He snorts. “Nah. I’m good.”
I huff a laugh, and then my voice grows serious.
“You okay today, Caleb?”
His smile fades, and he swallows roughly. “Yeah, man. Thanks. For the distraction.”
I nod and then lean forward, pressing a kiss to his temple before disappearing into the bathroom.
After showering and changing into my clothes, I head downstairs, wondering if I should feel embarrassed by how loud Caleb was last night, if anyone will say anything.
But no one brings it up. Instead, they’re focused on prepping for Thanksgiving.
Eventually, Caleb appears, his cheeks flushed, his gait slightly bowed as he heads out with Sem and Luke to the garage to work on one of their cars, leaving me alone with Aunt Del in the kitchen.
She hands me an apron, and I put it on, helping her make the pies. Pumpkin, apple, and a pecan.
“Did your mother teach you how to make these?” she asks, looking over at what I’m working on, admiring the latticework on the apple pie.
I huff a laugh. “Yeah, no.”
When she says nothing, I peer over at her, wishing I’d kept that comment to myself. It seems Caleb’s openness is rubbing off on me.
“My parents are…uninvolved. I learned this from a cook in the house growing up.”
“Oh.”
She blinks at me and then turns her gaze to the potatoes she’s peeling. She’s silent a moment, and then she moves toward me, wiping her hands on a towel. Her arms wrap around me, and she hugs me fiercely.
“I’m glad we have you now. We’re going to smother you with love, Whit.”
My eyes sting, and I nod, unable to speak. I’ve never been smothered with anything other than derision and disappointment.
What would it be like if I chose them? How much would I change after being loved like this long-term? Would I even recognize myself?
I turn my gaze away, unable to think of this. It’s too much. Far too scary.
Aunt Del is silent a moment and then adds, “And Caleb, that sweet boy, will love you with everything he has. If you’re brave enough to let him.”
I swallow and blink down at the pie.
Am I brave enough?
I don’t know if I ever have been.
“I’ll try,” I whisper.
“That’s all he needs.”
She pulls away, the two of us getting back to work. But her words ring in my mind throughout dinner.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Caleb can’t stop eating my pie, raving about each slice he stuffs into his mouth. He eats the same way he consumes my cock.
Loud and unabashed.
It makes me blush.