Chapter 14
~ Cassey ~
I’m woken up by the feel of Kyler’s mouth making its way down my spine. He lays sweet, hot kisses down the length of my back, stopping at the dimples above my butt. “Hmmmm” I hum, turning around to face him. He rolls on top of me, and I spread my legs, his heavy erection resting on my belly. “Good morning, beautiful,” he coos. I probably look terrible, with messy hair, and raccoon eyes from the make-up I had on last night. I love that it doesn’t matter to Kyler though. He still thinks I’m beautiful.
“ Morning.” I smile. My hands roam his back, trailing every dip and every curve of his hard muscles. This man is beautiful, an Adonis. My Adonis. He looks into my eyes, into my soul, and I’m almost breathless all over again. “I could get used to this,” he murmurs. He kisses my neck, and moves lower to my breasts. I arch my back as he pulls a nipple into his mouth, grazing it with his teeth.
“Ohhh,” I moan. Kyler hums and the vibrations travel through my body. I grab Kyler’s hair, and give it a tug. He rewards me with a feral growl, and captures my mouth.
My stomach rumbles, and we both stop. He stares at me for a beat, and then we both burst into a fit of giggles.
“Sorry,” I say around my laughter. “You depleted my energy last night.”
Kyler’s face falls slightly and he gives me a sad smile. “Listen, Cass, about last night - ”
I put my finger on his mouth to silence him. “It’s fine. Can we just move on and forget about it?”
“I’m sorry,” he replies, apologizing for the thousandth time.
“Everything before ‘I love you’ doesn’t matter,” I tell him.
His mouth slants into his shy smile, and his eyes glisten with the love I feel pulsating between us.
“That happened, huh?” he asks.
“It did. You said you love me.” I grin, deliriously happy.
“I do,” he says quietly.
“I love you, too.” I press a feather light kiss to his mouth. My stomach rumbles again.
“Okay, baby, time to feed my woman.”
Kyler jumps out of bed, and I wrap myself in a silk robe. Kyler pulls on a pair of sweats he keeps at my apartment, and walks to the kitchen. I lift myself on the breakfast island and watch Kyler move around my kitchen like he belongs there. Granted, he’s been in my kitchen many times, but after last night it feels different. Everything feels different.
“What do you feel like?” Kyler asks, bending at the waist to see what’s in my fridge.
“Ummm…” I pause, admiring the view. “I kind of like what I’m looking at right now.”
Kyler stands and turns to face me. “That makes two of us.”
His hands slide up my exposed thighs, and my skin breaks out into goosebumps. “We’d better not get freaky on the counter,” I say. “I don’t think the landlord would appreciate it.”
Kyler pulls his bottom lip into his mouth, and his brows dip into a slight frown. He looks unsure of himself.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I probably should have mentioned who your landlord is when you signed the lease agreement,” he replies.
“Why? Who is it?”
“Me.”
“What? How?” I ask, confused and slightly taken back.
“I bought it, the day I showed it to you,” he replies. He watches my face, gauging my reaction.
“But why?”
“You needed an apartment, and I figured it would be a good investment. So I bought it.”
I don’t know what to say. I should be angry, but looking into Kyler’s eyes makes it hard.
“You did it for me?”
“Yes. I did it for you. Don’t be mad.”
I shake my head, fighting the way his sentiment has my emotions doing cartwheels.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.” And it is. I can’t help but think that it’s the ‘Grand Gesture’ women are always talking about, only Kyler made it long before our fight.
Kyler kisses my nose. “You’re welcome, baby. Can I make you breakfast now?” he asks with a chuckle.
“I suggest you do. I plan on taking advantage of you all day.”
Kyler clears his throat, and steps away, causing me to laugh. “Is an omelet good for you?”
“Sounds delicious.”
Kyler prepares all the ingredients, and I decide to check my phone. I read the five texts from Quinn, all asking if I’m okay and if I got home safe last night, and reply quickly. I tell her I’m fine, and promise to call her later. When I walk back into the kitchen, Kyler is plating an omelet, and the smell makes me salivate. Kyler lifts me onto the breakfast island and comes to stand between my legs.
“Open,” he says. I open my mouth, and Kyler starts feeding me. I can’t deny that it’s a major turn on. I chew the tasty food appreciatively as Kyler takes a bite of his own. He feeds me a few more bites until we’ve devoured the food, and then cleans up before picking me up and carrying me to the bathroom. He sets me down on the edge of the tub, and starts the hot water. When the tub is full, I stand up and push Kyler’s sweats down his legs. The silk robe slides down my body, and Kyler’s hands trace my curves. I climb into the tub, and Kyler settles behind me.
“What are you thinking about?” Kyler asks, breaking the comfortable silence. I smile, loving the way he can read me so easily. “Nothing in particular,” I reply.
“Tell me,” he presses. He kisses my shoulder, and I rub up and down his thighs.
I sigh, partly because I’m enjoying the feel of his chest pressed up against my back, and partly because what I’m thinking about can’t be classified as tubtalk. But I want Kyler to know me, even if that means telling him about my poor upbringing.
“My parents,” I reply reluctantly. Kyler’s hands cup my breasts and it’s a little difficult to concentrate.
“You’ve never spoken about them before,” he says. “Are they still around?” “Yeah,” I reply. “They’re in Georgia.”
Kyler must sense my unease because he takes a deep breath and says, “We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Cass. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
I crane my neck and gently kiss Kyler’s lips. “I’m just not proud of where I come from, that’s all.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are not your past.”
“I know, but it’s a little difficult to forget about it when my parents are hounding me for money.” I pinch my lips. I wasn’t supposed to say anything about that. It’s not his problem to deal with.
“They’re what?”
“It doesn’t matter, I’m dealing with it.”
Kyler places his hands on my hips, and turns me around to straddle him. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped you.”
My hands rest on Kyler’s chest, and I look at him from below my lashes. “We weren’t talking,” I say quietly, willing my brain not to take a trip down memory lane to last week. “And even if we were, I still wouldn’t have told you. It’s my problem.”
Kyler pulls me closer until his mouth is inches from mine. “Well, now it is our problem. Let me help you.”
I think about it for a moment. I don’t expect him to help me, but having him for added support helps ease the weight on my shoulders. I nod once before Kyler takes my mouth in his.
Kyler and I spend the rest of the afternoon in bed, and eventually move to the kitchen for dinner. It’s a little after ten in the evening when we fall asleep on the sofa, only to be woken up by knocking on my door. Kyler stretches and yawns, and I stand up to open the door. When I do, I find a teary-eyed Quinn standing in front of me with an overnight bag in her hand. Her hair is a mess, and she’s pale, like she’s seen a ghost.
“I-I’m sorry to show up here so late,” she says, her voice hitching. “But I had nowhere else to go.”
“Of course, Quinny. Come in.”
Kyler sees Quinn’s distraught expression, and t
akes her bag from her. He kisses my forehead. “I’ll leave you two girls alone for a while. I need to go to my place and grab some clothes and my laptop.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit,” I reply, kissing him. “Be careful.”
Kyler leaves and I usher Quinn to the sofa. “Are you okay?” I ask her. “No.” She heaves a breath and her lip trembles.
“What happened?”
“Cass, I’m…I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, sweety, that’s great! I’m so happy for you!” I hug Quinn which only seems to make her cry harder.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I told Jarred, and he totally lost it. We ended up having this huge fight, and I left.”
“I’m sure he’ll come around, Quinny. It probably came as a bit of a shock to him. I mean, you guys weren’t trying to have a baby, were you?” Quinn shakes her head. “No! And I was also shocked, but I didn’t react like a complete maniac!”
Quinn cries harder and I rub her back, trying to soothe her distress. “What did he say to you?” I ask carefully. God help him if he said anything to debase her.
“He just started yelling at me, accusing me of wanting to ruin his career by getting pregnant on purpose. He said I was trying to trap him into marriage.” She takes a deep, calming breath, and just simply shakes her head again. “Which is ridiculous. We’ve only been living together for a month, and before that, we’d only been dating for a year. I only told him I’m in love with him just before we moved in together, and now this…”
Her hands shake, so I wrap them in mine, and steady them. “Everything will be okay,” I assure her.
“I can’t do this alone, Cass.” Quinn’s sad, watery eyes meet mine. For the first time since we met, she looks vulnerable, and scared.
“And you won’t have to. You have me, and your parents. You’re keeping it, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am.” Her hands rest on her stomach. “Whether Jarred is happy about this or not, this baby was made out of love. It’s my baby, I would never want to give it up. Sure, I would’ve liked to wait a few more years, but I’m not going to love this baby any less.”
“This kid is going to have the best godmother in town,” I tease. Quinn giggles, the tension leaving her body. “Can I spend the night?” she asks.
“Of course, you know you don’t even have to ask. You must be tired. You can take a shower if you want, and then sleep in the guest bedroom.” “Thank you so much,” she says, hugging me to her.
“Anything for you,” I reply honestly. I love Quinn like a sister, she knows I would do anything for her.
I leave Quinn to settle in, and decide to crawl into bed. My eye lids close quickly, and soon I’m overcome by a deep, calm slumber.
~ Kyler ~
Cassey’s apartment is quiet when I return. When Quinn showed up, I decided to give them some time to talk through what had upset Quinn, and go to my apartment to pick up a few things. After a week of hell without Cassey, I have no intention of leaving her side any time soon, even if it drives her crazy. She’s sound asleep, so I strip my clothes and crawl into bed beside her. I grin when I find that she’s naked under the sheets, and trail my hands all over her curvaceous body. Her eyes open, and they immediately fill with lust, and behind it I see her love.
“I missed you,” she whispers. Her hands move up my chest, and she hooks her arms around my neck.
“I missed you, too,” I reply. “Is Quinn okay?”
“She’s…” Cassey hesitates. “She’s pregnant.”
“Wow,” I sigh. “That’s pretty awesome. Why was she so upset?” “Jarred reacted like a complete douchecanoe.
He said some pretty harsh things to her, and she came here. She’s spending the night.”
“Hopefully they can sort it out. Is Quinn going to keep it?” I ask. “Yes,” Cassey replies. “It’s a shock to her, but she’s going to love that baby. She’ll make an amazing mom for sure.”
The room goes quiet, and I envision my own future with Cassey. I wonder what it would be like to make her my wife, to have her belly swollen with my baby. The thought isn’t as scary as I would have imagined. In fact, I like it. “Kyler?” Cassey’s whisper breaks through my fantasy, and I look down into her moon-lit eyes.
“Hmmm?”
“Kiss me.”
It doesn’t take me long to fulfill her request. I devour her mouth with mine, savoring her sweet taste. My hand lifts her leg and I bring it over my waist, positioning me at her hot, wet entrance. She whimpers when I rub the head of my erection against her clit, and I watch her eyes roll back in pleasure as I push into her heat slowly. It’s so much deeper like this, and incredibly intense when it’s skin-on-skin. My right hand holds Cassey’s butt as I start pumping into her, slowly first, and then faster, harder. My left arm wraps around Cassey’s delicate, curvy waist and I bring her closer to me until our chests are pressed together.
“So deep,” Cassey mewls softly. “Oh God, baby, I’m…”
“Ssshh….” I kiss her mouth, and swallow the sexy sounds she’s making. It drives me wild when she’s loud, but I’m aware that we have a house guest.
I suck in a breath when Cassey purposefully clenches her muscles, bringing me to the brink of my orgasm. I growl into her neck, and pump my hips faster. Cassey whimpers, and comes apart in my arms.
She bites my shoulder to stifle her scream, and it pushes me further as I chase my orgasm.
The fire starts low down my spine, and then erupts violently.
When our erratic breathing slows, I move away from Cassey and grab a warm washcloth from the bathroom. I clean us both up, and then toss the washcloth aside before climbing back into bed.
Cassey tucks her head into my neck, and haphazardly tangles our legs together. The feel of her next to me is something I don’t want to go a day without, and the idea of losing her is painful. I’m going to need her, especially when it comes time for me to say goodbye to my father. I don’t think I can get through it without her. Pushing the thoughts aside, I hug Cassey to me, and fall asleep with ease.
I’m woken up by yelling, and a loud bang. I jump up when I see Cassey isn’t next to me, and pull on my sweats before hurrying out to see what all the commotion is about.
“What’s going on?” I ask, walking into the living room. Cassey is in one of my shirts and her sleep shorts, and she’s fighting with Quinn’s boyfriend, Jarred.
“Where is she?” Jarred shouts. “Fuck, Cass, just tell me where I can find her, please.” The guy looks like shit, like he hasn’t slept at all. His hair is a mess, and his clothes are in complete disarray. He has a crazed look in his eye, panicked and frantic. Poor guy looks like he’s about to lose his shit. “Quinn’s not here,” I answer for Cassey. My voice is hard. I reach for Cassey and pull her back slightly. I cross my arms over my chest, and glower at Jarred.
“But she was here last night? She’s okay?” Jarred asks.
“No, she’s not okay,” Cassey snaps. She’s a feisty little thing, and if I wasn’t annoyed with Jarred right now it would turn me on.
“She was a mess,” Cassey continues, “and if you don’t pull your head out of your ass, she will leave you. She told you she’s pregnant, and your response was to throw accusations at her.”
“Fuck,” Jarred growls. He drags his fingers through his hair. “I really screwed up, and I just need to tell her how sorry I am.”
“It’s time to man the fuck up,” Cassey says. “She shouldn’t have to consider raising your baby without you, so don’t give her that option.”
“I know, dammit! I know! But I freaked out!” Jarred replies, exasperated. “Cass, please, I’m begging you, tell me where my girl is so I can fix this.” Cassey’s lips thin. She’s contemplating telling Jarred where to find Quinn. I’m tempted to tell her not to say anything, but this is none of my business, even if Jarred handled the news of Quinn’s pregnancy in the worst way possible. I’d make him suffer a bit longer for being a jackass though. “Fine,�
�� Cassey sighs. “She left this morning to go to her parents’ house.” Jarred nods, relief written all over his face. “Thanks.”
“I swear to God though, Jarred, if you do anything more to hurt my best friend, I will personally make your life hell, make no mistake. Quinn deserves better.”
“I know, and I’m going to fix it. I promise.”
Cassey nods once, satisfied with Jarred’s promise, and we watch him leave. She turns to face me, and I wrap her in my arms.
“Seeing you get so worked up is pretty sexy,” I tell her.
Cassey laughs and slaps my chest playfully. “Let’s hope I won’t have to do that again. I’ll seriously beat his ass if he hurts Quinn.”
I chuckle. “Now that, I would pay to see.”
“What, you don’t think I can kick some ass?”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it, baby. I might just misbehave on purpose so I can get you worked up.”
“You just want make-up sex,” she laughs.
“Any sex with you will do, I’m not fussy.”
“You’re such a horn dog,” she replies, smiling.
“You drive me crazy,” I say, picking her up. Her legs come around my waist and she wraps her body around mine.
“Right back at you,” she whispers. Her phone starts ringing just as we reach her bedroom, and I put her on her feet. She runs to grab it, and I head towards the shower. I hear her voice, and a few minutes later she walks into the bathroom. Her face is pale, and she stares at the phone.
“Cass?”
Her head whips up and she opens her mouth to speak. “It’s my parents,” she says. “They’re dead.”
I rush to her side just as her knees give out. “Okay, baby, I’ve got you,” I say, lifting her. I sit down on her bed with her in my lap.
“What happened?” I ask, gauging her reaction.
“They overdosed on heroin,” she swallows hard. “And then their trailer was set alight with their bodies inside.”
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