“You know your sister has them wrapped around her little finger.” She reminds him of what I’ve already said.

“Yeah, yeah. But she’s my sister.” He reaches over and touches her head. Harlow giggles at the contact from her brother.

“How was your day, baby?” she asks, but instead of answering, I lean over and wait for her to lean in the rest of the way and give me her lips.

She gets the hint, her lips finding mine in a light kiss. Before I can take the kiss deeper, Z interrupts. “Ewww, get a room,” he complains, halting our kiss.

Kadence smiles against me, but I’m not about to let my eleven-year-old tell me what to do.

“Later,” Kadence whispers when I don’t move and my brows find my hairline.

“Yeah?” I ask as she sits back and buckles herself in. She looks up, a small blush finding her cheeks. If she’s saying what I think she is saying, then my straining cock is in for a fucking good surprise tonight. Last time I touched Kadence, hell, saw her fucking naked was when she was pregnant with Low. I close my eyes and try to keep my raging emotions in check.

“Let’s go, Dad. Come on,” Z says from the back seat, oblivious to what is happening in the front.

“Day was good. You have a good day with Holly?” I ignore Z and put the truck in reverse.

“I did, thank you, baby.” She rests her head back, moaning slightly. The sound going straight to my dick, excited at being woken from its hibernation. It’s been a long time, and hearing that sound come from her lips does things to my cock that I have no idea how to contain. It’s something Kadence and I need to talk about, just not right now. So instead of feeding her some line about her being relaxed and what her moan does to me, I take my family home, ready for an early night.

***

“She okay?” I look up from the TV when Kadence comes in from putting Harlow down later that night.

“Yeah, she’s asleep. Hopefully settled for the night.” She climbs into bed, pulling the blanket up to her waist.

I flick the show off, and roll over to face her.

“You okay?” I ask, needing to know where she’s at. She doesn’t like it when I ask too many times, so I check in with her at least once a week. Something that I won’t budge on. Even if she gives me attitude about it.

“I’m okay. Doing really good.” She smiles and I don’t doubt her for one second. I can see the truth reflected in her eyes.

“I love you.” I pull her closer to me.

“I love you, too.”

“I’ve missed you.” I move my lips down to hers and pray she doesn’t tense—something that has been a normal occurrence these last few months. She sinks into me and my body lets out a soft sigh. I move my lips from her mouth, slowly working down her neck.

“Hmm,” she murmurs as I lightly nip at her throat. Inside, I’m high fiving myself.  My cock strains in my boxers, standing to attention, ready for some affection. My hand moves to her stomach, finding an exposed piece of skin between her pajama top and bottoms. Her head rolls to the side as my mouth sucks a little harder. Fuck, this is what my body has been craving for so fucking long. Slowly, I slide my hand up her side, lost in the softness of her skin. It’s been too fuckin’ long, I hate that I can’t remember the feel of her tits in my hands. My thumb grazes the swell of her breast, but at my touch, she tenses.

“Is this okay?” My head comes up, praying she doesn’t pull away.

“Yeah, I think so.” She nods carefully, giving me the go-ahead. My heart is racing and my hands are shaking. I feel like a teenager, eager and fumbling. My hand moves back to her breast and on contact, she tenses again. Only this time my confidence takes a blow.

“I’m sorry. Don’t stop.” She sighs when I move off her.

“You’re not ready.” I try to keep the disappointment out of my voice, but I know I fail.

“I am. I want to so badly. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She shakes her head and I feel her frustration; my cock feels her frustration.

“I know things have been all over the place, Kadence, but I don’t want to push you. I miss you, and as much as I need to sink my cock inside you, I’m not gonna do it while you tense at my touch.”

“I miss you, too.” She sits up beside me. “I’m just nervous.”

“You don’t need to be nervous, baby. You have nothing to be worried about.”

“That’s okay for you to say, Nix. Your body hasn’t changed. I’m not the same person I was before Low and neither is my body.”

“No, Kadence. You’re not. And I wouldn’t expect you to be the same person after our year. But do you think that bothers me?”

“Come on, Nix. Don’t tell me you enjoy this Kadence? The one afraid of fucking up, of failing again.” She pulls the blankets up and I know I’ve lost her tonight.

“I’m not going to lie. Not being able to touch you, be with you, has been fuckin’ hard. I’m horny as fuck, but this is all about you. I’m followin’ your lead, baby. You tell me what you need. I’ll give it to you. I’ll be there for you.”

She looks apprehensive, as if the thought of being truthful will only make the situation worse.

“Always truth, baby. Tell me what you need.”

“Okay, I want to. I want that connection. I just need to be in control. I know what I’m asking is a big deal. Something that you might not be able to give me, but this is what I need. I don’t want to lose you, Nix, and I know I’m asking so much after everything we’ve been through, but please, don’t pull away.”