by Lexie Davis
“After all that shit, complaining and otherwise, that’s what you have to say?” He pulled the covers over his boxer-clad body, and rolled to his side. “Goodnight, Bree.”
The mattress dipped slightly with her weight as she crawled up behind him. “Can I stay here? It’s almost morning anyway, so it won’t be like were actually sleeping together.”
He rolled over pulling the covers aside, waiting for her to slip beneath them. Once she situated herself next to him, she faced him, keeping her distance.
“Don’t worry about what I’m going to do or say if you have something on your mind, Kaden. I’m a big girl now, and I can take care of myself.”
“Yeah. Well, maybe I like taking care of you.” He rolled away from her, seeming to go to sleep.
Neither knew sleep would come easy, but Kaden did suppose that Brianna would rather not be alone. After all, it was Christmas.
* * * *
The delicious smell of eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits permeated their way to her nostrils, taking all of three seconds before Brianna realized the food sat beside her on a tray.
Kaden’s bare feet padded down the hall, stopping at Shiloh’s doorway. He held a bottle in his hand and a burping cloth hung over his shoulder. She watched as he lifted Shiloh out of her crib, kissing her and cradling her to his chest. The poor baby was probably starved since she didn’t get her evening bottle before bedtime, but she seemed perfectly content in her daddy’s arms. And Brianna knew exactly how she felt.
He gave her the bottle, Shiloh’s small hands wrapping around the his fingers as she sucked greedily for her food. He spoke to her softly, standing in the middle of the room until he looked up and saw Brianna was awake. He leaned forward kissing the child’s forehead, then started walking toward the bedroom to where Brianna sat in bed.
“Merry Christmas,” she said when he came and sat beside her on the bed.
“Merry Christmas, babe. Did you sleep well?” He sat Shiloh up, over his shoulder, and started patting her back, as if it were the most natural thing to do.
“Yeah. You didn’t have to make breakfast though.” She popped a piece of bacon in her mouth, then handed one out for him, in which he took. “How’s my baby?”
She rubbed Shiloh’s back gaining her attention, and automatically she reached her arms out for her mother. Brianna smiled, taking Shiloh into her arms, kissing her briefly before situating her on her thigh.
“She’s coming around. She woke up about thirty minutes ago and grinned at me.” Kaden tweaked her nose and she smiled at him. “Then she reached up for me to take her.”
“You’re good with her.” Brianna grabbed the biscuit off the plate and wrestle with Shiloh to eat it.
“Yeah well, I learned from watching you.” He stood to stretch, catching Shiloh’s attention. “I’m going to take a shower. You need anything else before I do?”
Brianna found herself sidetracked as well watching the fluid motions of his muscles. He yawned, barely remembering to cover his mouth as he caught her staring at him. She licked her lips unconsciously drawing out a groan from Kaden’s lips.
“Please don’t start, Bree. My balls are on their way to being black as it is.”
“I didn’t do one thing.” She grabbed a sausage before Shiloh got a hold of it and popped it in her mouth.
“That’s the point I’ve been trying to make to you. You don’t have to do one damn thing to have me hard as a baseball bat.”
Consequently, her gaze fell to his crotch and sure enough, he was hard. She grinned before looking back at Shiloh and kissing her. Kaden groaned, turning away from them both and began pulling clothes from his dresser.
“Uhh.” Shiloh reached her arms out, trying to get Kaden’s attention. When he didn’t pay attention to her, she pushed away from Brianna and squealed louder.
“Someone wants her daddy.” Brianna grinned when Kaden turned around and Shiloh opened and closed her hands, reaching her little arms out for him.
Like a sucker, he came over to pick her up. “You’re giving Mommy up for me?”
Shiloh looked back at Brianna, then looked to Kaden. She made a satisfied baby sound before wrapping her arms around his neck. He hugged her to him, leaning his head against hers.
“I’m stunned,” Kaden said, rubbing her back. “She never gives you up for anyone.”
“She loves you, Kaden.” She grinned eating the last of her sausage. “I think you were right about her conning you with the cookies.”
He grinned. “What can I say? I’m a sucker.”
After everyone was bathed and dressed, they gathered around the Christmas tree to open presents. They helped Shiloh open hers, since she was more amazed with the wrapping paper than anything. Brianna got the camera and took pictures of everything.
Kaden ended up decorating both his daughter and his wife in bows since Brianna used a bow on nearly every present she wrapped until they finally came to the end of Shiloh’s huge mass of presents.
“Here.” Kaden grabbed a small gift from under the tree and handed it to Brianna. “Open it.”
He lifted Shiloh up and blew a raspberry on her belly, starting a hysterical round of the giggles from both. Brianna just stared at the gift knowing what it was before she even opened it.
“Kaden.” She finally met his eyes, and he nodded with his head.
“Open it.”
She started peeling the paper back, as if a spider or poisonous snake was going to jump out. She knew he was growing impatient with his groans and began tickling Shiloh again, keeping the giggles going. Finally, when she unwrapped the gift, she found a small velvet jewelry box.
“If your momma was any slower, we’d be sitting here until next Christmas.” He kissed Shiloh’s cheek and sat her on his thigh, with his arms around her. Even Shiloh seemed annoyed by Brianna’s slowness.
She pulled the box open and seen that what she suspected was inside the box. “Kaden, you shouldn’t have.”
She stared at the blue-tinted diamond solitaire ring, knowing full and well she’d never wear it for fearing she’d hit it against something and lose the stone. The two-carat solitaire glinted in the light, nearly blinding all those that stared. It was beautiful in its own right. She recalled telling him her wish, making the gift more special since he remembered.
“Put it on.”
“Kaden, what if I lose it?”
He groaned, situating the baby to the side of him. “Your momma is a pain in the butt.”
“I am not—” He grabbed her hand and the ring to slip it over her finger, then inspect it.
“It was my grandmother’s diamond. I had it remounted and set according to your style. White gold instead of yellow and no baguettes since you hate the things.”
He sat back, satisfied with the ring, then kissed her briefly. “That’s only half your present though. Shiloh and I got you this.”
He picked up the baby again resituating her on his thigh. He shoved another present in front of her a bigger box this time, though not by much. He grinned, nuzzling Shiloh to hide his smile.
She opened this one faster, though when seeing it too was a jewelry box, she stopped. “Kaden.”
“Just open the damn present.”
She popped the box open and saw a beautiful silver locket with her name inscribed on the front. “Oh, Kaden, it’s beautiful.”
She pulled it out of the box and slid it around her neck. “Perfect fit, huh, Shiloh. Mommy’s pretty in her new jewelry.”
Brianna smiled, looking at her child and the man holding her, seeing how they were most definitely two peas in a pod. There was no way Kaden could deny Shiloh, because right down to her feet, the little girl was the spitting image of her father.
“Okay, now for your present.” She reached for the box toward the back of the tree. It was a larger present considering she didn’t buy him jewelry, and she handed it to him, trading it for her baby.
He pulled the paper off, and opened the box. “Oh, babe, this i
s great.”
She smiled as he inspected the brand new leather laptop case he said he wanted the day they went shopping. Shiloh evidently wanted his present as much as she wanted the paper—or maybe it was her dad. She reached for him, grunting again, but Brianna held to her tight.
“It has an R on the front buckle and a personalized nameplate on the inside.” He came to her faster than lightning and kissed her hard and long, pressing her back into the couch behind her.
Shiloh squealed, reaching for Kaden, but he was preoccupied, teasing her mouth with his own. Brianna felt breathless when he pulled away, licking her lips and tasting his unique flavor.
“Thank you.” He smiled at her before leaning down to kiss Shiloh’s head. “You two mean the world to me.”
The phone rang interrupting their moment, and Kaden rose to answer it. Brianna hugged Shiloh to her body when she squealed for her father’s attention. She couldn’t help but understand her need for Kaden. Brianna was starting to feel as if she, too, should scream for Kaden’s attention.
“Bree, it’s for you. Your mother.”
She stood with Shiloh in her arms and reached for the phone as Kaden offered it to her. “Hey, Mom. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, darling. How’s Shiloh?” Regina sounded happy as she spoke, making Brianna smile.
“She’s perfect as usual.” She smiled as Kaden made faces at the baby making her laugh. “She has a billion toys, and I’m not sure they’ll all fit in her room, but she’s had so much fun.”
“His people bought her presents?”
“Mom, they are her family. Of course they bought her presents.”
Kaden stopped playing with Shiloh and frowned at Brianna. She shook her head, handing the child to him as she continued talking to her mother.
“Oh, yes. Your arranged marriage. I trust he’s keeping his hands to himself this time. You’re not going to turn around and tell me tomorrow that I’m going to be a grandmother again, are you?”
Brianna closed her eyes and licked her lips, thinking about the right response and getting it past her lips. “Mom, please don’t do this at Christmas. Shiloh’s happy, I’m happy, please don’t do this right now.”
Kaden kissed his daughter, made his way around the kitchen bar to Shiloh’s highchair, and situated her in place. Brianna watched as he took out a banana popsicle, and peeled the paper back, and gave it to their daughter to eat. He chuckled when he seen her face and pulled it back, nibbling on it himself.
“Brianna, I don’t trust that boy. He left you when you needed him, after all those years you’d done nothing but be there for him through every crisis of his life. He broke your heart, sweetie. Why don’t you remember that?”
“I do, Mother. But it is my life, and I know what I’m getting into.” Watching her, Kaden leaned against the counter, crossing his legs at his ankles. He sucked on the lollipop with a wide-eyed Shiloh holding her hands up for him, opening and closing her fingers. “What time are we supposed to get together?”
“One. It’s at Teresa’s house, remember. She doesn’t have the highest opinion of him, so you might want to warn him, or convince him to stay at home.”
“Mom!” Brianna, turned away just as Kaden slipped the popsicle between Shiloh’s lips.
“I’m just saying’s all.” Regina tried her best to sound innocent, but Brianna knew her mother too well. She knew better.
“Yeah. Everybody will be nice, or else.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you and my precious granddaughter tomorrow.”
She clicked the phone off and turned back to see Kaden standing with the last of the popsicle between his lips. She hated when he looked at her, knowing yet never saying what was going on.
“We’re supposed to be at Teresa’s at one.” She hung the phone on the receiver.
“Uh-huh.” Shiloh clutched her hands wanting more from Kaden. “Why was she asking about my family?”
“Kaden, please.”
“No, Bree. If your family has something to say, why not say it to my face instead of behind my back.” He pushed off against the counter, stepping on the trashcan to pop the top, and dumping the stick inside. “I know your family hates me. A deaf mute could tell that much by meeting us on the street. But they’re not Shiloh’s only family, and they don’t love her more. She’s just as much a Riggens as she is a Miller.”
He tried walking past her, but Brianna grabbed his arm, pulling with all her weight to stop him. “Kaden, stop. It’s Christmas. Let’s just spend today together as a family, and then tomorrow, when it, comes deal with it. Teresa doesn’t like that you weren’t there for me when I was pregnant. Actually my whole family has a problem with that.”
Kaden looked crushed. “I’m sorry. I’ve told you a billion times how sorry I am but I can’t take it back. What the hell am I suppose to do? I’m here now. Doesn’t that count for anything?”
Brianna took a deep breath. “Kaden, listen to me. They aren’t going to get past it until you prove yourself worthy of me. I accept you, Kaden, exactly the way you are with the past we share and everything. Shouldn’t it matter what I want, instead of them?”
“But you don’t know what you want,” he yelled. “You lead me along like a little puppy on a string. I’m so frustrated right now, I can’t see straight.”
Shiloh started to cry amidst the argument, and Kaden stopped, his expression softened, as he walked to the highchair to pick her up. He pulled her against him, kissing her to quiet her down.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Daddy didn’t mean to yell.”
“Kaden,” Brianna tried talking to him again, but he brushed her off. “Kaden, stop brushing me off. What are you mad about? I had to put up with your family threatening to take my daughter away. How is that any better?”
He turned, holding the baby against his body. “Don’t try that, Brianna. I’m a lawyer, and it’s in the job description to fight dirty. Don’t you dare make me say things that will end up making you cry.”
“Like what, Kaden? We’re already fighting, because that’s the only thing we ever seem to do when alone.”
“Who’s fault is that?”
“Yours!” She turned away, hating that the holidays were going in the crapper.
He sat Shiloh in her play area and turned toward Brianna, glaring. “How the hell is it my fault?”
“Because! You get mad over stupid stuff.”
“Oh, like you don’t lead me on and then cut me off right at the last second? Might as well cut off my balls while you’re at it.”
“I don’t lead you on. You start shit, and I stop it. There’s a difference.”
“Oh, yeah?” He stepped closer pushing her back into the bar. “If I start something, are you planning on stopping it or going all the way?”
“Don’t you dare try to weasel sex out of me now.” She turned in his arms, feeling nothing but his body heat surrounding her.
“Why not? Are you wet?” He slid his hands to her thighs, pushing the skirt up to her waist as his hands slid upward. “I’ve tried slow and seductive but I think it gives you too much time to think. No thinking. No talking. Just action.”
Brianna spread her legs wider, giving him better access. She gasped when he touched her, a gentle sweep of his thumb across her folds. His gaze met and held hers for a brief second, and then he did it again, and again.
“I know you think by guarding your body, you’re guarding your heart, but, sweetie, I’ve had both.” He kissed her, hot, deep, and wet, slowly making her senseless with need while his finger played between her legs. “I love both, and you’re not going to hold back any more. Stop being so scared or guarded or whatever.”
“Stop, Kaden.” Brianna knew her mouth said the words, but he felt so good.
“Sweetheart, you’re the one holding me.”
She looked down, seeing her nails biting deeply into his skin, though no part of his body touched hers. He withdrew his hand and rested both hands on the counter on each si
de of her.
“Stop busting both of our balls and just let go for a second.”
Brianna gulped air, hoping oxygen to her brain would bring back her common sense. It didn’t work. Her body burned for Kaden, and there was no turning back now.
“Fine. If you break my heart, you won’t have to worry about blue balls. You won’t have any balls.”
He grinned, sliding his hands to her hips and lifting her onto the counter. His mouth sealed against hers as his fingers once again found their way between her thighs, this time pushing her panties aside and sliding deep within her body. She pulled back, clutching harder at his shoulders, while his mouth slid lower to her breasts.
“I can’t wait, and I don’t think you really want me to.” He undid his pants, shoving his boxers down. He reached across the counter to a candy dish and grabbed a rubber he’d hidden there quickly and deftly rolled it on to himself.
“You hid condoms in the kitchen?” Brianna grinned, staring into his eyes.
“Honey, I hid them everywhere.” Connecting their mouths again, he brushed himself against her before thrusting deeply inside the slick depths of her body. “Dammit, you’re so tight.”
Brianna didn’t respond. She urged him to pull out and thrust back again, grunts and moans sounding with every movement. The slick friction of his body sliding in and out of hers became the most wonderful rhythm.
She couldn’t think of anything but the feeling he created deep within her body, within her womb, and soon her muscles clenched because of it. She braced herself on the counter, taking him deeper as she leaned back spreading her legs wider, then locked them around his ass.
“Oh, God, Kaden.” The slick sounds of his body pounding into hers vibrated in the air around them, bringing her closer to the edge of bliss. And then he rubbed her sweet spot with his finger to send her flying.
She arched her back, her orgasm taking over her body. She barely felt Kaden come until his mouth found her breast and his body fell completely limp against hers.