Quarterback's Secret Baby (A Secret Baby Sports Romance) by Ivy Jordan (2)

Chapter 21

Cade

When I wake up the next morning, I am immediately disappointed because my arms are not filled with Serena. We had fallen asleep entwined with each other, and I wanted to wake up the same way. I open my eyes fully and turn, smiling when I find her curled up still in bed. I feel a wave of contentment wash over me as I watch her sleep. This is what I wanted to wake up to four years ago. It feels so right, and I’m so happy that she didn't sneak off in the middle of the night and have a cab take her home. She’s here, and it feels like exactly where she belongs.

I get up as quietly as I can so that I don’t wake her and find a pair of jogging pants and an old t-shirt in a drawer to throw on. I head downstairs to the kitchen and begin to root around in the fridge to find something to make us for breakfast. After about fifteen minutes, I hear her footsteps padding into the kitchen. “Good morning,” she says shyly.

I stop what I am doing and come around to embrace her and kiss her thoroughly. She’s wearing my robe, and I get an eyeful of her breasts where it gapes open. I reach in and tease her nipples into hard peaks.

She giggles as she steps back from me. “Cade!”

“What?” I shrug. “I can’t help myself when a gorgeous woman is in front of me, and I know she’s naked under that robe.”

“What are you making?” she asks, nudging me aside with her hip and moving towards the stove.

“I was thinking omelets. What do you like in yours?”

“What do you have?”

I point at a stack of ingredients on the counter. “Have at it.”

She looks through what I have pulled out of the fridge and sets aside the ham, a green pepper, an onion, and cheese. She starts to put everything else back in the fridge and looks at me expectantly. “Knife?”

I pass one to her, and she starts to chop the pepper as I cube the ham. I think to myself that this must be what Tyler means when he calls his marriage domestic bliss. It is nice doing something so simple like making breakfast side by side. I wonder what it would be like to do this every day with Serena and Alan.

Just as quickly as the thought comes, I push it aside. It’s too soon to be thinking about me and her playing house with her son. Yet the thought feels so right all the same. I grab the onion to refocus my thoughts and begin dicing.

After we’ve got all the ingredients assembled, I start the omelets while Serena finds strawberries and begins slicing. She pops one into my mouth and goes on tiptoe to kiss me, licking a spot of the strawberry juice that dribbles onto my chin. “Delicious,” she winks before sashaying away. I grab her to pull her back into a kiss. “The omelets are gonna burn if you don’t stop kissing me,” she laughs.

“I don’t want to stop kissing you, though.”

“I’m hungry.”

I huff out a breath dramatically with a playful smile. “Fine, we can eat. But after...” I let my statement trail off, but the implication is clear and Serena blushes. I love when her cheeks pink like that, and I love how easily I can get that reaction out of her.

She finishes with the strawberries and then hops up on the counter as I work to finish our omelets. I slide my hand up her leg under the robe, and she squirms. “Cade,” she breathes out.

I wink as I pull my hand away and turn back to our eggs, taking them off the heat and reaching for two plates. “Come on,” I say, tapping her knee as I carry the two plates to the table. She hops down, grabs her strawberries and brings them over, and then heads back to the fridge, grabbing the carton of orange juice and pouring two glasses.

She sits down to my left with a smile and begins to eat with gusto. I follow suit, and we begin to eat quietly. I love the quiet thoughtfulness that Serena brings into my life. Josephine said everything that came into her head, no matter how asinine it would prove to be (which was often). Thinking back on the last several years, I realize I was stuck in a pattern of the same women because when I wasn’t with Josephine, I was with whatever other mindless twit showed up to keep her spot warm until we got back together and repeated the cycle again. I know I never want to find myself in that cycle ever again.

“If you only had one meal left on earth, what would it be?” I ask Serena after several minutes.

She answers without hesitation. “Fried chicken.”

I start to laugh but see that she is serious. “Fried chicken? Really?”

She nods. “Yep. I love fried chicken. It’s crispy, it’s juicy, and it's flat out delicious.”

“So, you’re a connoisseur of fried chicken, then?”

She laughs. “Hell, yes. I can take you to best friend chicken in town for our next date. I don’t eat it every week, but once a month at least. I would eat it every day, but it’d just got straight to my thighs.”

“I like your thighs,” I say, sliding a hand under the robe and resting low on her leg, just above her knee.

“Anything else you like?” she asks as she takes another bite of her food.

I slide my hand further up her thigh and brush my knuckles across her pussy. “I like this, too,” I reply huskily. She leans towards me and we meet in the middle in a gentle kiss.

“Last night was great, the best I’ve had in I don’t know how long,” she admits.

“It was pretty fantastic,” I agree. “And to think, you’ve been missing out on three years of this,” I tease her.

She laughs. “You were awful three years ago. You’ve obviously had a lot of practice since then.”

“I have had a lot of practice. Too much, honestly. But you, you're just a natural.”

She makes a fist and blows on her knuckles before rubbing them on her chest with a grin. “Yeah, I’m pretty awesome.”

“All those noises you make drive me crazy.”

“Your fingers drive me crazy.”

“You coming on my fingers drives me crazy.’

“Mmm, I liked that part. I liked coming on your cock a lot more, though.”

“I liked that part the best, too...feeling you clench and shake around me. I almost came right then.”

“I wish you had,” she whispers.

I grab the front of her robe and pull her in for a kiss, tracing her bottom lip with my tongue until she opens her mouth a little for me. My lips slide to her neck, and she tilts her head in response, giving me better access to the soft skin. He fingertips graze up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind as she kisses me behind the ear.

We’re both breathless when we break apart, and Serena stands, collecting our dishes and taking them to the sink. I watch her wiggle in my robe, and when she comes back to the table, I grab her around the middle and pull her into my lap to kiss her some more. We’re making out like teenagers when I slip my hand into the front of her robe to cup her breast. She pulls away with a giggle and looks at the table and then back at me.

“I’ve never had sex on a kitchen table.”

“Me, either.” It’s the truth. Josephine refused to have sex anywhere but on a bed.

“I wonder...”

“You wonder what?”

“I was just thinking about the physics of getting it on like this on a table. Could it withstand all that motion? I mean, you’re a big guy; I don’t know that a table was meant for your weight, let alone the addition of mine.”

“I love the way your mind works.”

“I’m such a nerd, talking about science at a time like this.”

“I like it. Sounds to me like it’s an experiment waiting to happen.”

She smirks and stands up, untying my robe and letting it fall away. I drink her in, the swell of her breasts, the narrow of her waist, and the curve of her hips. She’s so beautiful and right now, she is all mine. I thank my lucky stars for putting this woman in my path again before standing and pulling my shirt off, tossing it aside, and then dropping my pants to the floor. She melts into my arms when I kiss her. I grab her thighs and lift her up, setting her on top of the table. She spreads her legs, and I take a moment to appreciate how open she is with me and doesn’t hide any part of.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” I ask reverently.

She blushes. “You’re just saying that because I’m naked.”

I shake my head adamantly. “I mean it. You’re just... Wow. You’re absolutely beautiful, Serena.”

“I have stretch marks, and I am definitely not a size two, like the other women I’m sure you’ve been with.”

“Doesn’t matter. They aren’t you. They could never be you. You’re all I see, all I want.”

“Prove it.” He legs spread a little wider, and her finger runs up her glistening pussy.

I step between her legs and take her hand in mine. “I believe you just said for me to prove it, not you,” I scold her teasingly. She scoots forward to wrap her legs around me, and our lips smash together, tongues dancing as we fervently kiss, desperate for more of each other.

Serena grabs my dick, pumping me in her hand, and I groan, burying my face into the side of her neck. She hitches her leg higher and moves the head of my cock over her slippery opening.

“Look at how wet you make me, Cade,” she says, her eyes hooded. She lets go of me, my dick is lined up with her entrance, and she rubs her clit. My mouth waters at the sight of her as she whispers. “Fuck me, Cade.”

Suddenly, I am really glad I let my designer talk me into the more expensive, but extremely sturdy, oak table because we are about to find out just how sturdy it is.

 

 

Chapter 22

Serena

I have no idea what has come over me this morning. I have never been this forward in my life, but Cade makes me want to live out every wanton thought that goes through my head.

It’s incredible with him, like it has never been with anyone else. When he tells me I’m beautiful, I hear the sincerity and know he means it. I know that he sees me – the real me inside – and any thought I had about not measuring up to the women he’s been plastered on gossip sites with is silenced when he looks me up and down like I’m his last meal and he never wants it to end. His gaze is hot enough to burn, and when he touches me, I feel it everywhere. Every insecurity I might have felt melts away with him.

“Fuck me,” I repeat to him. I roll my clit between my fingers and my back arches. Cade moves my hand to replace it with his, and I moan at his touch.

“You like that?” he asks huskily.

“Mmm, just like that, Cade.”

“Not yet,” he whispers in my ear as he pulls his hand away and straightens.

“Cade!” I pout. I squirm a little so the head of his dick rubs against me, and I want to give in to all the sensations.

He grins. “Do you promise to do the dishes if let you cum?”

“I promise, I promise,” I say quickly.

His gaze locks on me and smolders, and I shiver at the look. He pushes one finger inside me, and I sit back on my arms to give him all of me. He slips a second finger inside me, pumping in and out, his thumb caressing my clit into a hard nub.

“Cade,” I moan. “Oh God.” My hips rock against his hand as his fingers pump in and out of me, circling my clit with firm strokes. The pleasure builds inside, and he brings me over the edge. “Yesssss!” I cry out, my nails biting into his shoulders as I ride out the wave.

“So far so good with the table, then?” he asks. He has a hand planted on either side of me on the table and leans in to kiss me.

I hold onto him and kiss his neck, my lips sliding to his ear and biting gently. “Would be even better with you inside me.”

He lifts me off the table with ease and sets me down with my back to him. He nudges me forward so I can bend over the edge of the table. I wiggle my ass at him, and he slaps it playfully.

“So saucy this morning. What has gotten into you?” he asks, leaning over me.

“You – or at least, I’m trying to get you into me,” I banter back.

He grips my hips to hold me still, and his cock brushes over me. He teases me with carefully placed strokes of the head of his dick to my clit and then without warning, he pushes all the way into me.

“Oh my God,” I moan. I push back, and my ass connects with Cade’s hips, his groan filling the room. He rocks slowly, but I want more. I buck my hips, and Cade quickens his pace.

He reaches around, his thumb circling my clit in rhythm to his movements. I moan and whimper. “Please, Cade. More. Give me more,” I beg. He increases his speed, and I grip the edge of the table to stop from being pounded through it from his powerful thrusts.

“I’m so close, Cade.”

“Me, too, babe.”

He applies more pressure to his thumb strokes of my clit, and I feel his dick twitch inside me. I cry out his name as my second orgasm of the morning roars through me.

“Holy fuck,” Cade groans as I tighten around him. He groans as he comes, collapsing over me, his chest pressed to my back. We both try to catch our breath, and he pushes the hair from my neck to kiss me from my neck to my collarbone. I know he must feel my pulse racing as he does.

He straightens and pulls out, and I turn to look at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing the length of me against him to kiss him. “Bathroom?” I ask him.

“Just down there,” he points. I nod and head to clean myself up. When I return to the kitchen, Cade has his pants on and hands me the robe. I slip it on, and we finish clearing the dishes and wash them together.

It only takes a few minutes, made longer by the fact that Cade can’t keep his hand out from under my robe. He pulls me into the living room and down onto the couch, untying the robe and discarding it once again. His dick swells and tents the front of his jogging pants.

I giggle and reach inside his pants, stroking his length as I straddle his thighs. Cade leans his head back against the couch and moans. “That feels so good, babe.”

“I can’t believe you’re ready to go again. It hasn't even been ten minutes.”

“This is all you, Serena. You do this to me. Not something I’m used to.”

I lean in to kiss him and suck his earlobe between my lips. He lifts me off and sets me in front of him.

“Take off my pants,” he demands, settling back onto the couch.

I reach for the waistband and hook a thumb on each side. Cade lifts his hip as I tug the jogging pants down. His cock springs free, and I kneel between his legs, gripping his dick in my hands and stroking. I circle the head of his dick with my tongue, lapping at the bead of precum there.

“Serena,” he chokes out. He hauls me up onto the couch with him and holds me against him. He sweeps my hair from neck and kisses the soft skin that he’s discovered is most definitely a spot that revs me up. His hands massage my breasts, and I lean my head onto his shoulder, tipping my face to his. The kisses are messy and sloppy, but neither of us care. Cade’s hand slides down my chest, and he plunges a finger in me; my back arches, and he hold me tightly in his lap.

I move my hips as his fingers slide in and out of my folds, my ass rubbing his dick. I come quickly, calling out Cade’s name as I do. As soon as his hold on me loosens, I turn and shove him back, crawl down his body, and wrap my lips around his dick. He groans, and his head falls back on the couch. I wrap a hand around the base of his cock, stroking him as I work him with my mouth, lips sliding over him. I hear him hiss in a breath and then he pulls me off him, flipping me onto my back and pushing inside me in one motion.

“Ahhhh!” I cry out as he thrusts. My legs are wrapped around his waist, and I buck my hips to his rhythm – and I know I am so close. He pulls all the way out and slams back into me, and I roll my clit between my fingers. Cade’s eyes lock on mine, and I feel my body tense and then shake as an orgasm tears through me. My pussy seizes hold of him as he continues to thrust while I ride out the wave of pleasure...and then he bursts, calling out my name.

He collapses over me and rolls so that I we face each other and we are a tangle of limbs on the couch as we catch our breath.

“When do you have to pick up Alan?”

“I told Ashley I’d be home around 1:00.”

He glances at the clock. It is only 9:00. “Good,” he nods. “We have time for another round.”

I laugh. “While these have been some of the best orgasms of my life, I’m exhausted, Cade. I need a nap. And then a shower.”

“We can kill two birds with one stone in the shower,” he whispers close to my ear.

“If you let me sleep in peace, I think that could be arranged.”

“Come on,” he says, untangling himself from me and getting off the couch. He holds his hand out to me and pulls me up, picking me up and lifting me over his shoulder. “Let’s go back to bed and see what comes up after.”

I fall asleep listening to Cade’s heart beat, and when I wake up an hour and a half later, he’s still sleeping. I slip out of bed and into the bathroom, turning on the shower. I walk back to the bedroom and shake his shoulder.

“Wake up, Cade,” I sing song close to his ear. He grumbles and puts a pillow over his head. I stifle a giggle. “I’m naked and getting in the shower,” I say before turning away from him. I am sashaying to the bathroom when I hear his feet hit the ground and then feel his arms around my middle. I squeal as he lifts me up and twirls me around. We are kissing and laughing as we make it inside his massive shower.

There is a lot of touching and kissing under the stream of water and Cade thinking he is being helpful by soaping me up and washing my body, his attention very focused on my breasts.

I decide to return the favor and start out by rubbing soap into his chest and then down his abs before I grasp his cock in my hands and begin to jack him off. He groans and leans back on the tiled wall, completely at my mercy as my hand slides up and down his shaft. I grip him a little tighter in one hand and squeeze his balls with the other. In moments, he is grunting my name, and his head rolls back as his cum spurts out over my hands.

“Now, I need to clean you again,” he says after he comes down from the high of his orgasm.

He pins me to the shower wall and lifts one leg over his for better access as he plunges a finger inside me, pumping in and out. He bends forward and kisses me behind the ear, sucking and nipping at the skin of my neck as he curls a finger inside me and plays my g-spot for everything it is worth. I am panting his name and crying out in seconds. My legs shake, and I’m positive I will slip, but he holds me upright. His finger slides out of me; a satisfied smirk spreads over his face as he pulls his finger between his lips to taste me.

“Next time, I want the full experience,” he winks.

When we finally get out of the shower and dry off, it is almost time for me to head home. We’re both quiet as we get dressed and head downstairs, knowing we have to return to real life. It’s been an incredible time, and I don’t want it to end, but reality is crashing into my thoughts.

We make small talk during the drive to my place and plans to have lunch that include Alan in a few days. Cade pulls into my driveway where Ashley’s car already waits. I lean over to kiss him and he pulls me in for a hot, searing kiss that I won’t soon forget.

“I’ll call you tonight,” he promises. “And, I’ll be thinking about you for every second in between, especially the face you make when you cum.”

I blush and kiss him again. “Goodbye, Cade,” I say, a little breathless when I pull away from him. I hurry to my front door and turn back, waving at him as he watches. When I’m inside and the door is closed, I lean back against it with a sigh.

“Well?” Ashley demands, popping out of nowhere and startling me.

I place my hand over my heart. “Ashley!” I admonish her. “You scared the crap out of me.”

She doesn’t reply, instead studying me intently before her eyes go wide and a huge grin breaks out across her face. “You had sex with him!” she says in a loud stage whisper.

“Shh!” I hush her. “Where is Alan?”

“Napping. He just went down like ten minutes ago. And, don’t change the subject. Give me the details.”

“I am not telling you about my sex life,” I tell her as I start for the kitchen.

She follows. “Was it as good as you remember? Is he as sinful without clothes as he is with? Is he packin’?”

“Ashley!” I laugh. “Oh my God. Are you not getting laid enough that you need to hear about this?”

“Oh, I’m getting laid plenty, just not by anyone half as handsome as Cade Thomas. Come on, Serena. Give me something.”

“Okay, fine. It was better than I remember. So much better,” I giggle.

“How many orgasms?”

“Six.”

“Six?!”

I nod “Two last night, and four since we woke up this morning.”

“Sounds like he’s got one hell of a magical dick.”

“Even more magical fingers,” I sigh, thinking back on the last several hours.

“So, this is for real?”

“I think so.”

“Did you tell him?”

The question immediately throws an ice-cold bucket of water on my good mood, and I shake my head.

“You have to tell him, Serena. You’re in too deep now. It’s going to be a mess if he finds out and it’s not from you.”

“What if...”

“What if what?”

“What if he leaves?” I ask quietly.

“You really think he will?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. It’s life altering.”

“He wouldn't.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Is this about-”

I cut her off. “No!” I say adamantly.

She lets it drop, and I’m relieved I don’t have to continue down the path she was headed.

“Look,” she starts. “If he leaves, then he isn’t man enough to be a part of your or Alan’s lives. But you need to tell him before this gets too out of hand. You’ll regret it if you aren’t the one to tell him.”

“I know, I know. I just never thought I’d meet up with him again, let alone start seeing him. It’s weird, and it’s not like it’s a simple thing to bring up in conversation. I’m going to tell him, I promise.”

“Soon.”

“Soon, I swear. Now, tell me what you and Alan did for New Year’s.”

“After you tell me how big Cade is.”

“I am not telling you that...but he’s very filling,” I tease.

She groans. “Of course, you would win the lottery with the football stud in bed.”

I laugh. “I’ll see if he has a friend; he did mention owing you some sort of thank you for watching Alan last night.”

“I’ll take a tall, dark, and handsome, please and thank you.”

Later that night, after I’ve gotten Alan to bed and I’m relaxing on the couch with some wine, I text Cade.

“Ashley says as a thank you, she’ll accept a date with any one of your football buddies, assuming he’s tall, dark, and handsome.”

“Maybe I should introduce her to Malcolm. He still plays for the Condors. He was a rookie during the last Super Bowl I won. I introduced you to him last night, do you remember?”

“With the curly black hair and gray eyes?” I ask.

“Well, can’t say I know what color his eyes are, but I’m pretty sure that’s him.”

“Ashley would DIE if you set her up with him.”

“I’ll call him tomorrow, see if he’s a free agent. So, how was your day?” he asks.

“Quiet. Alan was napping when you dropped me off, and Ashley left about an hour after I got home. I watched Finding Nemo with Alan, made dinner, and then we played with his cars before his bath and bedtime. Now, I’m enjoying a glass of wine on the couch. What about you?”

“I have a meeting with Tyler tomorrow about our show, so I’m going over some notes from our producer. I’d rather be with you, though.”

“You mean, you’d rather be naked with me.”

“I wouldn’t say no to that. I’ll never be able to look at my table the same again,” he teases with a wink.

“I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong about the physics of sex on a table.”

“Next time we can try the desk in my office. Or your table. You know, for scientific purposes,” he jokes.

“Or maybe my desk in my office?” I suggest.

“Why, Serena Jacobs, you little she-devil. Was that a proposition?”

“Maybe...” I type, adding a wink.

 

“I think I like this vixen side of you,” he replies.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Please do.”

I yawn, and although I want to keep talking to Cade, my bed is calling me. It’s been a long twenty-four hours, and I need some sleep if I am going to keep up with my son tomorrow on the trip to the park I promised. So, I tell him just that and follow with, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight, Cade.”

“Goodnight. Sweet dreams, Serena. I know mine will be.”

 

 

Chapter 23

Cade

The first part of the new year passes quickly, and things with Serena are beyond good. We are in a great place with our relationship, and I’m happier than I think I’ve ever been. We’ve seen each other nearly every day over the last two weeks, and I’ve been able to get to know Alan more, too. We’ve spent some time at her place throwing a football around and, for a three-year-old, the kid is a natural. I am amazed at how good he is for his age. I even mentioned to Serena that she should think about getting him involved with a kid’s league.

On this January morning, nearly halfway into the month, I get up earlier than normal and head over to her place to have breakfast with her and Alan. We banter back and forth over pancakes, and it feels a little like we’re our own little family. It’s a feeling that makes me all warm inside. After breakfast, I help Serena by doing the dishes while she helps Alan gather his things, and then we walk outside together. I steal a quick kiss before she leaves to drop Alan off at daycare, and I head off to get in a workout. I’m disappointed I won’t see Serena again today, but I’m already working on something romantic for Valentine's Day.

Tyler is meeting me at the gym, and as I cross the parking lot, I spot him. He lifts a hand to wave when he sees me.

“Hey, man. You’re late,” he greets me.

“I’m not late. We said nine-thirty and it’s nine twenty-nine,” I insist.

“You’re always here before me, and I get here ten minutes early.”

“I came from Serena’s; traffic was worse than I anticipated.”

His eyebrow shoots up. “Serena’s? You spent the night at her place, finally?”

“No. We’re not quite there yet. I mean, Alan still thinks me and his mom are friends.”

“It’s been a month,” Tyler states.

“That’s not that long. She doesn’t want him to get confused, and I get it. What if this doesn’t work out?”

Tyler gives me a knowing look. “Do you see this not working out?”

“Well, no. I mean, I seriously like her.”

“You love her?” he questions.

“I don’t know.”

“But you see this as something serious?”

“Yes. It’s something serious to me.”

“Does she feel the same?” he asks.

“We haven’t really talked about it like that, but I think so.”

“You should have that conversation. Look, I understand not wanting to rush it or confuse her kid. That’s probably smart. But if you two haven’t had the talk, you should. And don’t fuck it up. Tamara really liked her. I did, too. She’s good for you.”

As we walk inside, our conversation switches over to the training we have planned for the day and we go to work. After our workouts, we drive over to the studio to film our commentary show. Our meeting with the producer before we shot for the day took a couple of hours and a little more than we’d planned. Shooting ran long after a problem with the microphones. When we finally finished taping, it was nearing eight at night.

Tyler left before me so he could get home to Tamara, and I finished up a few loose ends. Twenty minutes later, I walk outside to my car to head home. I have my phone in my hand, ready to call Serena on the drive, when I notice a figure leaning against my car. My steps falter and the physical reaction I have is immediate. My stomach turns and just like that, I feel a headache coming on.

“What the hell are you doing here, Josephine?” I bite out as I walk toward her.

She pushes off my car and moves forward, reaching out as if she might embrace me. She huffs when I sidestep her. “It’s been awhile, Cade. How about a hug?”

She holds her arms open. “No, thanks,” I say. She mumbles something under her breath, but I don’t care. I want her gone. “What do you want?” I haven’t spoken to her in well over a month, and I don’t want to be speaking to her now.

“I just thought it would be nice to catch up, Cade. It’s been so long. I miss you,” she says as she sidles closer, placing her hand on my arm. I push it away.

“You miss me?” I ask sarcastically.

“Of course. We’ve been together for such a long time.”

“No. We were together,” I stress, “but we’re not now.”

“I’ve been waiting for you, Cade,” she whines.

“Waiting for what?”

“For you, to realize how good we are together.”

I roll my eyes in disbelief. “We are terrible together, Josephine. I was miserable, and I’d bet my house you were, too. We fought constantly and went back and forth more times than any sane couple should. It took breaking up with you for good to realize just how awful you were.”

“How awful I am?” she screeches “How about how awful you are?”

“I will take full responsibility for my part in our relationship horror show, but it was toxic for both of us. I will not go backward, Jo. There will never be an us again. We’re done, and you should move on.”

“Who do you think you are, Cade Thomas?” she yells. “You’re just a washed-up football player, and I am Josephine Lowell. I am a fucking star, and you’re just a d-list has been. Screw you! You will never, ever find anybody better than me.”

“That's just it, though, Jo. I have found somebody better than you. And, I’m happy, ridiculously happy. I hope you’ll be this happy someday. And, that you can one day be happy for me, just like I would be happy for you if you were to find someone better suited for you.”

“You’re seeing someone?!”

“Yes,” I answer calmly. “I am.”

She screams with a fury I’ve never seen before, drawing the attention of the security guards who make their way toward us. I try to wave them back as Josephine lets loose.

“I will ruin you, Cade! You’ll be a laughingstock in this town when I’m finished! Whoever it is you’re seeing, I’ll ruin her, too.”

“Is that really necessary, Jo? We’re better off apart; why don’t you see that?”

“No one,” she hisses, stepping closer to me, “no one – not even you, Cade Thomas – dumps Josephine Lowell and gets away with it.”

“Mr. Thomas?” a security guard inquires as they approach us.

“You need to leave, Josephine, or these guys will forcibly remove you. I don’t think you want that kind of scene or publicity. Let’s just walk away today and forget all about each other. We’re both better off this way.”

She stomps her foot and lets out a guttural growl of frustration. “You will regret this, Cade. You will regret all of this,” she promises as she finally storms away.

I apologize to the security guards and get into my car. I’m so stunned by what has transpired that I just mull it over on the drive home, instead of making the call I had planned to make. Once I'm home, I go straight to my bedroom, strip down to my underwear, and sprawl across my bed to call Serena. She answers on the second ring.

“Hey,” she says quietly.

“Sorry; bad time?”

“No, you’re fine. I just put Alan to bed, and I’m walking out of his room.”

“How was your day?” I ask her, settling back onto the pillows.

“Just getting ready for the first day of classes tomorrow. I’ve got a full schedule. Did I tell you they added a second Physics at the Movies class this semester?”

“Congratulations, Serena. That’s amazing. I know how much that class means to you.”

“I’m really excited. How was your day?”

“I worked out with Tyler after breakfast. Filming got delayed today, so I left the studio really late.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry, Cade. Did you eat dinner?”

“Honestly? No. I just got home and really wanted to hear your voice. I’m so on edge, I didn't even think about eating.”

“Why are you on edge?”

I pull in a breath before answering. “Josephine was waiting for me when I left the studio. We had words. Well…she had words. I did good. I kept calm, but I think that she thought I was going to come crawling back again; the fact that I haven’t is killing her, in a narcissistic way, that is.”

She’s silent, and I am kicking myself for even mentioning it. “You know I don’t have feelings for her, right?” I assure her.

She sighs. “I know that it was all very complicated between you two.”

“It’s in the past, though. I promise you, Serena. You’re the only one I have eyes for. You’re the only one I have anything for. Just you. Only you. I hope you know how much I care about you and that you are very special to me.”

“We don’t know each other that well,” she tries to argue.

“I know you well enough to know that I want to do this with you, that I want to see where it goes. I want you in my life, Serena. You and Alan.”

“Cade,” she breathes out softly, and I can hear the hesitation in her voice.

“I like you more than I probably should, Serena, but I know what I feel. I want to be there for you. Will you let me be there for you?”

The other end of the phone line is silent for a moment as I wait for her response.

“Yes,” she finally whispers.

“Yes?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“So this, we’re in it together, me and you?” I ask.

“Me and you, Cade.”

“You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

“I might be able to guess.”

I chuckle. “How happy do you guess?”

“Hmm… About eleven inches.”

I sit up, a little surprised by her words…and a little turned on. I didn’t think that was going to be her response, but I definitely want to see where this is going now so I decide to go with it. “Is that right? So…what are you wearing?”

“Cade,” she giggles.

“I’m in my underwear, the blue ones you like.”

“Are you…” she trails off breathlessly.

“Hard? Damn straight, I’m hard.”

I hear a whimper in my ear, and I shift. Just the sounds she makes get me all worked up. “Tell me what you’re wearing, Serena.”

“I’m wearing your t-shirt, the one I took from your place last week and didn’t tell you. It’s so soft and worn in, and it smells like you.”

“Take a picture and send it to me.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I can hear her rustling through the phone before my phone dings in my ear to alert me of a new text message. I pull my phone away and put it on speaker before clicking to her text message, thanking everything holy for the invention of the smart phone.

Serena is lying in her bed; her hair is brushed to one side, and her eyes are downcast. She has her legs curled to the side and the hem of my shirt — a gray V-neck that I remember her wearing as we made breakfast last week — barely covers her in that position. Her nipples are two hard little peaks underneath the fabric, and I have never known a shirt to look that good before. I might buy stock in men's shirts for this woman.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous,” I tell her reverently. “Whenever we’re alone, I want you in just one of my shirts.”

She laughs softly. “That could be arranged. Now fair is fair. Picture up!”

I settle back against the pillows on my bed. I angle my phone so the screen shows my bare chest and I grab my dick through the cotton of my boxer briefs and smirk as I take the picture and then send it.

I hear Serena’s sharp intake of breath and then a breathy “Mmmm.”

I can’t resist asking. “What are you doing, baby?”

“Touching myself, wishing it was you,” she whispers.

My dick gets harder, if that was possible. “How wet are you?”

“So wet, Cade. And, it’s all your fault.”

I groan as she whimpers and moans in my ear, and I push my underwear down to grab my cock in my fist. “I want to hear you cum,” I tell her, closing my eyes as I picture her face, imagining her biting her bottom lip. “Hang on.” I hang up and call her back immediately on Facetime, I need to see her.

“Hearing you is great, but I’d rather see you cum,” I say to her I when her face fills the screen, cutting straight to the point. She blushes, and I change the camera view so she can see me stroking myself. “I’m halfway there, Serena, and my hand is a poor substitute for you.” She moans at the sight of my cock and shoves my shirt over her breasts, rolling a nipple between her fingers.

“Touch yourself,” I tell her. She nods, and her hand slides down her body and traces a finger over her clit.

“If you were here, you’d slide right in. That’s how wet I am, Cade.” She pushes a finger inside her and then a second, gasping. “My fingers don’t fill me like you do.”

I switch the camera back to my face and smirk, tugging my dick in rhythm with her fingers pumping in and out of her pussy. “I can’t wait to be with you and that tight little pussy of yours again. I’m going to fuck you senseless next time we’re together. And when you cum, it’ll be all over my face, and then my cock.”

“Cade,” she moans, her eyes fluttering closed. “Mmm.”

“Let me see you cum, Serena.” She pulls her fingers out of her pussy and rubs her clit. Her breaths come in short, little gasps, and I know she’s close. “Now. Cum for me, baby.”

At my command, she comes undone, whispering my name over and over as her back arches from the bed. She bites her lip to keep herself from being too loud, and her face is flushed. Watching her is all I need to fall over the edge.

“Fuck, Serena,” I groan as my release comes. There is only heavy breathing between us for several long minutes before I reach to the bedside table for a tissue.

“You have no idea the things you do to me, Serena Jacobs. I’ve never had phone sex before.”

She giggles. “I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before. Done things I’ve never done before.” Her cheeks flush. “Are you blushing?” I tease her.

“I’ve never done that before, either,” she admits.

“I’m glad it was with me.”

“Me, too.”

“When can I see you?”

“Tomorrow? I don’t have classes during the morning the day after next. I can ask Ashley to keep Alan overnight.”

“An overnight date. I like the sound of that. So, seven tomorrow?”

“Seven,” she agrees. “Goodnight, Cade.”

“Sweet dreams, Serena.”

 

 

Chapter 24

Serena

I wake up the morning after my phone sex romp feeling rather fantastic. I never imagined doing anything like that, but with Cade it feels so right. I get Alan ready and drop him off at daycare. As soon as I turn out of the parking lot, I call Ashley.

When she answers, I’m so eager for my date night with Cade, I jump right to the point. “Can you watch Alan tonight?”

“Good morning, Ashley. How are you, Ashley?” my sister replies, instead.

I sigh. “Good morning, Sis, hope you slept well. Can you watch Alan tonight? I know it’s last minute, but it would mean a lot to me.”

“I take it this has to do with Cade.”

“Yes. Can you? Please? And spend the night at my house with him?”

“Overnight on a school night? What has gotten into you, Serena Jacobs?”

“Hopefully Cade Thomas if you say you can.”

She laughs. “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” she teases. “Seriously, though. He’s that good, is he?”

“He’s amazing even when he isn’t in the room.”

“Oh? Do tell, sister, dear.”

“We had phone sex last night,” I blurted out. “And holy hell, the orgasm...it was incredible. I need more of him, Ash.”

“Oh. My. God. You’re smitten.”

“I’m falling deep.”

“Did you tell him yet?”

Her question immediately sobers me and brings me back to reality. “No.”

“Serena! What are you waiting for?”

“The right time?”

“Give that man the blow job of his life and tell him then. Sheesh!”

“Just... Can you watch Alan tonight?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank you, Ash! I owe you.”

“You can thank me by telling Cade the truth about Alan.”

“I will. Soon. I promise.”

***

There is so much chatter as I walk into my first class, but it immediately starts to quiet as I make my way to the front of the room. I begin the class as I always do in a new semester, but heads are swiveling around as I speak. I ignore it at first, but halfway through going over the syllabus for the semester, I noticed that whispers have been added in the mix and I stop, pissed off that no one is paying attention.

I point at a student in the third row, who is whispering with the student next to him. “You!” I call him out. He sits up straight. “What is going on?”

The student’s face pales. “Umm. Everyone heard that Cade Thomas stopped by this class last semester.”

“Yes, he observed one of the classes at the end of the semester. I don’t see how that is relevant to this class, though.”

The girl beside him spoke up. “Will he observe this class, too?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Will he visit again?” There are murmurs throughout the room.

“How well do you know him?” another student asks.

“Do you think he’d sign my jersey for me?” comes another voice.

Soon there are questions coming from all over the room, and I feel overwhelmed. I raise my hand and whistle sharply.

“Okay, that is enough. Not that I owe any of you an explanation, but yes, I do know Mr. Thomas. We’re friends.”

“How good of friends?” I am asked from the front row.

I’m stunned by how nosy these kids re. “Pretty good,” I reply in a shocked tone.

“Will he stop in?”

“Will you let us know ahead of time?”

All the questions hit me at once and I get irritated. “Hold up,” I tell the class in a stern voice. They fall silent. “Cade is my friend, yes, but I cannot make him come by class. He’s a busy man.”

The class groans, and I force myself from rolling my eyes. “Maybe,” I continue, “Maybe I can get him to stop by IF you get an average of eighty five percent on my midterm. Does that sound like a good deal?”

A ripple of excitement runs through the room and I nod with satisfaction. “If we can continue now...” I resume going over the syllabus for the semester and the first assignment before opening the room to questions. Hands shoot up.

“Is Cade single?” a blonde near the back asks.

I do roll my eyes this time and ignore her. I turn to another student and point. “Yes?”

“Do you know Tyler Washington? He’s so hot,” she drags her last word out.

“He’s also married. Next?” I say.

“Have you ever seen his Super Bowl rings?” one young man asks.

“Does anyone have any questions related to this class?” No one answers, and I shake my head. “Then class dismissed.”

I gather my things and leave the room as quickly as I can, desperate for the sanctuary of my office. When I'm behind closed doors, I let out a sigh at the absurdity of what just unfolded. I’m not used to the adoring masses making such a big deal out of Cade. He’s just Cade to me, the super sweet guy I’m dating. To everyone else, he’s Cade Thomas, the football hero, a legend. It’s amusing mostly, and I suppose if I intend to continue seeing him, I’m going to have to get used to it.

I sit at my desk and boot up my computer, but instead of doing work, I grab my phone to text Cade.

My students want to know if you plan on popping in this semester. You were all they could talk about this morning, I type out.

I was a distraction without even being there. I’m sorry, Serena.

It’s fine. They wanted to know how well I knew you, and if you were single, and whether I had seen your Super Bowl rings.

That’s it?

I’m sure there were more questions, but I cut class short before they could ask. Besides, they weren't all about you. One girl wanted to know if I had met Tyler because he’s hot.

He’ll get a kick out of that.

Tamara probably not so much, though, I counter.

She’ll laugh about it.

I told them if they got a class average of eighty five percent on the midterm I’d see if you could visit.

Whatever you want, I’m there.

I talked to Ashley this morning, I tell him.

And?

And, she is going to stay with Alan tonight until I get home tomorrow morning.

Still on for seven? he asks.

Do you want to meet someplace or should I just come to your place?

Come to my house. I’ll make dinner.

You cook?

You’ll have to wait and see, he teases.

Should I bring anything?

Just yourself — and maybe that lacy black bra and thong I like.

What about your shirt?

I have one of those just for you.

You do, do you? I question him.

You bet that sweet ass, I do. I have to get in the studio. Can’t wait to see you tonight.

I said my goodbye and put the phone back on my desk, thinking about what was waiting for me after work. It was going to be a long day.

***

After my last class for the day, I finish up a few things and then leave to pick up Alan. Ashley is waiting in the driveway when I pull in, and the two of them go up to Alan’s room to play with his cars while I go to my room to pick out something to wear. I finally settle on a pair of dark wash skinny jeans that hug my curves, knee-high boots, a navy-blue tank top that scoops low and offers a hint of cleavage, and an oversized brown sweater.

When I head downstairs, Ashley and Alan are in the kitchen making dinner. “You look pretty, Mommy,” Alan grins.

“Thanks, baby,” I say, ruffling his hair and kissing the top of his head. “Aunt Ashley is going to stay with you tonight, and I will see you in the morning, okay?”

He nods and goes back to the playdoh my sister brought with her.

“Have fun,” Ashley sing-songs.

“I will,” I smirk back before I head out to grab my phone and purse.

Traffic getting to Cade’s is lighter than I expect and it’s a quarter to seven when I pull up to the gate at his community. The security guards recognize me and wave me on. I pull into his driveway moments later. Cade pulls open his front door and leans against the doorframe as I step from my car. When I'm close enough to him, he grabs me around the middle and pulls my body to his, slow and leisurely. I relax into him with a sigh. After a moment, he leans back, looks me in the eye, and kisses me.

“I’ve been dying to do this all day,” he whispers into my hair as he holds me tightly once more. “You hungry?”

“Starving. I skipped lunch.”

He unwraps me from his arms and takes my hand to lead me inside and to the table. I flush a little at the memory that flashes in my mind when I see the table, and I feel Cade squeeze my hand. His head lowers close to mine and whispers, “I think about it every time I sit down at this table, too.”

He already has food plated and ready on the table, and he pulls out my chair so I can sit before taking the seat across from me. As we eat, Cade asks me about my day, and I fill him in on the classes I'm teaching this semester and the new teaching assistant I’ve been assigned who makes me laugh. I can tell Cade is jealous that another guy is going to be spending several hours a day with me, so I try to ease his jealousy by casually mentioning that Gus and his boyfriend Tommy have both taken a few of my classes and that Gus is one of the brightest talents I’ve had in a long time.

“How is Alan?” Cade asks when I’m done talking.

“He keeps asking when you’re going to come play with him again. He had such a good time with you.”

“I had fun, too. Just name the time and I’m there.”

I smile at him and ask him about his show for next week. He begins to tell me about a story idea Tyler pitched and that he’ll be gone for a few days toward the end of the month with Tyler to shoot on location. When we finish eating, I start to pick up the dishes and take them to the kitchen.

“You don’t have to do that,” he tells me as I fill the sink with soap and water. “I have a lady who comes and cleans twice a week.”

“You don’t ever do your own dishes?”

“Not usually.”

“I like doing the dishes.” I toss a dish towel at him. “You can dry. It’s only a few plates, anyway.” I wash and he dries, and we’re done ten minutes later.

“See? Not so bad, was it?”

“I’ve always thought of doing the dishes as something very mundane, but with you, it’s the kind of mundane I could get used to.”

“You’ve never been domestic with a girlfriend before?” I question.

He lowers his eyes and gives me a look I should have expected. “Can you even for a second imagine Josephine being domestic?”

I laugh. “Okay, maybe you have a point. It’s nice to try new things, though.”

“Yes, it is,” he agrees.

I wipe up a spot on the counter and move toward the trash can to throw away the paper towel, but Cade steps in front of me. “What are you doing?” I laugh as he moves whenever I move. “Umm. Throwing this away.”

“I’ll get it,” he insists.

“Cade, I think I can handle a paper towel. Let me throw this away.” I fake left and he follows, but I quickly turn right and pull out the trash can. Right on top are several take out containers, and I look back at Cade who smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“So, maybe I can’t cook so much.”

I shake my head at him. “You also can’t hide the evidence so much,” I tease. “How about next time, I cook dinner at my place for us and you can help, maybe learn a thing or two?”

“I think I would like that very much,” he answers, wrapping his arms around me. “But for now, let me show you something that I think you will like very much.”

 

 

Chapter 25

Cade

I have spent weeks planning for this night, every meticulous detail of it, and if absolutely anything goes wrong, I will be beyond disappointed. It might be corny to some, but I want this Valentine’s Day to be perfect for Serena, so no detail is too small or too big to have been considered for this.

Ashley has agreed to watch Alan again, and I sent flowers to both her gallery and her home to say thank you. I also ordered dinner for her to be delivered at Serena’s so she wouldn’t have to cook. One of these days, I’m going to set her up with one of the guys I know, but not just yet. It can’t be just any guy...and I need her babysitting services right now.

I pick Serena up in my sleek black sports car instead of my pickup truck and ring the bell. Alan swings the door open.

“Cade!” he greets me with a wide smile and rushes at me.

I lift him up and push the front door closed and carry him toward the living room. “Where’s your mommy?”

“She still in her room with Aunt Ashley. You play cars with me?”

“Sure.” Alan sprawls out on the floor, and I sit down beside him, stretching my legs out. We’re zooming cars around, and I find myself laughing along with Alan just because of the sound of his laughter. A few minutes later, Ashley walks in.

“Hey, Cade. Serena will be out in a minute.”

“No worries. Alan and I are having fun.”

“Thank you for the flowers,” she says.

“You’re welcome. Serena told me that you’re anti-Valentine’s Day, but I still really appreciate you helping us out so much.”

“I’m happy to. It’s really nice to see my sister so happy; she deserves it more than anyone I know. I’m glad it's you.”

“Thanks, that means a lot.”

“Just keep spoiling her and making her happy,” she says in a jokingly threatening way.

“I can do that.”

“Hey,” Serena’s soft voice comes from behind us, and I stand, turning.

She takes my breath away. I’m no expert when it comes to women’s clothing, but I’ve seen a lot of it, and I’ve seen a lot of expensive things, but nothing I’ve ever seen has looked as elegant and sexy as the dress hugging Serena’s curves. The dress is semi-sheer, an oversized, floral lace pattern with a nude lining. It’s two-tone with white lace on the top half and black lace for the straight skirt, which hits Serena mid-calf. The thin straps give way to a dipping neckline and a simple diamond pendant rests in her cleavage. The bracelet I gave her hangs on her wrist and black heels that strap around her ankles bring it all together.

“Wow,” I finally breathe out as I drink her in. “You look incredible, Serena.”

She blushes and smooths a wrinkle that doesn't exist. “You look very handsome yourself.” I’ve opted for a dark, hunter green suit with a crisp white dress shirt, the top two buttons undone and no tie.

“Are you ready?”

She nods and brushes past me, leaning down to kiss Alan. “Be good for Aunt Ashley, okay, bud? Love you.”

“Okay, Mommy. I love you, too,” Alan responds without taking his eyes off his toys. I follow Serena into the front hall where she puts her phone into a small clutch shaped like an ice cream truck.

I hold the door for her to walk outside first. With a hand at the small of her back, I lead her to my car, and she whistles at the sight.

“Pulling out the big guns tonight, are we?”

“You like?”

“Sex on wheels,” she winks as I hold the door open for her. Damn, this woman is perfect.

We speed off for downtown Los Angeles and pull up to one of the fanciest restaurants in town thirty minutes later. A valet opens Serena’s door and offers his hand to assist her from the low-slung vehicle. I come around and take her hand, looping her arm through mine. We head inside and are greeted by the hostess, who leads us to our table. Serena is looking around the restaurant wide-eyed. After we sit and the hostess walks away, she leans across the table.

“There’s no one else here,” she whispers.

“I rented the place out. Didn’t want to share you with anybody.”

Her mouth gapes open. “That must have cost a small fortune, Cade. Are you nuts?”

I shrug. “Maybe, but it’s worth it.”

“And, all these flowers,” she muses. “They’re so beautiful.”

I don’t tell her, but I ordered these three weeks in advance. I wanted everything just right. We are surrounded by roses, daisies, lilies, everything. There are more at my house. A waiter appears to fill our wine glasses and a second waiter appears placing plates of appetizers before us.

“I called ahead, told them what we wanted,” I told her. “I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s perfect, Cade. No man has ever done anything like this for me before.”

“You’ve been with the wrong kind of men.”

“I’m seeing that now,” she laughs. “Seriously, though, while I do appreciate every bit of this, you don’t have to do all of this.”

“I want to. I’ve never wanted to for anyone before. I know it’s extravagant, but I like doing this for you.”

Just then, the string quartet I arranged begin to play and fill the room with beautiful music.

“I suppose there are certain charms to dating a former big shot football star,” she says, her eyes twinkling.

“Lots of charms,” I wink in reply.

We sip our wine and enjoy the appetizers as Serena tells me about some of her recent research. I listen, hanging on her every word as she details a new planetary system her research team has come across.

As our plates are cleared for the next course and our glasses refilled, Serena looks around expectantly. “I’ve never been to a restaurant like this before,” she admits. “Do they have one of those tasting menu things? I’ve never done one of those before.”

I nod. “They do. One of the best in town, actually.”

Her eyes light up with excitement as the waiters reappear, each carrying a covered silver tray. They set them down next to us, and I nod at them. They whip the covers off and exit just as Serena starts to giggle and then bursts out laughing.

“Fried chicken? Is this for real, Cade?”

“This is for real, Serena. Only the best for you, and I happen to have it on good authority that the chef here is from the south and has the best family recipe for fried chicken, passed down generation to generation. And, you once told me that your last meal on earth would be fried chicken.”

“You remember that?”

“Of course. I pay attention to everything you say and do.”

She stands and comes around to me, placing her hands on my shoulders and leaning down to kiss me, a soft brush of her lips against mine. “Thank you, Cade.”

“For what?” I ask as she sits back down.

“For being you,” she smiles. “Now, should we eat?”

“Dig in.”

***

We go straight to my place after dinner and I lead Serena to the kitchen. She sits at the table as I take off my suit jacket, laying it across the back of a chair. I pull a slice of cheesecake from the fridge and bring it over to her and sit down. I spear a piece of the dessert on a fork and lift it to her lips. She smiles and lets me feed it to her. We trade bites until it is gone.

“Cade?”

“Yes?”

“Where have you been all my life?”

I chuckle. “Hey, you’re the one who snuck out on me three years ago.”

“Way to rub it in, Thomas.”

“You’re here now, though.”

“I am. And, you will never know how much I wish I could go back and change that decision. I’m so happy to be here with you, Cade.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Serena,” I tell her softly, reaching out to push a piece of hair behind her ear. She stands and moves toward me, sitting in my lap. Her face lowers to mine and our lips meet. It starts out gentle, but soon her hands are unbuttoning my shirt and our tongues are dancing together.

“I have a gift for you,” she whispers in my ear. “And, I think we’ll both really enjoy it.”

 

 

Chapter 26

Serena

Cade leads me into the living room, where he clicks a button on a remote and soon the room is filled with music. He takes me into his arms and we move against each other as we slow dance around the room.

His hand moves over my ass, and his hard length presses against my thigh. I grind against it, savoring the friction as our lips meet again. Cade’s hand moves up my back and tugs the zipper of my dress down. I step back from him and let the straps fall down my arms. The dress falls away from my body, pooling at my feet. I step out of it, completely naked except for my heels.

“Damn,” he whispers as his eyes roam all over me. “You had nothing on under that dress all night?”

I shook my head side to side and turned up one corner of my mouth into a sly grin.

“Good thing I didn’t know that,” he offered.

My skin heats up from just his look and he steps toward me, shamelessly grabs my ass with one hand to pull me close to him. His other hand slides down my front and his index finger grazes my sensitive slit. I inhale sharply and buck against his hand, desperate for more of him.

“You’re dripping wet,” he says hotly in my ear.

“I have been all night.”

He takes my hand and leads me up the stairs without a word. He discards his dress shirt and loosens his belt when we reach his bedroom. In record time, he’s stripped of his clothing down to nothing but his boxer briefs. He sits on the edge of the bed.

“Come here,” he commands.

I move closer to the bed and he lays back, so I climb up beside him, moving to lie down next to him, but Cade stops me. “No, right here,” he continues, patting his chest.

I blush. “But-”

He cuts me off with a dangerously sexy smirk. "No buts. Come sit on my face, Princess."

I crawl up to him and straddle his chest, and he licks his lips in anticipation. He grabs my hips and rolls my body forward, placing feather light kisses on the inside of my thighs.

"Cade," I beg, my legs shaking with anticipation.

"Serena," he returns with a playful smile. "Would you like me to give you the best orgasm of your life?"

"Yes, please," I respond.

"Your wish is my command."

He pulls me forward, his eyes looking up to meet mine. I try to focus on the sensation, on the moment, on his breath against my inner thigh, ghosting over my core when his eyes close and his tongue as it touches me.

"Oh my God," I breath out as he flicks my clit with his tongue before sucking it in his mouth.

"Yes, my child?" he returns, opening his eyes to look at me with a teasing grin.

I slap his shoulder. "Shut up and do that again."

He chuckles as he goes back to it, licking and sucking with renewed enthusiasm as I moan with pleasure. His tongue dips into my center before he licks up my pussy and swirls his tongue around my clit, then tugs with his teeth.

His name comes out as a moan when he slides one finger inside me as he continues to suck my clit. My hands go to his hair, tugging as I grind against his face. My legs quiver as his tongue moves left and right over me.

“Cade, oh God, Cade.” I am so close, and I know he can sense it as my body tenses and I feel the wave build. He pulls his finger out of me and shoves his tongue deep inside, lapping up every bit of my juices as I cum, screaming his name in pure ecstasy.

I close my eyes and wait for my heart to slow and my breathing to go back to normal. When I open them, Cade is watching me. "Was it the best orgasm of your life?" he asks with a smirk.

"Pretty close," I say as nonchalantly as I can manage.

"Guess I'll have to try again," he winked.

"Cade!" I laugh, lifting off him. He pulls me down beside him and kisses me. I taste myself in his kiss, and I don’t care. I am completely turned on, and I want every inch of Cade Thomas.

I shimmy out of his hold and stand. “I think it’s time to get those off you,” I say, pointing at his boxer briefs. He hurries off the bed to stand with me, and I hook my thumbs in the waistband and drag his underwear down torturously slow. Cade’s impressive dick juts out at me, and I lick the tip, reveling in the way his breath hitches when I do.

When I straighten, I move forward, forcing him back until his knees hit the mattress. I give him a light push and he falls onto the bed.

"You're the devil, aren't you?" Cade asks as I move over him on the bed, wrapping my hand around the base of his shaft, twisting my hand up softly and stroking him.

"Maybe," I wink, pushing my hair to one side and taking him in my mouth.

"Shit!" he hisses, hips arching when I grab his balls. "Serena, that's not fair."

I pull my lips off his cock with a pop. "Who said anything about fair?"

He sits up, grabs me around the waist, and flips me onto my back as he rests on his forearms over me. "I will cum like a fifteen-year-old boy if you keep doing that," he warns as I reach between us to get my hands on his dick again.

“That could be fun, though,” I pout.

He stands and lifts one of my legs, caressing down my calf and unstrapping one heel and then the other. He turns to set them aside, and I sit up to admire his ass. He catches me looking when he turns back around.

"Like what you see?" he asks with a pose.

"Very much. Especially those thighs and that ass."

"What about my dick?" he continues, crawling back up the bed.

"I'll let you know if you're any good with it after you fuck me."

He grins wickedly. "I don't believe you’ll be disappointed, ma’am." He reaches for me, parting my folds and slicking his fingers. His thumb flicks my clit, and I let out a gasping moan.

Cade puts an arm under me and flips me onto my stomach, nudging my knees apart with his; I raise up into them, my ass high in the air. He slaps my ass, the sound echoing through the room, and I whimper as he leans over me, resting his chest on my back and kissing my exposed neck.

"You're fucking gorgeous. I hope you know that."

I look over my shoulder at him with what I know is my sauciest smile. “You’re pretty hot, too.”

"Yeah, I know," he answers as he straightens. I laugh at his cockiness, and it turns into a moan as he lines up to push inside me. He fills me slowly, and when I think I can’t possibly take any more of him, he pushes in one more inch.

"Holy fuck," I breathe out. "Your dick might be the best part of you."

He licks up between my shoulder blades before biting me gently. "Your pussy ain't so bad, either," he says huskily, pulling out and slamming back in. I let out a pleasured scream.

He wraps a hand around my hair and tugs my head back. We kiss sloppily as he fucks me, and I feel his dick throb inside me when I reach around to stroke my clit, moaning into his mouth. My pussy tightens around him, and Cade lets go of my hair, replacing my hand with his own as he strokes my clit and brings me to climax.

I yell his name as the wave crashes down and my vision is filled with spots. Cade wraps an arm around my middle to hold me in place, and I push my ass into his hips. The sound of our skin slapping together fills the room as I grind against him. He mumbles my name over and over, and I feel him twitch as his orgasm slams through him and into me.

I collapse to the bed, and Cade falls against my back, trying to catch his breath. He lays there, inside me, for a moment before he pulls out and rolls next me, pulling me into his arms to hold me. After a few silent minutes, I kiss his cheek before I get up to use the bathroom. I don’t bother to attempt to cover myself and I hear the bed shift, so I know he has sat up to watch me go. I put an extra wiggle in my step just for him.

When I come out of the bathroom, Cade is still gloriously naked, but he has a bottle of water that he passes to me when I sit down beside him. We cuddle up beside each other, my legs tangled with his, and he flips on the TV. At the end of the movie playing on the screen, Cade gets up and slips on a pair of underwear. He grabs a shirt from one of his drawers and passes it to me. I smile as I slip on the men’s V-neck shirt and lay back down beside him. He switches off the light and puts his arm around me.

“Goodnight, my beautiful Serena,” he whispers into the darkness.

“Goodnight, Cade,” I respond. He kisses the top of my head, and I lay there listening to his breaths even out. There is a slight glow to the room from the clock beside his bed, and I turn my face to look at him sleeping.

I wasn’t looking for a man when Cade turned back up in my life, and I certainly never thought I’d be in this place with him now, considering our one night three years ago. I know I owe him the truth about Alan, but I am so afraid to lose him. He is everything I've ever wanted, and everything I didn't know I needed. So instead of being brave enough to tell him to his face, I whisper the words on my heart to him as he sleeps.

“I think I’m falling in love with you, Cade Thomas. I only hope one day you’ll love me back.”

 

 

Chapter 27

Cade

Three days after Valentine's Day, I meet Tyler for lunch. I’ve been waiting to talk to him about what’s going on between me and Serena, and I can barely contain myself, but somehow, I manage until after our waitress walks away with our orders.

“I think I’m in love with Serena,” I blurt out to him as he lifts his beer to his lips.

He stops mid-drink. “I’m sorry…what?”

“I think I love her, Ty.”

“I take it this means your over-the-top romantic Valentine's plans went well?”

“Better than I could have ever hoped. Dude, she’s perfect. I swear. I’m just… I have never been this happy.”

“And, you think you love her?”

“I don’t know how else to explain this feeling. How did you know with Tamara? I mean, you’re high school sweethearts. You’ve had the same woman in your bed for years, how did you know she was it?”

“We were high school sweethearts, but I was no angel, trust me. I messed around with a lot of girls before I met Tamara our senior year, and I had to fucking beg to get her to even consider going out with me. But she put her trust in me, and I never messed it up.

“At the time, I thought I needed to mess around, sow my oats so to speak, and not settle down too young. But when I met Tamara, I felt different about her. And after we went out and I got to know her, I knew. It just felt right. I had guys telling me to just keep her as a fling when they saw me starting to get serious, and I almost listened to them, but in the end, I followed my heart, and it was the best thing I could have ever done. You gotta trust your gut, so if you think you love her, go for it.”

“The other night, I think she thought I’d fallen asleep, but I heard her whispering, and so I listened. She said she thinks she’s falling in love, too. I almost told her then, but I didn't want to scare her off.”

“I promise you, Cade, once you listen to your heart, you’ll be at your happiest. Just think about that feeling you had when you finally kicked Josephine out of your life for good. Now imagine that tenfold when you tell Serena you love her for the first time. It’ll be worth it, trust me.”

I nod as Tyler continues. “I knew you were serious about her, I just didn’t realize you were this serious. So, when are you proposing?” he jokes.

“I don’t think we’re there yet, but one day. I’m definitely ready for this to be serious, have her and Alan move in with me, but I think she still has issues about her ex that might be a stumbling block for us.”

“Alan’s dad?” he asks.

“Yeah. She’s never really told me anything about him. She changes the subject whenever the topic starts to veer in that direction. I don’t know who he is, but I’d love to meet him and wring his neck for fucking her over. At the same time, I’d like to thank him for being a screw up so I can have her in my life.”

Tyler laughs. “If I’ve learned anything over the years, it's not to push when a woman doesn't want to talk about something. When she’s ready, she’ll share it all with you. Until then, you just gotta show her that you’re the right guy to have around her son. Be a good influence and all that, you know?”

“I know,” I nod. “I adore Alan. He’s smart as hell, cute, and man, put a football in the kid’s hands and he’s got talent to spare.”

“Sounds like Serena isn’t the only one you’re falling for,” Tyler laughs. “Seriously, though. If you need us, Tamara and I will double date with you again. You know, talk you up, sing your praises. Not that it sounds like you need the help.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Ty. I appreciate you listening today, and the advice.”

After lunch, I head home for a few hours before time to go to Serena’s for dinner with her and Alan. Since she busted my “home-cooked meal” a few weeks back as take out, she’s had me over at least once a week so we can cook dinner together. It’s been surprisingly fun to cook with her, and I’ve even learned a few things, too. But I still count down the time until I can see her.

***

I’m greeted by Alan at the door, who opens it, grins at me, waves, and then turns and runs toward the kitchen. I follow him.

We are making carbonara tonight and as I look over the ingredients she has laid out, I glance at Alan, who is now in the other room, and then I look back to Serena.

“He’ll eat this?” I ask her, gesturing to counter.

“Oh yes, he loves carbonara. Surprised me the first time he tried it. I mean, most kids love spaghetti, and Alan does, too, but carbonara is his absolute favorite food right now.”

“Is that bacon?” I ask as I point at the meat on the counter.

“It’s pancetta, otherwise known as Italian bacon. And, that block of cheese is Romano. Now, can you get the pasta boiling while I start frying the pancetta?” she asks with a smile.

I do as instructed and get the water going then wait for it to come to a boil before adding the pasta. While it cooks, I grate the cheese Serena hands me. We’re talking and laughing, and it hits me that this could be my life, and I don’t hate the idea of it. In fact, I really, really like the idea of it.

When the pasta is cooked, I drain the water and set the pot on a potholder on the counter. Serena adds the pancetta, and I add the grated Romano. She adds an egg and some pepper and then tosses the mixture together.

“Alan!” she calls out. “Go wash your hands, please!”

I hear his little feet scamper down the hall and into the bathroom as she sets the table. I pour glasses of water for the two of us and an apple juice for Alan and bring those to the table. Alan scampers into the dining room and climbs into his chair at the table. Serena ruffles his hair affectionately, and he ducks away from her touch. She just shakes her head and laughs the most beautiful laugh. I watch them, feeling my heart swell. She puts food on his plate and when she turns to sit down, I grab her, spin her to me, and claim her lips with mine.

When we pull apart, she looks up at me, a little breathless and cheeks flushed. “What was that for?” she asks quietly.

“I...” I falter for the right words because what I want to say feels too soon. “I just got caught up in the moment. Watching you with Alan. Thank you for letting me be a part of both of your lives.”

“Thank you for having us in yours,” she smiles and tugs her bottom lip between her teeth. It makes me want to kiss her again, but she pushes me toward my chair at the table and we both sit. I fill my plate and pass her the bowl so she can serve herself, as well. As we dig in, Alan begins to tell us about what he did at school, and I find myself engaged in the back and forth.

I’ve been away from my own family for so long, only seeing them a few times a year for the last twenty years. I had no idea how much I crave this sense of family and belonging until Serena re-entered my life. It feels so right, and I understand my conversation with Tyler from earlier in the day that much better. This is where I want to be, where my heart wants to be. I need to talk to Serena and make my feelings clear, and hope her feelings will be the same. Hope she meant what she whispered to me.

Serena gives Alan a bath while I clean up from dinner, washing the dishes and putting the leftovers away in the fridge. When I’m finished, I venture down the hall to Alan’s bedroom. I lean against the door and listen to Serena read Alan a story. When he looks up and sees me, he smiles.

“Now Cade reads me a story,” he insists, grabbing a book from Serena’s small stack and holding it out to me.

I step into the room as Serena stands, and I take the spot she left beside him on the bed. Alan hands me the book Goodnight Moon and snuggles up beside me as I flip open the pages and begin to read. “In the great green room, there was a telephone. And a red balloon.”

I glance up at Serena, who watches us intently. Her eyes are glistening, and I see her wipe away a tear. When I finish, I hug Alan and tell him goodnight. She smiles, and I stand as we trade places once more. She whispers to her son and kisses him goodnight. She turns out the light by his bed, and I follow her out of the room and back to the living room.

We settle on the couch, Serena under my arm, and we sit in silence together. It’s nice just to sit with her, and I think about telling her how I feel. I even try to say the words, but I can't find them. Eventually, I clear my throat and she looks up at me.

“Can I ask you something?” I start.

“Anything.”

“Why were you crying when I was reading to Alan?” Serena sits up and turns on the couch, sitting cross-legged so she’s facing me. I turn my body to face her as well and reach for her hands, holding them in mine as she searches for the words.

“I was more overwhelmed than I thought I would be watching you with Alan. He’s never had a man in his life other than my dad, and we don’t see my parents as much as we used to since they moved.”

“Hasn’t his dad ever wanted to meet him?”

She looks away from me. “It’s complicated, Cade. He wasn’t involved when I was pregnant and…it’s just been the two of us for so long that it just kind of hit me what Alan has been missing out on.”

I pull her to me and readjust so she’s sitting in my lap so I can hold her. “Alan is lucky to have a mom like you. And his dad, whoever he is, he’d have to be a complete moron for not wanting to know Alan. Your son is amazing, Serena, and that is all because of you.”

“Thank you, Cade,” she whispers, resting her head on my shoulder. “That means a lot.”

“You mean a lot to me. You and Alan. I mean that.”

“I know. You mean a lot to me, too.”

I grab her face in my hands and kiss her forehead tenderly. “I’ve never felt what I feel for you, Serena. Never. You make me happy, and I feel grounded and content. And, it has nothing to do with how fantastic you are in bed,” I wink at her to lighten how serious my words are.

She blushes and giggles, burying her face in my neck. Her lips press warmly to my skin, and I squeeze her to me.

“I am in this for the long haul, Serena. I know some people might think I’m crazy for getting involved with you because you have such a young son, but the truth is, I’d be crazy not to want to be involved. You are amazing, Serena Jacobs. Simply amazing, and I’m lucky that you let me be a part of your life.”

“I’m the lucky one, Cade. You could be with anyone. I mean, you’re a superstar athlete, and I’m an astrophysicist. Who would have ever thought we’d be here?”

I laugh. “We’re Penny and Leonard, except I'm Penny and you’re Leonard.”

She laughs, shakes her head at me, and moves off my lap and back to the spot beside me. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“A movie sounds great, as long as it involves you curled up next to me.”

 

 

Chapter 28

Serena

“Oh, honey,” Gus says, one hand on his popped-out hip. “No!” he cries out dramatically.

I shake my head laughing. “What?” We’re a month into the semester, and I have never had a teaching assistant like Gus before. He’s whip smart, but he’s also funny and makes my life easier, which is a huge plus. He has been helping lead some of the research labs, and we’ve been going over some upcoming activities. We’re almost done for the day, and I had just mentioned that I was planning to head home to clean the house since I had the rest of the afternoon to myself when Gus had made a noise of horror.

“For real, how often do you get an afternoon all to yourself? You can tell me, we’re just girlfriends here,” he says as he sits down across from me and leans forward.

“It’s not often,” I admit, “but I like cleaning. It’s calming.”

“How about you come with me? I’m meeting Tommy at our favorite wine bar.”

“It’s not even two in the afternoon!”

“So? It’s five o’clock somewhere. Come on, Serena, it’ll be fun. Besides, I want to get you drunk so you can tell me all about how you know that hunk of man meat, Cade Thomas.”

“How do you know who Cade is?”

“Um, hello, spandex pants. Also, my sister is a huge Condors fan and made me watch every Sunday growing up. As it should turn out, I kind of like football, and I still watch every Sunday. So, are you coming or what?”

“One drink,” I give in.

***

One drink turns into three glasses of wine and lots of gossiping with Gus and Tommy, and it ends up being the best possible way to spend my free afternoon. I don’t normally socialize with my teaching assistants, but Gus is someone I also mentor and expect one day soon to be a colleague, so I make the exception for him. Plus, his boyfriend is a total sweetheart.

Gus and Tommy both are easy to get along with, and we laugh nearly the entire time we are out. Tommy is also a student at USC and working on his Masters of Landscape Architecture. He’s a few inches shorter than Gus and olive skinned with dark hair and dark eyes, whereas Gus is fair skinned, blue-eyed, and has the most gorgeous strawberry blond hair. Tommy is incredibly witty and shoots back at every one of Gus’s one liners with comebacks of his own. Just listening to them is kind of fantastic on its own.

“So, tell us about Cade. How did you meet?” Gus asks.

“He’s just a friend,” I reply dismissively.

“Who is Cade?” Tommy asks.

“Cade Thomas, the football player,” Gus answers.

“You know I don’t pay any attention when you watch football. That’s when I do my best landscape planning.”

Gus pulls out his phone and after several minutes, flips his phone around, showing him pictures of Cade from google. “That is Cade Thomas, and Serena knows him.”

“You know him?” Tommy whispers, taking the phone from Gus and zooming in on one of the shirtless pictures.

“He’s a friend,” I repeat.

“She’s evasive, which means they are so more than just friends,” Gus adds giving me a knowing glance. “He used to date Josephine Lowell.”

Tommy rolls his eyes. “She is so fake. That wide-eyed innocent act isn’t fooling anybody. That girl is a straight up diva. And not the Celine Dion kind, either. Is it serious?”

Both men peer at me, waiting for my answer, and I sigh, giving into their looks. “Yes, it’s serious,” I tell them. Gus gasps as both he and Tommy lean forward expectantly. “We met a few years ago, but it was extremely short lived. I had no idea at the time who he even was. And then, last semester, he showed up in one of my lectures after he saw me on TV doing an interview and decided to seek me out. I had figured out who he was about two months after we met, so when he showed up last year, I didn’t really trust him, and I certainly didn’t think he was looking for anything other than a notch in his bedpost. But he swore he had only good intentions and I agreed to dinner and it’s gone from there.”

“Has he met Alan?” Gus inquires.

“Who is Alan?” Tommy asks.

“My three-year-old son,” I tell him. “And yes, Cade has met him. He’s great with kids. Sometimes just he and I go out, but other times it’s the three of us.”

“That is so sweet!” Gus gushes with a smile.

“And, he’s this spectacular looking in real life?” Tommy asks, gesturing towards the phone.

“Better,” I smirk.

Gus laughs and lifts his glass. “To Cade Thomas and his spectacular everything,” he offers.

“Cheers,” Tommy and I laugh along with him as we dissolve into giggles.

***

When I get home from my afternoon with Tommy and Gus, I change into an old t-shirt and sweatpants and pull my hair into a messy pony tail to tackle a few projects around the house. Ashley is picking Alan up from daycare for their monthly “date” night, so I have a few more hours to myself. Ash teaches a kid’s art class at her studio and after, she and Alan grab dinner before she brings him home.

I decide to tackle the kitchen first, which is in desperate of a good scrubbing. I’ve been home for maybe a half hour when there is a pounding at my front door, so I set down my sponge and take off my gloves as I head to answer the door.

When I pull the door open, I am stunned at the sight of Josephine Lowell on my doorstep. She is perfectly made up with her long blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders. What are obviously expensive designer jeans leave little to the imagination and an equally expensive-looking top matches the sky-high heels on her perfectly manicured feet.

Josephine looks me up and down with disdain, and I become incredibly self-conscious about my ratty clothes. She walks past me without an invitation, and I turn to gawk at her as she looks around my house. I look outside where a town car and a driver sit in my driveway before shutting the front door.

“Um, can I get you anything, water, tea, coffee?” I ask politely.

“No, I won’t be staying long,” she replied icily.

“Okay then, how can I help you?”

“Do you know who I am?” she demands.

I remember what Tommy said earlier about her being a diva so the next words out of my mouth are a lie. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t.”

I am not surprised when her face contorts angrily and her face reddens. “I am Josephine Lowell, the love of Cade’s life.”

I try to contain the laughter that bubbles up inside me, but a snort escapes, and Josephine glares at me. “I’m so sorry,” I apologize. “You were saying?”

She steps towards me. “You need to stay the hell away from Cade.”

I tilt my head and make a face like I’m thinking about her suggestion, then I simply look her in the eyes and say, “No.”

“No?!” she shrieks.

“No,” I repeat. “Cade is an adult who is capable of his own decisions, and while you may think he is the love of your life, he certainly does not think you are the love of his life.”

“Oh, and you think you are?” Her disdain for me is palpable, and I know Tommy is right. Despite the good girl, innocent act she puts on, Josephine is a diva and definitely not the Celine Dion kind.

“I’m not saying that at all. What I am saying is that he’s a big boy and he makes his own decisions. If he doesn’t want to see me anymore, then he can tell me that himself.”

“Cade doesn’t know what he wants; that’s why he’s been slumming it with you. I know what he needs and he needs me, so you need to back off.”

“No,” I tell her again. “If anyone needs to back off, it’s you, Josephine.”

“Do you see where you live? Now compare that to Cade’s house. Look at how you’re dressed and then look at me. You’re not even in the same league, honey. I’m an A-list celebrity. Everyone knows my name. You’re just, ugh, you.”

“Just me seems like more than enough for Cade.”

“He’ll get bored and come back to me, he always does.”

“Not this time.”

She laughs in my face. “You’re not even that pretty. Cade needs a beautiful woman on his arm. That’s me.”

“I don’t need your validation. Personally, I don’t see what Hollywood sees in you. You’re ugly on the inside, and it shows on the outside.”

She screams and rushes toward me, but I move to the left and she stumbles. She catches herself and straightens, turning to face me again with venom in her eyes. “You are not good enough for him. You will never be good enough for him. This is a fantasy and the sooner you realize that and dump him, the better off you’ll be.”

“I will say this again since you clearly can’t seem to comprehend simple words. Cade is an adult, Josephine, and he’s adult enough to make his own choices. He chose me. It’s not my fault that he didn’t choose you. That’s on you.”

She takes two steps toward me and attempts to level me with her stare. “I will ruin your life if you don’t leave him. I will not warn you again. If you don’t dump him tonight, I will make sure you regret it. Do you understand me?”

I smile. “I hear your words, but you need to understand this: I will not break up with Cade because you’re butt hurt he dumped you. So, you can take your delusions and get the hell out of my house. Now.” I push past her and swing open the front door. She stomps her foot and lets out a growl of frustration before charging out the door. The driver hurries out of the car to open her door, and she looks back at me.

“Last chance,” she says to me. “Forget about him or regret it.”

I paste a big, fake smile on my face and wave. “Nice talking to you! Hope I never see you again!” I call out before slamming the door shut.

I lean back against the closed door and notice my heart racing, adrenaline coursing through me. Who does she think she is, the Queen of freakin’ England? I can’t believe her nerve. When my breathing and pulse return to normal, I head back to the kitchen, grab my phone, and try to call Cade. No answer, so I send a quick text to Cade asking if he’s free to stop by tonight. After I send, I dial a different number.

“You are not going to believe what just happened,” I start when Gus answers the phone. “Put me on speaker and grab Tommy.”

 

 

Chapter 29

Cade

After a lunch meeting with my agent, I swing by the office of my accountant to go over a few things before heading for the gym to get in a workout. I’m heading out to my car when I pull out my phone to check for missed calls or messages, only to see Serena’s name on the display. I missed her call during my workout, and I can’t help the smile that crosses my face as I return her call.

“Hey, sorry I missed you; I was at the gym,” I say when she answers.

“No worries. Are you busy?”

“Not now. What’s up, how was your day?”

“Mostly uneventful. I went out with Gus and his boyfriend, Tommy, for a couple hours after I finished at the office this afternoon. It was nice to get out and talk about something other than Legos.”

I chuckle. “That does sound nice.”

“I don’t normally socialize with my TAs outside of school, but Gus is different. I have no doubt he’ll be working alongside me some day.”

“That’s cool. What else did you do with your free time?”

“Why don’t I tell you about that when you get here? Ashley has Alan until after dinner, so I was about to make dinner for myself. I have enough for you to join me.”

“That sounds great,” I say. “I’ll see you in about thirty, okay?”

“Perfect. See you soon.”

“Bye.”

I hang up and set my phone aside as I get into my truck. There was something evasive in Serena’s words, and I wonder what might be going on. I have a mild panic attack thinking she’s going to break up with me, but I just as quickly push the irrational thought aside. Everything is great between us, and I saw her the night before. What could have possibly gone wrong in less than twenty-four hours to change that? But even still, I stop at a flower shop to grab a bouquet of daisies before I make it to Serena’s house. Just in case.

When Serena opens her door, my smile stretches ear to ear. “Hey, baby,” I say, stepping inside and pulling her to me, holding the flowers behind my back. “I missed you all day.”

“Mmm, I missed you too, especially when Tommy and Gus were giggling over shirtless pictures of you, and I got to think about how much better it looked in person.”

“Wanna see if your memory is correct?” I ask as I kick the door closed and nuzzle her neck.

She giggles. “Tempting, very tempting, Cade, but I was hoping we could talk over dinner.”

My heart thuds. She wants to talk. “Uh, yeah, sure. It smells good. Dinner, I mean.”

Serena looks at me and begins to laugh. “It’s nothing bad, Cade. I’d just like to have a little more to drink before I tell you about the rest of my day. Now come on.” She grabs my hand and tugs me forward to the kitchen. “Wine?”

“Yes, please.” I pull the flowers out. “Oh, and these are for you,” I say with a wink and hold them out.

“Awww. They are beautiful. That’s so sweet.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me again before taking the flowers, holding them to her nose and smelling them. “I’m just going to put these in some water.”

She moves around the kitchen as I take a seat at the breakfast nook and watch her put the daisies in a vase, then finish dinner. She pours me a glass of wine and brings it over, kissing my cheek before turning away. She grabs a bowl of salad and brings it back, setting it down near me. She makes two more trips, one carrying dishes and silverware, and the other a plate of garlic bread.

“Let me get that,” I say, hopping up and grabbing the bowl of spaghetti as she starts to make her third trip.

“Thank you, Cade,” she says as she sits down. I set the bowl down on the table and take my seat again as Serena begins to serve herself. I follow suit, filling my plate with food. We eat in in relative silence, which is both comfortable and welcomed. An image flashes through my mind of doing this every night with her, and I smile at the thought.

“What was that smile for?” she asks, breaking my thoughts.

“Nothing,” I reply. “Just thinking about how nice this is.”

“It is nice,” she agrees. “And quiet.”

“Maybe a little too quiet. When does little man get home?” I ask.

She glances at the watch on her wrist, “Actually, it should be any minute now.”

As if on cue, we hear the front door open and then little feet running through the house. “Serena! We’re home!” Ashley calls out.

Alan enters the kitchen before her; he has a streak of orange paint dried on his cheek and another streak of green in his hair. “Mommy!” he shouts, skidding to a stop at Serena’s side and hugging her. Serena laughs as Ashley enters the room.

“He wouldn’t let me try to clean him up after class,” she apologizes. “Said it was his war paint. Wonder who taught him that,” she adds while giving me a look.

I shrug. “He wanted to know about the eye black I used to wear when I played,” I explain.

“Mommy, look!” Alan shouts, holding up a small canvas. He points at the squiggly lines and shapes. “That’s me and Cade, and we playing football! And, that’s you and Aunt Ashley cheering for us!”

Serena stands and hugs Alan properly, stooping down to kiss the top of his head. “It’s beautiful, my sweet boy. Do you want to put it with the others?”

He shakes his head. “I want Cade to have it.”

I look up with surprise as Alan turns to me, thrusting the picture out to me. “Thank you, Alan. This will look fantastic in my house,” I grin.

“Cade, you wanna play cars with me?”

I look up at Serena who smiles and nods. “Sure, buddy,” I tell him as I stand. “Lead the way.”

Alan and I play in his room for thirty minutes until Serena appears and takes him to get a bath. I help as best I can and after his bath, Alan gets into pajamas, brushes his teeth, and heads to bed. Serena sits beside him and reads him a story and then he begs for me to read one, too. After my story, Serena kisses him goodnight, and I follow her out of the room and downstairs. We head into the living room, and I take a seat on her couch. Serena falls into the spot beside me and I pull her under my arm.

“You’re really good with Alan,” she says after a moment of silence.

“I’ve always liked kids, but being with Alan is different; it just feels natural. Is that weird?”

A look I can’t quite describe crosses her face, but she forces it neutral again almost as quickly as the look came. I want to question it, but I know Alan’s dad is not a subject she likes to discuss and I don’t want to push her. Maybe in a few more months I will, but for now, I let it go.

“You never finished telling me about the rest of your afternoon. How was your day after going out with Gus and Tommy?”

“Yeah. Still probably need more wine,” she smiles. “But, I had a visitor after I got home.”

“Oh? An old friend or something?”

“Not even close to a friend. Josephine.”

“Josephine?! Josephine my ex-girlfriend?” I am floored.

“Yep, that would be her.”

“What the hell?! She was here, in your house?” I question.

“Showed up on my doorstep and barged inside.”

“That woman is obviously unstable. She showed up at the studio a few weeks ago thinking I was just going to fall back into the mess we used to have. And when I refused her, she threw a fit. I threatened her with security, but I should have threatened her with a restraining order. Jesus, Serena. I’m sorry. I don’t even know how she knows who you are.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for, Cade. And, I really don’t think you need a restraining order.”

“What did she say?”

“That I wasn’t pretty enough or good enough for you. That she is the love of your life, and that if I didn’t break it off with you tonight, I would regret it.”

My eyes grow wide and I’m positive I am turning red with rage. “No, we definitely need a restraining order. Do you think Ashley will come back over and stay with Alan? We can go right now. My lawyer can meet us at the police station.”

Serena reaches out and grabs my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Seriously, Cade, we don’t need to do all that. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. She showed up at your house and harassed you. It’s one thing for her to harass me, but she can’t show up here and do that to you. How can you be so calm about this?”

“You’re a good man, Cade, and she’s just upset about losing you. She can’t hit back at me the way she’s used to. I’m just a regular girl, not some Hollywood starlet with skeletons in her closet. There’s nothing scandalous she can leak to the press because the press won’t care about me. And there’s nothing in my past that would cause me to lose my job at the university.

“So, she can threaten as much as she might like, but she’s got no way to ruin me like she’s used to. I don’t have a shady past, my dad isn’t also my uncle, and there are no videos of me doing lines of cocaine. They’re empty threats, and she knows it, but she hoped it would intimidate me. She doesn’t. She’s hurt she lost you and that it wasn't her choice. It’s all about ego. I might not know a bunch of celebrities, but I do understand the way a woman’s mind works.”

“There’s no way in hell I could be this unbothered if some ex of yours showed up at my door. I’d throttle the guy.”

“I won’t lie: I absolutely wanted to punch her in the throat. But that would’ve gotten nothing but bad press, which is exactly what she wants, something to spin in her favor. I won’t give her that satisfaction.”

“I guess that’s true. Promise you’ll tell me if she comes over again, though, or if she finds some other way to contact you,” I insist.

“I promise,” she assures me. “If I even see her anywhere and she looks at me funny, you’ll be the first person I tell.”

“I just don’t want my crazy ex to be the reason anything goes wrong between us.”

“Trust me, she won’t be. We’re good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she says softly, moving to straddle my lap. “You and I are definitely good, Cade Thomas. You make me happy.”

“You make me happy, too. I haven’t felt like this about anyone before. Well, I mean, I thought I did, but now I know that wasn’t real. There’s always just been space fillers in my life, but you are so different than that – so much more. I hope that makes sense,” I add.

“I know what you mean.”

“I kinda wish you had a crazy ex, though, so I wasn’t the only one. You sure there isn’t anything you want to tell me about Alan’s dad?” I joke.

She tenses up and slides from my lap to sit beside me. I don’t understand why the mention of Alan's father always has her pulling back a little from me, and again, I want to push to learn more, to understand that part of her, but I don’t. Instead, I wait for her, to see if this will be the time she decides for herself to open up to me.

“Sorry to disappoint, but there are no crazy exes in my life. Josephine’s brand crazy is enough for both of us, anyway.”

“True, but for the record, whatever guy left you and Alan behind, that’s a whole other special kind of crazy. He’s gotta be to let a woman like you walk away and to not love Alan. If you ever decide to tell me about him, leave out his name, otherwise I might seek him out and punch him for being so stupid.”

 

 

Chapter 30

Serena

It’s been a couple of weeks since my encounter with Josephine at my house and, thankfully, I haven’t heard anything from her since. I suspect Cade probably called her and told her to back off, but he won’t admit it if he did.

My conversation with Cade from that night replays over and over in my head. Things have really started to become serious between us and I know I am falling deeply for him, as is Alan. I love watching Cade and Alan together, but I am also racked with guilt because I cannot find the words to tell Cade the truth, a truth he deserves more than anyone.

I’m in my office grading papers when my phone rings. I glance at the screen and seeing Ashley’s name, so I pick it up. She doesn't usually call me during the middle of the day so I’m curious.

“Hello?”

“Serena! Where are you?”

She sounds frantic. “Ash, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just, where are you?”

“I’m in my office.”

“You need to go to XYZ right now.”

“XYZ? The gossip site? Ash, what are you doing on a site like that?”

“How else would I understand the celebrity psyche, Serena?”

I laugh lightly as I turn on my computer and click around. “What kind of psyche are you trying to unlock, sis? Is this for a new project?”

“It’s my guilty pleasure, you caught me. Now, hurry up.”

“Okay, okay, I’m going as fast as I can. You know my internet is terribly slow in here.”

“I know. You’d think a major university could spring for better Wi-Fi.”

“Okay, what am I looking at?” I ask as the page begins to load.

“You’ll see.”

“Or you could just tell me.”

“No, you have to see it for yourself.”

I sigh at my sister’s level of cryptic avoidance, but let the page load. As it does, my eyes grow wide and my jaw drops. There on the front page of the world's most popular gossip site is an incredibly grainy photo of Cade and I out to dinner last week. And in between us, thankfully hidden in the shadows is Alan.

I feel the air rush from my lungs and my heart pounds like it might beat out of my chest. The headline screams out at me in bold. “CADE THOMAS SECRET LOVE CHILD REVEALED!”

The article isn’t any better, full of speculation and innuendo, and you can’t clearly make out Alan in the photo. I’m still the unidentified woman – which I’ve never been more thankful for in my life, to be just some unknown notch in Cade’s bed post.

“Are you still there?” Ashley asks, breaking my thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m here,” my words stumble out.

“You’ve told him, right?”

“Actually, no, I haven’t.”

“Serena!” she gasps. “You haven’t told him?” she whispers.

“I don’t know how to. And why are you whispering?”

“Because this is scandalous and isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Serena, you have to tell him.”

“I know, but-”

“No buts,” she cuts me off. “He’s Alan’s father and you have to tell him before this gets any worse.”

“How do you think he’ll react?”

“I don’t know. He adores Alan.”

“Yeah, but right now he’s just his little buddy, his girlfriend’s kid. He doesn't owe him anything right now, but when I tell him the truth, what if it changes everything?”

“I just can’t picture it changing things for him, Serena. Cade seems to be pretty solid about you, and I’ve seen him with Alan. He loves him.”

“Yeah, but most guys find out about the kid after they're out or right before and it’s why they leave. How do you suppose a guy takes the news upon re-entering your life?”

“I don’t know, but whatever you think is going to happen, I don’t think it will be that bad. You should have already done it so you weren't in this predicament, but what’s done is done.”

“I know. God, I just told him I didn’t have any skeletons in my closet. I’m the actual worst,” I lament.

“You’re not,” Ashley reassures me. “You’re trying to protect Alan...and your heart.”

“I’ve tried to protect it too much. Cade has asked about Alan’s dad, but he’s never pushed for the story. If he had, maybe I would’ve told him. Instead, he gave me an out every time, and I clammed up.”

“Well, now you have to woman up and tell him.”

“I will.”

“Where have I heard that before?”

“I mean it this time. The next time I see him, I’ll tell him. It's not something I want to do over the phone. He deserves to hear it from me in person, and I deserve whatever happens when I tell him the truth, good or bad.”

“It’ll be fine, Serena.”

“You don’t know that,” I argue.

“No, but I feel it. Just have faith in what you guys have. It’ll work out.”

“I hope so. I need to get back to grading these papers. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay. Serena?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t think about it too much. It’s going to be okay. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Ash. Bye.”

I hang up and set my phone aside, but instead of returning to my work, I start to re-read the article and then the comments. I know it’s a mistake, but I can’t stop myself, and soon I am down the rabbit hole of internet gossip. I feel tears burn at my eyes, and finally I turn the computer off, taking several deep breaths to try and calm my racing heart.

There is a knock at my office door, and I swipe quickly at my eyes. Before I can call out, the door cracks open and Gus peeks his head in. “Hey, I thought you might need this,” he says, opening the door and stepping inside, quickly shutting it behind him and walking to my desk. He passes me a coffee cup before he sits. “You okay?”

“You saw it?”

He nods. “Tommy saw it and texted me. Those guys are slime balls, Serena. Putting a picture of your kid on the internet like that. Just like cockroaches, you know? Just don’t read the comments.”

“Too late,” I admit.

“It’s a bunch of lame asses sitting at home passing judgement. They don’t know shit.”

“Yeah... Thank God they don’t know who we are.”

He frowns. “About that...”

“What?”

“Some kids from your class last year, the one Cade crashed? They posted pictures online and then some other students started connecting the dots and they all think it’s you in the picture. It’s all anyone is talking about on campus, and it’s starting to gain traction on social media. If your accounts aren’t already private, I’d make them that way fast.”

“Oh God,” I immediately go back to my laptop.

“Have you talked to Cade?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Not yet.”

Gus looks at the stack of papers from the intro to physics class and scoops them up. “I know you like grading these, but I’m your TA; let me handle these and you go home. Or if you need to, I’ll have Tommy meet us for wine.”

“Wine sounds really awesome right now, but I think I just need to go home and hold my kid, you know?”

“I get it. I’ll finish grading these tonight. Go home and be with Alan.”

I nod. “Thanks, Gus. You’re a great TA and an even better person.”

***

I manage to get off campus without drawing any extra attention and make the drive home. Ashley picks Alan up for me at daycare, and I start dinner for us while I wait. Cade calls, but I ignore his call. He texts, but I ignore those, too. I hear Ashley in the driveway then and turn my phone off as she and Alan enter the house.

Alan heads upstairs to his room, leaving Ashley and I alone.

“How are you?” she asks.

“I’m just trying to decompress and process still.”

“They know who you are,” she informs me.

“I know. Gus told me. He stopped by shortly after I got off the phone with you.”

“Have you talked to Cade, did he call you?”

“He called. I didn’t answer.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not ready. This is a lot to take in.”

“I get that you being on a gossip site is a lot, but it’s going to be a whole lot more if you don’t talk to Cade and tell him the truth before someone else manages to find out and do it.”

“I know, Ashley. You don’t have to remind me.”

“Oh, but I think you do need reminding because you are two months into this relationship with Cade, and you have yet to tell him he’s Alan’s father. That’s not right, Serena.”

“I know it’s not right,” I hiss at her hotly. “But it’s my life, Ashley, and I can't just take a damn wrecking ball to it. What if this thing with Cade doesn't work out? What if he walks away when I tell him?”

“What if he doesn’t? What if a family is all Cade has ever wanted, and what if he could have that with you?”

I sigh because I know Ashley could be right. I could be messing up something really fantastic, and I’m letting fear get the best of me. I can’t let my own demons stand in the way of what is happening between Cade and I – and I really can’t let them stand in the way of Alan knowing his dad and giving Cade a chance to be that guy.

“Just give me some time to sort this out in my head, Ashley, and then I will tell Cade. I will tell him all of it. I promise.”