Page 4 of Redemption

CHAPTER THREE

CALEB

God,I miss this. Every part of it. Having her sitting next to me, her wearing my hoodie, the sound of her slight laugh when I do something that amuses her. Being right here reminds me of what I'm missing. "She's got a boyfriend?" I inquire, my tone suspicious and annoyed at the same time.

"You know Molly. She's always got something going on, but she says she really likes this guy."

"She's twelve. How does she know whether she really likes this guy or not?" I groan.

"Your guess is as good as mine, but I can remember being her age and thought the guy I was enamored with hung the moon. She'll go through many heartbreaks before she finds the one who makes her happy. It's what life is about."

"All I know is if he does anything to hurt her, I'll let him know about it." I grumble, reaching over to stoke the fire.

"I have no doubt about that, Caleb." She puts her hands into the front pocket of her hoodie, and shivers slightly.

I'm about to make a decision that's either going to be smart, or it's going to send me on a path we don't need to go on. Which, I mean that's where we've been for longer than I care to admit. I don't know what the difference will be. "Come over here."

She glances at me like I've grown a twin out of one side of my body, but she does as I asked, and squeezes onto the lounger with me. "We couldn't have done this a few months ago. Guess weight loss does have some privileges."

I would love to see what the difference it will make in the bedroom will be, but we're married, and truthfully, I don't want anyone but her. "Guess it does." Her leg hooks over mine, and nestles in between. We've laid this way many times, but I've never been this turned on by it.

"So, what are your plans this week?" She questions, running her fingers along the string of the hoodie.

"Working, working out, trying not to go insane in the apartment by myself, and apparently talking to our pre-teen about boys." I swallow roughly.

She laughs deep in her throat, and it goes straight to my cock. "I'd appreciate that."

I close my eyes, begging God for forgiveness instead of permission because this isn't going to be a good idea, but I can't fuckin' stop it anymore than I prevent what's been happening between us. Dipping my face to her forehead, I place a decidedly awkward kiss there. We haven't touched in a long time, but it's as easy as riding a bike. You don't forget how it feels to run fingers along a loved one's body.

It gets hot between us quickly. My hands go up her hoodie, and hers sneaks under mine. She pulls her mouth away, but I refuse to let her go. Smearing my lips down her neck, I take a bite of her flesh.

"Fuck, Caleb."

I groan as she grinds against me. My cock is aching as it lifts against the zipper of my jeans. Lifting the clothing off her chest, I spread her legs across my hips, and then span my hands along her rib cage. Holding her up, I lift from the lounger and come face to face with a lace-covered bra. Pulling down the right cup,I take her peaked nipple in between my lips and suck, before worrying it with my teeth.

Her nails dig into my hair, holding me as she thrusts into my touch. "Don't stop," she begs, unbuttons down to the button of my jeans. With sure fingers, she quickly unbuttons and pulls them down far enough to get my cock out. "Shit, Ruby. It's been too long."

"I know," she whines. "And I know this isn't going to fix anything. I just need to feel you."

We stop, our eyes meeting. Hers are full of love and acceptance, I know mine are terrified and searching for forgiveness. Now's not the time, though, and I don't want to lose this moment we have. "I wanna feel you too."

Within seconds, I have her jeans down around her ankles, and the material of her panties pushed to the side. She reaches out, placing her palm on my chest, before moving up to my neck. With her hand, she grips slightly, causing me to pay complete attention to her. "Before we do this, I want you to know a couple of things. I love you, I've loved you since we met. No matter how difficult the last few months have been, that hasn't changed."

I lick my suddenly dry lips. We've been married for years, and I had a vasectomy four years ago. Is she going to ask me to wear a condom? "I promise I haven't cheated on you, but if you want me to wear a condom, I will."

Her eyes flash. "I trust you."

And with those words, she sinks down on me. For the first time in months, I'm at peace, and I know I'll do whatever I have to in order to keep it.

CHAPTER FOUR

CALEB

Present Day - Redemption

Twirling the pen in between my fingers, I sigh heavily. I've got to do this before I talk myself out of it. It's the pep talk I've been giving myself all day. Hell, ever since I decided on this idea. For the last two months, I've been building myself up, and then tearing back down again. "Are you sure?" I ask my dad.

"Yes, you've got plenty of personal hours you can take. Rina will make sure Molly and Levi are taken care of. I verified through Becca that Stephanie is going to field questions having to do with Ruby's business for the next week, longer, if that's what you need." His calm voice soothes me. I have the best dad, and that's just been reinforced by what he's done the past two days. It took me this long to work up the nerve to put my plan in place. "I'm sure if we need help, Kels and Nick will be more than happy to lend a hand. Everything you're worried about will be taken care of."

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