Vow of Surrender

Chapter Twenty-Two

Caedance turned side to side in front of her laptop to show Sam what she was wearing. The two had been on the phone for an hour trying to find the perfect outfit, and she didn't feel any closer. It needed to be perfect. Not too slutty but eye-catching at the same time.

"Okay, what about this one?"

"Eh . . . that's too much like a church picnic," Sam said.

"Because you go to church picnics all the time!"

"Hey, you told me to be honest!"

Caedance sighed then shucked out of the dress. How was she supposed to find the perfect outfit that said "I'm sorry, please be mine for real" ?

She sifted through her closet a bit more. Most of her clothes were for work or nicer dresses for when she worked a wedding. She didn't want to look too formal but not too casual either.

"What about this one?"

"Yes! A thousand times yes!"

"It's not too much?"

"Definitely not. He's going to want to rip that off of you later tonight. If he doesn't, you should go for his older brother."

Caedance laughed. "Why would I do that?"

She went over to her vanity and sat down to do her makeup. Nothing too over the top, just a subtle nude smokey eye and some mascara. A pop of color to her cheeks would round off the look.

"It was a joke. But maybe you can send him my way instead?"

"Sam . . ."

"What? He sounds like a total daddy. And you said he's older right? You know I like them older. And he's a beast."

Caedance finished her eyebrows before replying. "If you want a beast, go for Koda."

"Eesh, too scary! I hear he has a secret dungeon in the woods where he lures unsuspecting women and chases them like a creepy horror movie monster."

"Samantha Bocharov! Are you kink shaming?"

"Ugh, sorry! But he's too much for me. I want a Daddy Dom not a Primal Dom."

"Well, good luck on your search. I want you to be happy and find someone who will adore you because you deserve it."

"So do you, love. I really hope Adam forgives you for . . . whatever it is he's upset about. And I'm glad you're finally dropping your wall and being open to love again."

Caedance finished with her makeup and sprayed her face with setting spray before standing in front of the computer for same. "Okay, how do I look?"

"Hot mamma! Call the fire department!"

She laughed at her crazy friend. Sam always knew how to hype her up.

"One more thing," Sam continued. "Lose the underwear."

"What! Are my lines that obvious?"

"No, it's for easy access. Duh! Once he's yours, you need to drag him to the car and consummate your relationship. No time for panties to get in the way."

Caedance's cheeks flushed at the thought. Though they only shared one night and one time in the shower, she couldn't forget what it felt like to be one with him. Like he was made for her. She wanted that again and again.

"Fine." She slipped out of the underwear and tossed them in her hamper.

"Good girl! Text me tonight! Gabby and I are going to Scorched Earth, so I'll be up late."

"Thanks for your help. Love you!"

Sam blew a kiss before ending the FaceTime call. Caedance spritzed some perfume before grabbing her purse and phone then walked out of the house.

Outside, she happened to notice a police car parked across the street. They promised to watch the house for a few days or until they found Lacey's ex just for safety measure and she appreciated it.

"Caedy?"

Caedance gasped, her heart thudding in her chest. She turned to see a dark silhouette coming her way. When he stepped into the light, she saw his face.

"Grandpa?"

He stopped fifteen feet away, looking her up and down. She suddenly wished she was wearing something more modest. Her grandfather, Running Bear was in the same thing he always wore--blue jeans, a checkered shirt, and his long hair had gone white. He had more wrinkles on his face than she remembered.

"Your Great Aunt Dyani mentioned she had you for dinner. That you were doing well. I . . . I had to see for myself."

"Oh."

She stared at the aged man before her. She hadn't seen him since her parents died. Her grandmother had come to the funeral but didn't speak with her. She knew why, but it still hurt.

"This was a mistake," he said. "I Shouldn't have come."

"WAIT! Grandpa . . . were you at the event center the other night? Were you watching me?"

He hesitated then nodded. "I wanted . . . I hear the business is thriving. Your mother dreamed of Starlight since she was a little girl."

Her eyes misted. "I Hope I did it justice. That I can keep her alive by keeping her dream alive."

"Hmph. Well, take care now."

She almost let him walk away, but she had so much to say and she didn't want to lose her chance. Perhaps they could move forward and rekindle their relationship. She missed her family, and they were all she had left of her parents.

"You and grandma should come for dinner," she continued. "Or I could bring dinner. Whichever works best."

"I don't know if that's a good idea."

"Has she really not forgiven me? Have you not forgiven me?"

He hung his head and walked away, giving her the answer she needed. In his mind, it was her fault her parents were dead. She had been messing around with Koda instead of celebrating their 40th anniversary. They'd called her about going out on the boat, and she'd missed the calls since her phone wasn't on her.

A freak storm caused them to crash the boat. It took four days of dragging the lake before they were found. Caedance blamed herself for the longest time since she should have been on the boat with them. And her grandparents felt the same way. It took years before she made peace with it. If she had been on that boat, she might have died with them. No one could have known about the storm.

Only Koda knew this secret, and her grandparents blamed both her and him since he was the one to distract her.

Rather than dwell on it, she got into her car and headed for the Rez. She had to shake off the memories and focus on her goal. Winning Adam's heart.