“Because…” Caleb hesitates. “Because I feel something for you. Something I’ve never felt before. I know it’s still early and we don’t know each other that well. But I don’t want you leaving Bliss. I want time to see where things go between us. If you don’t want to stay here until you find an apartment, I’m sure we can figure out another place in town. The B and B, or Enzo, his company has housing for clients…”
Hope sparks anew. “You want to see where things go?”
His gaze holds mine. “I do. There’s something special about you. I knew it from the first time I saw you on the road and you gave me attitude?—”
I swat his arm lightly. “I didn’t give you attitude. I was trying to rescue the dog. And you were slowing me down.”
Caleb’s lips twitch. “Then you asked me if I was a serial killer.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. “We were on a deserted road. In the dark. During a snowstorm. It wasn’t an unreasonable question.”
“No, it wasn’t.” He leans closer. “It wasn’t. But that you came right out and asked…” His mouth curves into a smile. “I liked it. I thought you were brave and funny and I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
The sparks of hope blossom into a fire. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you, either. In the car… I wished you were there. I didn’t know why. I just did.”
“Well.” His hand moves from my cheek to the back of my neck. “I’m here now.”
My heart flutters. And I lean closer still. “So am I.”
Now we’re just a whisper apart. So close I can see the faint scar on the bridge of his nose and the tiny freckle above his left eyebrow. Close enough to catch the scent of mint on his breath.
Close enough to see the need in his eyes.
“Tell me to stop,” Caleb says. His gaze burns into mine. “I don’t want to. But I will. Just say the word.”
But I don’t want him to stop.
“Don’t stop,” I whisper. “I want…”
His lips brush across mine. “You want what?”
My breath catches. “I want you to kiss me.”
“V.” His gaze moves across my face, like he’s memorizing me. “I want to kiss you, too.”
Then he does.
His mouth covers mine, first gentle and slow.
His tongue lightly traces the seam of my lips, but he doesn’t take it any further.
One hand stays at the nape of my neck, tunnelinginto my hair. The other comes to my back, pulling me against him.
Andoh, how it feels to be in his embrace.
His arms and chest are hard with muscle, but he’s achingly tender with me.
I can feel Caleb’s heart beating fast, thrumming in rhythm with mine.
He teases my mouth open to dip inside, tasting of cinnamon and maple with a hint of mint.
His tongue strokes mine, tangling with it.
My body ignites, burning hot at my core and spiraling out.
I’ve never wanted a man this much. Like I’d be willing to cast aside caution and risk it all to make love to him.
No, not love, It’s far too soon for that.
