I haven’t kissed anyone but Derek in ten years, and I feel awkward and out of my comfort zone, but when Caleb reaches over and pulls me toward him, I melt. The fire between us is electric, warming my whole body in seconds until I'm clutching his shirt, leaning into the heat.
The kissing escalates quickly, and I lose myself in it. Caleb’s hand slides from my cheek to the back of my neck, pulling me closer as his other palm finds my waist, fingers pressing into the soft curve there. A low rumble escapes his throat and it makes heat rush through me like wildfire. My body responds before my mind can catch up. I push closer to him, my hands fisting tighter in his shirt. The muscle under his shirt is hard and solid.
His touch grows bolder. Those strong, callused fingers drift under the hem of my shirt, brushing bare skin at my lower back. The warmth of his palm makes me shudder and I gasp softly against his mouth when his hand slides higher, tracing my spine. It’s been so long since anyone touched me like this—like I’m wanted, like I’m desirable.
Caleb shifts on the bench, pulling me until I’m nearly in his lap. One of his hands cups my hip, guiding me closer, while the other trails up my side, grazing just beneath my ribs. My breath hitches when his fingers brush the underside of my breast outside of my bra. I should feel embarrassed by how quickly my body reacts, but instead I arch into him, craving more. It's insane how badly I want him.
His lips leave mine to trail hot kisses along my jaw and down my neck, and I tilt my head to give him better access. Suddenly, all my inhibitions are gone. We went from light talking to making out in a heartbeat and my body is telling me I want more. I don’t want this to stop with just kissing.
“Is this okay?” he murmurs against my skin. His hand squeezes my hip possessively, pulling me flush against him. I can feel how much he wants me. The hard evidence drags along my inner thigh as I wind up straddling him.
"Mmm, yes," I sigh, and it makes my head swim. Am I really doing this?
My own hands explore his chest, shoulders, the strong line of his neck. Everything about him feels solid, safe, and dangerously exciting all at once.
He pulls back just enough to look at me, eyes dark and intense under the moonlight. His thumb brushes my swollen lower lip. “Olivia…” he says quietly, almost restrained, “we should go inside.”
My heart pounds so hard I can barely think. Part of me wants to say yes immediately, but the other part—the cautious, wounded part—hesitates for just a second. Getting involved like this is risky, not just for my scared, broken heart, but for my son. And Derek already doesn’t like the idea of a tattooed neighbor. What would he say if he knew I slept with Caleb too?
Still, the pull between us is undeniable. I nod, barely trusting my voice. “Okay.”
This time, there’s more urgency, like the decision to go inside has unlocked something in him. He stands, pulling me up with him without breaking the kiss. My legs feel shaky as we stumbleacross the patio together, mouths still fused, hands grasping whatever we can reach.
We barely make it through the back door without falling. I fumble with the handle behind me to open the door, and it clicks shut just as Caleb presses me against the wall in the hallway. A soft laugh escapes me at how clumsy and desperate we both are, but it melts into a moan when his hips roll against mine, reminding me of how rock-hard he is.
Then his hands are everywhere—my waist, my ribs, the sides of my neck—as we move blindly down the short hallway. I tug at his shirt, needing to feel more of him. We turn the corner too fast and bump into the edge of the console table, knocking a picture frame crooked, and I'm nervous we'll wake Ethan.
“In here,” I breathe, guiding him the last few steps toward the small downstairs powder room. The moment the door shuts behind us, his mouth claims mine again while his hands slide under my shirt. In one smooth motion, he tugs it up and over my head. Cool air kisses my skin as the fabric drops to the floor. I feel exposed, vulnerable, but the way his eyes darken as they rake over me chases away any instinct to cover myself. His palms are warm and slightly rough as they settle on my bare waist, thumbs stroking over my stomach.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs as he leans in, kissing along my collarbone, then lower, his stubble grazing my skin and sending sparks through me. I'm grateful for the nightlight that lets me see him but too scared to turn on the full overhead light and blind us both in such an intense moment.
My fingers tremble with nerves and excitement as I reach for his belt. I work the metal buckle open slowly, hyper-aware of every small sound, terrified Ethan will wake up. But Caleb’s breathcatches when my knuckles brush against his lower stomach and he kisses me harder, like he’s trying to hold himself back and failing.
I can’t believe this is happening. Part of me still feels like I’m watching from outside my own body—the lonely single mom who hasn’t been touched in years, now standing in her tiny powder room with this rugged, intense man half-undressed and wanting her. My heart's racing so fast, it feels like it might explode.
His hands glide up my back, and his fingers find the clasp of my bra just as I finish loosening his belt. The tension between us crackles like electricity.
His hands are all over me the second my bra hits the floor. Caleb pulls me hard against him, kissing me like he’s starving for it. I tug frantically at his T-shirt, desperate to feel his skin. He breaks the kiss just long enough to yank it over his head and toss it aside as my fingers immediately rake down his bare chest as we crash back together.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he growls against my mouth, hands gripping my waist. I moan softly as he palms my breasts, thumbs teasing my nipples until they’re tight and aching. Then he bends his head and draws one into his mouth, sucking firmly. The heat of his tongue makes my head fall back against the wall.
“Christ…” I breathe, threading my fingers through his hair and holding him there. He groans and switches to the other side, sucking harder while his hands slide down to my ass, squeezing possessively.
I reach between us and finish undoing his jeans, shoving them down his hips along with his boxers. Then he pulls back justenough to yank his T-shirt over his head and toss it onto the growing pile of clothes. The sight of his fully bare chest makes my stomach flip. I run my hands over his warm skin, feeling every ridge of muscle while he works on what’s left of my clothes.
His fingers hook into the waistband of my jeans and panties. In one rough tug, he yanks them down over my hips. I wiggle and step out of them quickly, kicking the fabric aside.
Caleb growls like a feral animal and pulls me against his body, hands roaming freely over my back, my ass, and my sides. “Fuck, Olivia,” he mumbles hotly against my neck, kissing and nipping as he presses his hard body into mine. “I bet you feel incredible."
I kiss him back just as hungrily, my hands sliding over his shoulders and down his chest, loving his heat and strength as he grips my hips and lifts me easily, setting me on the edge of the bathroom counter. The cool surface against my bare skin makes me shiver as he steps between my legs, spreading them wider. His mouth finds mine again in a deep, heated kiss while one hand slides down my stomach and between my thighs.
I moan softly into his mouth as his fingers glide over me, teasing at first, then pressing more firmly. He finds the right spot quickly and starts rubbing slow, perfect circles. I let my head fall back against the mirror and bite my lip hard, trying desperately to stay quiet. If Ethan were to walk in on us, imagine how Derek would use that? I can’t afford any heat from this, but God, do I want him.
“Shh,” he whispers against my neck, “I’ve got you. Just feel it.”
Two of his fingers slide inside me, curling gently while his thumb keeps working my clit. The pleasure builds quickly and I clutch his shoulders, digging my nails into his skin as my hips rockagainst his hand. He swallows my whimpers and his free hand cups the back of my neck to hold me close.
It feels so good, I can barely think. My thighs tremble around his waist as he strokes me deeper, and I bury my face in his neck to muffle the sounds I can’t hold back. The problem is he’s making me go so insane, I can’t control it. I want to scream and let it out, but I have to bite it back. It’s so intense.
