“So close,” I murmur, pressing my lips against Caleb’s chest and peppering kisses against his hot skin.
Caleb continues to speed up his movements, almost becoming frantic with his need to chase his release.My eyes slide closed and I dig my nails into the skin of Caleb’s back, dragging them down as my release explodes.
“Caleb!”I scream out in so much pleasure my entire body tingles and I can’t stop shaking as I tighten myself around him.
“Caliana!”Caleb growls out into my neck as he finds his own release.
Caleb’s entire body tightens as he stops moving while remaining buried deep inside my pussy.With my body wrapped around his, I feel every difference between us.Where I’m soft, he’s hard.Caleb’s all muscle and strength while I’m soft and gentle.His skin is tan while I’m pale.Our differences are numerous but we fit together perfectly.
I gently rub my hands up and down Caleb’s back as we lay wrapped around one another.His large body is on top of mine, but he’s holding just enough of his weight back that he’s not squishing me completely.Our breathing is slowly returning to normal and my heart is starting to become a normal, steady beat once again instead of beating out of my chest.When we can finally breathe and move again, Caleb lifts his body off of mine and I immediately miss the feel of him against me.He stands from the bed before lifting me in his arms and carrying me from the bedroom into the bathroom.Caleb never sets me down as he starts a bath in the giant tub Kreed had installed.He runs the water and adds the bubble bath I brought from home before climbing in with me still in his arms.
Once we’re in the tub, Caleb pulls my body back against his and wraps his arms around my chest.I let my hands rest on his arms, slowly sliding them up and down just to feel close to him.We don’t speak a word as the tub fills and I know once the morning light hits, one of us will be regretting what happened tonight.For now, we’re simply enjoying the moment and the peace surrounding us.The outside world is still hiding and we’re in our own world.When the tub is filled, Caleb grabs a cup and wets my hair.He massages the shampoo into my long length before carefully rinsing it out.After putting the conditioner in my hair, Caleb grabs a washcloth and squirts my body wash into it.He slowly washes my body as if he’s memorizing every inch of me.His fingers skim my skin and cause goosebumps to break out once again.
When he’s done rinsing me off completely, I turn in the tub and give him the same treatment he just gave me.I wash his hair and rinse the shampoo out before using my body wash to clean his body.If this is the last time I get to touch him, I want to memorize every part of him.Including all of the scars he gained from the military and the many battles he was in.I lean in and kiss a few of them on his chest before tracing them with my fingers.
By the time the water has cooled down, we’re both cleaned and have spent what feels like hours kissing and running our hands over one another.This isn’t about sex, it’s an intimacy I’ve never experienced before.A gentle exploration of the one you love as you learn every inch of them and what they like.Our touches are soft.Caleb’s skin is rough against mine as we continue to just be in this moment without fear or reservation.For the first time, not only do I feel completely loved, but I feel like I’m home and at peace.Nothing can touch me here to shatter this moment.Caleb finally gets us out of the tub and dries me off before wrapping a towel around his hips.He brushes out my long hair and lifts me back into his arms.Caleb lays me in bed and covers me up before removing his towel and putting a pair of sweatpants on.He lets me know he’s going to check on the kids and lock the house down before coming back to me.I nod my head as my eyes slide closed and sleep claims me with my heart full of love and memories I’ll keep with me forever.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Reckless
WAKING UP WITH Calianain my arms was the best way to wake up.I’ve dreamed of having her in my arms and being in bed with her for so many years and I finally got a taste of what it feels like.For minutes I did nothing but look at her as she laid with her head on my shoulder and her arm over my stomach.She’s beautiful when she’s awake but when she sleeps, Cali is an angel.I’m honestly surprised she was able to sleep since it’s been so hard for her to do for the last few days.Cali has so much going on in her life she can’t get her mind to shut off so she remains awake other than an hour or so.Then she’s up all day with Rory while waiting for Bryce to get home from school.Everything she does is to keep her awake so she doesn’t have to dream of the shit keeping her awake.It’s one thing for her to face her monsters while awake and something else completely to face them while she sleeps because she can’t fight them in her nightmares.Kreed and I have had to wake her up in the past when she has a nightmare and it takes forever to pull her free from the demons haunting her.
After giving myself a few minutes to simply savor the feeling of her body against mine and the feel of her soft skin, I climbed out of bed with her to leave.This is the only time I will ever allow myself to share what we did last night and this morning.I’ve betrayed one of my best friends in a way I’ll never be able to forgive myself.It’s even worse because we have a feeling Darren is alive.That means Cali is no longer a widow.She’s a married woman and we’ve cheated on her husband.Darren is going to be so fucking hurt because of what we did.I knew that going into things last night and still didn’t stop myself from being a selfish bastard and having what I’ve wanted for so long.Fuck!
Getting dressed, I quickly leave the house before the kids can see me.Luca is in the living room when I walk through and he just looks at me.
“Didn’t see a thing,” he whispers as I head for the front door.
“Appreciate that, Luca.You’re a good guy.Please take care of her today.I don’t know where her head will be and she’ll need the support.I don’t know if I’ll be back.Don’t tell her that,” I tell him, knowing Cali might end up in a bad head space if she overthinks what happened between the two of us.
“Got it, Reckless.If it gets too bad, I’ll call Link and let him know to come home,” he assures me, knowing I might not be able to come here and help Cali even though it’s all I want to do.
I don’t want to leave her right now.I’d rather be in bed with her until it’s time to get Bryce ready for school and to feed Rory her breakfast.I want to spend the day with her doing whatever is needed.Even if it’s just cleaning the house that’s already spotless.Darren’s words about her never being able to keep a clean house have truly taken a toll on Cali.Their house was never dirty.The only thing that was ever out were Bryce’s toys when he was playing with them.When he wasn’t, they were picked up and put in the box Cali kept them in.She cleaned every single day.Even if it was late at night when Bryce was in bed.My mom kept us updated on her when we were deployed.Cali did everything in the house on her own regardless of if Darren was home or not.She’s no different now and Kreed’s house doesn’t even look lived in.
If I had my way, I’d still be taking care of Cali.I’d make her breakfast and get the kids around for the day so she can sleep in.She wouldn’t have to lift a finger to do anything.I would take care of everything and let her get the rest she never has a chance to get.Cali is up early as hell and then goes to bed late at night.She does what she can during the day and finishes everything up at night once the kids are in bed for the night.The only time her day varies is if one of the kids is sick and then she’s busy taking care of them.Cali never puts herself first and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
