Page 34 of Cultivating Caden
“See? We all needed to know things about each other.” Ten bit his lip. “It’s how he knew what to order for your pizza.”
It should seem like a violation to Caden, but Ten was right. He needed to know and trust them. Quade especially. Now he understood why Quade seemed so familiar to him, and why he’d had the urge to kiss him. They were total strangers, but… not. He knew Quade’s favorite colors, foods, books. It was if they’d been friends their whole life, even though they’d just met.
They spent the rest of the day wandering around, chatting with people, and getting the lay of the land. Quade introduced Caden to many of the people they met, and surprisingly Caden didn’t feel overwhelmed by anything he’d seen, even though many of the residents he was introduced to couldn’t pass as human at all. There were folks who were incredibly bulky, like statues, and some who were softer and more delicate, with translucent skin and anime eyes. And not one of them seemed weird or unusual to Caden. In fact, he found them to be more normal than most of the people he knew.
As it got later, Ten yawned. Quade picked him up, ignoring the half-hearted protests, and held him to his chest. Ten put his head on Quade’s shoulder, closed his eyes, and was out like a light in moments.
“We don’t get to do this often. Ten’s gifts, being mental, means his mind is able to go all day. He doesn’t get out much, so he tires quickly. He always tells me he’s ‘almost’ an adult and can walk, but I think he enjoys this.”
Unbidden, Caden reached out and stroked a hand over Ten’s head. The boy snuffled and snuggled closer. Stepping back, Caden realized how domestic this scene had to seem to people watching them.
He had to remind himself of why he had to go, because right now, his heart ached at the thought of leaving Sanctuary, but more because he was leaving without Ten. How could he become attached so quickly? He glanced toward Quade, and the urge to kiss him rode Caden hard again.
“Quade, I—”
Quade turned away. “We should go. We have a long drive tomorrow.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
They didn’t say anything else as they headed back home.
* * *
“What the hell were you thinking?”Quade berated himself as he stalked around the room, gesturing wildly. After he’d seen Caden to his door, he took Ten to this week’s home. He reluctantly put the still-sleeping kid in Margaret’s arms.
“You wore him out. He should sleep well.”
“Yeah. Hopefully he’ll be awake before Caden and I leave in the morning. I want to say good bye to him.”
She smoothed a hand over Ten’s hair. “I’m sure he will be. How is Caden doing?”
Her question allowed Quade to pull his gaze away from Ten. He looked her in the eyes. “He’s doing well. I won’t say I’m not nervous about going with him tomorrow, but it’s something he needs to do, and since I’m responsible for him, I have to tag along.”
She smiled at him. “He’s very cute. You know, for a human.”
Why did she plant that in his mind again? When they were standing outside of the crystal shop, after Quade had hefted Ten into his arms, he’d seen the way Caden was looking at him, and Quade was sucked in by his damned sprite eyes. He wanted to kiss him, to plunder his mouth, chew on his neck, find his hot spots. He wanted to ravage Caden like he’d never wanted anyone before.
Even Quade’s wolf—who normally just wanted to fuck—wanted to sniff Caden and roll around in his scent. It was bizarre that the fucking beast was so damned calm around Ten and Caden. It wasn’t even wary like it was now with Margaret.
He leaned forward, brushed the hair from Ten’s forehead, and placed a gentle kiss there. He ached at the thought of leaving in the morning, wishing instead that Caden would stay with them. And once again, his wolf was in full agreement.
“I should go.”
“Yeah, and I should put this one to bed. He’s tiny, but he gets heavy after a while.”
Quade hadn’t noticed. He could carry Ten for hours if needed. The night Ten had ridden on his back as Quade carried Caden had been one of the best memories he’d ever had, even though he was dripping blood and had to clean Ten before he went to bed. It was a good thing the infirmary cleaned Caden, because Quade wasn’t sure he could bear to see his naked body and not be able to touch.
“Good night.”
He went to the elevator, punched the button, and waited. While he stood there, his mind drifted back to Caden’s scent. He hadn’t paid it any attention before, but now it was at the forefront of his mind. It wasn’t like anyone Quade had ever met. Caden’s was special, like the first spring rain over the meadow. His wolf sure seemed to like it well enough. The damn fool acted as though it was being called to the scent and was determined to go. Whereas before Quade had to fight his wolf to keep it chained away, now he had to stop it from pouncing on Caden. And one thing Quade was certain of, his wolf didn’t pounce on anything.
He got into his place, shut the door, and turned on the stereo. Music was his hidden passion. He loved the low tones that then soared into the stratosphere, the singer’s voice that could soothe him or enflame his senses. Tonight? Everything seemed dull and muted, except for Caden’s fucking scent. Even though he was down at the other end of the hall, it still acted like a siren’s call, taunting and teasing his wolf, which sat in the corner of Quade’s mind and…. What the fuck? It was whining. Pleading to be let out. Not demanding, not clawing at its prison.
Quade stalked to the refrigerator and grabbed two beers. He went to the living room, pushed the button to bring the gas fireplace roaring to life, then took a seat and drank while he watched the flames dance. At some point, he drifted off to sleep.
At least he thought he was sleeping. The images were so vivid in his mind, he couldn’t tell if what he was seeing was reality. Caden was running through the woods, glancing over his shoulder and laughing, as Quade’s lycan form chased him, slavering at the thought of the kill. Quade kept trying to rein the wolf in, but he had lost control. Just like he had all those years ago, when he’d gone feral. Caden was going to die because Quade couldn’t stop himself.
The wolf was almost on top of him now, his breath hot on Caden’s neck. Still, Caden laughed and continued to run, dodging trees, leaping over exposed roots, dashing through wildflowers. Always laughing.
