Page 87 of Catch Me If You Can

He bites his lip, looking at my eyes and then at my mouth, and back again. “No way. I think somewhere in me always thought this was going to happen. I always had you right here.” He taps his chest.

I reach out and grab his hand.

“I love you so damn much,” I say, squeezing his hand.

“I love you more,” he answers, pulling my hand to his mouth and giving it a tender kiss.

I lean in and connect our lips in a soft, gentle kiss.

He’s mine, and I amsohis.

a year after that

35

caleb

"I can't believe you," I gasp, dropping my bag to the floor. Nathaniel really outdid himself this time. I glance around the room as he shuts the door behind us. Yep, it’s the exact same room where we fell for each other that one wild weekend.

Nathaniel laughs behind me, ushering me further into the room. “It’s our anniversary, after all. I had to go big.”

I nudge him on the shoulder with mine. “You could’ve just gotten me what you got me last year.”

Nathaniel grabs the back of my neck as I look around the room. “Yeah, well, they weren’t selling concert tickets to Tame Impala this time of year.”

I bite my lip, focusing my attention back on the best man in the world.

“This is great. This is perfect,” I nod, resting my hands on his chest.

He breathes in deeply and smiles. His eyes are filled with lust. I love it.

“It’s weird. Last time we were here, you had a plan to propose to another woman,” he sighs, leaning into me.

I roll my eyes. “Last time I checked, you were here to do the same thing…”

He lifts his hand and gently runs his fingers through my hair. “I’m so happy we didn’t.”

“Poor Sarah,” I laugh, holding his hand.

“Poor Sarah,” he repeats, shrugging his shoulders.

I grab him by the base of his neck and pull him into my lips. We clash together, breathing heavily, hands fumbling with each other’s clothes. He’s in a hurry, and I’m more than happy to oblige.

“I can’t believe you did this for us,” I pant.

“I feel like it was just yesterday you walked up behind me in the cafeteria,” he nips my jaw and then softly bites my lip. I close my eyes and moan into his pull.

“If I’m honest with myself, I’d say I’ve loved you ever since then,” I smile.

His eyes connect with mine. “Really?”

“Oh, absolutely. Shy, nerdy guy, sitting by himself? Secret heartthrob, just misunderstood? I’ve been messed up ever since that day. Still am.” I grab him by the belt loops and walk backwards toward the bedroom, knowing it’s just a few paces away.

“You should’ve told me. We could’ve had so much more time,” he sighs, lifting his white t-shirt over his gorgeous body. He’s always been muscular, but training for a marathon this summer has done wonders for his body.

“I think it was more perfect this way. I was just playing the long game, baby,” I say, pushing him onto the bed.

“Oh, fuck.” He moans suddenly, arching his back on the bed. I arch my eyebrow. Hmm, he already seems all pent up. Maybehe’s been fiending for my body the whole plane ride. Wouldn’t be surprised. We’re like two cats in heat around each other.

---