"We were smaller then," I said, standing in the most awkward position I could imagine as he slid his pants down his legs. I looked down, taking him in, and he smiled.
"Like what you see?" There was that smug half-smile, the cockiness back in full force.
But the heat between my legs was a definite yes.
I bent down to kiss him, wrapping my hand around his cock. I didn't think I could ever get tired of feeling him in my hand. Then he pulled back, a weird look on his face.
"I don't have condoms," he whispered.
Shit.
I stopped, the throbbing between my legs making it hard to think. "Are you clean?"
Cade nodded. "I was just tested."
He was just tested? I must have given him a weird look, because he looked at me with a sheepish expression. "I was at a low point, before I came here. The girls I was with...not the best ever. I wanted to make sure I was okay."
"Oh, hell," I said. "I don't need any more elaboration." Hearing about Cade's poor choices in women was doing to put a real damper on this. "Well, I'm on birth control, and I'm clean."
"So I can -"
"Yep."
"Shit." Cade grinned. If his cock could have gotten any harder right then, I think it would have exploded.
"Here," I whispered. I turned, my back toward him, so I could sit on his lap. I felt his hands on my ass cheeks, his calloused skin rough against me as he smoothed his hands over the surface and down the sides of my legs.
"Stay right there for a second," he said. "I'm admiring the view."
I inhaled sharply as his finger teased my entrance, then slid to my clit. Then he groaned, his hands on my ass, pulling me down and impaling me on him. Riding him, knowing there was no barrier between us now, was like a high. I felt dizzy, drunk on him. From behind me, his hands roamed my body, caressing my breasts, his fingers twirling around my nipples. As I rode him, I could feel myself get closer and closer, and then he pulled my hair at the base of my head, drawing my head back toward him and kissing me on the neck.
"Fuck, June," he whispered, his hot breath in my ear. "I fucking love the way you feel."
It pushed me over the edge. "Cade, I'm going to come," I warned, and then it overtook me, washing over me like a tidal wave, and triggering Cade's warm release.
Afterward, Cade pulled me back tight against him, wrapping his arms around me. "I meant every word I said tonight. I am in love with you, June."
I didn't say it back. I wasn't ready.
I just didn't have the balls to say it.
So I didn't say anything, and Cade seemed okay with it, content enough with holding me.
"Do you think your dad is having us all together for dinner tonight because we got together or something?" I asked, as we walked up the front porch.
Cade smiled. "Honestly? Yeah, probably. He's your biggest fan, so..."
I laughed. "He does seem to like the idea of us together."
"That's an understatement," Cade said. "Hey there, little girl!" He reached out as MacKenzie came barreling toward him, a tiny bundle of energy.
"We're making cookies, and I'm helping!"
"Is that right?" Cade asked. "Did you leave me any?"
MacKenzie shook her head. "Nope. I ate them all."
"What?" Cade carried her into the kitchen. "Are you a cookie monster?"
She giggled. "No, you're a cookie monster!"
I smiled as I listened to them go back and forth.
"Hey June!" April waved from the kitchen.
"Let me put you to work, June," Stan greeted me, handing me a stack of plates. "Go ahead and put these on the table for me." Then, as I was busying myself with the task, he called. "Oh, and it's good to see you."
The house was controlled chaos, and stayed that way throughout dinner and then afterward, until MacKenzie finally fell asleep in April's arms, sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch. We sat outside, mostly silent, and sitting there beside Cade, I felt content. Calm.
I watched as Crunch stood and kissed the top of his wife's head, and she gave him this look that was so...in love with him. I was filled with a sudden sense of longing, wanting that sense of family.
Cade noticed me watching them, and reached for my hand, squeezing it. "It's nice, huh?" he asked.
I nodded. I couldn't really put it into words. It was beyond nice.
A few minutes later, I was in the kitchen helping Stan clean up. The room was quiet, everyone momentarily gone doing other things.
"June," Stan said. "You and Cade..." He ran a dishtowel over the surface of a bowl he'd just washed.
"Yes." It still sounded foreign to my ears. Me and Cade.
"He's good with you," he said.
He was, wasn't he?
Stan stopped what he was doing, turned toward me. "Be careful with him," he said.
"What do you mean?" Was he trying to warn me off of him now?
"He's loves you. It's always been about you. Just..." Stan's voice trailed off. "Just promise me you'll take care with him."
"I wouldn't do anything to hurt him, Stan."
Stan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know you won't, June."
"Of course, Stan." I was about to say something else, but Cade walked into the kitchen, sliding his arm around my waist.