Page 65 of Be Your Somebody
Both of us are trying to catch our breath and come down from that high, but I’m still reeling. Taking charge felt powerful, and I wondered why I’d never done this before. Actually, I know why I haven’t done it before. Cas brings out the wild side in me. He brings me over to the bed, and we cuddle while we wait for our breathing to become normal. Laying there content and satisfied, I snuggle deeper into the crook of his neck and he is the first to speak.
“Avery, that was, wow. Like, justwow. Who knew being a sub would be something I'd be into. New kink unlocked thanks to you." He leans down and kisses my forehead.
“I felt powerful and sexy. I've never done that before, and I am glad my first experience was with you.” I look up at him with a hopeful look in my eyes and I see that his head is cocked to the side and he’s wearing a cocky smirk.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.
“You. You did that, you took charge.” He flips us so that he’s on top of me before continuing. “That was hot as fuck, baby. I need to let you take charge more often.” He briefly presses his lips to my forehead before getting up to put his clothes on.
“I did do that, didn’t I? It was exhilarating and I’m fucking proud of myself.” My smile stretches across my face to the point of it being painful. I watch Cas get partially dressed with a confused look. “Wait, why are you getting dressed ?”
“You should be proud of yourself, baby. It was incredible. I have something for you but it's at home. I’m just gonna run home and grab it before I let you ravish me again for round two.” He bolts out of my room like The Flash, shooting me a wink over his shoulder.Too stunned to move from my bed, I stay tucked under the covers, waiting for him to return. After about five minutes, he’s back and carrying a giant ass package the size of his torso.
Cas’ breathing is rapid, probably from running like a maniac, and is wearing the cheesiest grin I’ve ever seen. He allows himself a minute or so to catch his breath before walking back to the bed, practically throwing the gift into my lap. I push myself up into a sitting position as my eyes ping pong between Cas and the gift.
“What’s this?” I ask, knowing he’s about to give me some sarcastic remark. What he says though surprises me.
“Oh something I've been working on. Go on, open it.” His smile is infectious and I can’t help but grin back at him before tearing into the paper.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. In my hands is a stunning photo album full of memories from the last couple of months. The first page has a list and each item has been checked off. Tears prick behind my eyes as I look up at him.
“Cas…” My voice is breathless and soft.
“Well, see, when you told me I needed to show you that this time was different, I knew I needed to take it seriously. So with help from Asher and Max, we developed the best friend boot-camp plan. The plan was to remind you of some of our favorite childhood memories by recreating them in the present. I knew I had one chance to show you this time was different, so I wanted to make it perfect. Then I figured it would be a good idea to have it all laid out in a photo album so that you can look at it and maybe smile. That piece of paper on the cover is the original list I wrote and knew I needed to include it.”
“I, wow, I don’t know what to say. You did this all for me?”
“Avery. I would do anything for you. You’ve brought me back to life. You’ve shown me what it is to be a friend. You’ve given me everything by simply existing. It’s you. It’s always been you.” I put the photo album on the floor gracefully before jumping into his lap. My arms are wrapped around his neck, our noses touching. My eyes continue to leak tears and my heart is so full I’m surprised it doesn’t burst.
“I, thank you. I love this so much. I can't wait to fill the rest of these empty spaces with future memories. This is one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone has ever gotten me. I love it, Cas."
I grab his face in my hands and kiss him. "And I love you." Time and life cease to exist out of this moment. It’s just me and the boy I fell in love with all those years ago.
Chapter 40
Cassidy
Please come home to me
IfIcoulddoone thing for the rest of my life, it would be to kiss Avery. Okay, yeah, the sex is great—really fucking great, but something about kissing her gets to me. The softness of her lips and the faint cherry taste of her favorite Chapstick. I think denying myself the pleasure of being with her plays a big part of that.
I really need to talk to her about the threats from my dad. If I had it my way, I wouldn’t tell her at all. I don’t want to taint her sunshine with hurricane Frank. But because it involves her directly, I need to tell her. Ipull back from her kiss looking into her desire filled eyes and internally curse my father.
“Cas? Why did we stop?” Avery’s face sports the most adorable pout that makes me want to say fuck it all and just continue kissing her.
“I, um. I have something I need to tell you and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”
Her eyes widen with fear and I can all but hear the wheels turning in her head. “What? Is it me? Do you not want—" I plant a quick kiss to her mouth to stop her anxious thoughts.
“Baby, no I want this. I want you but, um…well something has been happening to me these last few months. Something that I tried to avoid and pretend didn’t exist.”
Avery’s fear is replaced by concern as she sits and waits for me to continue. The question is how to actually have this conversation.Fuck it. Rip the Band-Aid off, Cas Just do it.
“For months now, I’ve had the sneaking suspicion someone’s been following me. I shrugged it off as me just being on edge. Then the texts from an unknown number started coming in. At first, they were all directed at me. Calling me a junkie, tempting me with pictures of needles. Most of the time, I ignored it, hoping they would just leave me alone. Well, it turns out it was my dad the whole time. He’s back on his bullshit. I was planning to continue to ignore him, but he upped the ante.”Rip the Band-Aid off, Cas. She needs to know.But, I can’t seem to find the words.
I wait for Avery’s brain to catch up to the bomb I just dropped. After a few moments, recognition hits her face and I can see her physically holding back her anger.
“What? What does he want?” Avery seethes with anger. I can practically feel the heat radiating from her.
