8 Weeks (Time for Love 1)

I let him help me out of the car and walk me to the door. When I turned to thank him again, I was surprised to see him walking purposefully toward me.

One second, I was standing on the step, the next I was up against the door in Cal's arms.

His hands were on my face, and his body was pressed fully against mine, I barely had time to gasp in surprise, when his mouth was on mine.

The kiss was frantic and full of need, and without a thought, I matched his need with my own. His mouth slanted over mine and our tongues met, causing a moan to escape my lips. He brought one hand around my lower back and pulled me closer to him. I lifted my leg up and assisted him as he cupped my bottom and brought me fully against him. I fisted his shirt in my hand, needing to grab on, eager to pull him closer. I nipped his bottom lip lightly, and felt a rush of cool air as he pulled his mouth away from mine.

He lowered my leg and took a step back, leaving me standing there scattered and full of need.

"I'm sorry, Shel." He leaned in and kissed my forehead lightly. "I got carried away."

Cal turned and jogged down the steps back to his car, as if he needed to get away as fast as he could.

I watched him leave with a mixture of relief and regret before slowly turning and letting myself in.

It looked like a cold shower and a lot of soul searching was in order.

Chapter 19 - Cal

Leaving Shelly the other night had been one of the hardest things I'd ever done. The image of her flushed cheeks, and the look on her face when I'd thrust her up against the door, had made the last few nights unbearable.

I hadn't seen her since, but she didn’t seemed pissed when I left, so I hoped that she was still feeling positive about us and was as eager for Saturday's date as I was.

I was waiting at a local bar and grill for TJ and Scott. We'd made plans to grab some dinner and catch half a game before Scott had to meet up with Victoria to go over wedding stuff, and TJ had to meet up with his flavor of the week to hook up.

I had no plans after dinner.

This was the highlight of my day.

How different my life had gotten in a matter of weeks. Usually, they guys were hounding me to come out and hang, and I was blowing them off to spend time at home with Shelly. Now ... I was the one who was eager for a night out, and off of Scott's couch.

This was why I was at the bar an hour earlier than our scheduled meet time, nursing a seasonal beer and munching on some chips and salsa.

I'd become a fucking loser.

"Hey, Cal," a high-pitched voice called from over my shoulder.

Shit, I thought as I recognized Melody Cannon's squeal. Why won’t this chick just leave me alone?

"Melody," I said rather harshly, hoping she'd take a hint.

She didn't.

"You here all by your lonesome?" she asked, lifting herself onto the barstool next to mine, uninvited.

"For now," I said vaguely, turning back to my beer.

"That's a shame. You shouldn't be alone at a time like this."

I didn't take the bait; I ignored her and pretended to be caught up in the act of dipping my chip in the salsa.

"I mean," she went on as if we were having a conversation. "What with Shelly upset with you about your ... indiscretion." She leaned over to me, whispering the last word, and it took every ounce of control for me not to shove her off of the stool.

I guess word had gotten out about the reason why Shelly and I were separated. I'd known it was bound to happen sooner or later, but now that Melody knew about it, it wouldn't be long before the whole town did as well.

Just what I needed.

I tried to turn farther away from her, hoping she would eventually shut up, otherwise I was going to have to walk out.