Kade's expression softens, something almost vulnerable flickering across his face. "Before my mother passed, she always told me that I had to know just in case I'd use it someday. That you never know when you'll need to help someone you care about with their hair."
His hands pause for just a moment, the memory clearly affecting him more than he wants to show before he continues. "I've never had to know how to braid until this moment," he adds on, his voice quieter now. "But I like it. It's relaxing. Meditative, almost."
The idea that Kade's mother taught him this skill years ago, preparing him for a future she might not be around to see, and now he's using it to care for me feels significant in ways I don't have words for. "I really like your hands in my hair," I say honestly, leaning back into his touch.
Kade presses a kiss to the top of my head, his lips lingering there for a moment. "Why don't you go find something to wear and then I—"
My face scrunches up at the thought of having to choose something from that closet.
"Ah," Kade says, understanding immediately. He finishes securing the braid style and helps me down from the counter, keeping a steadying hand on my waist as we walk toward the guest bedroom.
The room looks different than it did yesterday. Gone is the sparse, empty feeling that made me so uncomfortable. Now there's a closet full of dresses that Dustin picked out, the rainbow of colors visible even from the doorway. Kade moves to the closet and starts fiddling with the clothing there, his brow furrowing slightly as he takes in the sheer volume.
Kade pulls out a multi-colored dress that’s mostly blues and purples swirled together, with strappy shoulders and a flowing skirt that looks soft and comfortable. The neckline hangs a little low, not scandalously so but enough to show some skin. I smile at it immediately, my fingers reaching out to touch the fabric. "That one's pretty."
"It is," Kade agrees, bringing it over to where I'm standing.
He slowly undoes my towel, the fabric falling away to leave me bare in front of him. I should probably feel self-conscious standing naked in the guest room, but I don't. Not with Kade. He's already seen every inch of me, already been inside me in the most intimate way possible.
Kade helps me into the dress, his hands sliding the fabric up my body and settling it into place. His fingers linger on my shoulders as he adjusts the straps, then his hands move to cup my neck, his thumbs resting against my jaw as he tilts my head up toward him.
He draws a kiss from me and I lean into him, feeling so much closer than I did yesterday. The heat has changed something between us, broken down barriers I didn't even know I had. Yesterday I was terrified. Today I'm his. The shift is subtle but profound, settling into my bones with a clarity that wouldn’t have made sense to me a few weeks ago.
A sound at the window interrupts us. I pull back from Kade and look over to see Dustin there, his face pressed against the glass with the biggest grin I've ever seen. He bangs excitedly on the window before opening it, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Hey, Solana, baby, I got you a present!"
A giggle bubbles up from my chest. "Why won't you come in?"
Dustin holds up his hands, showing me that they're absolutely filthy. There's dirt under his nails and what looks like hay stuck to his clothes. He's a whole mess, covered in evidence of whatever he's been doing for the past hour. "Because I get in trouble tracking mud in the house. Kade has rules about that."
The idea of Kade having house rules that Dustin actually follows makes me laugh. I move toward the front of the house, Kade following close behind me. My heart races with anticipation, wondering what kind of present would require Dustin to stay outside. I barely make it out to the porch, before a frown takes over my face because I don’t see anything. Just Dustin standing there grinning like an idiot, covered in dirt and looking incredibly pleased with himself. Then I look past him and my breath catches in my throat.
Standing in the front yard is the most adorable black and white cow I've ever seen. He’s got a beautiful shaggy coat, his big eyes watching me with gentle curiosity as his tail swishes back and forth.
"What the fuck did you do?" Kade's voice comes from behind me, a mixture of exasperation and amusement coloring his tone.
Dustin's grin somehow gets even bigger. "I felt bad for leaving, so when I came back from being with Stefan, I had to get her something. So I did!"
"Stefan?" Kade's voice sharpens slightly, clearly catching on to something important in that statement.
"I'll tell you later," Dustin waves off the question, his attention fully on me. "But Solana, you like it, right?"
I'm already moving toward the cow before I can think about it, drawn by the sweet face and gentle presence. I step up to him slowly, reaching out to pet his fuzzy head. He's so soft, his coat thick and fluffy beneath my palm.
"All mine?" My voice comes out small and hopeful, barely believing that something this wonderful could actually belong to me.
The cow makes a small sound, not quite a full moo but close. I drop to my knees on the grass, not caring that the hem of my new dress is probably getting dirty. My hands stroke along his neck and shoulders, feeling the warmth of him through the thick coat.
He gives me another little moo, the sound absolutely precious as I grin up at Dustin.
"The bull is all yours," Dustin confirms, his dimples showing as he smiles down at me. "You just have to name him."
The cow moos again, as if agreeing with the plan. I run through several names, none of them sounding right when I whisper them out, before landing on one that’s delightfully stupid. "Moo-Shu," I say, testing it out. The cow looks at me like he approves and then I frown, something Dustin saying finally registering. “Wait… it’s a bull? I thought they were all cows.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him close. He tolerates the affection with patience, standing still while I press my face into his soft coat. Dustin lets out a soft laugh. “Bulls are male and cows are female.”
My nose scrunches up as I shake my head. “Moo-Shu is still a cow in my head. Look! He’s even fluffy!”
