“I’m preparing food for the shelter tomorrow. Usually, Noelle and I go early in the morning and volunteer. But since we are spending the day together, I figured I would pop in an hour earlier, drop this stuff off, and be back before you wake up. Okay?”
Just when I thought he wasn’t perfect enough, it turned out he volunteered at a shelter and cooked food for the homeless.
In my world, you threw a check at charities and went on your merry way. Not Caleb—he took care of people.
“I have to help Keith move some furniture out of his parents’ house. It’s only a few doors away. You think you’ll be okay by yourself for a few minutes?” he asked sheepishly.
I smiled softly, nodding. “I think I’ll manage. So will the compote.”
He chuckled and kissed me on the cheek, before heading for the door.
Moments passed and I tore myself away from the stove. I moved to the living room and peeked through the curtains covering the bay windows. Down the street, Caleb stood beside Keith, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his muscles flexing as he positioned a wooden dresser in his pickup truck. Even from a distance, I could see the easy, reassuring way he interacted with people. Patient with Keith’s older parents, jovial with Keith, and friendly to teens walking down the block. He fit into the fabric of this town seamlessly. I only hoped to find my place, somewhere.
I smelled the berry compote and ran to the kitchen to stir it once more.
After a little while and some scraping of the pot, Caleb was back from helping. He greeted me and went to the kitchen sink to wash his hands.
“Can I come with you tomorrow?” I blurted, not really thinking before asking.
“To the shelter? You want to come?” He paused for a minute, and I got self-conscious.
I sputtered quickly, “I don’t have to go if you don’t want me to. I just thought … it would be nice to give back for a change.” I wanted to change. Since I was already vastly out of my comfort zone, I might as well go all in.
Caleb was the epitome of a good person, and I wanted to be one too. This was a step in the right direction. A smile appeared on his face. “No, of course I would love for you to come with me. It’s just … some of these people have had it really rough and it can be hard to watch.”
I nodded, assuring him I wanted to do this.
He shut off the burners before he stepped toward me, cupped my chin in his hand, and pressed his lips to mine.
Once we broke apart, I grinned and clapped once. “I’m excited to help.”
Caleb chuckled and shook his head. “Yeah, we’ll see if you’re saying that once you have to wake up at seven a.m.”
I rolled my eyes hard and giggled.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” Caleb inquired, his eyebrows rising.
“Yeah?”
“Oh, that’s it,” he insisted as he threw me over his shoulder. We were on the move. “You’re gonna get it,” Caleb promised, as he smacked my ass for emphasis.
“Caleb!” l laughed, smacking his back. “What are you—put me down!”
I was still laughing as he carried me up the stairs and down the hall, before we entered his bedroom. With full dramatic flair, he dropped me onto the bed. I bounced once before immediately trying to scramble up, but he was already crawling over me. Hovering like an animal would its prey. Caleb pinned me down with a devilish smile.
“No fair,” I said, breathless.
“All’s fair,” he murmured against my lips, lightly brushing them as though he was going to kiss me. But instead, he dug his fingers into my sides.
I shrieked, laughing so hard my stomach hurt as he tickled me mercilessly. I twisted under him, uselessly attempting to wiggle away. Our bodies tangled together, and the tension grew in the air, filling the gap as the laughter came to a halt. Suddenly, it wasn’t so funny anymore.
Caleb’s eyes locked on mine and his hands were still. The world felt like it stopped and then he kissed me. Hard.
His mouth crashed into mine like he’d been holding back before this moment. It was hungry and suggestive. I could feel the weight of him, the heat of his body covering my own. His hand slid up under my shirt, fingertips grazing bare skin, and I gasped against his mouth. He took that opportunity to deepenour kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my back arch off the bed. My hands found Caleb’s hair, threading through it and gripping it impossibly tight.
He touched me like he was kissing me—rough. There was no more hesitation in the way he moved over me. Just pure, raw want and need.
I started tugging his shirt over his head and he slowed. His hands steadied at my waist, his mouth gentler now, brushing against mine, in slow motion, making everything burn hotter. The change in pace made me overcome with want. I thrust up against his cock, searching for friction. He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes dark, no longer the aquamarine color but a dark sky, as they searched my features.
