I’ve been UA.
Kami couldn’t get that sentence from her mind. She knew what that was. He’d come for her even though he knew he would be in trouble. She didn’t know what kind of trouble though. Moreover, the last thing I say to him is call him an asshole. Oh yeah, and I slapped him.
She groaned and dropped her head in shame.
“You okay, Kam?”
Lifting her head, she found Alicia Sema staring at her, concern in her expression. Alicia was another doctor and a good friend. “I’m fine. Think I just need to get some food in me, is all.”
Blue eyes assessed her before Alicia nodded and smiled before walking away, leaving her alone by the sink. Biting her lower lip, Kam stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had been back for three months now and no longer looked like death warmed over. Her face no longer sunken in, eyes didn’t stare back at her, haunted and desolate any more.
It hadn’t been easy. The media, the recovery. Add to that going to both Evan’s and Missy’s parents and giving her condolences on what had transpired. The cuts and bruises had healed ribs as well. None of that stopped the nightmares. They still occurred. There were still nights when she woke up, a scream poised to escape—sometimes the bloodcurdling scream was what woke her—and of course the sweat ran in rivulets down her body. Nevertheless, she didn’t tell anyone of them. Especially not her family. They’d been through enough.
“Dr. Strong, line four. Dr. Strong, line four.”
She sighed, splashed the cool liquid on her face and dabbed off the excess. Her hair was falling out of the haphazard bun it had been in all day. Tossing the towel in the trash, she made her way to the nearest phone and hit the line waiting for her.
“This is Dr. Strong.”
The remainder of her day was busy. But then, most days in the hospital were. She was exhausted when she waved to the next shift and headed out the door toward the parking lot. Glancing at her wrist, she realized she had very little time to spare before dinner at her parents. She expelled a sharp breath and unlocked her Toyota to slide behind the wheel. Not enough time to go home, change, and make it out to their place.
Her mind drifted to Caleb as she drove out of town and headed to her parents’ property. How was he? Did he think of her? What of that promise he’d given her? It will happen. She shivered with barely contained arousal.
She bit her lip until the pain snapped her out of the dreamlike stance she was approaching. Get a grip, Kam. He’s out of your life. You’ll see him around the holidays when the families get back together. That bothered her. She didn’t want to wait that long.
Her mind ran through scenarios and when she arrived at her parents’ house, she remained in the car for a while, mulling things over. A sharp rap on the window made her jump. Her brother stared at her though the glass and he had a black brow arched. She narrowed her eyes at him in mock severity and shook her finger at him.
“What’s taking you so long?” he asked.
Shutting off her car, she got out and hugged him. “I was just thinking. Long day at work,” she said.
They entered the house together and headed for the dining room. Kissing her dad, she continued on to the kitchen to help her mother with the final preparations.
“Everything okay, Kam?” her mom questioned.
“Yes ma’am. Just…just a long day.” Short sleepless nights, long days, it all added up.
“You look tired.” She patted her cheek. “You could have called and cancelled.”
“I’ll be fine. Just need a good night’s sleep, is all.”
Immediately her mom’s eyes filled with concern. “Are you not sleeping well?”
Crap. “No, that’s not it. Just that tonight one will be all that’s needed.” She smiled with as much assurance as she could. “I’m fine, mama.”
Kenya Strong stared at her daughter for a while before she turned away. Kami knew her mom didn’t entirely believe her and struggled to not smother her. An act which hadn’t worked, she was being smothered. She walked up behind her and hugged her tight. “Love you, mama.”
Her mom patted one arm, her hand gripped tight for a few seconds before she let it go. “Love you too, honey.” A deep breath. “Now, let’s get these men fed.”
Dinner was fun; Asante kept everyone entertained with his recounts of the day. He was an artist and had substituted for a class today at the college. However, through it all, she could feel the gauging and calculating stolen glances from her parents. They were worried about her.
When she finally made it home, she took a hot shower and dressed in a camisole and a pair of boxers. Seated in her living room, she stared out at nothing, the soft R&B she had on not really making itself known.
One thing was on her mind. Caleb. Glancing at the clock, she scowled at the time, time which she’d lost track of. Almost midnight. She shoved to her feet and headed for her phone. Pulling it out, she sent a text message to the person she needed to be in contact with, content come morning her message would be seen.
Picking up a magazine, she flipped through the article on the African Savannah without really seeing the words. She jumped when her phone vibrated. Reaching for it quickly her eyes glossed over the caller ID and answered.
“Lalia?”
“Hi, Kam,” Lalia said in a hushed tone. “I got your text, is everything okay?”
She shook her head. “It didn’t wake you did it? I thought you may get it when you headed off for school in the morning.”
“No, I was awake. We have a test tomorrow; I was finishing up my studies.” A slight pause. “What can I do for you?”
Kam got up and began to pace. A nervous knot in the pit of her belly all of a sudden. It was one thing to think about doing this, something entirely else to enlist the assistance of the man’s sister.
“I need to get in touch with Caleb.”
“You have his cell phone number. Isn’t it working?”
“I need to…to see him, Lalia. And I think if I call, he’ll tell me he’s too busy.”
She chuckled slightly. “So you want to just show up.” Lalia made that a statement.
“Something like that.” Back and forth across the living room, she continued to prowl, the cool wood floor and area rugs not slowing her one whit.
“Okay. Have a pen?”
Hurrying to the writing desk along one wall, she grabbed one. “Ready.” Lalia gave her what she needed. “Thank you, Lalia.”
“One thing, Kam,” Lalia said stopping her farewell.
“Yes?”
“I don’t know what’s going on between you and my brother. Lord knows you adults are crazy with your actions, but Caleb is still my brother and I love him. Don’t hurt him. I’m glad you’re home safe but if you hurt him or get him in trouble again, we’re no longer friends. Good night.”
Click. Lalia Moser disconnected the call.
Hurt him or get him in trouble again. What the heck did that mean? And just how much trouble had he gotten into for saving her? That was no idle threat from a child, Lalia meant every word. Pushing her final words to the back of her mind, Kam got up and headed for bed, determined to at least eke out a few hours of sleep.
She got some. Not restful but she did get some. At work, she walked to her boss’ office and asked for some time off.
“Of course,” Danny replied immediately. “I wondered if you’d come back to soon. You’ve been through a harrowing ordeal, hon. Take your time and come back when you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
It was Wednesday and she would work until Friday. Then leave. She informed her parents on her lunch and told them she was heading out of state for a conference. While she hated to tell the lie, she didn’t want them to know where she was going. Or what her plan was once she got there.
Like I have a plan.
Friday after work, she drove to the airport and grabbed her bags from the trunk after parking in the long-term lot. On the shuttle, she swallowed trying to control the butterflies which had grown exponentially since she’d come up with this idea.
She chewed on her pinky nail as she waited for the flight to be announced and continued to do so as it took off for the west coast. The flight took over eight hours with her plane change and the delay courtesy of the weather. When she arrived, the hour was late. Or early if you wanted to go by her internal time clock. Gathering her bags, she made her way to the rental car counter where she got her keys.
Directions had been given and she got in her Chevy and set off. The closer she got the larger the nerves in her stomach grew. So much so, she felt quite like tossing her cookies when she pulled up and parked besides a large brick building. She got out and rubbed her hands along the cotton of her shorts.
Gathering what little remained of her waning courage; she headed for the door and stepped through. There were four men in there and all of them stared directly at her. She swallowed and walked up to the counter.
“Can I help you ma’am?”
“I need to speak to Sergeant Caleb Moser please.” She was proud her voice only wavered a little.
Dark eyes stared at her before he nodded and pointed to a bench in the corner. She watched him pick up a phone and stare at something before him. When he dialed, she made her way over to the wood seat and perched on the edge. Her insides tossed and turned much as they had when she performed her first surgery.
The men behind the counter spoke to one another in low voices. She couldn’t understand them but she figured she was the point of conversation. Hooking her ankles, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The door opened to admit a few more men who also stared unabashedly at her. She wet her lips and tried to remain calm.
Her breath caught when the door opened to admit someone else. She knew who it was even before she caught sight of him. The reaction her body gave told her that. From her seat in the corner, she ogled him. Tight shirt, jeans, and shoes.
“What’s up, Sergeant?” he asked striding toward the desk.
The man behind the counter said something and Caleb turned toward her. His shock was obvious. He hesitated briefly before striding towards her. Hungrily she ate up the picture he presented. Who knew muscle flowed so elegantly? And dangerously.
She pushed to her feet, well aware that the others in the building watched. His gaze had narrowed and he paused right before her.
“Kami?” He flexed one hand and she wondered if he longed to touch her as she did him.
“Hello, Caleb.”
“What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” His gaze moved up and down her body and it reacted. Immediately.
Before she lost her nerve, she took the bull by the horns. “I came to see you.”
Caleb couldn’t believe his eyes. It was three in the morning and before him stood none other than Kami. She wore a loose white tee shirt and some low-rise jeans. Her hair sat gathered up in a banana clip with a few tendrils free around her face. She looked good. Damn good. None of which explained what he was doing staring at her.
He forced his body to behave and stepped closer only to be swamped by her evocative scent. Every inch of her called out to him and his nails dug into skin as he reined himself under control.
She was here for him.
“How’d you know where to find me?” he asked low, well aware of their rapt audience.
Her gaze dropped before meeting his again. “Lalia.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
Straight white teeth rolled her lower lip. “I…I didn’t want to give you a chance to say no.”
He groaned. “Let’s talk then.” She nodded and he saw the exhaustion she couldn’t quite hide. “When’d you last get some sleep?”
A slight shrug. “I slept some on the plane.”
When’d you get any good amount of sleep? “Come on,” he said reaching for her arm.
The second he touched her he knew he was lost. Only one was created for him and this was her. Desperately ignoring his desire to kiss her, he steered them toward the counter, got her a pass, and escorted her out into the early morning hours.
“Follow me,” he ordered. “Put this on your dash.”
She walked silently to her car and when she was behind the wheel, he got in his truck. Then he led her onto base. Watching in the rearview until she passed he drove towards his room. He pulled into the parking lot and chose a spot with a free one beside it. She took it. He waited for her to get out and then he gestured wordlessly toward the BEQ building.
Their steps were the only sounds in the building. Silence reigned in the elevator as it took them up to the eighth floor. The doors slid open and he checked both ways before leading her to his room. Then it was just the two of them, alone in his small living quarters. He flicked on some lights and moved away from her. With the room between them, he leaned against the wall, crossed his arms and stared at her.
“Tell me the truth, Kami.”
Her brown eyes inspected his room, missing nothing and yet he knew she searched for the words. When she fixed her gaze upon him again, he was reminded of the exhaustion in them. Her jaw wobbled slightly and he saw the sheen of tears gather.
Shit.
Pushing from the wall, he edged his way towards her. Her entire body shook when he stood before her. God damn it to fucking hell. I can’t handle her tears. She stood there, so valiantly, trying desperately not to let them fall. Trying to be strong.
He reached out and tugged her against him where she fit so perfectly. Her arms stole around his waist and she gripped him tightly. Burying his nose in her hair, he closed his eyes and inhaled deep. She reminded him of innocence.
“Have you been sleeping, Kami?” he whispered.
“Trying to.”
“Come on, sugar. You need some sleep.”
He went to his dresser then pulled out a tee shirt he knew would cover her and handed it to her. Then he turned her in the direction of the bathroom and gave her a small nudge. While she was in there, he ran a hand over his face and bit back a few more choice words. He honestly had no clue how much more restraint he had when it came to her. It didn’t take him long to shuck his jeans and tug on a pair of shorts.
She stepped from the bathroom, hands clasped before her, almost demure like. She’d released her hair from its confinement to fall loose around her face, partially obscuring his image of her. Kami had her head down for a few moments before she lifted her gaze to his. His heart stopped and started much faster. Her eyes held such pain and heartbreak it almost drove him to his knees.
Tipping his head toward the bed, he said, “Get some sleep, Kami. We’ll talk after you wake.”
She turned her head to the left and stared at the bed. Her hands wrung nervously. Then she looked back at him. “What about you?” her question was soft.
He paused and shrugged. “I can go crash with a friend.” Brown eyes filled with panic. “Or…I can sleep there in the chair.” Obviously, she didn’t wish to be alone. Large and luminous in the light those killer eyes of her stared at him. Swallowing back the lump, he had in his throat he moved toward her. “Or we can share the bed.”
Though she didn’t verbalize it, her eyes told him of her gratitude. Locking his lust for her away, he shut off the lights, except for the one by the bed. She sat on the edge and he did his best not to imagine her stripped naked and laid back across his blankets.
“Get under the blanket,” he ordered well aware his voice was gruff.
She did, sliding towards the wall. He sat down and reached out to turn off the light. He had to be up in less than two hours. Stretching out on top of the blankets he closed his eyes and tried to forget how she tasted—like cherries and plums. She smelled fresh, like sunlight and crisp air. Just when he thought he had it under control, she pressed her figure along his.
Damn it all, when did she get out from the blanket? He could feel her silken skin along his legs, her hand settled above his heart and her breaths blew across his chest once she settled her head upon his shoulder. I’m so royally fucked. Before he could demand she move or talk himself out of staying next to her, he’d gathered her close and laced his fingers, holding her where she lay. Kami gave a deep sigh and he knew within a minute she lay sound asleep. Him…on the other hand. Not even close.
He lay in the dark surrounded by her scent and the sound of her deep breaths. He couldn’t explain what she was doing here. All he knew is she’d come seeking him out. She needed him. And that made him smile slightly before he, too, drifted off to sleep.
His alarm beeped rousing him from the most restful slumber he’d had in…well, he’d just assume not think about it. Shutting off the alarm, he untangled himself from the woman who seemed determined to wind herself around him. In more ways than one.
He changed into his running clothes and once his shoes were on, he knelt by the bed. The low light in the room allowed him to stare at a still sleeping, Kami. He brushed some hair away from her face.
“Kami,” he whispered. “Wake up, baby.”
He didn’t blink when her thick lashes ascended exposing her sleepy dark brown eyes. “Caleb?” Her voice thick and groggy.
A sudden burst of jealousy flared. “You in the habit of showing up to other guys’ rooms to spend the night?”
Pain flashed before she blinked. “No,” she said softly.
“I’m sorry, Kami. That was uncalled for. Look, I have to go. You stay here and sleep, but Kami, listen to me. Do not leave this room.” Her temper spiked, he could tell by the glint in her eyes. “No, I mean it. Stay here. Sleep. There are some snacks on the dresser. But promise me you won’t leave this room.”
She frowned. He shook her shoulder.
“Promise me.”
“Okay. I can leave you know if having me here is such an embarrassment.”
“You can’t leave because you’re not supposed to be here. Okay. This is bachelor’s quarters, Kami. Single men and geo-bats.”
“Oh.” She gulped but gratefully nodded. He released a breath he’d not been aware he had been holding.
He tucked the blanket up around her and brushed his lips along her cheek. “Get some more sleep. I’ll be back soon.” Her lids were already down before he even got to his feet. A gentle smile crossed his face; he knew she’d been out again before he made it downstairs.
He didn’t want to leave her. But, he had things to do. Fastening the reflective belt around his waist, he grabbed his keys, rolled his shoulders, and headed off to meet up with the others for their morning run.
After the fifteen miles was done, he hurried back to his room. Kami still slept. He showered quickly and watched her as he buttoned up his uniform blouse. She seemed at peace, something that had been missing when he saw her last night.
Soft sharp breaths emerged from her pouty lips. All he could envision was her before him on her knees, his shaft sliding in and out of her wet mouth, those lips curved around his length. He grunted as he hardened. Turning his back on her didn’t really seem to quell any of his raging desire. What he would love to do to her after she finished sucking on him. How it would feel to be buried balls deep inside her hot slit.
His pants felt tighter. Shaking off the image of peeling Kami’s clothes from her body and learning everything about her, he bent down to put on his boots, then his blousing straps and made sure the leg blooms fell right. He stole another look at her before slipping out the door, his cover in hand.
The day dragged and when he had been relieved, he hurried for the door.
“Caleb! Wait up.”
He turned to find a friend from his unit hurrying over. “What’s up, Josh?”
“Heading down to Trawlers, you coming?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say no but he figured Kami would probably want to eat something more than what he had in his place. Then he could get her in a hotel and find out what the hell she truly was doing here. And why she wanted to see him.
“Yeah. I have a friend in town, so I’ll bring her with.”
Josh lifted his brows. “Her?”
He ignored the wave of possessiveness that swarmed him. “Yes, her. Just…be nice and respectful when you meet her.”
Josh winked. “You know me,” he said sauntering off.
“That’s why I said what I did,” Caleb hollered after him.
Back at his building, he paced in the elevator as it took him up to the eighth floor. He nodded at another man who entered as he disembarked. With deep breaths, he made his way toward his room only to pause outside it. Shaking his head at his actions, he pushed through and closed the door behind him. She wasn’t there. His heart pounded in his chest.
She’d promised him to stay there. Where’d she go?
“Kami?”
The door to his bathroom opened and she stepped through, wrapped in his bathrobe. The thing was huge on her, swallowing her up as if she were a sprite or pixie. Her honeyed-blonde hair darker with remnants of her shower. It was a stab to his gut. One of sharp awareness and sexual longing.
“Hi,” she muttered. “Sorry about stealing your robe but you told me not to leave and my bag is in the car.”
She’d not left. “I’ll go get it for you.” He grabbed her keys. “Be right back.” And bolted. When he returned, she sat on the edge of his bed, still enveloped in his robe. He put the bag by her feet and cleared his throat.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” she said slipping back into the bathroom.
True to her word she was. She wore an off the shoulder blue top and some white cargo pants. She’d pulled her damp hair back into a ponytail. He stared without aplomb as she sat back down and leaned over to strap on her shoes, exposing her breasts to him.
Fuck me! He clenched a fist and turned his head away. Staring at the wall, he skimmed his teeth with his tongue. “I thought you might want to go out and eat. And we can get you a hotel room.”
There was no response. Truthfully, he’d expected something, but what, perhaps a moue of disappointment? He rotated back around and found her approaching, bag in hand.
“Let’s go,” she said, her tone sounded defeated.
He relieved her of her bag and walked her to the elevator. They weren’t the only ones in there and he smiled at the others before putting his attention on her. He embroiled her in mundane talk during the ride down. At her car, he blocked her between him and the vehicle. “Follow me.”
Like she had before, she nodded and slipped behind the wheel. Soon he was leading her from base to military lodging and wondering what the hell he was going to do.
Kami observed from behind her mirrored shades at Caleb as he entered the bar beside her. He’d gotten her at room at a Navy Lodge before loading her into his truck and bringing her here. The music was loud and had been noticeable even before they entered. Her breath left her with a whoosh as she noticed all the good-looking men in the establishment.
“Caleb!”
She slid her glance in the direction the name had been hollered to see a guy waving from one side of the bar.
“Come on,” Caleb said in her ear, his warm breath brushing the side of her face.
Without a word, she followed him, increasingly aware of some scantily attired women who called out his name with disgusting familiarity. She fought back the urge to snap at them. He stopped by the other group who had occupied a large table and she waited while he shared a handshake with the men and called the women by name.
One man gestured with his chin at her. “Who’s your friend?”
Caleb pressed his hand on the small of her back, encouraging her closer. Closer to him and the group.
“Guys, this is Kamden. Kam, meet the guys.”
Her heart sank at his use of Kam. He introduced them all; each one shook her hand and said it was a pleasure to meet her. Until the last one. The tanned man with gray eyes, Josh was his name. He continued to hold onto her hand.
“You look familiar, have we met?”
She lifted her brows and fought the urge to laugh the line was so corny. “No,” she replied smoothly, increasingly aware of the terseness radiating from Caleb. Could he be jealous?
“Really? You seem familiar to me.”
“Josh,” Caleb growled.
“No, give me a sec.” Josh grinned and snapped his fingers. “I got it.” He leaned close. “You’re Lane Strong’s daughter.”
Shit.
The rest of the group moved close at his whispered proclamation; shock evident on their faces. Before any of them could speak, Caleb did. His tone low and a complete command.
“No one says a word about that.”
They all stared at him. Damn if they didn’t all nod however. Caleb rested his palm against her back; the heat singed her though the thin cotton of her shirt. Following his silent directive, she slid onto a stool at the table. He hauled one up and wedged in beside her. Their knees touched and she swallowed hard, determined to make it through without coming across as an idiot.
“So,” Josh said, reaching for his beer and sliding the chips and dip in her direction, “how’d Caleb get lucky enough to meet you?”
She smiled. “Our mothers are best friends. We saw each other quite a lot when we were kids.”
Immediately they launched a litany of questions toward her about how Caleb was a child. She sent him a smug grin, totally ignoring his retaliatory warning look and popped a chip in her mouth. She heard Caleb order food, but she was far to busy regaling the group with stories to pay him much attention. Yet when the food arrived, she was pleasantly surprised with the choice he made for her. It looked delicious and smelled even better.
“Cranberry lemonade,” he said sliding her drink closer.
She flashed him a grin and dug in.
“What do you do, Kam?” Josh asked as he ate a big bite of his burger.
Swallowing her food, she washed it down with a drink. “I’m a doctor.”
They all stared at her. “Dr. Strong?” She nodded. Josh gave a low whistle, echoed by those around him. “I’m impressed. Or is it I’m in love,” he teased.
She smiled while they laughed. In the next second however, she almost choked on her next bite when Caleb’s strong leg pressed tight along hers. Under the guise of looking around, she watched his face. Nothing out of the ordinary.
The camaraderie between all there amazed her and she was infinitely glad Caleb had seen fit to include her. It was nice to relax and enjoy being out.
Not like I gave him a choice though. Just showed up.
“Tell me something, doc,” Larson said from her right.
“What?” She watched the blond PFC and drank from the straw.
“Tell us something about Styx here that we wouldn’t know.”
Styx. She loved the nickname he’d gotten in the Corps. “Let’s see.”
“Hang on now,” Caleb argued, nudging her lightly in the side.
She smirked at him. “What? They were talking to me. Not you.” Warnings flared. Waving him off she faced Larson again. “Hmm. Do you know about the…nope, probably do.” She shrugged. “He was older. Mean really.”
Larson guffawed. “That I believe.”
Under the table, he cupped her thigh. Right above the knee. Cotton exploded up in her mouth, making short work of the moisture there until it had been soaked up with swift efficiency. She struggled to remain coherent of the conversation and not succumb to the heat his mere touch created in her. By the time, he’d ordered dessert she was near the end of her rope.
He removed his hand when the plates of dessert arrived. She did her very best to not dwell on the fact she missed that same touch which had created such havoc within her. With a pleased sigh, she stared at the piece of triple layer carrot cake.
“Hope you still like it,” Caleb murmured in her ear, his hand brushing the small of her back.
Just another brief bit of contact. One which made her immeasurably all the more aware of her. Fleeting it vanished almost before it registered but the effect on her…lacked even a sloth’s ambition in its retreat.
“Kami?”
She fisted her fork and cut off a bite. “I do. It…it looks divine.”
His gaze travelled over her face. Slowly. Almost searchingly. As if he sought to see if she lied. With a smile, she ate the cake and forced her attention on something other than Caleb Zachary Moser.
After the meal, they played pool and darts. She’d stifled a yawn when she noticed Caleb watching her. Again. He’d done a lot of that over the course of the evening. He didn’t ask, just put down the darts he held in his hand and made his way to her side. She paid attention to the way he stood by her—protective almost.
“Night, y’all.” He spoke loud enough to be heard over the increasing din.
No one argued or made comments about them leaving so early but she could read the assumptions in their eyes. Not that she minded given the need she had for Caleb, one that drew her out here.
Before farewells were finished, another voice broke in. “Oh my God! You…you’re Kamden Strong, Lane Strong’s daughter.”
She tensed.
“You remember, the country superstar singer, Lane. His daughter was kidnapped in Taiwan and her fiancé murdered. Her friend too.”
“Oh yeah, I remember now.”
And her belly clenched and rolled as the cacophony grew louder with each heartbeat. She hated being the center of attention. Any attention. And she hated how casually they threw around the deaths of Evan and Missy. Instinctively and without thought, she sidestepped and brought herself closer to Caleb’s powerful body.
She didn’t know how he did it but one second, she faced a crowd of nosy and inquiring faces. The next…a wall of solid marine flesh surrounded her and Caleb. He took her hand in his and for a moment, the surrounding chaos faded into nothingness. All that mattered was the strength and feel of him. His large hand surrounded hers, dwarfing her own, showing her yet again how it felt to be safe.
As she had in the mountains of Taiwan, she embraced the safety he gave her. All the men, and women, moved together. A unified front and got her the hell out of there to Caleb’s truck. She despised releasing his hand and only after a severely delayed response time did she.
Farewells were swift but they made her promise to return for another visit. Then they were gone, driving away into the night. Her heart pounded hard, palms sweated until she dragged them across her thighs.
This isn’t Taiwan, she reminded herself. No one was chasing her. Still, she couldn’t slow the pounding of her heart, nor the rapidness of her breaths. They were sharp and shallow. She could feel Caleb’s gaze upon her, yet he said nothing. When he parked his truck, her hands shook so bad it took three attempts to unbuckle the belt. His perceptive stare penetrated clear to her soul and she shook off how it affected her.
He paced beside her taking they key from her continued trembling hand and unlocked the door to the room. Inside, he gripped her shoulders and backed her against the closed door. Surprised by his action she regarded him with a bit of caution. There existed a decided tic in his clenched jaw, his entire body radiated tension and his eyes—those incredibly rich kingfisher blue eyes—had darkened with rage.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” he growled.
She stood in silence; her gaze adhered to his. There was no denying him, she knew that. Nor did she want to.
“I didn’t think it would matter,” she whispered succinctly, refusing to allow herself to release his embroiled stare.