One Step Closer(92)

When the temperature got tepid, she turned on the hot water faucet to add more, but when that cooled, too, she reluctantly climbed out of the tub, dried off and then pulled on a pair of old shorts and t-shirt to sleep in. Her lonely bed held no allure.

Wren didn’t want to know what time it was as she brushed her hair and cleaned her teeth, then shut off the lights and climbed beneath the plush comforter of her bed. She was thankful for the comfort of the mattress and pillows that seemed to swallow her up and hug her body. Her eyes were tired from all of the tears, and she looked forward to the blissful blankness of sleep that would give her mind and heart a much-needed break.

She shivered for a moment, until her body heat began to warm the sheets and blankets. She rolled over and grabbed the opposite pillow, pulling it close to her chest to hug it. The faint scent of Caleb lingered, evidence that he had spent at least a couple of hours with her when he’d put her to bed last night and she found herself wishing it were twenty-four hours earlier.

There was a faint knock on her door and she immediately sat up, leaning her weight on one arm. The room was almost dark because the blinds were down.

“Yes?” she called. She hadn’t locked the door, despite Macy’s previous intrusions. “Who’s there?”

The door opened a crack and a beam of light fell into the room and across the bed, causing her to squint in protest and she lifted a hand to ward it off.

“It’s me,” Caleb said softly. “Did I wake you?”

Wren’s heart leapt at the sound of his voice. “I just got into bed a few minutes ago.” There were no other occupied rooms on the second floor, but both of them spoke in low tones.

“I can let you sleep, but I thought you might want to talk about today.”

She nodded. “I do. Come in.”

He came in and shut the door quietly behind him. Caleb didn’t turn on the light, and he didn’t ask permission before he began to undress. The darkness hid most of his movements, but she could see the outlines of his white shirt after he removed his blazer and laid it on the upholstered chair by the window. Systematically, he kicked off his shoes, unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled off his undershirt, layering it all on the chair. When she heard the clank of his belt buckle, she scooted from the middle of the bed to one side, automatically making room.

Her heart started beating at the familiarity of his actions and she smiled to herself. He wouldn’t see her blush in the darkness, as she bit her lip, but she felt the warmth spread into her cheeks.

“I love that your room smells just like you.”

Pleasure rushed through her at his words. It was a simple statement, but the implications were huge.

When Caleb had disrobed down to his boxer briefs, he pulled back the covers and climbed in beside Wren. “You haven’t told me to get the hell out, so I guess this is okay?” He settled back on the pillows and reached for her, and she easily settled into his arms, sliding one of hers across his hard abs and her head came to rest on his chest. She felt like warm silk against him, and the only thing that could have made it better were if they were both completely naked.

“Yes.”

His arms tightened, and he bent his head to place a kiss on her forehead. “Are you okay with everything?” He hesitated for a beat, but continued when she didn’t answer right away. “I’ll make sure you don’t have to give up ballet. I’ll run the company for both of us.”

“Cale.” She tightened her arm around him and turned her face into the crook of his neck. He smelled of cologne and whiskey. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”

His fingers began threading the hair down her back in a rhythmic motion designed to soothe and relax. Mostly, it was because he couldn’t stop himself from touching her. “Do what?”

“Split your inheritance.”

He stilled immediately. “Damn it! How did you find out? Did Jonathan tell you?” His tone took on a bit of an angry edge.

“He didn’t. It was in the letter your dad left for me. It explained about the two versions of the will.”

Caleb’s chest rose beneath her head as he inhaled a deep, regretful sigh. “I didn’t want you to know it was my decision.”

“Why not?”

He rolled to his side, shifting so they were facing each other in the darkness. He reached out and brushed the knuckles of his right hand along her left cheekbone. “Because, you might interpret the decision as selfish.” He shrugged slightly. “It was.”

Wren laid a hand on his bare chest. There was a light smattering of velvet soft hair and she pulled and played with it gently. “How could giving half of your inheritance away be selfish? I don’t interpret it that way at all.”

He shook his head. He could smell her sweet breath, feel the heat radiating between them. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her and roll her beneath him but this conversation was important. “Because, I want you in my life and the company ties will assure that. At least, for the next five years.”

“Oh, Cale.” Her voice wavered with the ache she felt in her throat. He was in her bed, so clearly the relationship he was after wasn’t platonic. “That means a lot to me, but you didn’t have to buy that. All you had to do was talk to me.”

“I wasn’t sure what was going on in your life.”

“You mean beyond the times you checked up on me?”