Save me.
Subtle glistening of sweat formed on his temples while her fingers ran through his hair, sending electrifying jitters down his spine. As the kissing grew in fervor, Caleb leaned his chest onto hers and pressed their bodies together in mounting pleasure. The bare skin of his chest was hot against hers, and everything about him felt heavy.
His cell phone rang in his jeans pocket with an Avril Lavigne song.
He stopped, and she paused. Evie’s eyes looked to the side as they were still in mid-kiss.
Caleb groaned and got up. “I’m sorry. That’s my daughter calling me.”
He got up and hurried to find his jeans before she rolled over and picked them up off the ottoman at the end of her bed. He thanked her and dug furiously to answer the call. “Hey baby girl! What’s up?” He turned his back to talk.
Evie finally caught her breath and had to practically peel herself up off the bed. She exhaled and wiped her face, fanning herself. She wrenched the window open a bit more. As he talked, she could easily tell he wasn’t talking to another adult woman, and even if he did, it wasn’t her business. That kiss and the last twelve hours of her life was the best thing she had ever had. Besides, he didn’t belong to her. He had a life outside of her, and she was damn certain she would respect that.
Yet what Pawpaw said came back to her, and so did what Sandy and Kelly said. Jealousy was an ugly, nasty thing. She shook her head out. How dare she even judge him like that to think he could be playing around with someone else? What the hell was she thinking? She had no right to butt into his business. It could have been his daughter, and it probably was. Thinking anything else would’ve made her no better than the catty broads at the salon. But she did listen.
The conversation mentioned something about horseback riding lessons needing to be moved to that day due to the instructor having to leave town early.
He hung up the phone and looked at her with sorrowful eyes.
She smirked and patted the bed to encourage him to sit. He did. “Don’t worry about it. It’s okay! I think it’s cute you have an Avril Lavigne song for your daughter. That’s so freaking cool that you’re not embarrassed of it.”
He let out a huff in a smile while looking down. “Oh, hell no. I’m a fan myself. Yeah. She’s only four, but I let my kids share a phone because their mom insists on them having one. So, Olivia got to choose the ringtone for the week.” He gave her that friendly little flirt nudge again. “I know you’re a fan as well with the videos you post. She’s coming in to concert next summer. If my divorce is finalized, we should go together.”
Evie brightly answered, “I would love that! I’ve never seen her in concert before.”
Caleb’s demeanor changed abruptly. “Hey, uh, listen. About all this…”
She patted his lap. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t tell anyone. I want you to trust me, and that’s the stupidest thing I could do right now.”
“Promise? Because I really can’t afford anymore fucking drama in my life. I really appreciate that.” He stood and began putting on his clothes. “For what it’s worth,” he began as he zipped up his jeans, “you’re a hell of a kisser.”
She smiled and stood to give him a hug. Then she fondly looked up into his eyes again. “You’re a hell of a man. But you know that already.”
However, the truth of it was that he actually didn’t know it. Not until he met her.
She asked, “Still want French toast?” She playfully shouldered him. “To go with that delicious French kiss?”
He chuckled and kissed her again. “You know it.”
After breakfast, Caleb put his shoes on, and she walked him out to his truck. His belly and heart felt full, even though his groin was screaming in heat and sensitivity. And it was no different for her. He had to leave to take his daughter to horseback lessons, and so she had no choice but to be okay with it. She really didn’twantto be any other way, for being any other way would have been completely selfish and cruel.
It was now softly misting.
At the driver’s door, Caleb looked to her. “You gonna be okay? I know last night was rough.”
She nodded. “I think after this morning, nothing can bring me down.”
He grinned. “I’m glad, Evie. I’d kiss you again if you didn’t have neighbors across the road.”
She shook her head lightly. “Don’t worry about it.”
He opened his door and as he climbed in, they let their eyes meet once more.
An eternity seemed to pass between them.
He smiled again. “Call me or text me if you need me.”
“I will,” she said. Then she winked. “Stud muffin.”
