“Don’t worry about it. I’ll go out and you can change.”
A few minutes later, she was lying in bed, and he came in after a knock wearing nothing but his boxers. Immediately, her eyes peeled back to the ceiling to avoid staring at him like a horny lecher. She swallowed hard. His tall presence could befeltin that room with every slow step and every gentle breath.
Lifting the covers, the bed creaked as he slid in next to her.Rightup next to her. The warmth of his body graced her cool skin. His feet hung off a bit, and it was hilarious to him. “I think we’ve got a bit of aproblem here.”
She leaned her head up to look then laid back down chuckling. “I’m sorry.”
He heaved a loud groan and rolled over to face her. “It’s okay. I can do this.” He bent his knees, but they were still prodding into Evie’s legs.
She glanced at him. The moonlight bathed the softness of her face, casting dark shadows around her eyes. Her throat was bare and tempting to him.
She joked, “That’s probably not any better, is it?”
The air was hushed around them. He softly blinked before whispering, “It would be if you turned to face the wall.” He was trying to hint that he wanted to hold her from behind. When he first came into the house and hugged her, her body was pleasantly plush, and it made him realize how much he longed for that sensation again. How he could curl his fingers deeper and grasp her like hell.
Her throat clenched, and the sensation rolled downward to her chest, then her stomach, then her pelvis and then even deeper within. But that wasn’t what she wanted. She had thought about this man for over a year, and looking into his eyes she found some sort of solace she didn’t expect to find. That was the peace she longed for. So instead of doing what he asked, she turned to face him and tucked her knees enough into her stomach so that it gave him a little more leg room.
His brow quirked lightheartedly. “That’s literally the opposite of what I told you to do.” The room filled with soft giggles between them. When he was with her, he found himself smiling and laughing more than usual.
She was going to confess something that probably was dramatic and dumb, but it was in Evie’s spirit to be as affectionate and tender as possible, so she confessed it shamelessly, “But I want to see your face. You have such pretty eyes.”
He responded with a rolling drone from his stout chest, “I don’t know if I can do that.”
She laughed sweetly. “Do what?”
“Face you.”
“But why?”
A smile crossed his face. He spoke so softly, like a faint whisper barely heard, “Because with the way you look right now, I don’t know ifI can control myself.” He smelled her Armani perfume lingering softly in the room, her hair smelling like rosemary mint.
She reached out and cautiously touched his unshaven face, being cautious in case he had some serious boundaries. Immediately, her breath quickened while she stroked his jawline. The roughness pricked her palm wildly and perfectly. His masculine and rugged features drove her completely fucking insane. Then she trembled breathlessly and asked, “Why wait?”
The moon’s glow faded and within minutes the only light in her room was from the amber back porch light. The autumn rain came in soft patters against those windows causing black dripping shadows on their faces. It was cold that night, and his body was so warm in the bed.
Please at least kiss me,she thought.
“Evie,” he began regretfully, “I’m technically still married. I’ll hopefully be signing the divorce papers early next year, but…I’m sorry. I can’t.”
That could have been a deal breaker for some, but it wasn’t for her. Yes, her hormones were crushed, but even though Caleb was separated, he was still loyal and faithful enough to a marriage not to cheat on his legal wife.
Evie realized that without him even knowing it, he had prevented her from becoming something she didn’t want to be: a one-night stand or a mistress.
“I respect you so much for that. You’re a hell of a good man, Caleb.” Then she did as he had asked her before and rolled over to face the window.
He scooted up to her and placed his heavy arm around her waist and held her close. Their embrace was natural, warming, and soothing to them both. The protection he gave her at that moment was everything she needed and craved. It was difficult for her not to cry like an emotional Pisces right on the spot.
He let out a long sigh of relaxation as he felt the cushy warmth of her belly. The scent of her hair filled his senses with each breath, and the rain was lulling and steady.
You’re a hell of a good man, Caleb Wright.
Evie had never fallen asleep so fast since before her parents died.Usually, her mind was a never-ending to-do list of goals missed, impractical schedules trying to make up for the time her depression sucked from her and being alone always making her feel on edge. But within a few minutes with him, he had to lift his head to see if she really was already softly snoring. He smiled, because she was. Caleb laid his head back down and thought in the still of the night. The wind howled its bitter song outside. He never felt like closing his eyes. He didn’t want to. Within that moment, he succumbed to the pleasure of rest.
He let his mind wander, looking out at the dark trees that swayed.
Don’t get feelings for her.
Chapter Six
