One Step Closer(6)

Caleb withheld himself as long as he could stand, careful to bring her close to climax again so it would be less painful for her. He knew in his soul she’d never been with anyone else before, and God help him, he didn’t have the strength to deny what they both wanted.

The kisses grew in urgency as their fevered touches and thrusts grew more intense, until finally Caleb guided his cock to her opening. She was so hot and tight… all of his muscles coiled; he couldn’t stop himself.

“Wren, God… I can’t help it.” He eased into her slightly, feeling her muscles tense, and she gasped. Caleb pushed in all of the way, feeling the resistance that confirmed her virginity, until he was completely sheathed inside her. Caleb teased her mouth with gentle, yet passionate kisses, his mouth playing with hers, as his body moved within hers.

After a few seconds, Wren’s hands were raking down his back and she was moving in unison with Caleb’s thrusts. Caleb was as gentle as he could manage, slowly wringing a response from her body. This was something he’d been waiting for, something he thought could never happen. It was better than he could have imagined and he wanted their lovemaking to last.

She felt amazing, and Caleb let himself get lost in her. The morning might bring regrets or awkwardness, but for now it was beautiful, amazing, and his heart was full of her. They kissed and clung together, their bodies working together to bring the other pleasure, perspiration forming a thin, salty veil on smooth skin, Caleb’s hands wandered; delivering gentle caresses that made everything more perfect than Wren could have dreamed.

“Wren, I shouldn’t come inside you.”

The alcohol had caused him to forget a condom, but he wasn’t drunk enough to disregard the possible repercussions of being so reckless.

“It’s okay, don’t stop, now. Don’t stop, Cale.”

Wren was the only person to shorten his name. Ever. Love for her rushed through him. He desired her with an urgency that ate at him, yes, but he loved her more than anything. He’d dreamed of his name coming from that luscious mouth in breathy passion, and now it was happening. Finally.

Her movements urged him on, despite her inexperience, and the pressure continued to build as she started to squeeze and milk his cock with each and every thrust. It pushed both of them over the edge.

Only when he felt her body spasm around his, did Caleb let himself thrust faster to end his self-inflicted torment. The beautiful torment that ended in an explosion of sensation, and light. Caleb closed his eyes, and breathed out Wren’s name as he came hard.

They were both breathing hard, but Caleb bent down to claim her mouth with his, lightly licking the center of her top lip; sucking it into his mouth. She responded by pulling his lower one into her mouth. Fuck, it was amazing. He nuzzled against her cheek with his nose, and then placed a kiss on her temple, pulling out of her body, rolling over and pulling her into his embrace in one movement. He didn’t want to move and Wren seemed content to stay where she was, snuggling into Caleb’s shoulder, her arm across his waist, and her leg hooking his.

His eyes were tired, and he was physically sated; he should be falling asleep in his big bed; with Wren. Instead, he was staring at the ceiling in the dark, wondering what in the hell he’d just done and what repercussions it would have on their relationship.

What would Wren think of him in the light of day? Would she think that he took advantage of her? Would she hate him for taking her virginity, or think he had no respect for her? Would she feel embarrassed or even, humiliated? Wasn’t he the one who always protected her? If only he’d protected her from himself and his f*cking moment of weakness and jealousy. He was beating himself up for sleeping with her and not using a condom. The last thing he wanted to do was f*ck up either of their lives by getting her pregnant. He’d always protected her, except tonight.

Ugh! He inwardly groaned. As amazing as the night had been, he wished he had a time machine to rewind the evening.

Suddenly he felt claustrophobic and fidgety, and he needed to get out of bed.

He slid from beneath Wren, who was sleeping so soundly she hardly noticed, remaining on her stomach and moving into the pillows.

Caleb knew he had to figure this shit out, and he was feeling he needed separation from Wren to do it. He wasn’t thinking straight and he needed to clear his head. Obviously, he couldn’t think straight as long as he was touching Wren. Distance was what he needed and he was thanking God he had three more months of school.

He quietly packed his bag, using the flashlight on his iPhone so he could see what he was doing, and called a cab to come pick him up. On the way to the airport, and the five extra hours he sat there waiting for his flight, he tried to convince himself that he was doing it for Wren. He tried to make himself believe that if she woke up full of regret, she could pretend it didn’t happen and she wouldn’t feel any shame or embarrassment. If she didn’t mention it, he wouldn’t either. Maybe she’d think he was drunk and didn’t remember, and that would be her out.

But really, it was his out: he wasn’t ready for this one night to f*ck up his relationship with Wren. He couldn’t bear it if she looked at him as less than he’d always been to her. Either way he’d failed her, and he couldn’t live with that.





CALEB LUXON COULDN’T cry for the loss of a man he barely knew. He didn’t hate his father as much now as he did when he was younger. The bitterness was not as pungent now, but so much of what his father had done was unforgivable. The most grievous hit, was forcing Caleb to leave the one person he loved most in the world; the only person he’d ever loved, beyond his mother.