Bare Skin (Skin Deep 5)

My palms were sweaty. My heart was racing. And I felt sick to my stomach.

After the exhausting (but entirely worth it) morning I’d had, I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t be doing this. Not tonight.

But the opportunity had presented itself so perfectly, I couldn’t resist. It was time.

Which is why I was sitting in my car outside a place called Skin Deep.

Calland and I had both fallen back to sleep after he’d finally moved off of me to deal with the condom. He’d crawled back in, wrapped me up in his arms, and we’d both drifted off, sleeping peacefully…until seven when Kaden woke me up for the day.

I’d slipped out of bed, trying not wake up Calland, but he’d pulled me back and kissed me quickly. He hadn’t stayed in bed, then, either. He’d gotten up and started making some breakfast while I got Kaden changed.

He’d made scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage links while I fed Kade his breakfast, and had been finishing it up with a bottle when he brought it to me, sitting it down on the coffee table in front of me.

I’d grinned up at him, being a smart ass as I’d commented, “Aww, honey. You cooked!”

He’d given me a wry look and replied, “Don’t get used to it. This is about the extent of my culinary expertise. Unless you like ramen noodles, steak, hamburgers, or frozen pizza. Or something out of a can. Then we’re good.”

I’d looked at him in mock horror, making him laugh and almost spit out the forkful of eggs he’d just put in his mouth.

It’d been a nice morning, followed by a nice, relaxing afternoon, headed for a nice, comfortable evening. But then his dad had called and asked him to stop over and help him out with something. He’d said yes, of course, but I’d been shocked when he’d asked if he could take Kaden over there with him. He knew his mom would love to see him again, he’d explained, but he hadn’t asked if I’d wanted to go, too.

No, instead, he’d kissed me, telling me to enjoy a little me time. To relax, take a bubble bath...whatever I wanted to do. But then, in what I’d learned was true Calland fashion, he’d ended it by hinting that maybe he could find me naked in the tub when he got home, with waggling eyebrows and all.

Thinking about it made me feel guilty, especially because he’d barely pulled away from the parking lot before I’d been out the door myself.

I watched the windows of the tattoo shop, biting my lip nervously. I dipped a little lower in my seat as I saw Luke and Brandon both leaving, knowing that my time was about to run out. If I was going to do this, it had to be now.

So I waited until they left. And I took a fortifying breath before I opened my door, stepping out of the car. I wiped my palms on my jeans as I hurried towards the entrance, squeezing my eyes shut briefly, and then pulled the door open, stepping inside.

A bell rang.

A voice called out, telling me he’d be right out.

And suddenly I was face to face with him.

He froze, his smile fading as recognition flashed in his eyes.

“Danielle?” he whispered. I could hear the emotion clogging his throat.

He stepped towards me and that was all it took.

I ran to him, burying my face in his chest as he enfolded me in his arms, swaying side to side, holding me tighter and tighter.

I’d found him.