Standing by the windows, I’m watching for Cane’s plane to land when Roxie strolls over to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. We watch in silence as the planes land on the runway. The anticipation is growing heavy around us. Waiting for him to finally get here is killing me.
With each plane that comes down the runway, my heart beats more and more furiously against my ribcage, increasing my level of anxiety. If I have to watch one more plane land without my baby getting off, I think I’m going to be sick.
Oh, thank God!
It finally lights up on the wall monitor; Cane’s plane has landed on schedule. I sprint to the doors with Roxie in tow. The love of my life is on the other side of those doors. We stand hand in hand waiting…I swear I’m probably cutting off the blood flow to her fingers.
A few moments later, I see hope at the end of my dark tunnel in the form of Cane’s baby blues. I scream with excitement and break into a full on run towards him. Dropping his bags, he reaches out and catches me as I jump into his arms. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I flutter kisses all over his face and lips wanting to savor this moment that I’ve waited twelve very long months for.
“Oh, my God, I missed you sooo much!” I say lunging at his lips for the perfect welcome home kiss, not giving him a second to try and speak. Relief washes over me as my tears fall at seeing him here safe and sound. My pent up anxiety starts seeping out of my body, leaving me relaxed.
Letting me down, I stand beside him while everyone else hugs him and welcomes him home. A few strangers stopped him to shake his hand, thanking him for his service. It makes my heart swell that so many people are so proud of my man. Seeing him in his uniform is so freakin’ sexy, but he’ll look even better naked in our bed with his uniform on the floor beside it.
Everyone made their way to our condo for a welcome home celebration. We live right on the beach, so the plan is to have a cook out on the grill and then water skiing and tubing.
Grabbing two beers from the fridge, I head outside and join everyone on our patio. Cane and his dad are hard at work grilling and catching up with Dalton and Matt. Sitting down next to Roxie at the outdoor table, I slide her beer over to her. “Here you go, chicka.”
“So are you excited to finally have Cane home?” She asks poking me with her elbow.
“Oh, my God yes! I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am right now. It feels like the last twelve’s months dragged on forever. I’m going to miss our slumber parties though.” Smiling at her, I take a long sip of my beer as I glance over at Cane by the grill. “I’m overjoyed and relieved he’s finally home. I just hope that everything he’s experienced over there hasn’t affected him too much; that he’s still the same Cane he was when he left.”
“He seems okay. I don’t even want to think about everything he’s witnessed over in Afghanistan. Just watching it on the news is horrible enough.” Wrapping her arm around my mid-section, Roxie rests her head against my shoulder. “No matter what girly, I’m here for you and Cane, Matt is too. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to text or call me…you got it?” She says in her dramatic Roxie way, jabbing me with her finger.
The rest of the day went by in a blink of an eye. Cane’s parents left after dinner, so we could all head out in the boat. We spent hours out on the water; I even got a little sunburn, but Cane promised to rub Aloe all over my body before bed. That perked me up. Everyone wanted us to go out to a new club that just opened, but Cane and I declined the offer. We haven’t been alone in so long; all I want to do is say goodbye to everyone, and crawl into bed with my amazing fiancé.
After everyone leaves we decide to shower. I need to wash all the sand and salt water out of my hair. Filling his hands with my shampoo, Cane goes straight to work, lathering it in my hair. Gently massaging my scalp with his strong fingers, a small moan escapes my mouth. Going a year without his touch has been the hardest thing of all. My vibrator takes the edge off, but it’s not the same as the real thing. Making love to the person you love, and connecting with them on that intimate level…nothing compares to it.
Pulling me under the water, he rinsed the shampoo out of my hair; I can’t help but melt under his touch. I spin around and watch as the water cascades down his toned and chiseled body, making the throbbing between my legs almost unbearable. Cane has been fit and muscular since the day I met him; he lived in the gym to stay in shape for basketball. But since he joined the army, he’s gotten even more toned and defined.
I travel my fingers along his arms, as I lean up on my toes to kiss his lips that still taste of salt water. Within seconds, Cane lifts me in the air, instructing me to wrap my legs around him. Pinning me against the wall of the shower, he cups my ass with both hands. Biting down on my bottom lip, Cane lets out a loud growl. “God Brittan, you don’t know how hard it’s been today, waiting patiently to finally be alone with you.”