He lowers his head and brushes his lips against mine so sweetly that my heart skips a beat.“Did that help?”
“Do it again so I can be sure.”
Laughing lightly, he kisses me again before saying, “Come on.I’m starving.”
I start collecting my things, tucking my laptop into my bag and gathering the scattered pens across my desk.“How’s your sister doing?”
Caleb’s face softens at the mention of Megan, and something in my chest squeezes tight.The way he loves his family is just...Well, it’s one of the many things about him that’s gotten under my skin.
“She’s moved back home,” he says, lowering his voice even though we’re the last ones left in our section.“Ethan and Jake filed a police report.The police picked up Tom and Candy last night.”
“Good.”I zip my bag closed.“I hope they throw the book at both of them."
Caleb nods, his jaw tightening momentarily.“Me, too.”
I hesitate, chewing on my lower lip.“Is she really okay, though?”
He sighs, pushing away from my desk as I stand up.“My sister’s a tough nut to crack.Megan doesn’t like showing fear.She’s always been good at holding it together.”A rueful smile crosses his face.“She’s a little reckless, but never like this.I have a feeling she actually liked Tom, and when he cheated on her, it hurt her pride.”
I muse over his words.“I don’t know.It didn’t feel that way to me.It seemed more like she was out for his blood.And Tom didn’t seem to want to be there.Candy was the one who looked like she was in charge.”
“Well, they’re both in lockup for assault, so it doesn’t matter now.”Caleb just looks relieved.“I want this chapter closed for Megan so she can focus on her studies and move on.”
I silently agree.“I like her.She’s very energetic.A little violent, but I respect that.”
Caleb snorts.“You would.”
We walk side by side toward the elevators, our steps falling into an easy rhythm.Our footsteps echo through the empty office as we head toward the elevators.
“So,” Caleb says as we wait, his voice casual—too casual.“Are you free tomorrow?”
I press the button for the doors.“Why?”
He shrugs, not quite meeting my eyes.“I thought we could go on a date.”The elevator doors slide open with a soft ping, but I don’t move, frozen in place.“Eve?”Caleb gestures towards the door, and I slowly step inside, my brain frantically processing his words.
“A date?”I say slowly, turning around to face the doors as he follows me in.We’re alone in the elevator, the doors closing behind us with a whisper.I’m suddenly hyperaware of how small the space is, how close he’s standing by my side.
Caleb reaches out and takes my hand in his.His palm is warm against mine, his fingers lacing through my own like they’ve found their home.“Yeah,” he says simply.
I’m silent, my heart pounding so hard I’m certain he can hear it.The elevator descends smoothly, floors ticking by on the digital display above the doors.And yet, I feel I can’t count, my mind in shambles.
“Are you asking me out, Wilder?”I finally ask, still staring at the doors.
He doesn’t look at me either, both of us just watching the doors.It almost feels like even he doesn’t have the nerve to meet my gaze.“Yeah, that’s what a date is.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face, but I try to hide it by looking down at our intertwined hands.“Why?Do you have a crush on me or something?”I’m teasing him, trying to regain some control over this situation—over the riot of butterflies currently staging a rebellion in my stomach.
In one smooth motion, Caleb turns to face me fully and tugs on my hand, bringing me around to stand in front of him.His free hand slides around my waist, and my breath catches in my throat.
“What if I do?”he murmurs, and then his mouth is on mine.
The kiss is gentle, achingly tender, and nothing like the fierce, passionate kisses we’ve shared before.This is Caleb staking a claim, and god help me, I want to be claimed.My free hand moves of its own accord, fingers threading through the soft hair at the nape of his neck as I kiss him back with equal intensity.
When we break apart, I’m breathing hard, and the look in his eyes makes heat flood through my entire body.“I should warn you,” I whisper, winding my arms around his neck, “I’m very high maintenance.”
“Is that right?”His hands tighten at my waist.
“Mm-hmm.I’ve got expensive tastes.”
