“I hope you’re hungry,” he says, a wicked grin tugging at his lips as he places a sizzling steak on the plate in front of me. The smell alone makes my stomach flip.
“This is delicious, Cas,” I murmur, taking another sip of my wine. The juices of the steak are perfect, the herbs fragrant, the warmth of the plate seeping into my palms.
“Glad you like it,” he says, dimples deepening, his eyes glinting with that look I can’t resist. Warmth coils low in my belly, and I glance away. He’s been a total gentleman all week, yet one half of me aches to take that next step. I shake my head, blush creeping up my neck, and meet his knowing gaze.
The kitchen smells of rosemary and garlic, soft light reflecting off the polished stone countertops. The wood floors creak faintly as Cas moves behind me, pouring water and arranging the plates with meticulous care. The subtle hum of the fridge, the distant call of a loon on the lake, the gentle sway of the curtains in the evening breeze…all of it makes the moment feel intimate, suspended, as if the world outside doesn’t exist.
“Time for dessert,” he whispers, and my heart races as he stands, muscles shifting under his crisp white shirt. I remind myself to breathe.
Cas returns with two plates of chocolate cake, the aroma rich, decadent. But I don’t look at the dessert he puts in front of me. I look at him, licking my lips, heat pooling low in my belly.
“Cas, I…” I trail off.
He notices. His hands slide around my waist, lifting me from the chair. Our lips meet, slow at first, then urgent. He guides my head, tangling our mouths together. My hands clutch his neck, tugging at his hair. He growls softly, biting my lower lip.
He lifts me effortlessly, setting me down on the oak table near the hearth. The warmth from the fire licks at my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the heat radiating from him.
He leans in, lips grazing my ear.“Tell me to stop and I will,” he whispers, his breath hot against my neck.
His hands slide under my shirt, slow, deliberate, his thumbs tracing fire over my ribs.“Is this okay?”
I nod, breathless.
The look he gives me then could melt steel.
He lowers his mouth to my neck, kissing a trail that makes me tremble. His hands explore my stomach, my breasts, learning me, coaxing me, worshipping me. His hands move to the hem of my sweater, pulling it off as his lips trail down my neck, over my bra.I moan.
My name, the world, everything but him slips away until there’s nothing left but heat, gasps, and the sound of our hearts beating out of time. “I want to taste you” His lips trail kisses down my stomach, his tongue dips into my navel as his hands pull my pants off followed by my panties. He steps back and looks at me, his eyes hungry. I pull him to me, grip his shirt and start to unbutton it as he kisses me senseless. His shirt comes off and I see his muscled body. “You have a tattoo?” I study the eagle that covers his shoulder, upper arm and left pectoral. “I do” His voice is strained. “It’s beautiful” I trace it with my fingers and he hisses, his eyes still on mine as I look up. My hands run over his abs and stop at his jean button.“I want you,” I whisper, fingers fumbling with the first button. He follows, undoing the rest and peeling off his pants and boxers before pulling me close. “I need to be inside you,” he whispers against my lips. “But first, I want to know what you taste like.” he murmurs, his grin dark and wicked as he kisses a path down my body, stopping where I ache for him most. My mind goes blank, my breaths shallow and erratic as I feel his breath there. “You ready for me, Sunset?” he asks, eyes locked on mine. “Yes,” I moan, and then… pureecstasy.
When it’s over, Cas gathers me against his chest, settling back with me in his arms in front of the hearth. Both of us naked. My skin still hums, my pulse racing, but in his hold I feel weightless.
“I love you, Sunset,” he murmurs, his voice steady, unwavering.
“Cas…” My throat tightens, the words caught on the tip of my tongue. Fear holds them back. I shake my head, eyes stinging, and press closer into his chest, letting the warmth and steady rhythm of his heartbeat ground me.
A tear slips free before I can stop it.“I wish I wasn’t so broken,” I whisper.
“You’re not broken, baby,” he says softly, eyes fierce.“You crawled your way out of hell and now you protect your heart with the strength you have left. That’s not weak or broken. That’s strong. That’s smart.”
He smiles faintly, brushing my hair from my face.“I want you to fight it, to make me wait. Because when you finally see it, when you’ve taken every step to protect your heart and stand on your own, and you find that you love me… that’s exactly what I want. You’ll never doubt your feelings for me.”
He presses a slow kiss to my neck, tracing a path down to my collarbone, then lower, his lips deliberate, reverent. My breath catches as his hands steady me.
“No rush, baby,” he murmurs, voice rough with need. His mouth hovers over my skin, a breath away, teasing, promising.“For now…” His lips curve against me.“Let me take you to heaven one more time.” And he does…
???
Sunlight drifts across my face, warm and golden. I stir, blinking against the brightness, and realize Cas is still wrapped around me, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath me. One arm is draped possessively over my waist, and his breath tickles my neck.
“Morning, Sunset,” he murmurs, voice rough with sleep.
“Morning, cowboy,” I whisper, pressing a quick kiss to his jaw. He groans softly, nuzzling me closer, and I smile, lingering in the warmth of him.
Eventually, we slip into the shower together. The water is warm, steamy, intimate. His hands are steady, grounding, teasing in that way that makes my pulse race. I feel safe, yet there’s a tension between us, an energy I can’t ignore.
Afterward, he hands me one of his hoodies, oversized, soft, comforting.?“Come down when you’re ready,” he says, voice low and teasing. “Breakfast is waiting.”
I slip it on and make my way downstairs. The smell of something sweet and buttery reaches me first. Cas stands at the stove, wearing only sweatpants, his muscled back making my mouth water. He’s flipping pancakes with casual ease, and I bite back a grin at the sight of him.
