in a few days, as the bruising on Rona’s hip needs more time to heel before a very long flight.
The flight I find is from Denver to New York, then a connecting flight to Dubai, followed by another connecting flight to Malé in the Maldives. Hell, I guess that means a few more days here. Perhaps Anna, Beth and Elise could take Rona shopping for some clothes for the sun.
Checking that there are two available seats for the flight in about four days time, I then open another browser window and find the resort that Rona said she wanted to go to, and wow it’s impressive!
I can’t wait to get her there. Using their online booking system, I book a Grand Water Villa for two weeks. I then go back to book the flights, trying to work out the flight times. It looks like we get to spend a night in Dubai, so, after checking I’m correct with that assumption, I go ahead and book a hotel in Dubai as well.
Getting all the arrangements out of the way, I look out through the doorway to where Rona is still sitting talking with the girls. She looks to be getting tired though. Shutting everything down, I head back to her.
From This Moment (Jackson Hole) Page 14