Caleb reached down and grabbed my hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly. He pulled away too quickly for my liking.
The small gesture gave me the confidence I needed to continue. “The thing is, I’m not that person anymore. I’m not sure I ever really was that person, to be honest. I’d prefer if I could tell you about myself as we go. There are some things whichI’mnot even ready to process, let alone explain to anybody else. Nobody seems to understand this concept …” I wrung my hands as I began to stammer. Words weren’t coming out coherently, and I felt the all too familiar signs of a panic attack creeping up until Caleb quickly stopped it by grasping my cheek, threading his strong fingers through my hair, and crashing his lips to my own.
Fuck, I was right. Mr. Bartender knew how to kiss.
A real man.
He inched his body closer, wrapping one arm around my waist while the other caressed my cheek. His mouth moved with mine. I loved how soft his lips were, yet how assertive he was with his kiss. I loved the way he tasted. Fresh, like peppermint, probably from those mints atop the bar, but also bitter from the shots we took. His tongue grazed my lips, seeking entry, and I lethim. After a small tease of what might be to come, Caleb pulled away.
I batted my eyelashes at him and pouted a little. I’d never been so disappointed in my life, yet for some reason, I couldn’t wipe the smirk off my face. Once I’d come to my senses, I apologized. “Sorry, I babble a lot, if you hadn’t noticed.”
Caleb chuckled and nodded. “I have, hence me shutting you up.” He matched my smirk and reached down. I could have sworn he was going to adjust his crotch, which I usually loathed, but I would have made an exception for this man in front of me. Instead, Caleb reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. His flip phone, to be exact.
“Good thing this relic doesn’t have Google,” he joked and reached for my hand once more.
How did he do that?! With just a simple touch, he made me feel so safe and calm.
“Wow, they still make those things?” I gasped playfully.
“I’ll have you know, this dinosaur is dependable and the reception is great. Whereas your fancy touchscreen phone will die quickly and have you saying ‘what’ more than anybody with a hearing aid.” Caleb tickled my side, and his nose did a little scrunch.
I was a goner.
I swatted his hand away and tried to catch my breath. “Okay, okay! A dinosaur for a dinosaur, got it.” I stepped away from him, sensing he was going to tickle me again.
“Oh, you better run,” he warned, eyeing me like animals stalk their prey.
We burst out into laughter, doubling over at our ridiculousness.
Once the giggles subsided, Caleb grabbed my hands in his. As soon as I met his gaze, he began to speak. “I want to get to know you. Whoever that might be. I have a feeling she’s pretty great.Whenever you’re ready to share something, share. I promise to do the same.”
Wow, if he didn’t impress me with the banter and his kissing abilities, Caleb definitely had me awestruck by how compassionate and understanding he was.
I nodded and started, “So …”
“So?” he questioned, pursing his lips.
“Your place or the bed-and-breakfast?” I blurted, as I resisted the urge to cringe. I closed my eyes, afraid that my bluntness would scare this beautiful man away.
“Grace?”
“Yes,” I whispered, wanting to melt into the sidewalk.
“I don’t sleep with people on the first date,” he admitted, groaning a little. Warring with himself, no doubt.
“This isn’t a date,” I corrected, a little breathless at the way he looked at me.
“All the more reason to wait,” Caleb pointed out. His morals were strong, I’d give him that.
I jutted out my bottom lip, and then he leaned in to peck me on the lips before he whispered, “I’m worth the wait.” Caleb smirked. Damn those lips.
He turned back in the direction we came from and took a few steps. “I have a bar to close. Come with me?” he asked.
I nodded and closed the gap between my past and my future.
CHAPTER 8
Grace
