Soon their kiss gentled and became soft kisses of need, love, and adoration. Cade sprinkled gentle touches of his lips across every inch of Kresley’s face and throat. He was showing her love in the most unfiltered way. No huge displays of affection, no heated moves or stealth flirting. Just gentle brushes of his lips on her skin. But those small, butterfly touches showed her that he wanted her more than if he had kept kissing her roughly. Kresley loved both sides of Cade. His passionate, rough, alpha male side and also his soft, sweet, caring side. She was blessed to enjoy both.
“How long have you had this?”, Kresley asked, indicating the ring on her left hand. Cade turned his eyes away from her, a blush coming over his cheeks. “What? You can tell me anything.”
“I’ve visited the jewelers the day after our first date at my house. I knew that night when we had such a connection and you shared so much with me about your parents that you were meant for me. I was done. I knew you were the one.”
Kresley took his face into her hands and caressed his cheeks, his jaw and kissed him softly, tenderly, showing him every ounce of love she held in her heart for this man. “I know this is fast and some would say we’re crazy, but all I can think is that I’m so glad I found you sooner so I can love you longer.”
Cade pulled Kresley to his chest and they sat there like that for a long time, just holding each other tight. Finally, Cade shifted Kresley and stated, “Come on Red, we both know if you don’t contact your sisters soon, they’ll never let you forget it. Shall we do a group text? This one will probably be in the record books or something.” Kresley’s snort of laughter was music to Cade as they both grabbed their phones. He watched as Kresley took a photo of their hands entwined together, resting against his face. He tilted his head down, kissing her hand next to her new ring and held it there for a lingering kiss. He heard the camera noise and then smiled as Kresley typed out a message to her sisters and Grace, attaching the photo. He told her to add him to it as well as Boomer. Cade knew including Boomer in the chat was important. In more ways than one.
Group chat titled “Kres and Big Sexy Say I Do” with Cade, the Anderson sisters, Grace and Boomer.
Kresley: Well first of all, Cade and I made up. We talked and things are good. How good do you ask? We’ll let this photo speak a thousand words.
[photo of Cade and Kresley’s engagement ring sent]
Grace: OH MY GAH! Liar!
Kresley: Am not. Am I Cade?
Cade: Nope baby. Not even.
Unknown (Boomer): Wait. First, I have no clue who all these people are. Second, Cade when did you and Kres fight? I just saw y’all a few hours ago. Get it together man.
Birdie: Shut the front door! Congratulations you guys! You go from zero to hero in a heart beat Cade. Glad you got your balls back.
Birdie: So who is Mr./Mrs. Unknown number?
Unknown (Boomer): It’s me, Boomer. I need everyone to ID yourself so I can save you in my phone. If I’m going to be in a group chat like this one, I need to know who, what and when.
Birdie: This is Birdie. By all means save my number. Just don’t call me. I won’t answer. I’ll text you though. I’m GIF queen
Grace: I thought you had my number Boomer. This is Grace. And congratulations to Kres and Cade! It’s a beautiful ring……
Boomer: I have your number now Grace. Finally.
Francie: Woohoo! I’m so happy for you guys. Beautiful ring, Cade. Good job on picking that out. This is Francie, Boomer. Don’t abuse my number with sweet talk. Lol
Boomer: Ahhh, Francie, I can’t help but be sweet around YOU. Lol
Grace: Moving on. Stop flirting with law enforcement Francine!
Gertie: What? Wow, so excited to welcome you to the family Cade!
Kresley: Thanks everyone. Cade and I talked and understand where each of us was coming from now. And I discovered that he’s been planning to propose since the day after our first date at his house! Meant to be…
Cade: So, as I know all of you pretty well by now, I’m sure everyone has an opinion on wedding choices for us? I’m asking not because your opinion would sway what Kres ultimately wants, I just want to be entertained by incessant group texts for the next 3 hours as you argue. And go…!
∞∞∞
Cade was wrong. The group chat didn’t go on for three hours to discuss wedding plans and dates. It lasted two whole days of going back and forth! The sarcasm was flying left and right, with Francie being the winner of the debate by finally stating for everyone to shut up and let Cade and Kresley make their choice. When they did, then they would let everyone else know. She ended her paragraph rant with a “mind your own business”. God love Francie. Practical, pragmatic, loyal and funny as hell. Cade told Kresley that he was gaining the most amazing sisters, including Grace. He was a blessed man. Kresley just smiled at him and cuddled into his side, content that he included her tribe into his idea of happiness.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Excited for their engagement, Cade and Kresley continued on with their daily routines, which included hot love making. Cade was such a wonderful lover for Kresley. He instinctively knew where to touch her, where to kiss her to make her feel the most. It floored Kresley that he was going to be hers to roll around in bed with for the rest of her life. Sometimes she would look over at him as they watched a movie, him sitting next to her, eating popcorn, with her feet cradled in his lap, and had to pinch herself to
