Listen to Your Heart(17)

“Caleb, could we just stay here? Stay right here on this couch and sleep in each other’s arms and forget about the rest of the world? Just for tonight?”

How can I possibly say no to that?

I lower us down onto the couch, wrapping the blanket around us and holding her as tight as I possibly can. I slide my fingers through her hair, and she sighs contently.

“Please don’t break my heart,” she whispers in the darkness.

She drifts off to sleep, saving me from making a promise I’m doomed to break.





It’s the most amazing morning in the history of mornings.

While Skye sleeps peacefully in my arms, I gently trace the contours of her face. The arch of her eyebrows. Her petal-soft cheeks. The sweetest lips I’ve ever tasted.

Please don’t break my heart.

Those words echoed in my mind all night long. Her innocent plea, reminding me that I have to get my shit together before it all blows up in my face.

“Good morning,” Skye says softly.

I smile down into her sleepy green eyes. “Good morning.”

“This is a wonderful way to wake up.”

“The very best way.”

Unfortunately, the real world beckons when her cell phone alarm blares. Almost immediately, she gets about a hundred text messages in a row.

“Stupid texts,” she grumbles, burying her face against my chest.

“Wow. You’re a popular girl at six in the morning.”

“I’m really not. It’s just that my Do Not Disturb disables around the same time my alarm rings, so I get my overnight messages all at once.”

“That’s a lot of messages.”

“I know. These next few days are going to be insane.”

With a groan, Skye struggles to sit up, but I tighten my arms and pull her close, brushing her nose with mine.

“Wait.”

I can’t let her go without kissing her one last time. Very tenderly, I lower my lips to hers, and she melts against me. The real world awaits, so I force myself to keep the kiss innocent and sweet.

“Can I see you tonight?” I ask hopefully.

“I’d love to, but I know I’m going to have to work late.”

“I don’t care.”

Skye smiles. “Why don’t I text you when I get home? Maybe we can grab a late dinner or something.”

“Perfect.”

Skye heads to the shower while I make a quick breakfast for both of us. Nothing fancy . . . just eggs and toast. I’m not really hungry, but I need something to distract me from the mental image of Skye’s naked body standing in a shower just down the hall.

When she enters the kitchen half an hour later, she’s wearing a black skirt and green blouse. She’s stunning, naturally, but it’s the height of her heels that makes me almost drop the frying pan onto the floor.

My breath hitches. “Wow.”

She grins. “You like?”

“I love.”

“Thanks.” She peeks over my shoulder. “You didn’t have to cook, but it smells great.”

“I hope you like them scrambled. Eggs and toast are literally the only things I know how to make.”

She laughs and grabs juice out of the fridge before joining me at the table.

“What time do you have to be at school?”

I stare at my plate. “I uh . . . took the day off. I have some things I have to take care of today.”

“That appointment you wish you could forget?”

“That’d be the one.”

“Maybe it won’t be so bad.”

I smile sadly and force myself to take a bite of toast.

Breakfast ends far too soon, and Skye thanks me for cooking before leaping up and placing her empty plate in the sink.

“I hate to eat and run,” she says, “but I have a staff meeting at eight.”

“No problem. I need to head home and get showered, anyway.”

As we walk out of her apartment and into the bright Nashville morning, I’m once again amazed by just how right this feels, how amazing she is, and what a jerk I am.

“I’ll talk to you tonight,” Skye says.

She’s about to climb into her car when I pull her close to me. I can’t resist kissing her, just one last time. Pressing her against the door, I pour every ounce of emotion into this one kiss that will have to satisfy us until we see each other later tonight. Who knows what might happen today, so I’m determined to enjoy this—and her—for just a moment longer.

“See you later,” I whisper against her lips.

Skye sighs softly and squeezes my hand before climbing into her car and driving away.



After a quick shower and fresh clothes, I’m back in my car and heading toward the interstate. I have two important errands today, and both are on the other side of the city. I’ve just hit I-40 when my cell rings. A quick glance at the screen does nothing to ease my guilt.

“Hey, Jules.”

“Are you driving? You better not be talking to me while you’re driving.”

I grin. “Good morning to you, too.”

“I mean it, Caleb.”

“Would you relax? I’m using the hands-free thing you got me for Christmas.”

“Good. So . . . hi.”