Cade: Fire And Ice: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (17 page)

I nodded. "Yes, I'm serious, Ellie. I've never been more serious about anything."

"But, Cade. What about hockey? The boys aren't-"

"Ellie!" I climbed up beside her and kissed her. "We can work out the details. Look at me. We can figure it out. Now please give me an answer before I explode!"

She looked down at the ring and ran her fingers over the diamond, which even in the dim bedroom light sparkled like a tiny fireball. Then she said the word.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, Cade. Yes. Of course I'll marry you. You're the only thing that's missing. You're the only thing that's ever been missing."

I took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger.

"It's beautiful. Look! All those little diamonds are pink! Oh it's so pretty. I love it." She looked up at me. "And I love you."

It took me a long time to be able to look down at the ring on my finger, so surprisingly heavy for such a gorgeous little thing, and accept that it was real - that what it represented was real. I sat there in bed with Cade after he slipped it onto my finger just staring at it.

"Ellie, why do you look so worried?"

"I'm not worried, Cade. I just - I can't believe this. I don't think I've ever felt like this, like absolutely nothing was wrong. I'm afraid to feel this way."

"Well I could tell you to stop being afraid. Or I could just show you that there's no reason to be. And that's exactly what I intend to do."

He was sitting beside me, shirtless and muscular and perfect. Surely it was some kind of trick, or a dream I was going to wake up from.

"Is this what you did with Christopher? When you went 'camping'?"

Cade laughed his deep, amused laugh. "Busted. I took him out to New York with me, he helped me pick it out."

"Did you tell him what it was for? Did you tell the other boys?"

"No. I mean, I told Christopher I was going to ask you, but that I didn't know whether you were going to say yes or not. And I thought you would probably rather tell your brothers yourself. I didn't want to jinx it."

"Cade, you're crazy. As if I would say no."

I rolled over, straddled my strapping fiancé and kissed his bare chest.

"Mmm, Ellie. Are you happy, baby?"

I nodded up at him, not taking my lips off his chest. He smiled and watched me kiss down to his belly and run my fingers over the waistband of his sweatpants. Nothing was better than seeing Cade smile. I could have used words but I wanted to show him, to make him feel how much I cared for him. I could feel his cock, hard again underneath the soft fabric, and I nuzzled my cheek against it as he inhaled quickly and reached down play with my hair.

"Ellie..."

"Yes, Cade?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to say your n-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence, because I pulled his sweatpants down under his cock, kissed the very tip of it and his words just dissolved into a heavy sigh.

"I love you, Cade," I whispered, pushing my wet mouth down over him and tasting his salty pre-cum as he shifted his hips under me and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Ellie. That feels so fucking good."

I kept my eyes on his, determined to witness every expression, and kissed and licked my way down his thick shaft to his balls. When I took them into my mouth, one after the other, his breathing started to get a little heavier.

"Do you know what I want?" I asked, smiling, as I kissed my way back up.

"What, Ellie? What do you want?"

"I want," I said, swirling my tongue around him and tasting more pre-cum, "I want you to come in my mouth. I want you to watch me swallowing your cum, Cade."

He closed his eyes briefly when I pushed my lips down on him one more time and kept going until I could feel him on the back of my tongue. I had one hand on his abs, which were tensing up as he pushed his body upwards, eager for more of my mouth, and the other gently holding his balls, caressing them.

I sped up as he needed me to, taking as much of him as I could until his breathing was ragged and his voice was thick. I stopped one more time, for just a few seconds.

"You're close, aren't you"

"Yes, Ellie. Fuck. Yes."

"Are you going to come in my mouth?"

I took him again, more of him this time, until I was almost gagging and he was jerking his hips up off the bed and moaning. I made sure not to close my eyes. I wanted to see him when he came, so powerful and masculine and unable to hold himself back.

"Ellie, mmm, Ellie, oh honey, baby..."

The first warm spurt of his cum hit the back of my throat and I swallowed, still not breaking eye-contact. Cade's fingers tightened in my hair and he held me down as his body shuddered and I had to swallow over and over again.

When he was finished and I pulled away I could feel cum spilling down my chin.

"You're beautiful, Ellie. You are so fucking beautiful," Cade breathed, panting and running his hand up the length of his cock to squeeze out the last few drops. I leaned down and licked them off, smiling up at him and so pleased with myself for being able to make him come that hard.

We showered together before going to sleep and Cade wrapped his body around mine in bed, spooning me so all I could feel as I drifted off was the feeling of him next to me, big and strong and solid.

The next day Cade and I made a run to the grocery store to pick up enough food for the special family meal we were planning that night. He made a list before we left and I found it on the table. He must have seen the look on my face as I was reading it.

"Ellie, stop. It's a special dinner. Let's go all out."

"Cade, this is going to cost over a hundred dollars."

"Probably two hundred. Rib-eye isn't cheap and we have to feed four hungry boys as well as ourselves."

He was smiling but I felt awkward and put on the spot. "I can't afford this."

"I know, that's why I'm going to be paying for it. You might as well get used to it now, Ellie."

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. We're engaged. What's mine is yours and so on."

"Cade..."

He put his arm around my shoulder and stopped kidding around.

"Ellie, listen to me. You don't have to struggle anymore, alright? That's over. I know it's sudden and I know it's going to take some getting used to, but it's how things are going to be from now on. I
want
to take care of you and the boys. There's nothing I want more, alright? So bite your tongue, because we're going to have a feast tonight."

I bit my tongue. Cade was right, though. It felt very, very strange to walk into the grocery store with what was essentially a blank check. I couldn't stop myself from checking all the prices, doing comparisons and calculations in my head for the best deals. He knew I was doing it and he was very patient with me, but when I was done comparing bargain cuts of beef he just grinned and threw about eighty dollars worth of steaks into the cart.

"This is nothing, Ellie. I can spend way more than this on
one
steak in L.A."

"Really? A steak from some kind of magical cow?"

He laughed and then suddenly stopped as he spotted someone behind me. Without thinking, I turned. It was Katy Grebling and she was staring right back at us.

"Cade, let's go," I whispered, trying to push past him in a near-panic to get away from her. He stopped me.

"No, Ellie. Why should you run away and not her?"

"Please. Please, let's just go."

My stomach was sinking. I knew Katy Grebling wasn't going to try and beat me up right there in the grocery store but just seeing her was enough to bring back a sudden rush of shame and humiliation.

"No!" Cade said, much louder that time, holding me steady.

"Aw, look at this. A domestic in the grocery store, how perfectly appropriate."

It was Katy. Cade and I both turned to stare at her, shocked she'd had the balls to say anything.

"And by 'appropriate,'" she continued, "I mean 'trashy.'"

I looked at Cade as his face reddened with anger and he took a few steps towards her.

"No, Cade. Just leave it. Just forget it, let's go. Please let's just go!"

But he wouldn't leave. In fact he walked right up to Katy Grebling and smiled at her.

"It must be pretty hard for you, Katy. I understand."

She made a little scoffing sound but I could see the indignation on her face.

"What the fuck are you talking about, asshole?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. How's life for you, by the way? I heard you had three kids and got divorced. Actually I heard you got divorced twice. I can't say that I'm too surprised. Not many men like cruel, violent women. What happened to that law degree you were going to get? The apartment in New York City?"

It was Katy's turn to go red. "What are you talking about? I'm very, I'm very happy," she spluttered, turning away from Cade to walk away. He didn't let her go.

"You never got over high school, did you? Why else would you act like this? Why else would you talk shit to a woman you tormented for years, a woman you know damn well is a hundred times better than you'll ever be?"

I knew Katy wasn't going to be able to walk away from that, the comparison to me, and she didn't. She whipped around to face Cade, her face now a dark, scarlet red.

"You, uh, you keep telling yourself that, Cade."

"I feel sorry for you, Katy. It must be kinda shitty, being you. Having to look down on other people to feel better about your own tawdry little life. Here, look at this."

He lifted up my hand and showed Katy the sparkler on my finger.

"You see that? It's an engagement ring. We're getting married. Maybe you can sell the story to the tabloids and make a few bucks?"

I turned around then, too, to face Katy. It was the first time in my life I'd ever felt brave enough to do it.

"What? Cade, you're
marrying
her?"

She tried to laugh but it wasn't very convincing. I could see the shock on her face.

"Yeah, we're getting married. I love Ellie. More than anyone will ever love you. You should try and be a better person, Katy. It's the only way there's any hope for you at all."

I smiled. I couldn't help it, I smiled. Katy's eyes met mine for a few delicious seconds that felt like justice and then she disappeared down one of the aisles, stumbling slightly in her rush to get out of the store. Me and Cade looked at each other.

"Damn, Cade."

"She deserved it, babe. I remember everything about the day she beat you up. She's lucky I didn't rip her fucking head off."

I just stood there for a few seconds, working out what I was feeling. Cade put his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.

"I'm with you now, Ellie. Do you understand? I'm
with
you. I'm on your side. No one is ever going to be allowed to mess with you again, I promise you that."

That's what it was. The feeling of having someone who had my back, no matter what. It was brand new and it made me warm with gratefulness and love. I nestled my head into Cade's chest and whispered.

"Thank you."

"It's OK, beautiful. But just so you know, you're now obligated to jump onto the ice the next time someone tries to kick my ass."

I giggled and we continued shopping. Neither of us mentioned Katy Grebling again. There was no need.

We cooked dinner together, all six of us, even Christopher, who was put in charge of mashing the potatoes and managed to keep most of them in the bowl. It was about twenty minutes into this dinner that Cade looked up from his steak and looked around the table.

"So, boys, I think it's time you knew."

All four of them looked up, rapt as they usually were when Cade was speaking to them. It was Baby Ben who spoke first.

"Are you getting married to Ellie?"

"Ah, our secret's been discovered!" Cade laughed as an undercurrent of excitement filled the room, bouncing from person to person.

I went to my bedroom and got the ring at David's request and they each took turns examining it, remarking on how sparkly it was and making impressed sounds.

When the initial surprise had worn off Cade asked them what they thought and Jacob answered for himself and his brothers, looking at me as he spoke.

"I think it's awesome. I remember you two when you were still in high school and I was a little kid - everyone knew you were in love, we could just tell. You were meant to be together and me and David and Baby Ben all agree."

Tears started to form in my eyes and Jacob threw me a jokingly stern look. "Don't start, Ellie."

I laughed and Cade squeezed my knee under the table.

"Where are you going to live? Is Cade moving to North Falls?"

It was Baby Ben asking the question. I looked over at Cade to explain, although we hadn't actually discussed it ourselves yet.

"Well, I've been doing a lot of thinking about that," he started, "and if Ellie doesn't mind I'd like to suggest something to everyone."

I caught his eye and nodded, giving my approval. Cade continued with all four boys hanging on his every word.

"Now before I go any further let me just say that this is up to Ellie, too. So we have to get her OK before we make any plans. Alright?"

Jacob, David, Baby Ben and Christopher all nodded in unison.

"Well, I have two years left on my contract with the Kings. I have to be in Los Angeles for those two years, and after that, who knows. But I have a very big, very empty house in L.A. and there's definitely room for five more people. We could probably fit in ten more if we needed to."