Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(36)

“Did you have a good time tonight?”

She nodded happily. “Beyond the grand inquisition, it was a very nice evening. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. It’s not every student that gets to attend one of these things.”

“I could tell. You must have pull.”

He shook his head. “Not really, but my reports on you made various people want to meet you.”

Even though Garrett could not tell in the moonlight, he was pretty sure that she was blushing. “I really liked Isla and Caleb.”

Garrett was grateful for the friendship he had developed with both of them over the years. “I’m glad. I am sure you will get to know them better as time goes on.”

“Good. You know, it sounded as if you never see them anymore though, even when Isla is in town. You should see them more often.”

Garrett tucked a stray hair behind Caitlyn’s ear. “I’m busy with you.”

“That just makes me feel guilty.”

Garrett was surprised. “You shouldn’t feel that way at all. I enjoy spending my time with you. It’s been an honor to teach you.”

Caitlyn blushed again, looking down before meeting his gaze again. “Thank you. I enjoy spending time with you too.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither sure exactly what to say from there. It was not lost on Garrett that he still held her hand. He began to caress her fingers with his, the movement slow and deliberate, relishing the simple act of feeling each finger as they interlaced eventually with his own. He gave her soft hand a gentle squeeze as he worked up the courage to say what he wanted to say.

“Garrett…” she started, but he placed a finger on her beautiful lips, silencing her. If he did not say this now, he was not sure he could ever complete it.

“Caitlyn, I’ve been holding something back from you.”

She pushed his finger away from her mouth. “What are you talking about?”

He took a large breath and continued. “I can’t pretend anymore. For months, I’ve been fighting my feelings for you. Every time I’m in your presence, I feel a complete and utter attraction to you. It’s more than physical; it’s emotional. There is something special between us and it’s killing me. Every time I see you, all I want to do is take you in my arms and kiss you. I know it’s inappropriate, with my mentoring you, but my feelings have been getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. What I am trying to say…” he paused, wanting the words to be right. “What I am trying to say is that I-”

His speech was broken off from her lips on his. The kiss was soft at first, almost as if asking for permission. He was caught off guard and it was as if his heart stopped, not really believing the fact that Caitlyn had feelings for him. After a moment, he wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss. She eagerly reciprocated, pressing his lips tighter to hers. He couldn’t think. All he knew in this moment is the woman he cared about was in his arms kissing him back, giving him everything he had hoped for. He made himself pull away from her to catch his breath.

His eyes evaluated hers, making sure what happened was really okay. She answered his unspoken question. “Garrett, I was hoping that you might do that.”

He kissed her again, initiating the kiss this time, enjoying the feel of her lips against his. He was happily drowning in her. If he was honest with himself, he wanted a lot more than her mouth against his at the moment, but he was content where he was. There would be plenty of time for other things later. When they finally pulled away from one another, they resumed staring out to the ocean, enjoying the comfort of knowing they each wanted each other.

She was quiet with her next statement. “This changes everything, you know.”

“I know. It’s why I waited so long to make my feelings known.”

She gave his cheek a quick peck before snuggling into the crook of his neck. “I’m glad you did finally tell me. But what happens now?”

“Well, your training still needs to continue. That will not change. I won’t lie when I say it is not going be challenging sometimes distinguishing the line between mentor and boyfriend. But that is something that you and I’ll need to work through together.”

“Alright.”

“Caitlyn, I want you to know that it is very hard for me to put myself out there like I just did with you. I know that you have seen me on many occasions be flirtatious, but it’s been a long time since I have had serious feelings for anyone. I guess I just want to assure you that this is not a casual fling for me. My feelings for you are anything but casual.”