Page 73 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“You know how I said I wanted to get away and be with myself for a little while?”
“Yeah.”
She chewed on the edge of her cup, thinking. “The last couple of days I’ve been trying to spend more time with myself in here.” She tapped her head. “Since I spend most of the day alone in the guest house, I have more quiet space to think about things.”
“You have been a little more distant.”
“I’ve been working on taking a step back and looking at our life more... realistically, I guess would be a good word.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, your business is booming here, and I would be selfish if I was adamant about staying in Hanneston one hundred percent of the time. You’re doing well there, too, of course, but not like in Los Angeles.”
“It’s not just my business booming there. You’re doing well, too. Katharina has so many people who want to work with you. Lil,” he straightened up, getting excited, “you could do so well there. The number of people who love what you do is infinite. You would—”
Lillian laughed. “I know all this, silly. It makes me happy to see you so excited about it. That’s just what I mean. I was so determined to stay in Hanneston with my house and the cats and the clients. There are a lot of reasons why I was dead set on living life that way, but they were all keeping me from living. Like, really living and thriving.”
Cayden had to take in what she was saying. “What changed your mind?”
“All the things that have happened, and something Andrew said to me. He told me that Amelia would have wanted me to do whatever it takes to make my life amazing.” She shook her head. “She was always telling me things like that, but I guess it never really clicked with me until he reminded me of it.”
“Wow.”
“What?”
“This is all great, Lil. You had me freaked out for a sec, but I’m really happy for you now.”
“For me?” She pinched his earlobe. “This involves you, you know.”
“I know, but to see you realizing how amazing your life should be makes me believe that you’re a step closer to understanding how amazing you are. Maybe me telling you that all the time is finally starting to work.”
The blush in her cheeks grew, and she took a pack of pretzels from him. “I don’t know what’s coming next, but we’re going to make it good. Okay?”
Cayden let his eyes wander all over her face. You’re the most beautiful creature I have ever seen, he thought, knowing she would see in his eyes how much he loved her. He nodded. “Let’s make it better than good. Let’s make it the best.”
THEY BOTH HAD ONE THING on their mind, and they didn’t need to confirm it with each other.
The plane landed, and they got their luggage from baggage claim—why Lillian always packed a big bag, Cayden had no idea, but he was too distracted mentally to care about her bag. He just wanted it to appear on the conveyor belt like magic. Quick.
She did, too. He saw her fidgeting, and when they had their backs turned away from everyone she gave him a secret little squeeze. He felt his blood start to flow faster and, when they walked outside to the car, the winter air didn’t seem to bite his skin as hard as it had last time. Opening the trunk and shoving her bag in, he felt himself almost getting nervous.
The wind was picking up its pace and they took refuge in the front seat without delay. Compared to the noise of planes taking off and people chatting and laughing inside, the car gave them a still silence that rang in their ears.
Cayden didn’t turn the car on. Lillian didn’t ask him to. “It’s dark in here,” she whispered.
Unable to speak, he nodded, and all at once they pounced on each other. Lillian started to climb on top of him while her lips mashed against his, and he barely managed to move the seat back with one hand. Within a minute, the windows started to fog up, but neither of them noticed.
He gripped her body, spreading his fingers all the way across her back and running them up to her shoulders and down to her tailbone. The quiver of her skin when his thumbs touched her waist made the heat in his blood pulse harder than he had ever known. Unable to control himself any longer, he reached down and tried to unbutton his pants.
“Let me,” she gasped, finally coming up for air. She was so quick he didn’t even notice her unzipping him. When she tugged on his waistband, he arched his back for her to pull down his jeans. Suddenly she was halfway back in the passenger seat—her lower half, at least. With an irresistible, sultry look, she took him in her mouth. He let out a moan that echoed from his throat and bounced off the windshield. She liked hearing his pleasure; he knew because she continued to work her magic until he pulled her away.
She had somehow already taken off her leggings, much to his surprise and delight. The heat of her body still lingered on his skin, and he wanted more. He stripped her jacket off and pulled her shirt over her head. Drawing her on top of him again, he pushed their lips together at the same time he pushed himself inside her.
It was her turn to moan and his turn to enjoy her bliss. Little wisps of steam were twisting up from their skin now; he felt water on her skin and thought for a second it was his sweat, but realized it was hers. Through their kisses, he felt himself smile. God, Lil, he thought, our bodies were made for each other.
They continued until they were too tired to keep going; sleepy passion coursing through their veins, they leaned their heads on each other and watched the windows slowly start to clear. Most of the cars around theirs were gone by now, and they laughed, knowing the other drivers probably got a funny sight of a bouncing car as they were leaving.
Feeling more satisfied than either could explain, they drove home, taking their time. When they arrived, Lillian fed the cats and climbed into the shower. Cayden joined her halfway through, wanting more kisses and for someone to help him wash his back.
