Carter's Savior

Twenty-Two

Sloan's POV

'Will you teach me how to cook one day?' Carter signed as he leaned against the kitchen counter. 

We woke up about an hour or two ago and lazed around all morning until our stomachs were screaming in protest. Carter and I talked and we decided that Rena and Danielle should come over again, but this time I be with him. So, they are currently on their way as we speak. Carter was again, wearing my clothes, and both of us wearing sweaters as the weather was getting colder. 

"You know you don't have to ask, right?" I smirked at him and he rolled his eyes. 

Carter stood up and walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. It was hard to wrap my head around this sometimes. That he was so open with me now. That he fully trusted me. I'm forever grateful. But there's this heavy fear that I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Things are so good, but something is going to come and ruin everything for us. 

But I of course don't tell him that. I don't want to put that worry on Carter and have him withdraw from me. I'd never want that. So I just push my fears deep down and hope that they are just that. Fears. 

'I like hugging you.' Carter signed against my chest, and I felt my cheeks warm up in delight. Loren purred in appreciation and I could feel that very strong feeling begin to erupt in my chest. 

"It's because I'm so big isn't it?" I teased him and Carter gently slapped my side and pulled away. Not before I saw the smile that sat happily on his face. Goddess, I love that smile.

'I want to try something.' Carter was looking at me full of determination and I stood watching confused. I had no idea what was going on but I wasn't going to stop and question him.

"S--ss--Sloan." His voice was raspy and thick, seeing as he hadn't used it much. But just my name on his lips was enough to make my heart burst with joy. I had this overwhelming need to grab him and pin him against the wall, but I needed to restrain myself. "Sloan." He said again, but this time much more sure and it held that Carter confidence I was used to.

"What are you doing?" My voice was as low as a whisper. Lust heavy in my throat. 

'I'm not scared to say your name.' He signed and a small smile sat across his face. 'When it comes to other words I still can't say them. And talking to anyone other than you is going to take some time. Or might not ever happen who knows? But all I do know is that I'm not scared to say your name.'

I thought I knew what happiness was. I thought I knew what love felt like. I thought I knew what feeling felt like. But fuck, I didn't know shit. Until now. Those words he uttered to me, were so sweet, so genuine, so real. To know that even in his need to protect himself, he still found me as a place where he doesn't need to. Because he knows I will. He knows I'll stand in the gap for him. And now his body knows. His body knows that I am here and will protect him. 

There is nothing greater than this.

'I don't know what to say.' I signed to him. I knew if I tried to speak my voice would fail me and my words would get caught. I was overcome with emotion and I hoped as I looked at him, he saw in my eyes just how much I meant it. 

'You don't have to say anything. I just want you to know...that you're special to me. That's all.' He looked away shyly as he signed but I found myself pushing off the counter and going toward him.

I grabbed his face in my hands and I smashed my lips to his. Part of me wanted to devour him, but I knew what Carter needed right now was something soft. Was something real that didn't lead to anything else.