There’s another long pause, and my nerves begin to fray. What if I’m wrong? What if, in spite of everything, love isn’t enough for us?
What if I’m not enough for him?
Oh God.
I pull back, humiliation crashing over me. “I see,” I mutter, tears already stinging in the corner of my eyes. “I get the message. Loud and clear.”
I whirl around and bolt for the exit, but before I can make it to the door, Caleb grabs my arm, pulling me back. He spins me back towards him, and before I even have a chance to process the desperate embrace, his lips are crashing down on mine in a wild, possessive kiss.
Oh!
The taste of his scotch hits my tongue, the flavor like coming home after a long trip away, and when his hand fists my hair, yanking me up to steal the air from my lungs, everything melts.
This is where I belong, right here.
Instinct propels me, my hands flying into his hair to grab the strands as if my life depends on it. Throwing myself into the kiss, ignoring the salt from my tears. We’re the only things that exist right now and when he pulls away, forcibly holding me against the wall as he takes in a deep breath, dragging my scent in through his nostrils, I know it.
We’re not over.
We won’t ever be over.
Relief washes through me like waves on the shore as he rests our heads together, his pupils blown wide with lust and desperation like I’ve never seen before.
“Why won’t you let me keep you safe?” he murmurs, hands already gripping my waist. “Why won’t you just do what you’re told?”
“Because you don’t want me to.” I reply, my heart singing as I cling to him. “Because we’re meant to be together.”
He laughs at that, shaking his head, a smile playing on his lips.
“You always were a stubborn woman.”
I grin back. “I thought you liked me that way.”
“I do.” His voice drops, and his gaze turns tender. “I love you this way.”
Love.
The word blooms in my chest, warming my whole body from the inside out.
He cups my chin and lifts it, stroking my cheek. “You’re mine.”
The floodgates open and pure happiness sweeps away the previous pain and fear as my head drops to rest on his shoulder. “Don’t you dare do this to me again,” I warn me. “No more pushing me away, trying to protect me. I swear to God I’m kicking you in the balls if you try it again.”
Caleb laughs, dropping a heated kiss to my mouth. His tongue slides out, wrapping around mine with practiced ease before sucking slowly. The slick slide and the way he thrusts into my mouth, emulating a different thrusting, makes me shiver with lust.
I press closer.
The fabric of my shirt rubs against my nipples, tightening them into peaks as I let out a breathy moan. Caleb lets out a growl in answer.
“God, I’ve missed you.” He groans into my ear. “Every night that’s passed without me buried in your sweet cunt…”
I clench in anticipation, desire suffusing my body. “I’ve missed you too,” I gasp, as his hands stroke possessively over my body. “I’ve been aching for you.”
It’s the only invitation he needs. One second I’m against the wall, his mouth branding mine in a claiming kiss, the next he’s dragging me to the bedroom and slamming the door behind us.
Silence.
My heart is pounding now, so loudly I swear the whole city can hear, but the only person I care about is undressing me with his eyes—and his hands. Caleb easily strips me of my blouse and pants, and then my underwear too, until I’m standing naked in the middle of the room and his hands are on me, his mouth, everything.