26. Nolan

CHAPTER 26

Nolan

“ O pen mine next!” Tilly wiggles in her spot on the floor. We are packed into Katie’s living room like sardines while she opens her birthday presents.

“This is too much, you guys,” Katie says for the third time.

“Oh, shut up. Let us spoil you, dammit!” Ellie groused.

Katie laughs and rolls her eyes at the same time. “Fine. I give in.” She takes the sparkly wrapped present from Tilly. Using careful fingers, Katie pops the tape to remove the paper. She gasps when she reveals a book. Her eyes fly to Tilly’s. “You didn’t!”

“I so did. And I got one for myself, too.” Tilly giggles.

Katie runs her hand down the cover. The title is a shiny red color, and even I can admit that the art is beautiful. “It’s a special edition of my favorite book,” Katie finally explains. When she opens the cover, a gift card slides out.

“That’s to get books you haven’t read before,” Tilly adds.

“Thank you, Tills. It’s perfect.”

“My turn.” Cody stands to hand Katie his present.

“You got me a present?” Katie’s surprise is evident.

“Nolan helped, but yeah.”

“I only helped acquire it. It was all Cody’s idea,” I tell her .

She opens the present, her jaw dropping in surprise. “Cody Ezra!”

Cody glances at me and grins. I shoot him a wink, stupidly proud of him. He didn’t have enough money saved to buy it outright, but I paid for the rest of it and told him that we could give it to her together.

Katie pulls out the Kindle we bought her. She stares at it for a moment without saying anything. It makes Cody start to fidget. “Is it okay? Nolan can return it and get you something else if you don’t like it.”

“Just… Hold on. I’m trying not to blubber.”

Cody giggles and then screeches when Katie reaches to pull him into her lap. “Mom! Stop!” He continues to squeal as she tickles him.

“It’s my birthday, you turd. You’re not supposed to make me cry.”

“I’m sorry!” he gasps through his laughter.

Katie finally lets him go, helping him to stand back up. “Thank you, baby. This is the best gift I’ve ever received.”

“Nolan said he sent you some extra money to buy books, too.”

Katie looks at me with so much affection in her eyes that I’m tempted to start blurting out words that don’t need to be said yet. I lean in to kiss her to keep the confessions inside.

“Thank you both.” Katie swipes her fingers under her eyes to clear the moisture.

“You ready for more cake?” I ask her.

“No, my stomach is so fu—freaking full. I’m not sure it can hold any more.”

I laugh at her attempt to stop from cursing. At this point, the whole group owes Cody at least a hundred bucks.

“Anyone else want some?” I ask the group to take their attention off Katie while she gets herself back together. Several people raise their hands, and I nod. I head to the kitchen to make up the plates, my mom following behind me .

She helps me cut and plate the cake until we have enough for everyone. Mom places her hand on my arm. “I’m beyond proud of you, Nolan. I hope you know that.”

My eyebrows rise. I start to say thank you, but she stops me. “You were always such a free spirit growing up. I worried endlessly about you finding the right path. You had so many interests that I wasn’t sure where you would end up. I just knew that once you did find your place, you’d be phenomenal at it. I never expected that it would be here, beside a woman who deserves the world. This is where you belong, with her and that little boy, who already hero worships you. Don’t let them go, and don’t stop fighting for her. I don’t think many have stuck around.”

She grabs several plates and takes them into the living room without another word. Their laughter is muffled by my mom’s words still buzzing in my head. I kind of always assumed Mom and Dad thought I was their less successful kid. I’m not in a fancy job like my siblings. I don’t save animals’ lives like Sara, or people’s lives like Carter. I also don’t have a fancy foundation that helps kids in need, like Adam and Matthew. I’m just boring old me with a regular job. I was plenty proud of myself for finding a career I loved, but knowing that my parents are proud of me gives me a sense of accomplishment I didn’t think I needed.

I take the rest of the plates into the living room, handing them out to everyone who wants some, and then plopping down next to Katie. Every couple of bites, I feed one to Katie, who happily shares the cake with me. I had a feeling she’d want some, despite saying no. I’m glad I got a big enough piece to share.

The rest of the night is spent laughing and drinking more than we probably should. My siblings start to trickle out, beginning the domino effect of everyone else leaving. I see my mom pull Katie to the side, and Katie’s surprise at whatever Mom is saying is obvious .

Then Katie goes to talk with Cody, whose eyes light up. He looks at my mom and nods his head with excitement. They head upstairs, and I go over to ask Mom what that was about.

“I offered to take Cody to our house for a sleepover tonight. We’d been planning to take Noah into Greensboro tomorrow to check out the new kids science museum they just opened, and I thought Cody might have fun, too.”

“That’s really nice of you, Mom. Thank you.”

“It’s no biggie. I figured you might want a little time alone together, and we were already going.”

“I’m ready!” Cody comes jogging toward us with his backpack bouncing.

“He has cash for both the entry ticket and food in his bag,” Katie says, following behind Cody.

Mom waves her off. “That’s not necessary. It was our idea.”

“Well, it’s there if you need it. I appreciate you taking him. We’ve been talking about going since it opened.” Katie turns to Cody. “Use your manners, and listen to Cindy and Steve, okay?”

Cody nods. “Promise.” He hugs Katie and then me.

“Thanks for helping me plan the party. Make sure to have fun tomorrow, too.”

Cody grins up at me. “I will.”

Mom and Dad lead Cody out to their car. Katie watches them like a hawk, her lip clamped between her teeth. “He’ll be okay, right?”

“More than. Mom and Dad will take great care of him.” I turn her back into the house, locking the door behind us.

She exhales a deep breath. “Right. I know. I just worry about him. He’s been dying to go to that museum. He’d have been so disappointed if I’d said no because I’m too much of a control freak.”

“You’re his mom, little dove. You want him to be safe. That doesn’t make you a control freak. But I promise, he’s safe with my parents.” I grab her hand and lead her back to the couch. “Let’s have a nightcap.”

“We should clean up.”

“ You’re not doing anything. I will clean up in the morning.” I fix us another cocktail to share and take it back over to her.

We soak in the silence for a bit while we both decompress from the party buzz. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close to my chest. She comes willingly, snuggling deeper into me.

“Thank you for planning this for me.”

“I was happy to do it. Cody and I had a blast decorating the house together.”

“You’ll have to help me plan Cody’s birthday next month.”

“I would be honored.” I kiss the top of her head. Katie lifts her head from my chest and kisses me deeply.

“You’re the best man I know, Nolan Ellis. I’m incredibly grateful to have you in my life.”

My eyes widen at her admission. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Katie straddles my lap and starts to kiss me with vigor. Every nerve ending in my body begins to buzz. I groan into her mouth, my hands pulling at her hips to bring her closer to me.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” I say, moving my mouth down her neck. She tips her head to the side to give me better access. I take full advantage, sucking and nipping at her skin. She tastes better than any dessert I’ve ever had.

She moves away from me so suddenly, I lean forward, chasing after her. “What are you doing?”

Katie’s eyes turn into melted chocolate as she gives me a lusty smirk. “Saying thank you. ”

I tilt my head to the side, curious as to where this is going. Then she drops down to her knees. “Oh, fuck.”

Katie laughs, her hands going straight for the button on my pants. My cock gives a jerk with only the barest brush of her skin against me. I’m pretty sure it’s trying to punch its way out of my zipper in an effort to get closer to her as quickly as possible.

I lift my hips to help her get my pants below my ass. My shaking fingers work the buttons on my shirt until they’re undone and I can separate the material.

Katie’s mouth wraps around my head without any warning. “Fuuuuuck.” I thrust my hips up, making her gag. It doesn’t stop her from moving up and down my shaft, sucking and licking with enthusiasm.

I’m going to die. Right here on this couch. It’s too fucking much. My fingers grip her silky hair to control her movements. I don’t want to come. Not true. I want to come more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I would just rather be balls deep inside her when I do.

I finally gather enough brain cells to pull her off me. Her lips are swollen, her eyes are watery, and I’ve never seen anything sexier in my entire life. I kiss her with a desperation I can’t hide. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Katie.

“Stand up,” I demand.

She does, wobbling a little on unsteady legs. I grab her hips to turn her back to me. The zipper of her dress slides down with ease, and Katie unclips the strap at the back of her neck. When she lets go, the dress flutters to the floor, revealing the black lace of her thong, which disappears between her cheeks.

I can’t help myself. I bite her luscious ass cheek, making her jump. “Nolan!”

“Sorry, little dove.” I press my face into her crack.

“No, you aren’t.”

“Not in the slightest.” I laugh. I pull down her underwear. They fall to the floor on top of her dress. With a tap on the inside of her leg, Katie moves her foot out from the pile of material, and I move the rest of it out of the way.

“Push the coffee table forward.” My voice has turned husky.

Katie leans forward to do as she’s told. Her pussy is right in my face, so I press my tongue to her slick skin. She gasps and jerks forward in surprise.

“Widen your legs.” I push on them to get her positioned where I want. “Now, touch your toes.”

“What?” The tremor in her voice tells me she’s both turned on by the request and embarrassed.

“Do as I say.” There’s no give in my voice right now. I need this more than I’ve ever needed anything.

She gives in, touching her toes like I asked. I groan at the display in front of me. “That’s my good fucking girl. Goddamn, your pussy is the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”

I grip the top of her thighs to keep her still as I shove my face directly into her dripping slit. I eat her out as if I’ll never be able to do it again. Katie’s moans spur me on, giving me directions without needing the words.

It only takes a minute before she’s coming harder than I’ve ever made her come before. I can’t even think straight anymore. I stand up behind her and shove my cock so deep into her pussy I have no idea where she ends and I begin.

“Nolan!” Katie cries out. Her knees start to wobble, so I wrap my arm around her waist to hold her up. It lifts her until she’s on her toes, completely at my mercy.

I continue to pound my cock into her. I’ve lost every ounce of control I had. It’s too good. She’s too good.

“Come on my cock, little dove. Right fucking now.” I suck my thumb into my mouth to cover it with saliva. Then I press it to the little star of her ass. I don’t push inside, just give her a little pressure, and Katie explodes around me .

Her pussy milks me for all I’m worth until I can barely stand on my own two feet.

I gently lower us to the floor so we don’t fall over.

“What the actual fuck was that?” Katie huffs.

I bark out a laugh. “I have no clue. Was I too rough? I lost all semblance of control.” I adjust our bodies so I can see her better. The movement makes my cum leak out of Katie, and panic hits. “Oh, shit, Katie. I didn’t use a condom. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I swear I’m clean. I got checked after Adam and Ellie’s wedding, and you’re the only one I’ve had sex with since then.”

Katie’s eyes soften into this gooey look she’s never given me before. “You haven’t had sex with anyone else besides me? Really?” Her question isn’t accusatory. It’s asked with surprise.

I lift up onto my elbow, unable to look her directly in her eyes. “Yeah, after the wedding, I sort of… got a little obsessed with you. No other woman could compare.”

“But… I was rude to you.”

“No, you weren’t. You were honest, and it made me realize that you were the realest woman I’d ever met. I knew that if I dated you, I’d get the real you. You wouldn’t pretend to be anyone other than yourself. That was the sexiest thing I could imagine having in a girlfriend.” I shrug, embarrassment filling my cheeks.

“I’m really glad you didn’t let me go after New Year’s.” She grabs me by the neck and pulls me down to kiss her. “I’m also clean and on birth control, so we should be good to go.”

“So… no more condoms?” I ask, hope and want very clear in my voice.

“No more condoms.”

I jump to my feet and reach down to sling Katie over my shoulder. She squeals with laughter as I race us back to her bedroom.

She smacks my ass. “Best birthday ever!”