Page 42 of Quiet Chaos

She shakes her head. “You misunderstand. My virginity goes to my husband, whoever he is, because it’s what I believe.”

I throw my arms in the air. “That’s your problem. You put everything into your beliefs, no matter how misguided they are.”

“This is what I mean by being not right for each other. You want me to accept you, so why can’t you accept me? My faith is just as important as your club.”

“The club isn’t coming into our bedroom!”

Sky is about to hop off the counter, but I block her. “Cade! There’s no point in talking about us. There is no—”

My lips collide against hers. Our mouths are hungry, feeding on each other, lungs aching for air. I can’t let her go. She fucking drives me nuts. Preaching her beliefs is like dousing gasoline on a fire. Except her sweetness outweighs it. The way she looks at me relinquishes my anger and frustration. We both pull back at the same time.

Through heavy breathing, I say, “Fine, Pious Princess. No sex.” A smile that can melt the snow off Mount Everest spreads across her face.

She pecks my lips. “Then I’m yours, Gabriel.”

I bury my head into her neck, breathing in her smell, calming the ferocious sexual hunger I’m going to be battling. At least it makes her happy. It makes her mine.

20

“Bourbon signifies coming together with family and friends, slowing down to savor moments of sweetness and joy. Celebration. Connection. Reward.” Lynn Marie Hulsman

Cade - December 2019

After the back and forth, Sky and I decide to make a go of our relationship. No matter how dissimilar we are, she’s affected me in more ways than I’d like to admit. My body reacts to her, and new emotions seep into me—emotions I locked away long ago, thinking it would be for life. As usual, I’m lying awake after shutting off the alarm. Sky folds into me, Armstrong spreads out at the foot of the bed. This right here is what I never thought I’d want.

My hand brushes the hair away from her face as my thumb traces her lips. Sensual plump lips, the color of a ripe peach. The only thing we do is kiss, which is exhilarating at this early stage.

She’s tamed my animalistic side, and if I have anxiety, it diminishes in her presence. In a way, Sky reminds me of my mom, who was kind and affectionate. The pain of losing her, losing anyone else I love, prevented me from having a romantic relationship. I fought intimacy. But Sky, my little Pious Princess, dug a trench to my heart. Because of her delicate nature, I soften around her and can’t stay mad for long. If she wants something, it’s hers.

I decide to get up. Armstrong has no desire following, so I leave him while I shower. Out of the shower, standing in the walk-in closet in my boxer briefs, I hear Sky’sgood morning. I peek out. Her hair is a sexy mess, covers pulled up to her chin, and my pillow snuggled into her side. I offer a smile and finish dressing.

Before I leave, I kiss her temple, rewarded by her dimples. The ride to work is a great time to prepare for the day. When I get inside, I throw on the lights in my office and meeting room and walk toward the warehouse. I check on the malting floor, start up the boilers, and last, check on the casks. Hal will be here soon to get things in order with the other employees. I make my way to the office, carrying a cup of coffee.

Three hours later, I receive a call from an employee saying there’s someone to see me. I tell him to bring the person to the meeting room while I finish the current order I’m working on. Approaching the room, I stop in my tracks when I see Seth sitting there. He glances across the place, at his wardrobe, bored and aggravated for having to wait.

I open the glass door and say, “I told you I’m not filling your order.”

Seth stands. “I’m not here on business.” He gestures to a chair. “I’d like to talk to you.” When I remain standing, he sits and continues, “Talk about timing. My club was on a ride, and who do I come across but your mother…I mean your biological mother, Julia.”

“I don’t have time for a walk down memory lane.”

He slams his fist on the table. “Don’t be a dick. Sit your ass down and fucking hear me out.”

I comply. The sooner I let him talk, the sooner I can get him out of here.

Lost to another time, Seth talks of Julia. “Julia hasn’t aged. We met for lunch, and she’s newly divorced. Her parents moved to Florida, but she’s living in Nevada.”

My sigh snaps him out of daydreaming. He rests his arms on the table. “She asked how you were doing.”

I look behind me to make sure no one was around, pushing my chair back.

“I told her you’re doing well for yourself. She knew I kept tabs on you over the years.” This gets my attention and my head snaps in his direction.

“Yeah, that’s right. I found you when you were about two-years old. Julia and I went to their house once.” My body tenses. “We wanted you back.” I’m clenching my jaw so tight it hurts. “We changed our minds when we saw how happy you were with Charlie and Christine.”

He shakes his head and smiles as he says, “You were the cutest fucking kid. It broke Julia’s heart, but she couldn’t take you away from happiness.”

I bite back my emotions. My chair flies away when I stand. “Are you done?”

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