Page 29 of Saving You

He puts the plate that’s in his hand away and turns to me. “Of course, anything for her.”

I lead him upstairs and into Charlie’s room. As soon as she sees him, she scoots to the inside edge of her bed and pats the spot beside her.

“Caleb, you’re going to read me a story?”

“Yeah. What story are we reading tonight?”

“Llama, Llama, Red Pajama!”

He chuckles, grabs the book from the bookshelf beside her bed, and climbs on top of the covers beside her. She snuggles into his side, and I watch the entire interaction from the doorway. He’s so good with her. He gets right into the story, and she falls asleep before the book is over, but he reads it until the end.

When he’s done, he stares down at her, and I wish I could read the emotions that cross his face as he stays there and watches Charlie curled into his side, fast asleep. After a few minutes of silence, he slides out and makes sure she’s covered and has Vanilla tucked right beside her before he meets me at the door. I step out, closing it softly before he follows me down the stairs into the living room.

CHAPTER 10

Caleb

When we reach the last stair, all I want to do is grab Bailey, push her up against the wall, and take her mouth. I want to trail my lips down the soft skin of her jaw and neck. I want to taste her. I want to hear her moan my name, but I hold myself back and follow her into the kitchen where I resume putting away the dishes.

“You really don’t have to do that, Caleb,” she says, and I turn to face her.

“Bails, you and Charlie cooked me dinner. I don’t mind helping with the clean-up, including putting dishes away. Why don’t you grab a glass of wine and you can keep me company?”

She stares at me for several seconds, her beautifully bright blue eyes bouncing between mine. She nods and turns to the cabinet, pulling down two glasses. She pops the cork off the bottle of wine on the counter and pours two glasses, pushing one my way. I grab the stem and tap my glass with hers before taking a sip.

She sits at the island and spins her wine glass between her fingers. She seems unsure. I rest my forearms on the kitchen counter, leaning on them, my wine glass between my hands.

“You seem nervous,” I say, and her eyes widen slightly, just enough that I notice, and she licks her lips. I swallow as my eyes track the movement.

“I haven’t dated anyone in a long time.”

Her back straightens like she’s on full alert.

“Not that this is a date, not that we’re dating. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s not like you want to date me because look at me and my baggage and then look at you and your hotness. Someone like you would never go for someone like me. Plus, you’re a patient at my job. Please ignore me.” She sighs. “Yes, I’m nervous.”

I grin at her and her little rant. “Bails, calm down. Look at me.”

When her eyes meet mine, I stare into them for a few seconds before I continue.

“Let’s unpack all that. First, I already switched doctor’s offices. Second, I am looking at you, and I love everything I see. Don’t ever think I’m out of your league when, clearly, it’s the other way around. You’re beautiful and sexy. You’re also smart and caring, and I want to know more about you so I can add to that list of great things about you. Third, we all have baggage. Yours won’t scare me away. Mine is more likely to scare you away. Fourth, I appreciate the comment on my hotness.”

I smirk as I move around the kitchen island, stopping beside her barstool. She turns to face me. I grip her chin between my thumb and forefinger, lean in close, and whisper, “And lastly, do you want this to be a date?”

Her mouth parts, the air that escapes dusting over my lips. My question hovers in the air between us. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before opening them again and meeting my gaze. She nods, and I smile.

“Good, because I do too,” I whisper over her lips before kissing her.

I take my time brushing my lips over hers, relishing in the soft feeling of them. I deepen the kiss, and her arms wrap around my neck. The hand on her chin moves to wrap around the front of her neck while the other grips her hip and squeezes. She moans, and I lick the seam of her mouth, seeking permission. She responds by opening, and our tongues meet, fighting for control. My grip on her neck tightens slightly. She surrenders control to me, and I groan in response.

She spreads her legs, giving me space. I take full advantage and step between them, wanting as little distance between us as possible. Breaking the kiss, my lips trail along her jawline as I lick and nip my way to her neck. I wedge my hands under her thighs and lift her onto the kitchen counter. She throws her head back as I position her just how I want. My erection presses into the zipper of my jeans. I bite her neck before licking it to soothe the pain. Her legs wrap around my hips and pull me in closer, and I instinctively roll my hips into her centre.

Her legs tighten around me, and my brain re-enters my body. I don’t want just a hook-up with Bailey. If we’re going to do this, I’m going to do it right. I drop my forehead to her shoulder and groan before grabbing her legs and unwrapping them from around me. My gaze lifts to hers, and embarrassment fills her expression. I know I need to put an immediate stop to it.

My hand moves to the back of her head, and I grab a handful of her hair. “Bailey, I want you, but I want to do this right. So I’m going to stop us before we go too far, and then I’m going to see you and Charlie for our date on Friday. Okay?”

The embarrassment fades, and a softness takes over her expression, one that looks almost grateful. She nods, and I take a step back, helping her off the counter.

“I should probably head home,” I say, moving towards the living room, and she follows me. Opening the door, I step onto the front step before turning back to her. “Thank you for tonight, Bails.”

---