One Step Closer(112)

Wren’s expression softened as her heart rocketed through her chest. “I wish I would have known you felt that way.”

Caleb’s brow furrowed. “Didn’t you?”

“I hoped so.”

“I’ll be right back.”

He left the room and returned within twenty seconds. He opened his hand and the locket fell from his fist, to dangle in front of her. “I gave you this when I left you before Boston. It’s the only real thing I had left of my mom, and I gave it to you. You had to know what that meant.”

Wren felt at a disadvantage lying in the tub, exposed. She looked up at him, her eyes imploring. “I know. It meant everything. I never took it off.”

“Until you left me. It killed me, Wren.”

“If you ended up with Macy, I thought you’d want to give it to her.”

“Why would I give this to anyone else? Ever?”

Her shoulder lifted in a half shrug. “You said you wanted me to keep it until you got back from Boston.”

“I know what I said, but it wasn’t what I meant! You know me better than anyone. How could you not see what you meant to me?”

Wren’s heart squeezed. She’d caused him pain at the same time he was causing it for her. “Because in all of the time we knew each other, you never— ”

“Crossed the line. I know. Because you were younger than me, and because our parents were married!”

She rinsed off quickly and then began to stand up, reaching for the towel she’d left near the tub’s edge. Her feet slipped on the porcelain and she wobbled. Caleb caught her, easily lifting her out of the deep tub and helping to wrap her up in the big, fluffy white towel. He reached for one of the velour robes that were provided by the hotel and pulled the towel free of her body before and helping her on with it.

“Is that the real reason you bolted after that night in the basement? Was it really because I was younger, or because you felt like you didn’t protect me? I was eighteen by then.”

“It was a big part of it, but seeing you with Dex, my whole world imploded.” He lifted his head and looked into her face. Her hair was damp on the ends from the bath water. He took a lock of it in his hands. “I was afraid you’d hate me and I couldn’t live with that. I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.”

She took his big hand in hers and pulled him into the other room. She pushed on his shoulders so he would sink down to sit on the bed’s edge. She wanted his eyes the same level as hers.

Wren lifted a hand and cupped his jaw. “Of course it matters, Cale. I could never hate you.” Her hands came to rest on the bare skin of his shoulders. He met her eyes reluctantly and she bent to place a soft kiss on his lips. “I’ve dreamed about you every second since we met. I wanted you to look at me like a woman, but as you said, I was younger and I was afraid to tell you how I felt.”

His arms moved around her to pull her closer until she was standing between his knees. Caleb dropped his forehead to her stomach, rubbing it back and forth against her.

Wren’s hands dropped onto his shoulders and his arms slid around her waist, the soft velour sliding against his skin. She hugged him tight and kissed his temple and the side of his face and his jaw. Her eyes were full of tears when she pulled back. “So may I have the locket back? I promise I’ll keep it safe for you.”

A slow smile spread across his lips. “I don’t want it back. I’ll give it to you if you marry me.”

Wren’s eyes widened in shock and she gasped softly. “Really?” she asked tremulously, afraid she’d heard him wrong.

He nodded and bent to kiss her softly on the mouth, tenderly teasing. Tears started to rain from her eyes and Caleb gently wiped them away with both of his thumbs.

“I didn’t plan on asking you while you were wearing a bathrobe and me a towel, but I needed you to know, once and for all, who I want; the only woman I’ll be making babies with, is you, got it?” he asked sincerely, nuzzling the side of her face with his nose. “I know I should be kneeling before you with the engagement ring that’s in my bag, but then I’d be forced to let go of you to get it.”

Wren’s heart was hammering so hard she felt it would fly from her chest as Caleb watched the tears fall down her flushed cheeks. Her chin was trembling as she nodded, and then her voice broke on a sob. “I love you so much, Cale. A ring isn’t important. You’re what matters. ”

“I love you, too, Wren,” he said softly, bending his head to take her mouth with his. “You’re a part of me. Forever.”





CALEB WAS LOOKING forward to a busy weekend.


Wren had a performance of Swan Lake, both evenings and a Sunday, at the Denver Performing Arts Center. He loved watching his wife on stage. The Colorado Ballet was more than willing to add her to their company when Caleb and Wren both decided the distance and time apart was too much. But that was four years ago, and life was good.

Caleb had acclimated to his role managing Lux and the company was flourishing. It was a huge conglomerate and he had the best in the business heading up research and development, quality control and marketing departments. Jonathan was still their corporate attorney and Wren sat on the board of directors with him and several of the major stockholders.

They were launching a new line of fragrances, but their makeup line was solidly successful. They changed the color palettes each season and added a new skin care product occasionally. It was rewarding to know he was carrying on his mother and father’s legacy.