Page 27 of Teaching Cayden

Chapter 12

Addison

Today has been a busy day. I’ve been preparing for a test in my dynamical systems class, and Dr. Haywood gave me a folder full of tests to grade. To make matters worse, I hadn’t been feeling that great. I think between trying to finish up my Masters and dating Cayden, I’ve spread myself too thin.

It’s been four days since I’ve gotten more than three hours of sleep a night, and I’m starting to hear things, at least I think I am. I’ve got several books spread out in front of me as I go over my notes for the five thousandth time when I hear a knock. At first I thought it was the neighbor’s door, but then I heard his voice.

“You gonna let me in, pretty girl?” Cayden’s muffled voice came through the door.

I scrambled to my feet, and shuffled over to the door. As I slowly pulled it open I was rewarded with a heart stopping smile. It’s times like these that I ask myself why I fought this obvious attraction for so long. “What are you doing here?” I glanced around to see if anyone was watching. It was late afternoon, and I had nosy neighbors.

“I finished up at the house early today, and I haven’t seen you in a while. I missed you.” He pouted as he leaned against the jamb.

“I miss you too, but now isn’t a good time.” I sighed and felt terrible when his smile dropped. He was right. We hadn’t spent much time together the last few days and it was sweet that he’d come over on his own, but I had so much to do that I really needed the quiet time.

“Are you really sending me away?” He pushed back from the door and started to turn.

Guilt got the better of me, and I reached for him. “Wait!”

He turned and smiled before walking with a little too much swagger back to the door. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.” He winked as he brushed passed me, and that’s when I smelled him.

“When did you start wearing ladies’ cologne?” I glared at him.

“What are you talking about?” He froze like he knew he was guilty of something, but tried to play it off.

“Who is she?” I narrowed my eyes at him as I stood there, one hand on my hip, the other on my door. I wasn’t ready to close it yet because my gut told me I should kick him out.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His confused expression started to morph into annoyance.

“You smell like you’ve been on a date with someone. You know? Like you’ve been hugging or holding someone? Are we not exclusive? Are you like everyone said you’d be? A Sutter? Your brother had that reputation and lived up to it. I thought you were different.” I was getting angrier by the minute, and the more worked up I got, the more cutting my words became.

“Whoa.” Cayden looked like I’d just slapped him. “What is wrong with you right now?”

“Me?” I fired back. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Yes! I just had a meeting about Spring Formal and I was at the Omega house. I’m sure in the time I was there on their couch that I may have leaned against something that smelled like them. We are exclusive, but right now I’m not sure I wanna be.” The vein on the side of his neck was pulsing as his hands fisted at his side.

“I…” I opened and closed my mouth, hurt radiating through me. I was hearing him, but part of me didn’t believe him. I’d dated guys that used me before. I’d been ‘that’ girl. I trusted blindly, and was betrayed. I’d sworn that I’d never be her again. Cayden was the first one I let get close to me in a year, and now my past was invading my thoughts, making me see him in a different light.

“I don’t know what I just walked in on, but nothing’s going on with anyone but you. I’ve done everything I said I would I do.” He paced away from me before turning, and rushing in my direction. My hand dropped from where it was holding the door, as he slammed it shut. “You’re the only one I want. How can you not see that?” He leaned in. “I’ve searched for you for years, and when I finally found you, I pursued you with everything I had. I want you, Addison. No one else.” At this point he was practically in my face. I blinked up at him, and in a matter of seconds his mouth crashed into mine. When his tongue plunged in, all the anger in me dissipated as lust replaced it.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured around his kisses. “I’ve had a terrible day.”

“Let me make it better,” he whispered as he pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. Before I had a chance to respond, he lifted me in his arms and began striding toward the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” I laughed as he kicked the bathroom door closed and turned on the shower.

“You said I smelled.” He shrugged. “The only smell I want on me is yours, so I’m gonna remedy that right now, then I’m going to fix us something to eat while you finish whatever you were working on. Sound good?” He smirked as he ripped his shirt over his head.

“Sounds perfect.” I smiled as I too began to strip. “I’ll help you wash,” I flirted as I pulled back the curtain and stepped into the steamy spray.

Cayden

I wasn’t sure how this evening was going to go when I first showed up here, but I’m pleasantly surprised with the turn in events. Addison is curled up on the couch with books and papers spread out around her. Her hair is twisted up on her head and being held in place by a pencil, and a blanket is covering her bare legs. After we took our shower, she opted for an oversized t-shirt and nothing else. I thought that was probably a good choice since I wasn’t finished with her yet.

“Are you sure I can’t help you with something?” she called without looking up.

“What? You don’t trust me?” I laughed as I peered in the oven. I’d made us a homemade pizza and it was almost ready.

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