Page 57 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“If I did everything I wanted to do to you, I never could’ve left.”
“Tell me.”
Cade
Two weeks pass in a flurry of anticipation and excitement. The cold February chill bites at my face as I step out of the rental car, a view of the falls in my periphery, but I don’t bother looking. I only have eyes for my girl. I scan the crowd of tourists, my heart pounding with anticipation. It has been far too long since I last held her in my arms. The falls roar behind me, a fitting backdrop for the emotions surging through my veins.
Suddenly, there she is, at the edge of a path, her gaze searching the crowd. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, the entire world fades away. Her face breaks into that all too familiar smile she saves only for me, and I feel my feet move before I even realize I’m running towards her.
“Sunshine!” I call out, my voice barely audible over the thundering water. She waves, her cheeks flushed from the cold or from her excitement, I’m not sure. Our bodies collide, wrapping her in a tight embrace as I take in her familiar vanilla scent. “I missed you.”
We stood there for a few moments, memorizing each other. The falls continue their endless cascade behind us as tourists mill about, oblivious to the private moment happening in the middle of the crowd.
We spend hours exploring Niagara Falls, our fingers entwined, stopping here and there for Paige to take photographs, then getting absolutely drenched on the boat ride, laughing together like we were kids. We wander through the park, taking in the beauty of the landscape — truthfully I spend most of the day taking in the beauty of the woman beside me instead — and I feel a sense of peace that I haven’t known since the last time I held her in my arms.
As the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the falls where the rainbow lights illuminate the scene, we find a quiet spot to sit and watch the water. Paige leans her head on my shoulder and in that moment I know I can’t go one more second without telling her how I feel.
“Paige…” The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t seem to let them out. I don’t know what’s holding me back — fear of the unknown, maybe. She must sense my inner turmoil because she reaches out her hand, her delicate fingers brushing against my brow, smoothing the furrow that I didn’t realize was there, then so softly she kisses my lips, allowing the moment to pass.
I think she knows. How could she not? I’ve done everything but say the words. It’s in every brush of my fingertips and every lingering glance. She owns every part of me, irrevocably.
“Are you okay?”
“Yep, I’m fine,” I lie. “Taking it all in.”
She giggles, the mood instantly lightening at the sweet sound of her laughter.
“Yeah, it’s incredible. I could almost stay here forever.”
I swallow hard, wanting so badly to say the words that wouldn't come. Instead, I reach out and take her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. It isn’t enough, but it’s all I can manage for now. Paige squeezes back, her touch warm and reassuring. “Let’s head back to the hotel.”
Resigned to let the moment pass, I scoop her into my arms and run across the damp grass towards the car, the sound of her giggles filling the air.
“Cade, put me down!”
“Stop squirming or I’ll drop you!”
“You wouldn’t!”
Instead of a response, I spank her ass, the air around us thick with sexual tension.
God, I missed her.
Chapter 22
Paige
?Take Me to Church - Hozier
When Cade and I arrive at the hotel for a late check-in, there is an unrestrained desire pulsing between us. It’s been weeks since I last threaded my fingers through his hair and felt the cold rush of air from his lips as he worshiped my body. The untethered need was pulsing in my veins as soon as I ran into his arms today. There was even a moment where I was certain he was going to tell me he loved me, but as the moment passed, the words remained unspoken.
We accepted the keycard from the concierge and headed up to our 3rd floor room with a view of the falls from our window. I’d seen enough of it to last a lifetime. Right now, I just wanted to get lost in Cade’s embrace.
He leads me to our room and my hand trembles slightly as I swipe the keycard in the door. Once inside, we’re enveloped by the intimacy that’s been brewing since the moment we locked eyes across the crowd. The room is lit by a single lamp and the distant sound of the falls creates a haunting soundtrack for what comes next. He cups my face in his hands, thumbs gently stroking over my cheeks, “I missed you so much, baby.”
Our lips meet in a wild kiss, a culmination of the intense emotions of our reunion. I slowly unbutton his shirt as his hands find the zipper of my jeans. Every touch sends shivers coursing up my spine. It feels like we’re rediscovering each other, deepening our connection with every sigh and whimper. The last button comes loose as Cade helps me out of my pants and lifts my sweater over my head. I stand before him in nothing but a deep purple lacy lingerie set. Tiny bows adorn my bra where the straps meet my shoulders and on my panties just above the juncture of my thighs. “You’re fucking stunning,” Cade murmurs before palming my breasts.
I unclasp his belt and reach for the buttons keeping his impressive length restrained between us. He steps out of his jeans and boxer briefs in one swift move. Reaching for my hands, he leads me to the foot of the lush king size bed where he takes a seat and spreads his thighs. The last time we were in this position, I took him into my mouth and made him see God, but he seems to have other ideas this time. Cade tenderly pulls be towards him and rests his cheek on my sternum, inhaling a shaky breath.
