Chasing Red (Chasing Red 1)

I cleared my throat. “Aren’t you going to put me down?”

“No.”

He leaned down—crouched, really—while I was still in his arms. I was blocking his vision, so he moved his head from side to side, trying to see the numbers on the keypad.

“Caleb!” I giggled, holding on to his arms to keep from falling.

We were both laughing. My hair was in his mouth as he tried to press the numbers.

“This is silly… Oh my God!” I squeaked as he lost his balance, tipping backward.

He landed on his back as I sprawled on top of him, his arms protecting me as we fell.

“Ouch!” he moaned, but he was laughing.

“We’re going to wake the neighbors.” I chuckled, too tired to move.

I was on top of him, my head on his chest.

“We can just sleep here,” I murmured, feeling so comfortable and relaxed that I closed my eyes.

“I’m not tired at all,” he answered, raising his head so he could look at me.

My eyes snapped open.

“Um…” I suddenly felt awake, my nerve endings coming to life.

I pushed off him, then awkwardly stood up.

He sighed. “Help me up, please.” He stretched out his arm so I could pull him up.

I pursed my lips, grabbing his hand. I squealed as he jerked me down on top of him again.

When I landed on his hard body, he started laughing.

“Caleb!” I scolded.

“God, you feel so good,” he whispered in my ear.

I blushed, trying to keep my wits about me since I was very aware of his solid body beneath me.

“Caleb, let’s go inside.”

“We will.” The sudden change in his tone—from playful to somber—alerted me. He was serious all of a sudden, his green eyes filled with fear. “I just need…”

“Caleb…”

He pulled back and reversed our positions so that I was lying beneath him. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as he caressed my cheek with his fingers, his eyes searching mine for reassurance that I was okay.

“If I lost you… If something happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to… I wouldn’t know what to do,” he said, his voice rough.

I reached out to touch his face, pressing my lips to his for a soft kiss before pulling away.

“I’m right here. I’m okay,” I said gently, placing my palms on his chest.

“My Red…”

His eyes focused on my mouth, and he reached out a finger to trace my top lip, dipping down on my Cupid’s bow.