When We Run (Mason Brothers Book #4)

Chapter 24

CADE

Working bar hours always messed with my system a little bit. Now that Damon and Fletch had little kids at home, Parker and I try to cover closing shifts. Normally, closing and not getting home until two or three in the morning wasn’t a huge deal. I’d fall asleep right when I got home and then crawl out of bed sometime around noon. The problem is by noon, Danica has already been up for hours and I hate sleeping while she’s awake. This new schedule is killing me, not that I’d admit it.

Anytime I fall asleep on my couch, it makes it even harder to sleep past seven or so when she wakes up. More and more though, I’m ending up in bed with Danica. I just can’t say no to her requests. We don’t start the night cuddling, we each fall asleep on our own sides. That doesn’t last all night, though. At some point throughout the night, she ends up curled against my side or her back pressed up against my front. The morning wood is becoming a growing problem. No pun intended.

I fell asleep next to her last night, but she wasn’t there and the bed was cold. My phone said eight-thirty, she’s probably been up for an hour or so. Normally, I hear her wake up and I follow closely after. I must have really been out of it today. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. The scent of coffee came from the kitchen, if I was going to miss out on a couple of hours of sleep, I would at least get some hot coffee.

Throwing on a pair of sweatpants, I walk into the kitchen, but there is no sign of her. I look around and notice that her tennis shoes and keys are gone. Good for her for getting up early to get in a run. I sat at the island drinking my coffee, waiting for her to return. A few minutes later the door opened and a sweaty Danica walks in the door with a huge smile on her face. “Hey there, sleepy head.”

“Oh, hush your mouth, stinky head.”

She threw her head back laughing, “Your insults are getting worse, Cade.”

I held up my cup, “Well, the coffee hasn’t set in yet, so you’re going to need to give me some time.”

She filled a glass with water and sat down next to me, “Do you have anything planned for the day? You’re off, right?”

“I needed to go in and do inventory, but that should only take a couple of hours, why?”

She started to fidget, “I was thinking maybe we could drive to one of the courthouses and...you know.”

“Say it, pumpkin, I want to hear those words roll off your tongue,” I teased her.

She swatted at my arm, “Stop! You’re making it awkward.”

“Say it, baby,” I poked at her side, “you have to say it or I won’t do it.”

“Never!”

“I’m just going to have to tickle it out of you then.”

I make a move for her, but she slips off the chair before I can get a grip on her sweaty arm. She’s off down the hallway and I’m right on her tail. I manage to put my arm up before she closes the door and push my way into the room. I grab her by the waist and she lets out a squeal as I tackle her onto the bed and dig my fingers into her side and start tickling.

“Stop...no...no...Cade!!! Ahhh!!!!!”

“Say it and I’ll stop. Tell me what you want and I’ll stop, Dans.”

I go back to tickling as she wiggles under me trying not to laugh and trying to put a frown on her face instead of the huge smile I know she actually wants to show. “No more!”

I stop tickling her and she takes a few deep breaths and we just stare at each other. Her huge brown eyes just looked into my soul. A grin spreads across her face, “Marry me, Cade.”