“Are you chicken, Candy-boy?” she teases.
“Fine. Are you going to bring the game when you come visit again, or do you want me to come to Kentucky?”
“You’d come to Kentucky?” she asks, clearly surprised.
“Damn straight,” I admit at once.
“I’d like that,” she responds softly.
“Then that’s what I’ll do. Does next weekend work?”
“Are you free?”
“Gorgeous, for you, I am always free. All I want, Isolde, is to make you happy,” I respond.
“Okay, stop being sweet,” she mutters, a sweet blush on her cheeks.
“Hell no, not where you’re involved.” I lean in to kiss her gently, and she meets me eagerly.
“Caleb?” she whispers, her warm breath sliding against my lips when we break slightly apart.
“Will you make love to me and make me forget that you’re leaving tomorrow?”
“What my Isolde wants, she gets,” I purr, taking her lips again. She wraps her legs around me as I lay her back down on the bed, intent make her feel exactly how much I want and need her.
She’s my everything.
16
THINGS THAT ACHE: SMILES, BALLS, AND HEARTS
CANDYMAN
I lay back on my bed, cell pressed to my ear. I haven’t pushed her to do a video call. Although I can admit that I truly want to see her gorgeous face. Still, I know that’s not her favorite form of conversation, so I let it go. I’m missing her like crazy. She’s back in Kentucky and I’m home—feeling very empty. I look around my room here at the club and the place I’ve always loved, and I suddenly hate it. I want my home to be with Izzy, and I know she’d hate being here. That’s something we will need to address, but that’s another thing I’m going to ignore, too. Izzy likes to run, and I can’t give her an opening.
“You’re quiet, baby. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Do you miss me, Caleb?” she asks, and I don’t think it’s my imagination that she sounds a little forlorn.
“So much I ache, Isolde.”
“I think that’s exactly how I feel,” she says so quietly that I have to strain to hear her.
I want to push my luck—yet once again, hold myself in check. “How was your day, gorgeous?”
“It was okay. My rotation at the hospital last night was exhausting—but mostly because I’m still worn out from traveling back.”
“I should hang up and let you go to sleep,” I respond, hating it, but wanting to make sure she rests up.
“In a bit. I don’t want to say goodbye yet, Candy-boy.”
That stupid nickname makes me smile. “Baby, I don’t want you to say goodbye ever.”
“You know, Caleb, for a man with such a bad rep, you’re kind of mushy,” she chuckles.
“You’re not going to believe me, but everything before you I’ve forgotten about, Isolde.”
“You’re right, I don’t believe it,” she cracks back, making me laugh.
