“God, Liv,” he groans right against my ear. "I missed this." His hands grip my hips, then he starts to move. He pulls back almost all the way and drives in again, deeper this time, and I groan as he continues pumping.
"Shit," I hiss, wrapping my legs tighter around his waist. “Don’t stop."
I'm lost, clenching around him as his mouth travels across my jaw and down my neck. I definitely didn't come over here for this but I know it's what I need right now. He's what I need.
"God, I couldn't stop thinking about you." Caleb's lips claim mine again in a scorching kiss while I claw at his sides, urging him deeper.
"I am so mad at you, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you either." I don't want to think about that right now. Right now, I want to feel the waves of orgasm rise and crest over me and seal me to this man who swears he can make my life right again.
"I swear I'm gonna fix it," he growls, slowing his pace a little. His thumb finds my center and presses into my clit. The jolt of pleasure is immediate, making my muscles clench around him.
The way he grinds upward against the rough bundle of nerves is intoxicating, making me desperate for more. I whimper and start rocking against him, panting, "Fuck… Yes…"
"God, you feel amazing." Caleb is pacing himself now. I can feel it in the way he slows and see it in the way he grits his teeth. But I'm not interested in drawing this out. I want release, and I want it to be so powerful, I forget my own name.
"Fuck me, right now. Make me come." I suck his lower lip into my mouth and bite down, and he obeys me. His thrusts get faster, and his control starts to slip. It's erratic and nasty and all I can think is how close I am to snapping.
"I'm gonna come," he grumbles, but I'm lost to the first wave.
My body seizes and starts convulsing in orgasm as ripples of sensation vibrate through my core and outward. The first hard contraction passes and leaves me jolting and only slightly aware of how his dick throbs and how hot my insides feel with his release. But Caleb glides in and out of me, pushing my climax to continue while I arch my head back and let him suck my pulse point.
Every pass over my G-spot is exquisite. Every hot breath across my sweaty chest is stimulating. And when he slows and stops, continuing to suck my neck and grope my breasts, I sigh.
"God, I'm such an idiot," I mumble, knowing what sort of messy mixed signal I've just sent him.
"The most beautiful idiot in the world." Caleb's warm baritone rumbles through me as I look at him with a scowl—maybe one of the first ones I've ever given him. I lift one eyebrow and he clears his throat. "Because you trusted me, and I'm almost as big of an asshole as your ex." He reaches up and pushes some hair out of my eyes, and my chest loosens up.
I sigh, resting my forehead against his as he tries to steal another kiss, which I allow. Then I say, "You're not an asshole… I just…" He's not. As much as my fear of what has happened and what might happen tries to convince me he is.
"I'm going to fix it, Olivia. I swear to you." I believe him when he says it, though I'm not sure how he's going to pull it off.
"Don't you dare break my heart again, Mr. Ward." I'm not ready to jump into anything, but I am ready to concede that maybe Caleb has been duped by Derek just as easily as I have, or Helen, or that CPS lady. And if the judge can see that faster than me, maybe this won’t be as bad as I fear.
22
CALEB
The coffee shop on Elm is almost empty when I walk in, just an older couple by the window sharing a muffin and a kid behind the counter who looks like he'd rather be somewhere else. I order a black coffee and carry it to a table in the back corner where I can spread out without anyone looking over my shoulder. I've made a to-do list, and today I'm knocking out a few calls I need to make.
I pull the list out and smooth it flat on the table next to my coffee. Helen's name is first, then Mrs. Finch at CPS. I take a sip and stare at the two numbers for a minute, going over in my head what I need from each of them and how to ask for it. Helen will be easy so I decide she comes first, which will give me a few more minutes to decide how to handle Mrs. Finch. I don't know how to bring up to a CPS worker that I need her to testify, but her voice will be the strongest during the trial.
I pick up my phone and call Helen at the boutique. She picks up and I immediately hear the register beeping in the background.
"Hello?" she mumbles, half distracted.
"Mrs. Jones, this is Caleb Ward. We spoke last week about Olivia Bennett. I'd like a moment to talk to you about something important." Coming clean to her was a tad embarrassing, but she seemed to understand immediately and wanted to help. I hope that can-do attitude she had is the same today.
"Caleb, hi. What's going on?"
"I need to ask you for something." I take a sip of my coffee and set it down. "Olivia has an emergency custody hearing coming up, and her attorney's going to need a formal written statement from you about those anonymous calls. Do you think you can manage that?" I stare out across the street, watching a man walk his dog around the corner as Helen says something to her customer and then returns to me.
"I'll have it done today," she says without hesitating. "Anything else I can do for you?"
I think for a second. We're up against a giant in this one, and maybe a personal reference to demonstrate Olivia's character may help. "Think you could write up a personal reference in that letter? Tell what you honestly think about Olivia and her capabilities?" I don't dare coach her what to say, but I think Helen understands what's at stake.
"I can do that too. I love that girl more than anything." I hear the smile through which she speaks and feel relieved that Olivia has this woman in her corner. "Her lawyer's name is David Kessler. He may reach out to you directly."
"Tell him I'll be ready." She pauses, and when she comes back she says, "Thank you for being in her corner. I know she probably appreciates that so much."
