For the Love of Caden

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “I was worried, that it was too much—”

  “You’re worth it.” Kellan held Caden close to him. “Come on, let’s go inside.” Caden told him everything over breakfast, well most of it. There were some things he kept to himself for a later time. Kellan took it in stride and even told him he didn’t need to worry about anything.

  Kellan sat back, regarding Caden. “It sounds like a soap opera. I’m so sorry, about your mother.”

  “I used to watch them, soap operas, as an escape.” Caden smiled at Kellan rolling his eyes. “I did, it is part of the reason I moved to the states. I was tired of being months behind. But I found one I absolutely loved. They had a gay couple on it.” Caden sighed. “Unfortunately, one of them died.”

  “In real life?” Kellan looked at Caden in shock.

  “No, on the show; he was hit by a train.”

  “Well that sucks.” Kellan looked at Caden’s face. “Are you all right?”

  “I was very upset; the other gay man was left all alone.” Caden wiped his nose with a napkin. “I have stopped watching soap operas.”

  Kellan tried to be understanding, but a soap opera? “I have no idea what to say.”

  “I will make you watch it, you’ll see.”

  “You are going tomakeme watch it?” Kellan raised a brow.

  “I have it on DVD.” Caden smiled. “Please?”

  Kellan took Caden’s hand. “Okay, just…don’t tell anyone.” Kellan ran his thumb over the soft skin of Caden’s hand. “There is something I need to tell you though.”

  “Were you once a woman?” Caden smiled.

  “No,” Kellan laughed.

  “Then I do not care.” Caden looked over Kellan’s body: The tight white t-shirt showed every muscle on the man’s torso and the tight, faded jeans outlined his amazing thighs, not to mention the bulge in his pants. Caden licked his lips thinking about the size of Kellan’s dick.

  “Eight and a half inches.” Kellan winked, noticing where Caden’s eyes were.

  Caden’s eyes flew to Kellan’s face. “Ouch.”

  Kellan smiled. “I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

  “It has been,” Caden thought about it, when was the last time he’d had sex? “I can’t even remember the last time I had sex.”

  “Do you…have anything here?” Kellan smiled.

  “I have what we would need.” Caden looked at Kellan. “I am clean.”

  “So am I.” Kellan played with Caden’s fingers.

  Caden swallowed hard. “I would like to be with you, but there is no rush.”

  “Well,” Kellan stood up and put his hand out. “I plan on taking my time.”

  Caden put his hand out and was pulled into Kellan’s embrace. A hand was on his ass

  massaging his cheek as Kellan’s other hand caressed his face. As always, his heart hammered in his chest. The feel of soft lips covering his made Caden moan and then he was swept up into Kellan’s arms. He felt as if they floated down the hallway. He was gently lowered to the bed all while Kellan efficiently removed what little clothing he wore. Kellan had guessed where he kept his supplies and when he entered Caden’s body, it was as if he belonged there.

  There was hardly any pain as Kellan made love to him with slow, shallow thrusts, soft caresses and deep sensual kisses. They moved together and just when he thought he couldn’t hold back anymore Kellan would slow down; the thrusts became deep and the hand on his erection would ease back. Caden wrapped his arms around Kellan’s neck as he was picked up; he straddled Kellan and they moved together. Mouths fused as they moved and Kellan’s hands slid down his back to cup his ass. His orgasm rose up so fast he cried out, gripping Kellan so tightly he knew he’d leave bruises on the man. A warmth spread through him as Kellan’s orgasm entered him. Caden let his head fall back as Kellan kissed his neck, licking at his collarbone. Then he was lowered back onto the bed, Kellan still safely buried inside him.

  “Are you all right?” Kellan whispered softly.

  “It was wonderful,” Caden smiled as Kellan’s fingertips caressed his face.

  “I didn’t want to hurt you.” Kellan moved a stray strand of hair from Caden’s brow.

  “You didn’t, I was surprised.” Caden chuckled. “As big as you are, I thought you would rip me in half.”

  “I’m not that big.” Kellan smiled.

  Caden looked at his own penis. “Yes, you are.”

  Kellan looked between their bodies at the man’s penis. “I saw it, I felt it. It’s not small.”

  Caden closed his eyes. “I could stay here forever.” Caden let out a sated sigh. He could see spending the rest of his life with this man. It had taken him by surprise; his feelings for Kellan Brady were strong. He felt a strong arm pulling him in closer and the warmth from Kellan settled into him, lulling him to sleep.

  Kellan kissed Caden’s forehead. “Get some sleep, we have all weekend.” Kellan closed his eyes and lie back on the pillow. The soft sound of Caden’s heartbeat drifted into his ears and he smiled. He could hear everything. He’d wanted to mark his mate; he’d have to control his lupine side around Caden. The man was just that, a man. And he needed to stay that way; a lot of werewolves had human mates. He could do it, too.

  “You’re mine, Caden Fournier.” Kellan whispered. “I am all yours, Kellan Brady.” Caden mumbled. Kellan smiled.

  ~~Chapter Six~~ From that weekend on, Kellan and Caden were inseparable. They dealt with the camera crews and the media in their faces. After a month, things calmed down and Kellan was just ‘the paramedic’ Caden Fournier was dating. They dined together, went to the beach, football games and shopped at Pikes Place Market together. They spent every waking moment together whenever they could. Kellan spent most nights at Caden’s; his Raptor was getting some mileage finally. He was recognized on the job now, which was comical sometimes. He didn’t get as many women trying to hook him up for one. After all, he was dating a billionaire.

  The first weekend Caden had gone out of town on business, Kellan went to Cougar Mountain with Scott and Jude for a run. They ran through the forest playing and chasing the wildlife. It had been too long since he’d run full out in wolf form. He wanted to tell Caden the truth,neededto tell him. He wanted Caden to know everything; they weren’t whole unless the truth was out. They were back by the cars getting dressed when Scott looked at him.

  “I know what you’re thinking.” Scott smiled. “I want him to know.” Kellan sighed. “What if he freaks out?”

  “He’s your mate Kel; it sounds like he’s in love with you.” Jude pulled his pants up.

  “You think so?” Kellan pulled his shirt on.

  “Are you serious?” Scott leaned against the truck. “Have you seen some of the photos of the two of you?” Scott shook his head, chuckling. “The way he looks at you says it all Kellan.”

  “Yeah?” Kellan knew he was blushing. After a month with Caden he was already in love with him. He wanted to scream it from the top of the Space Needle. “I’m in love with him.”

  “No way!” Jude laughed. “I couldn’t tell.”

  “Shut up.” Kellan grumbled smiling. He suddenly felt eyes on him and stiffened. “Do you feel that?”

  “I did,” Scott looked around. “Are we paranoid?”

  “Not sure.” Jude looked towards the forest. “We should go anyway, though. We’re on in two hours.”

  Kellan opened the truck door and looked around the forest. He didn’t smell anything and the feeling of being watched had eased. He shrugged his shoulders and got into the truck. He grabbed his phone and saw he had a text from Caden.

  Miss you!

  He smiled and sent one back.

  Miss you too!

  Kellan smiled, putting the phone on the seat; he backed out of the parking lot and pulled behind Scott’s Ford F-250. They’d be at work in two hours and after that he’d see Caden again. The thought made him smile.

  ~~ Caden was in a hurry to leave the office. He’d missed Kellan so much his heart was
aching for the feel of the man’s hands on his body. Due to their schedules, they’d only been able to make love a handful of times. Caden sighed; he couldn’t bring himself to make love to Kellan. It’d been so long since he’d been with a man he didn’t think he could do the man justice. He knew he was being stupid but he couldn’t help it. Kellan hadn’t complained, he didn’t mind being the top and Caden had no problem being a bottom. He looked in the mirror and scowled at himself.

  “Chicken.” Caden left the bathroom and stopped. Sitting in front of his desk was a man.

  “Can I help you?” Caden was shocked when the man turned around with a wide smile.

  “Hello, Caden.”

  “Carson Drake? What the hell are you doing here?” Caden walked to his desk. “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “No?” Carson smiled and leaned forward. He put a DVD player on the desk and hit ‘play’. “Pay attention Caden, I wouldn’t want you to miss any of this.” Carson sat back and crossed his arms.

  Caden watched the video. It was of Kellan, Jude and Scott; it looked like they were in the forest. Kellan started taking his clothes off as did the other two. Caden watched as Kellan closed his eyes and then something happened. Caden’s mouth dropped open as Kellan changed into a wolf right in front of his eyes. “What…?”

  Carson smiled demonically. “Your boyfriend is a werewolf Caden. Guess he didn’t tell you, did he?”

  Caden sat down in his chair, mouth agape. Kellan was a werewolf? Why didn’t he tell him? Caden closed his eyes. He knew why. He would never have believed it. It dawned on him what Carson Drake wanted and he opened his eyes.

  “How much to keep you quiet, Carson?” Caden pulled his checkbook out.

  “Well, well, Caden. I guess I’m not surprised you took it so well. That just convinces me you are in love with Kellan.”

  “Don’t you dare hurt him.” Caden stood up and leaned over the desk.

  “Oh, trust me this isn’t about hurting Kellan, it’s about hurting you, Caden. I don’t want your money.”

  “Then what do you want?”

  “It’s very simple Caden; break it off with Kellan Brady. You are never to see him again or I take this tape and distribute it to every news channel in Washington State.”

  “They would never believe you, it’s a trick of the camera.” Caden balled his fists.

  “Maybe,” Carson sat forward. “But one medical checkup and they’d know for sure.”

  Caden slumped in his chair. “Why?”

  “You ruined any chance I had of ever making a living, Caden. When you turned me down no one would work with me. I look at this as a fitting punishment for you; you’ll spend the rest of your life knowing you broke Kellan’s heart and you can never have him.” Carson rose from the chair and smiled. “You can keep that copy, I have plenty more.”

  Caden waited until the door shut behind Carson and covered his face with his hands. How could he possibly give up Kellan? He was in love with the man and he didn’t care what he was. But if he didn’t, Kellan would be exposed, followed by cameras at every turn and if they did take his blood they would run tests on him, maybe even cage him. Caden sighed in frustration. He looked out the window of his office, his throat was closing up and he knew he was crying. The wetness ran down his cheeks and landed on the window sill. How could he walk away? Caden closed his eyes, he had no choice. He walked back to his desk and picked up the phone.

  “This is Mr. Fournier; please have the jet fueled and ready to go.” Caden hung up the phone and heard a soft knocking at his door. “Come in.”

  Evangeline walked in holding a folder in her hands. By the look on her face, Caden knew what she had to say. It was just more bad news on top of what he’d already have to do.

  “Caden…” Evangeline tried to smile.

  “I’m leaving for a while; please alert me to anything of importance.” Caden grabbed his jacket.

  “Are you leaving with Kellan?” Evangeline looked at her boss. “Caden?”

  “No, I will be going alone.” Caden grabbed his briefcase.

  “You shouldn’t be alone.” Evangeline grabbed his hand. “At least let me come with you.”

  “I will call,” Caden kissed her cheek. “Watch out for Kellan, please.”

  “Did you two break up?”

  Caden stopped at the door. “I’m bored; you know how I can get Evangeline. The relationship ran its course.”

  “Bullshit.” Evangeline crossed her arms. “You didn’t tell him and now you’re running. Don’t you think he deserves to know? Let him make his own decision.”

  “I shall call you when I am settled.” Caden looked over his shoulder. “I trust you to keep quiet.”

  Evangeline watched the door shut and sighed. “Stubborn ass.”

  ~~ Two days. It’d been two days since he’d heard from Caden. He’d called his office, his home, his cell, nothing. Evangeline didn’t even know where he’d gone. He left on his jet and didn’t even file a flight plan. He’d just left. Kellan felt empty. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat. He stared out the window of his apartment at the falling rain. The door opened and Scott and Jude walked in with the mail.

  “There’s a letter here for you.” Scott handed it to Kellan. “It’s from Caden.”

  Kellan looked at the letter on the table. He picked it up and opened it, his eyes taking in every word. It was handwritten.

  Kellan, As much fun as we had, we both know we are from two different worlds. I hope you can find true love someday, and that they will appreciate you in a way I could not.

  Caden. Kellan sat back in the chair and dropped the letter on the table, the pain in his chest making it difficult for him to breathe. He couldn’t believe it; this was how it was ending? Caden was his mate, as far as he knew no mate had ever walked away. He didn’t even tell him he was a werewolf and it was over; he put his head on the table and breathed in deep. He felt a hand on his back.

  “I’m sorry, Kellan.” Scott rubbed his brother’s back. “I don’t understand it.” Jude shook his head. “I’m not buying it, that guy is head over heels in love with you.”

  Kellan wiped his eyes and stood up. “I’m going to my room.”

  Scott watched as Kellan walked slowly to his room, closing the door behind him. He looked at Jude with a brow arched. “Something is fucked up about this.”

  “Where do we start?” Jude picked up his cell phone.

  “Grab the address book,” Scott grabbed his own cell phone. “We have a lot of work to do.”

  ~~ Caden walked along the beach feeling the ocean air across his face. The sun was out for once, not a cloud in the sky - a very rare occurrence in the South of France. He’d come home, and it felt empty without Kellan. His toes sank into the sand and a feeling of peace swept over him. His childhood home loomed behind him in the distance; he’d purchased it a few years back hoping to make new memories in it, now it was filled with sadness. He wanted to bring Kellan here, fill it with new memories. He tipped his face up to the sun and felt it warming his skin. His hands reached out to the side and a gust of wind swept across his body. He could almost feel Kellan’s hands on him.

  Putting his shoes on, he started walking toward the cemetery. Flowers lined the walls and lavender was all around. The town of Vitrolles had been stuck in time when he’d been a child, now it was more modernized and had lost some of its allure. It was still beautiful however, and Caden came home as much as he could. The cemetery was empty as Caden walked along the path; he sat down at the bench and looked at all the tombstones of loved ones gone.

  “Caden?” Caden turned to see Claire Charmaigne. She owned the bakery in town and they had been childhood friends before Caden was shipped off to boarding school. He’d kept in touch however, and knew her husband had passed away last year of cancer.

  “Hello, Claire.” “I did not expect you so early in the season, what brings you to town?” Claire sat on the bench.

  “Missed home.” Caden tried to smile.

>   “You are full of shit, no?” Claire smiled.

  Caden’s eyes went wide and he feigned shock. “Claire! Such language.”

  “You should know, you taught me all the bad English words.” Claire winked.

  Caden noticed the bag in her hands and could smell fresh croissants. “Are you going to share?”

  Claire smiled and pulled the warm, flaky pastry out. “Now, tell me why you are looking so sad.”

  Caden told her everything, well everything he could without exposing Kellan. Claire listened, her face going from a smile to a frown when Caden told her he’d left Kellan in Seattle. Without the whole story she couldn’t know the sacrifice he’d made for the man he loved. Caden sighed and looked at the half eaten croissant in his hand.

  “I could not stay.”

  “That is a load ofmerde.” Claire looked at him. “You did not even give him the chance - you were afraid he would leave you, so you left first.”

  “It’s not that simple.” Caden sighed in frustration.

  “Do you love this man?” Claire took a bite of her croissant.

  “I do, very much. I have never loved anyone as I do him.” Caden looked at the sky. “It does not seem fair, why choose for me to find love now?”

  “It is better than to have never found it at all.” Claire gave him a sad smile. “I do not regret one day I spent with Giles. If I had known he was going to die would I change anything? I think not, the time we spent together was worth it.” Claire took Caden’s hand and smiled at him. “You must do what makes you happy, and this man, he loves you.”

  “I don’t know that, he’s never said it.”

  “Sometimes,” Claire palmed his face. “Words are not needed.”

  Caden smiled and took her hand. “And how are you? Everything is going well with the bakery? I see you expanded.”

  “Oui,” Claire smiled. “That would not have anything to do with you purchasing the buildings and selling them to us cheaper would it?”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Caden smiled.

  “You are an extraordinary man Caden Fournier. You are nothing like your father and you have proven it throughout the years. The people of this town know what you have done, even though you have tried to stay anonymous.” Claire looked up at the sky. “You have left your mark in the world.”