Page 47 of A Gift of Time
Caden insisted on helping me clean up the kitchen. I washed off the plates and put them in the dishwasher as he wiped down the stovetop and counters. Cleaning was finished in no time, so we began getting ready.
When he got into the shower, I stepped in with him, which led to us heavily making out as water poured down on us.
Fuck, it was hot.
I grabbed his arms and put them over his head, pushing him against the wall, and crushed my mouth to his. He thrust his hips forward, causing his erection to slide against mine. I groaned against his lips and rolled my body forward, seeking more friction.
As we continued kissing, I reached down and took hold of both our dicks, stroking us simultaneously.
“Ah, Jack.” Caden whimpered and leaned his head back against the wall. “That feels incredible.”
I kissed the edge of his jaw before grazing my teeth farther over and sucking his earlobe. He gasped and tangled his hands in my hair. His dick jerked in my hand, and I sped up my pace. He came, and his cum covered my palm, adding more lubrication for us.
“Fuck!” Pleasure rippled through me, and I shuddered. “I’m gonna come.”
Caden sucked the base of my throat, and that did it. As my orgasm rocked into me, I nuzzled my head to his and moaned.
Sex with him had always been amazing, but that had been different. Passionate and so fucking intimate.
When the quivers subsided, I raised my head and regarded him. His eyelids were droopy, giving him that sleepy expression, and I pressed my lips to his.
No amount of time with him would ever be enough, and knowing this could be my last day with him nearly killed me.
I pulled back and studied his face—the softness of his lips, the angle of his jaw, and his long eyelashes. His eyes met mine as I caressed his cheek, and my heart felt like it was about to break.
“We need to stop, otherwise we’ll never make the parade,” he said before gently kissing me again.
“Okay. If you insist,” I said in a joking tone, but a pain slashed through my chest.
After quickly washing my body, I kissed him before getting out of the shower. Back in the bedroom, my gaze landed on the time, and the unease increased. Eleven a.m. Just a little over twelve hours left.
Believe, I told myself.
And somehow, the word made me feel better. More hopeful.
***
A massive crowd gathered for the parade. Our town of Scottsdale was well-known for its celebration of Christmas—from the decorations in the park to the parade, and the crafters that traveled from other areas to set up shop for the season. The spirit of Christmas was strong all throughout the town.
Caden had always said there was no place he’d rather live than in Scottsdale. I used to roll my eyes when he said that—thinking he was content with just settling—but I saw everything different now, as if a veil had shrouded my vision all these years and now it was lifted, allowing me to see the beauty with fresh eyes.
We’d snagged a spot right at the front, giving us a great view of everything in the parade.
“Oh, look!” Caden exclaimed, pointing to a float coming down Main Street. “It’s the Grinch.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmaswas one of Caden’s favorite Christmas movies and was one he watched every holiday season. He loved the message of the story, and the scene talking about Christmas not coming from stores always made him cry. His tender heart was one of the things that had made me first fall in love with him, but like the Grinch, I had let meaningless things get in the way of what truly mattered.
I smiled at his excitement and put an arm around his waist, pulling him closer to my side.
He was wearing a purple knit sweater with a bigger coat on over it, and his hair stuck out from the bottom of his hat in the way I loved.
At my touch, he beamed at me before resting his head where my shoulder and neck met. His gaze was fixated on the street, but he cuddled into me, wrapping his arm around me, too.
I held him as the parade continued, occasionally kissing the area behind his ear.
After the Grinch float, there was a high school marching band that passed, playingWe Wish You a Merry Christmas. A man dressed as Santa Claus walked by after that, waving at all the children and throwing out candy canes.
I raked a gaze over him, relieved when I saw he wasn’t Nick. My theory about him being Santa was farfetched, but reality had already been suspended.
