Page 10 of Must Be Love

Before we ended the call, Dad took the phone from Mom and said, “Love you, baby girl. You’re my heart. We’ll be up soon to meet your new man.” It brought tears to my eyes and Mom was blubbering in the background.

Making my way into the kitchen, I turn the timer and oven off and take out the Dutch oven I brought over just in case Cade didn’t have one. I made the stew with a side of homemade biscuits and I can’t wait to dive in.

“Dinner smells delicious, babe,” Cade says as he joins me in the kitchen.

“It’s not much, but with the temperatures dropping this week I figured it would be good and you’d have leftovers for the week, too,” I tell him as I stir our dinner.

“You didn’t have to go to this much work, but I’m more than thankful,” he sighs out.

“Is everything okay?” The Cade I’ve seen usually has more energy and isn’t as tired. It makes me feel bad, because we’ve been staying up till ten o’clock at night chatting on the phone.

“Yeah, just tired and worried this deal will fall through. We don’t really need the money, but it would be nice to help some of the locals keep a job through the winter and not get laid off,” he admits.

“I love that about you,” I tell him, not really meaning to say “the L word” so soon, but it just kind of word vomited out of my mouth.

He smiles and although I can still see the weariness in his eyes. I know he liked what I said too.

“I don’t like layoffs this close to the holidays. I try to keep the men on as long as possible, even if it’s doing work at the yard. It’s why dad and I bid on it,” he tells me as I plate our food.

“Oh, that reminds me. My parents are planning to come into town soon. Would you be opposed to meeting them?” I question him.

He takes the bowls out of my hands and puts them on the counter where the bar stools are, before he grasps my neck and has me look up into his eyes and says, “I’d love nothing more than to meet your parents but be aware, — you’ll probably meet my dad here soon.”

“If he’s anything like his son, I can’t wait.” We both take a seat at the kitchen island and tuck into our meal.

Chapter 17

Cade

Aubrey is in my shower, naked. That’s all I can think about as I strip out of my socks, flannel, and under shirt, deciding to keep my jeans on. It’s hard as hell not to finish stripping and getting in the shower with her, but I refrain. Barely. I sit on the bench in front of the bed and take in everything that’s been built so far.

I really fucking hope Aubs likes this place when I finish building it. I built it with the intent of it being my forever home. There’s not much in the way of décor. Just a king-sized bed, nightstands, two dressers, and the bench I’m sitting on. The comforter isn’t much either. I just grabbed one of those beds in a bag wanting to get the hell out of the store.

I hear the shower turn off as I wait. I wonder what she’s wearing. Part of me wants her to be wearing my shirt with nothing on underneath, but I know that will lead into way too much temptation. Is she a short and old tee shirt or a nightgown person?

The door opens up and her hair is in that top knot thing that she loves to throw it in. She has on a tank top that holds her breasts up high where it’s tight and then flows out. Her shorts. Fuck, they shouldn’t even be called that. I see a lot of leg and where it’s going to lead my wandering hands.

“It’s all yours.” She grabs her lotion out of her bag and starts applying it. It takes everything I have to get up and walk to the bathroom. I see her eyes slowly wander over my body. I can’t wait to have her wrapped up in my arms.

“I’ll be out in just a few minutes. The house is all locked up and Axe is downstairs. Get in bed for me when you’re done?” I ask.

She nods her head as I kiss her forehead before darting into the bathroom to relieve the pressure of my aching cock. Not knowing how I’m going to hide it from her, even in loose shorts.

I turn the shower to cold, trying to make my cock stand down. It’s too late though, he knows who’s going to be in bed tonight and there’s no making the ache stop. I wash up and get out of the shower. I dry off in record time and make my way to the side of the bed Aubs isn’t on.

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