21. Twenty-One

Twenty-One

Kendrick

The house feels almost too quiet as I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the soft blue dress Cassidy picked out for me. She left a neatly scribbled checklist for Cass and me to follow on our ‘official’ date night: ‘Hold hands, give flowers, kiss, and dance.’ She even added little heart doodles around each item as if she were orchestrating the most important event of her life. And, to be fair, she’s taken it more seriously than anything else lately.

Cassidy has been texting me reminders and encouragement from her friend Holly’s house all evening. ‘You have to do everything on the list, Mom! Don’t skip a single thing.’ Ending with a smiley face emoji and numerous hearts. I smile, smoothing down the fabric of the dress. Cassidy had insisted it was perfect for the occasion, and she’s right—the dress hugs me in all the right places and makes me feel a bit like the younger woman I was back when I met Cass.

A light knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts, and as I open it, I’m met with Cass standing there, holding a bouquet of white lilies and soft pink roses. The sight takes my breath away for a moment. Dressed in a casual but crisp shirt and dark slacks, he exudes that effortless charm that first drew me to him, softened by the warmth in his eyes.

“These are for you, per Cassidy’s instructions,” he says, a playful grin lighting up his face.

I laugh, taking the flowers and inhaling their scent. “She really did think of everything, didn’t she?”

He nods. “And I’ve got a feeling she’ll be checking in to make sure we’ve stuck to every part of her plan.”

I smile, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest. This is our first date in thirteen years, and I can’t help but feel a tinge of nervousness. An entire evening to ourselves made even more special by Cassidy’s careful planning.

We head out to the car, and as Cass opens the door for me, I feel like I’m stepping into a memory, one of those early days when everything was new and thrilling. Only now, there’s an added layer—a richness that comes with history and lessons learned.

“Checklist item one: hold hands.” Cass grins, taking my hand and letting his thumb trace slow circles over my knuckles, sending a shiver up my arm.

The drive to the restaurant is relaxed, filled with the hum of soft music and easy conversation. It’s as though the world around us fades away. I can already feel that magnetic pull toward Cass. It’s a connection that we’ve always had. When we arrive at the elegant restaurant Cassidy chose, which looks out over the ocean, the hostess gives us a polite smile and guides us to a private nook away from prying eyes.

Cass looks around, impressed. “Cassidy has impeccable taste,” he says, pulling my chair out for me.

“Or she knows how hard it is for you to be incognito,” I reply with a smirk. I can tell he’s relieved to be somewhere he won’t have to keep his head down the whole time.

As we settle into our seats, the restaurant’s romantic ambiance envelops us in warmth and intimacy. Soft lighting casts a warm glow over the elegant table settings, creating a private, intimate world just for us. The quiet hum of soft jazz from the corner of the room fills the air, adding to the romantic atmosphere Cassidy worked so hard to create.

Cass studies me over the top of his menu, a mischievous glint in his eye. “So, what’s next on the checklist?”

“Let’s see. Flowers, check,” I say, tapping the list Cassidy insisted I bring along. “Hold hands, check.” I look at the next item and laugh softly. “And...kiss.”

He raises an eyebrow, leaning across the table slightly. “I’m not one to disappoint a request from Cassidy.” There’s a tenderness in his expression as he says it, and as he leans in, my heart skips. It’s a gentle kiss, light but filled with a quiet passion. Cass gives me a heated look. “I hope there’s another kiss on that list for later,” he murmurs with a sexy wink.

The rest of the evening flows seamlessly. We laugh over shared memories and talk about Cassidy and her little quirks, and then Cass turns to me with a questioning look on his face.

“So, why did you decide on the name Kacey Cushman?” Cass asks me with genuine curiosity.

Smiling, I look over at him, arching my brow. “Do you remember when we watched that movie about the Carpenters? How they called each other by their initials. Karen Carpenter went by K.C. Well, I thought I’d go by my initials, K.C., and then it somehow morphed into Kacey,” I explain with a shrug.

“What about Cushman?”

“Oh, that is actually my real last name. Cash was the stage name my agent picked out for me.” I laugh softly at the stunned look on Cass’s face.

“How did I not know that?” He says, shaking his head.

Giving him a wistful smile, I murmur, “Back then, we had more important things to do than small talk.”

“In other words, we made love every chance we could,” He says with a smirk.

“I don’t remember ever complaining,” I admit, my cheeks turning pink.

“Why Jacksonville, Florida?” Cass questions.

Shrugging, “I grew up around here. I… I was fortunate enough to be able to afford a house in that neighborhood.”

Not wanting to reveal too much, I stop. Cass must sense I have more to say as he gives me a searching look. But I avoid his eyes, looking down at my hands.

“It couldn’t have been easy raising a child alone,” he says softly.

I nod. “It wasn’t. But we made do.” Forcing a smile, I change the subject, “But that’s all in the past. Let’s talk about the future.”

We sit back, savoring the last bites of our meal, but the evening feels far from over. He opens up about how his dreams and goals have changed. He even sheepishly mentions Pixie, “We’re friends. She’s actually nice once you get to know her–look beyond her pop image.”

As Cass continues to talk, I realize how much I’ve missed this—missed him—sharing our thoughts, talking, these quiet, intimate moments, and that makes tonight even more special.

Cass, ever the star, tops off my wine glass and holds his up in a toast, his eyes catching the dim glow of candlelight. “To second chances,” he says softly, his gaze steady on mine. The warmth in his voice wraps around me, and I lift my glass to meet his. Our hands brush, and the heated look in his eyes hold a promise–for later.

Cass’s hand finds mine, fingers intertwining. We linger, communicating more through our gaze than words ever could.

Cass glances at his watch, his lips curling into a sly smile. “The checklist didn’t specify ‘where’ we had to dance, so…shall we?”

The dimly lit dining room, with its intimate dance floor, sets the stage for our enchanting evening. As he pulls me into his embrace, the world fades away. His touch is electric, his gaze captivating. With each slow, deliberate step, our hearts beat in unison. Words unnecessary.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?” he murmurs, he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. A shiver of anticipation runs through me as I lean into him, our bodies moving as one. The music swells, carrying us into a world of pure enchantment. Lost in the moment, I surrender to the magic of his arms.

As the music softens, we linger, reluctant to break the spell. His hand, gentle and comforting, traces the curve of my back. He leans in, his breath warm against my cheek as he murmurs, “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have a second chance with you.”

My heart swells, the words tugging at emotions I’ve tried so hard to keep under control. “Cass… maybe fate just took us on a detour.”

He pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. “No more detours, Kendrick.” His voice is soft but filled with a raw intensity. “I want you–always.” His words hold a promise like this is the beginning of our forever.

We stay like that for a while, wrapped up in each other. When we return to our seats, the air feels charged with a new sensual energy.

We’re both ready to leave. Cass pays the check and then takes my hand, pressing a lingering kiss to the back of it as he leads me to the car.

As we drive home, I watch the lights blur past, feeling a rightness I haven’t felt in years. Cassidy may have planned the checklist, but this romantic evening out is exactly what we both needed.

Back at the house, Cass holds my hand as we approach the front door. The air is thick with an unspoken emotion, a moment hanging in the balance.

“Thank you,” I say softly, turning to face him. “For tonight. It was… nice.”

He reaches out, his hand gently brushing a stray hair from my face. “No, Kendrick. Thank you for the date.” His eyes gleam darkly, “Besides, the night isn’t over.” His voice is barely a whisper, but it holds a world of meaning.

Cass turns the key in the lock and holds the door open for me. We both walk into the house but don’t turn on any of the lights.

“Was there anything else on that list?” Cass asks in a husky murmur.

I turn with a coy look in my eyes. “No, but I don’t think Cassidy would mind if we repeated any of the to-do items.”

Cass gives me a heated look. “Hm… which should we repeat?” I feel his arms go around me as he firmly pulls me toward him. He lifts my chin and whispers softly against my lips, “The… kiss?” Without waiting for my nod, he gives me a kiss that curls my toes and gets all my girly parts tingling. When he lifts his head, a soft whimper escapes my lips.

He kisses me again. This time, the kiss is primal, awakening an urgent hunger in both of us. His hands reach down, cupping my ass as he pulls me firmly against him. Feeling his arousal, I grind helplessly against him. Wanting, needing him inside me, with an urgency that’s startling.

He turns, pushing me back against the front door as his hands find my waist, lifting me slightly. I feel him quickly strip off my panties and throw them over his shoulder with one hand. He anchors me in place with a rough thigh between my legs. As he holds me there, straddling his thigh, I help him unzip his pants. His eager cock springs free.

Lifting me further up the wall, he brings me roughly down until I’m impaled on his rock-hard shaft, filling me fully. A soft moan slips out at the sensation of having him inside me–so hard and stiff. Pausing, he looks into my eyes. I see his desire, and it matches my own. I’m the first to move as I rock my hips, needing more friction–needing him.

Cass responds instantly by gripping my ass cheeks in his broad hands and letting out a low growl. As he surges up, he pulls me down, slamming into me. He sets a grueling rhythm. It’s rough and wild and exactly what we both want and need. My seeking hands find his shoulders, and I hold on for dear life, not wanting to stop or slow the momentum.

At one point, my right hand finds a lock of his hair and pulls on it–hard. He responds by squeezing my ass even harder. I’m aware that his hard grip will leave a mark, but I don’t care as I urgently tug on his hair again. He increases the force of his thrusts, and we hear the sound of our weight as we thud against the closed door.

Neither of us has uttered a single word, but the intensity of our actions is enough. I feel a tremor, and suddenly, my body pulsates as I climax hard in his arms. A low keening sound slips from my lips. Cass suddenly stiffens, and giving a hoarse groan, he follows me, finding his own release.

Once it’s over, Cass slowly loosens his hands, allowing me to slide down the door. His grip steadies me until my wobbly legs can hold my weight. I lean into him as my harsh breathing slows.

“Damn, Kendrick. That was…” his voice trails off, not finding the words.

Lifting my head from his chest. “Intense?”

Cass gives a smug smile. “Yeah. Intense.”

Giving him a playful frown, I say, “I don’t think that was on the list.”

“Hell no. If that was on the list, I’d need to have a serious talk with our daughter,” Cass says with mock horror.

At my light laughter, he takes my hand and pulls me firmly up the stairs. “Come on,” he murmurs, “we need to get started.”

Giving him a confused look, I ask. “On what?”

Cass turns and gives me a wicked look. “Our own list.”