Page 44 of Nova

Stepping on to the porch, I stride toward my grandad, then lower my ass in the rocking chair beside him. I stare out at the still water and take in the bright reflection from the moon on the surface. The small breeze beginning to blow is cooling to my exposed skin. Pop's begins to rock again, taking in a deep breath of muggy air.

"There's a storm brewin'." He keeps his gaze forward, and I'm not sure if he's remarking on the faint smell of a pending rainstorm, or if he overheard our conversation moments ago and is voicing his concerns. Either way, my reply will answer both accurately.

"Yep."

"She's pretty special. Smart too," Pop says, and I know he's talking about Promise.

"That she is." I pause a moment, then continue. "Piper thinks so too." Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the edge of Pop's lips lifting slightly.

"You got deep feelings for her."

"I do." I take a deep breath of night air. "Crazy, right? Seeing that I've only known her for a short time." I focus on the lightning bugs dancing above the water. "I can't explain it, Pop. The moment I laid eyes on her it felt like lightning striking, knocking me flat on my ass." I hear Pop chuckle and shake my head. "For once in my life, I see myself settlin' down."

"I suspected as much." Pop's reaches beside him, lifting a cigar from the small round table between us. I eye him as he lights the end, smoke billowing in front of him as he stokes the flame. "Your grandma knocked me on my keister all those years ago. Funny how women, the right woman, can do that to a man." Pop finally looks at me. "I'm damn proud of you, Cain." His words grab at my heartstrings and I swallow the emotions they evoke. "I may not say it as often as I should, but it's true. You've done what most men wouldn't. You've made something of yourself and raised a daughter on your own."

"I didn't raise Piper by myself. You and the rest of my family helped. I could never have done it without all the support," I admit.

"Don't go sellin' yourself short. We lifted you when you needed it, but it was you, Cain. Look at her." With the cigar between his fingers, Pop points in the direction of the bonfire where Piper sits with Promise on one side and Kiwi on the other. "You helped her bloom into the beautiful young woman she's becoming. That smile on her face comes from the love you have for her." Pop sets his eyes on me once more. "And now, you've found someone you can see yourself watchin' sunsets with for the rest of your life." I fight the smile lifting my lips as I picture sharing the rest of my days with Promise. "Trust what you're feelin' for Promise. Let it be your compass. You deserve to love and be loved, and so does she." Pop's clears his throat. "Your grandma would be so proud of you. You and your brother."

I look at Pop, noticing his eyes are a bit misty. Instead of trying to find words, I say nothing. Seconds tick by as silence falls between us. How do I respond to all of that? I've always known my grandparents are proud of me. Since grandma passed away, Pop has never wavered over the years to be there for Piper or me. "I love you, Pop." Are the only words with enough importance to say at the moment, but they hold a lot of weight.

"I love you too, son." He rocks in his chair.

I sit with Pop for a few more minutes until I notice the sky flicker with lights in the distant sky. "Looks like rain."

"Better be gettin' the family home before the bottom falls." Pop snubs out his cigar, leaving it sitting in the tray, then stands, and I stand with him. "I didn't say anything before while you boys were chattin', but I couldn't help but overhear..." I go to interrupt him, but he stops me before I get the words from my mouth. "I know. It's club business. Nevertheless, know I'm here and that I'm always watching."

"Thanks, Pop." I pull him in for a quick hug.

"Hell. Just doing my job." Reaching above his head, he takes down the shotgun mounted out of sight that he always keeps nearby while he's sitting on his porch. "Kiwi staying with you still?" he asks as he swings open the screen door.

"Just until we know things are safe." I won't say more. No need to. He knows what happened to Piper and Promise. And even though I haven't shared anymore with him about the club in town, I'm sure he already knows. There isn't much Pop doesn't know. He has his ways of finding shit out all on his own. "I'll be by tomorrow," I tell Pop as I step off the porch.

"I'll be here," he replies.

Promise spots me as I make my way toward them. "Hey," she smiles at me. "The others went home a while ago."

"Yeah. They have a long drive home." Reaching for Promise, I pull her close. "Rain is movin' in. Time to head home." I turn to Piper. "Bean, run over and hug Gampy's neck before we go," then shift my attention to Kiwi. "You mind grabbing that water hose over there," I point to the side of the house, "and douse the fire, in case the rain misses us."

"You got it, mate." Kiwi walks away.

A few minutes later, Promise, Piper, Kiwi and I are strolling down the road, heading home. Halfway to the house, the sky rumbles with thunder behind our backs, and the heavens let loose a steady rain. With nothing to keep us from getting wet, the four of us make a run for it. By the time we hit the steps of the porch, and I've unlocked the door, our clothes are soaked, and we are all laughing. "It's late, Piper." I step to my daughter, kissing her wet head. "Get upstairs and put some dry clothes on."

She continues to laugh as she pulls on her wet shirt. "That was the best," her eyes light up. "Goodnight, ya'll." And she climbs the stairs.

"That'll sober you up," Kiwi grins. "I'll catch you two later, he jerks his chin as he heads to the spare room he's using, leaving Promise and me standing in the foyer.

Water drips from the ends of her hair, and her dress is clinging to her body like a second skin. Grabbing her ass, I lift her, and Promise wraps her legs over my hips. I climb the stairs with her wet body against mine. Stepping into the bedroom, I close the door with my foot then stride over to the bed where I lay Promise down. She peels her soaked dress from her body, as I rid myself of my drench clothes.

Laid out in front of me like the goddess she is, her body slick from the rain, and her dark hair spread out on my pillow, I hover above my woman, unmoving. I take a moment ingraining this perfect vision of Promise into my brain. My woman reaches between us, taking my cock in her skillful little hand, effectively bringing me out of my daze.

''Cain, I need you.''

I run my finger along her pussy, feeling how ready she is for me. ''You need my cock, babe?''

''Yes. I can't wait any longer,'' she pants.

Brushing her hand away from my dick, I drop down and claim her mouth. I kiss my woman the way I always kiss her—hard. And because she was made for me, Promise takes what I give her. The noises she makes in the back of her throat urges me to give her more. Licking the seam of her mouth, Promise opens for me, and I waste no time taking what I want. Her taste fuels my need to claim every inch of her body. I can't get enough of my woman.

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