One Step Closer(94)

“Your reptilian mother is just looking for anything she can use as a way to contest the will. But mostly, because I need to make sure you’re taken care of, with or without me. Which you should already know!”

Wren smiled into the darkness, and Caleb saw the flash of her white teeth. “Okay, don’t get upset. What happens now?”

“I have to go to San Francisco for a few weeks, and Jonathan will step in until I can come back.”

“When are you leaving?”

“That depends on you. When do you have to be back in New York?”

“We have rehearsals for the next show that start in a week. I have a contract until the end of the year, but then I can leave the company.”

“As much as I’d love having you close to home, I can’t let you give up dancing, Bird. That’s not what this is about.”

“Why should you be the one to always make the sacrifice? Besides, who says I have to give it up? I can dance here.” Her career meant a lot to her, but what mattered most was being with Caleb. “Denver has a company, right?”

Caleb reached up and ran his index finger down her cheek in a loving caress. Her skin was like velvet beneath his touch, and his heart was full of love and anticipation for the future; a future he never let himself imagine was possible.

“We don’t have to decide everything tonight.” He lifted her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, where the white horse tattoo covered her scars. “You stop arguing and kiss me.” He brushed his lips softly back and forth over her tender skin.

Tingles ran over her skin starting from where he was kissing the inside of her wrist and then goose bumps spread out in delicious waves over her whole body.

Wren sidled up closer, and then bent forward at her waist and placed a soft, slow kiss on his mouth. Caleb’s mouth came alive the second her lips touched his and he sat up, both hands coming to cup her head as he took charge. His open mouth slanted across hers and soon their tongues were waging a passionate war with each other as the kiss became deeper.

“I’ve been dying to do that all day,” he ground out as his mouth teased hers, unwilling to break contact completely. “Mmmmm. You taste so good.”

Wren’s fingers brushed the soft stubble on his jaw just before Caleb leaned back and pulled her on top of him. He wanted her, there was no question she was aware of it. It was clear that Wren shared his feelings. His hardness was full and pressing into the softness of her stomach, as his hips pushed into hers and their legs tangled together under the covers.

“I want you,” he said in an almost whisper, going in for another kiss, though he kept this one more reserved. He was conscious that they still had a lot of things to iron out.

Wren wanted to lose herself in him, anxious to have his mouth on hers, his hard body pressing and owning hers, but she hesitated. “Me, too, but Macy is downstairs, Caleb.”

Caleb’s arms tightened around her as she sprawled over him and he willed his body to stop its quest for hers. “I know.” He kissed her temple. “I promise, sex wasn’t my intention when I came up here. I just wanted to check on you and maybe sleep with you.”

Wren let out a soft laugh. “Sleep, huh? That must explain why you’re almost completely naked in my bed.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying. I can be fully naked if you want me to be.” He smiled and kissed the side of her neck in a series of delicious and very delicate kisses designed to seduce her despite his words or good intentions.

“I’m helpless with you, but aren’t you tired? Plus, Macy—”

Wren snuggled into him, and Caleb’s hands slid down her back and came to rest on top of her butt. He could see her logic, but he was reluctant to go to his own room. “Quiet. She knows I want to be with you. That was the whole point behind dinner with her.”

Relief flooded through Wren. She could tell him about the way Macy had invaded her rooms and harassed her, but what was the point? Caleb had just said he wanted to be with her and they were some of the most beautiful words she’d ever heard. “How’d she take it?”

“She did fine,” he dismissed. He didn’t want to talk about Macy, Veronica, the funeral, Lux, or anything else. It helped that he wasn’t convinced Macy was motivated purely by emotion. “I made my point. That’s what matters.”

Wren kissed the underside of Caleb’s jaw and he started kneading her back. She wanted to tell him she loved him, but it was enough to be wrapped up safe and tight in his arms, warm in her bed and secure in the knowledge that they were choosing each other.

“Wren?” Caleb paused. His instincts picked up on her sudden sadness. “Aren’t you happy? I don’t care about any of it… all I want is you, and to know that you’re happy.”

She dropped her head to his shoulder and closed her eyes. He was so perfect. “I am. I’ll just miss you, Cale.”

“I’ve missed you for ten years.” He rolled her over roughly, finally giving up his intention to stop himself from making love to her. “Let’s not miss each other tonight,” he said seriously as he started to make love to her. He touched her with reverence and awe, took his time kissing every inch as he slowly undressed her, and reveled in the soft sounds she made as he pleasured her with his mouth and hands.

There was nothing between them now; not time, distance, half-truths, pain or misunderstandings and he wanted to keep it that way. Caleb found himself grateful to his father for the first time in his life. The choice Edison had forced on him had conjured up everything he could ever want. This amazing, beautiful woman he’d always loved still trusted him unconditionally. She made him feel prouder, and stronger than he’d ever been. With her by his side, he was invincible.