Completely Yours [COMPLETED, 18+]

Chapter 42

When the clock strikes midnight, Caden and I are lounging on his sofa watching re-runs of Friends. Even though I had a long day at work, the man insisted I come over and spend time with him. From the minute I had walked into the apartment, I could tell he was exhausted; it made me wonder why he didn't just take the evening to sleep off his fatigue.

Even though I'm his guest, Caden forces me to cook dinner for him. Initially, I resist his pleas; I don't feel like standing in the kitchen and cooking for an hour. Caden ends up guilt-tripping me into it.

"Whenever you need me, I always pick up the phone to help you or talk to you. And now the one time I need you, you won't help me. And it's not even a big thing. I just want dinner," he complains over-exaggeratedly, dropping his head down on the dinner table.

He's not wrong. Caden is surprisingly always there for me, so it's only fair that I make him a meal. I haven't gone for anything extravagant. We crack open a couple of cans of Dr. Pepper—Caden has somehow gotten me hooked on the drink I used to think tasted like medicine—and eat some chicken pasta. Afterwards, Caden passes out in a food coma. Right before he nods off, he makes me promise I won't leave, so I end up finishing the rest of my work at his place.

There are a couple of moments where I think to wake him up, but the man looks so peaceful that I leave him alone. Ultimately, I end up napping with him. Now that the two of us have slept the evening away, we are wide awake at 11PM without any drowsiness in sight.

"Hey, guess what?" Caden's voice is uncharacteristically cheery as he looks down at me.

I turn my head away from the TV, looking up into the man's bright blue eyes. I'm currently lying down on his thighs, comfortably splayed across the length of the sofa.

"Hay is for horses," I quip, grinning as mild irritation crossed his face.

"You are so stupid," he says, rolling his eyes before moving to flick my nose.

"You're stupid," I reply immediately, moving to sit up next to Caden. The man adjusts himself in his seat so he can throw the blanket in his lap over me, and then he begins talking.

"It's officially my birthday today," he announces, running a hand through his messy black hair.

I find myself taken aback by his handsomeness for a moment. No matter how much time I spend with him, I can never get used to how devastatingly sexy Caden always looks. It doesn't matter if he's only wearing a pair of sweatpants and an old black V-neck; he still looks sinful. I also have a feeling that Caden knows I prefer him with stubble because he's officially adopted a stubbly beard that only makes me more attracted to him.

When my mind finally processes what he's said, my eyes widen. "Oh my god, happy birthday! I can't—wait, are you lying?" I can't help but doubt the sincerity of his words, which only leads the man to laugh.

"No, I'm not lying. It really is my birthday."

"Well, happy birthday!" I exclaim, throwing my arms around him. The blanket falls from my lap as I wrap Caden in my arms. He chuckles at my enthusiasm, returning the hug. I can't help but grin when I tuck my head into his neck and smell the familiar scent of his cologne. Both of his arms feel surprisingly firm against me, and I'm momentarily taken aback by how fiercely he is hugging me.

Then Caden pulls away, and I take the opportunity to scold him. "Why didn't you tell me before? I didn't even get the chance to buy you a present!"

He simply shrugs. "I don't normally celebrate my birthday."

I frown at how matter-of-fact he sounds. Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday and celebrate the occasion. It's the one day of the year entirely dedicated to celebrating a loved one's existence. "Why not?" I ask, throwing my hair into a messy bun.