Page 136 of Maverick

"You do," I assure her, my voice thick with emotion. "Every single day. The way you look at me like I'm the only person in the world. How you always know when I need a quiet moment or a good laugh. The little notes you leave in my briefcase to get me through tough days at work. Cadence, you make me feel loved in ways I never thought possible."

I kiss her deeply, pouring all my love and desire into it. She responds eagerly, her body melting into mine. My hands roam her curves, memorizing every dip and valley. The heat between us builds, our breath becoming more ragged.

Cadence's leg hooks over my hip, pulling me closer. I groan, lost in the sensation of her skin against mine. My lips trail down her neck, tasting the salt on her skin.

"Mav," she gasps, her fingers digging into my shoulders.

I've never felt happiness like this before. It's not just physical - though God knows that part is incredible. It's the intimacy, the trust, the knowledge that I've found my person. Three months ago, I was terrified of losing her. Now, I can't imagine my life without her.

Just as things are really heating up, barking erupts from the living room. Nan's voice follows, "Alright, alright you are spoiled rotten, you know that? This is my drink, not yours. You're a damn dog, Joey. Go eat that shit in your bowl."

Cadence and I freeze, then burst into laughter. The moment's broken, but I don't even mind.

"If we don't get out there, she's going to give her what she wants. She's learning awful habits."

"I know," I say, getting out of bed, tugging her out by her ankles, making her laugh. "She's got begging down to an art. We're all in trouble." I don't think Cadence planned on all of those puppies staying here, but once they were all weaned and healthy, they just started disappearing, one by one. Then we'd spot them with my brothers in fancy dog beds and bejewled collars. Cadence finally put her foot down, and made sure Joey, the little bouncing runt of the litter, stayed with us.

"Not me," Cadence says firmly. "I'm the only non-sucker in this family."

Holding my toothbrush in front of my mouth, I arch a brow at her. "Really? Funny, I'm pretty sure I caught you giving her bites of your steak last night at the table."

A guilty look crosses her face. "Um, nope. Wasn't me. You must have been hallucinating. I'll go get breakfast started!" She runs out of the room, and soon the women's voices and laughter carry from the kitchen.

I never imagined loving this so much. Having my own little family. Yeah, Cadence and Nan are their own little unit, butthey've opened their arms and welcomed me in, making me feel like I'm a part of everything. There are still stories I don't know, and history to learn, but Nan teases me just as often as she does Cadence. And I get hugs and kisses from her too.

I had no idea how much I needed those hugs. How much I needed her to pat me on the cheek and tell me I'm a good kid.

But I did. Badly.

So when I make it to the kitchen in my suit, shoes on, I head for her, kissing her soft cheek and earning her smile in return. "Get on with you honey. Go sit down and eat."

Cadence's bare feet rest on top of my shoes as we eat. Nan pulls her chair up and leans back with a hot coffee and asks the same question she asks every morning. "What's on the schedule today, kids?"

"We've got a few adopters coming in this morning, then the rest of the day is free. I thought I'd do a little training with Joey. She needs better manners." Nan snorts, and nods at the puppy currently hopping across the living room, chasing her stuffy. Nan acts all tough, but she’s as big a sucker as we are.

"I've got a pretty light day at the office today. A couple meetings this morning, then a bit of paperwork. Fridays we try and keep the meetings to a minimum."

"You look a lot better honey. Those dark circles you had before weren't a good look on you."

"I'm feeling a lot better," I admit.

"You don't need to sound so surprised. I knew you'd be okay once you let go of some of that responsibility."

Cadence wraps her hand around my forearm, giving it a brief squeeze. It was an adjustment. The first month after turning over my cases to the Legal Aid non-profit were hard. As much as I loved my time with Cadence, it's like my body and mind couldn't adjust to the decreased load. I was so used to livingunder a mountain of pressure, that I felt a little directionless without it.

But over the last couple of months, it's gotten much easier. Now I appreciate the free time. It's so much easier to make plans with my family, and just relax. And I know my cases are being handled, because I check up on them. At first, weekly, but now, I think one day a month is going to be enough.

"I can see it now," I admit. "I couldn't picture life without all of that work, but now, I'm happy."

"I'm glad honey," Nan says with a small smile as she blows on her coffee. "I'm sure your stamina's a hell of a lot better now too, isn't it Cady?"

Cadence pats my back as I cough up a chunk of egg that tried to head to my lung. "Jesus, Nan."

"What. Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't have needs. I keep telling you this!"

Later that morning,I close another file, and rest back in my chair. My staff are taking on more and more, so I can afford to sit here and daydream a little. And I don't feel even a little guilty about it. Sitting here, thinking about all the things I'm going to do to Cady to?—

My door flies open, and Nick stands there, hands braced on the trim. "This is getting out of fucking hand brother. It's time to do something about it."

---