Page 87 of Quiet Chaos

“I have to get ready for church.”

He kisses the back of my neck, nuzzling his nose into it. “Just a few more minutes.”

“Are you coming to church?”

“I don’t think the big guy has forgiven me.”

I turn in his arms. “I have no doubt He has forgiven you.”

Cade concedes in going. The place is packed, yet we’re able to squeeze at the end of a pew in the back of the church. It’s magical. A large choir is to the left of the altar, poinsettias positioned all around it, a manger in front, and an enormous banner of Mary and Jesus hangs on the other side.

Next to an older woman, I place my purse in my lap, sitting back to a cushion of Cade’s arm draped behind me. Incense fills the air and I close my eyes, sending up a prayer of thanks. A few Christians’ eye my gorgeous husband. Some with a look ofsurprise and some of disdain. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, not all Christians behave in a kind manner. And just because someone doesn’t fit the normal appearance of a Christian, doesn’t mean they don’t believe or aren’t decent. Cade is a perfect example. He’s inherently good.

Mass takes longer with all the people taking communion, so it’s no wonder Armstrong is hyper when we get home. It’s also not surprising that he’s hyper from the half-eaten cake I find on the floor.

I give Cade the choice of breakfast or presents. He chooses presents, which is unexpected. We’re both sitting in front of the tree. Armstrong gets a gift and Cade hands several to me.

My eyes widen at the pile. “We said we were only giving each other one gift.”

Cade cocks his head to the side. “Yousaid we were giving each other one gift. I had other plans.”

In my excitement, I tear open the wrapping paper on the small top box. It’s a gift card for our local bookstore. I bounce on my knees. “I can’t wait to use it. Thank you so much, honey.” I lean over and kiss him. He indicates with his hand for me to keep going.

I shake my head while unwrapping the next two. He bought me dresses and a large T-shirt with a picture of Armstrong on it. “This is adorable. I can’t wait to wear them.”

“The T-shirt is to be worn without underwear.”

I arch my eyebrow. “Oh, really. Says who?”

He grabs my arm and pulls me closer. “Says me.” He smacks my butt.

“Cade. We just got back from church.”

“And doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife…’?”

I laugh as he tells me to continue. The other boxes reveal lingerie. “How much submission is involved here?”

He crawls to me like a Cheetah eyeing its prey and pins me to the ground. His hips circle between my legs, the jeans hitting my sensitive spot. Cade claims my mouth in a slow, sensual way.

The roughness of his voice makes my toes curl. “You’ll submit to my every desire.” He kisses my neck. “And I’ll keep coming back.” A kiss to my jaw. “Until you can’t walk anymore.” A nip to my ear. “I’ll bathe you in my come.”

With a breathy response, I ask, “What if I don’t want to submit?”

A deep rumble comes from his chest. “Oh, you will.”

“You sure?”

His tongue runs along the outer curve of my ear, below it, and whispers, “Because you can’t deny me. Your body defies you.” I let out a gasp. “It opens up to me. Every.” He takes my lower lip between his, sucks, and releases it. “Time.”

My hips rotate underneath him, sprouting a hunger only Cade can awaken.

Cade shakes his head, brushing his nose across mine. “You’ll have to wait until after you open the rest of your gifts.”

He sits up, pulling me into a seated position. One gift is a word search puzzle book. It’s a hobby I acquired during chemotherapy. I smile and tap the tip of his nose. The last is a gorgeous glass nightlight. Etched into it is the word Princess and a picture of one holding a cross in her hand. I caress the glass as my finger traces the picture.

“Cade, this is beautiful. Thank you so much.”

His breathtaking smile lights up the room. “That’s the last gift.”

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