Chapter Eight

As Lily moved her mouth over Caleb’s, he remained stock-still, and for a second or two she thought she’d horribly miscalculated. But then he let out a groan, his arms tightened around her, and he started kissing her back fiercely.

He took over the initiative, his lips plundering hers, giving her sweetness and delight, not letting up for a moment until her senses were spinning and her body was on fire. His hands roved over her back, pressing her against his chest. They were both getting ridiculously muddy, but it seemed neither of them cared.

Lily was lost, tossed into uncharted waters and pulled along in the raging current that was Caleb. Her need for him was depthless, shameless. She gave herself up to the pleasure of his touch, not caring what she revealed.

Eons flashed by. Then, somewhere from above, a crow squawked, and time caught up with them. His lips softened, and he shifted an inch away as they caught their breaths.

“Uh…” Words failed her. Not surprising when her brain was starved of oxygen while blood thudded through her veins, making her body achy and sensitive.

“I’m glad you did that,” Caleb breathed, laughter lines crinkling in the corners of his eyes.

“That makes two of us.”

“Yeah. I’ve been wanting to kiss you for…well, for a while now.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Hmm, let’s say I didn’t want to risk a knee in the balls.”

She snickered. “I wouldn’t have done that to you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” His eyes sobered. “But we both know I shouldn’t be kissing you, however bad the temptation.”

“Oh yeah?” She didn’t know why, but the devil was still in her, inciting her to act out of character. Keeping her eyes locked with his, she started to move against him in what she hoped was a slow and provocative manner. What a time to wish she’d taken a few pole-dancing lessons. “I suppose I shouldn’t be doing this, either?”

She was hardly an exotic dancer, but it seemed she was doing something right. Caleb’s eyes were at half mast as he let out a tortured groan. “No, you shouldn’t.”

Her breasts were tingling, and she could feel his body hardening against her. For a brief, giddy moment she tasted the power she had over him. How amazing that she could arouse him so easily. But then she noticed his gritted teeth, the effort of his self-control, and realized she was being unfair.

“Sorry.” She stepped away from him.

His eyes brooded over her. “I’m only sorry you stopped.”

He wiped his palms on the back of his jeans, then reached for her. She fell into his arms, greedy for his touch, lifting her head so he could easily find her mouth. They kissed for an endless time, touching, exploring, tasting. She never knew kissing could be like this, moving from fervid to gentle to lustful again, laughter and libido combining to cast a potent spell.

His fingers traced over her cheeks. “I’m getting mud all over you,” he muttered.

“So am I.” She ran her own dirtied hand over his shoulder. “But I don’t mind.”

“We have to stop,” he said, even as he squeezed her hips.

“Do we?” Her senses were still whirling, her body crying out for more.

“Yes. We’re old enough to know better.”

The thread of steel in his voice pierced the mist in her head. “What—what are you trying to say?”

“That we shouldn’t be starting something we can’t finish.” His hands fell away from her, leaving her feeling off-kilter.

“Oh.” She swallowed. “Okay.”

“Lily?”

She pushed a hand through her curls, wishing she didn’t feel so exposed and disoriented. “Yeah?”

“Can we…I dunno, can we just put it down as a practice kiss?”

His brows were drawn together, and his eyes had that worried look, the same one he’d had the other night when he’d comforted her with ice cream. Her stomach cramped. Did he think she’d taken his kiss to mean more than what it was? Was he worried she was going to get upset over a misunderstanding?

She made a show of patting her hair into place. “A practice kiss? Are you saying I need practice at kissing?”

“No, not at all.” He raked his fingernails across his jaw. “Sorry, I’m bad at this. What I mean is, I wanted to kiss you, Lily, and I really enjoyed kissing you, but I shouldn’t have. You’re looking for a real relationship, and that’s just not on my agenda. It would be stupid to start something that can’t go anywhere. So can we agree it won’t happen again and put it behind us?”

Put it behind her? The most incredible kisses she’d ever experienced that were still reverberating through her? Kisses she could never have imagined a week ago. The unfairness of the situation slammed into her. Why couldn’t a tenth of this chemistry have kindled between her and Grabby-hands Greg? Why did it have to happen with the one man she couldn’t have?

But she couldn’t let Caleb see how deeply his kiss had rocked her. She had to play it cool, for both their sakes.

“Please don’t look so worried.” She folded her arms, becoming aware of how fast her heart was pounding. “I know it’s just a kiss, and you don’t mean anything when you kiss a woman.” As his frown intensified, she hurried on, “What I mean is, of course I know you aren’t into relationships, so there’s no danger I’ve misinterpreted your actions.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “I have to say, you’re a great kisser. You don’t need practice, either.”

His gaze had fastened on her lips, and his breathing sounded labored. “I’m handling this all wrong.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Look at you; I’ve managed to put mud all over you.”

Clearly he was dying to change the subject. Fine with her.

“I don’t mind.” Every streak of dirt on her had been completely worth it.

“Come on. I always keep a pack of Wet Ones in my car. We can clean up a little.”

She followed him back to his truck, where he tossed a pack of giant hand wipes to her. They began swabbing off the worst of the mud. Caleb was unusually silent. When she caught him casting her a worried look, she realized she had to act nonchalant, not only for his sake but for hers. It wouldn’t do to dwell on Caleb’s kisses when she was looking for love elsewhere.

“My dad uses the same brand,” Lily said, waving her towelette. “I remember him cleaning my cut knees with them when I was a girl.”

“You and your dad are pretty close,” Caleb said. “Must’ve been hard for both of you when your mom died.”

“It was. I still think of her every single day, even though she’s been gone more than sixteen years.” She glanced at him. “How old were you when you lost your mom?”

Caleb scrubbed a wipe over his forearm. “She’s not dead.”

“Oh, sorry. I just assumed.”

“No need to apologize.” He scrunched up the wipe and threw it into a garbage bag. “My mother left when I was eleven. Ran away with the UPS driver she’d been seeing on the sly.” His voice was deadpan. He might’ve been discussing the weather.

But Lily sucked in her lower lip. “That must’ve been hard.”

He lifted a shoulder, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “My dad didn’t know what hit him. On top of everything else, my mom cleaned out all their savings accounts, including my sister’s college fund. Hannah had to give up her dream of studying to be a nurse and instead find a job, on top of running the house and looking after the both of us.” He pulled out a fresh wipe and went to work on his jeans.

He hadn’t said anything about how he’d been affected, but he didn’t need to. She sensed enough from the slight but definite tension in his shoulders. She tried to picture him as that eleven-year-old boy. Old enough to know what was happening, but still young enough to feel totally bewildered. And abandoned. At least Lily had never doubted her mom had cherished her.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Caleb said, swiping at a smear of mud on his knee. “You think that’s the reason why I avoid relationships. Because I’m afraid of being ditched again.” He looked up at her, his eyes clear and frank. “I guess there’s an element of truth in that. My sister went through hell when her first marriage broke down. I felt so helpless, watching someone I love suffer because of some schmuck. So yeah, I don’t mind admitting that I don’t want to go through that pain myself. Call it self-preservation.”

His candor caught her off guard. Most men hated talking about their feelings, especially tough construction guys, but Caleb would never fit any stereotype. Although, she had to wonder if his honesty was a form of defense.

“But your sister remarried,” she said. “And so did your dad. So falling in love doesn’t always end in disaster.”

“You’re right. Hannah couldn’t be happier now that she’s with Derek, and my dad would be lost without Rosalind. But you have to admit it’s still a crapshoot.”

“And you’re not prepared to take that risk?”

A brooding look came over him, and she got the feeling he was holding back. “Nope.” Twisting his head, he inspected the back of his shirt, then began to undo the buttons.

“What happened to no risk, no…” Her eyes widened as he started to take off his shirt. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want mud on my seat.” He shrugged off the shirt, revealing a ripped chest packed into a white sleeveless undershirt.

Oh, this was so unfair. First those mind-blowing kisses and now he was stripping. Maybe he was doing it to distract her.

“As for no risk, no reward,” he continued, “I reserve that for business, not my personal life.”

“Right. Okay.” If showing off his body was a ploy, it sure was working.

Caleb paused, his eyes narrowing on her face. As he stepped closer, her heart faltered and then sped up as he lifted a hand toward her.

“Got some dirt in there.” His fingers stroked through her curls. After he’d flicked a speck away, his hand lingered on her face, the pads of his fingers resting lightly against her cheek. “You feel like really expensive cashmere,” he murmured.

Emboldened, she reached up and stroked his bare shoulder. His smooth, supple skin was utterly seductive. Sucking in a breath, Caleb took a quick step back.

“My bad. Shouldn’t have started that.” Turning away, he opened the passenger door for her. “I’d better get you home.”

She climbed into the truck and leaned back against the headrest, still stunned by what had happened. Caleb had kissed her. Wildly, passionately. That was amazing. But he was right to have stopped. He didn’t want her to get hurt. He was a caring guy who didn’t go around recklessly breaking hearts. Caleb was exactly the wrong kind of man for her, and they both knew it. He was only looking out for her.

She should be grateful for his care. She was, truly she was.

But what about the fun they’d had in the mud, how he brought out the playfulness in her, and the heat of their kisses…? What if Caleb wasn’t the wrong kind of man for her? What if he was exactly the right kind?

…

Caleb stared at the shelves loaded with every type of screw imaginable. He was running low on some of his basic supplies, so he’d come to the hardware store to stock up before the real work started tomorrow morning. With only four weeks to finish that house, he had no time to lose.

He picked up a box of drywall screws. Was this the size he needed? Why was it so difficult to remember? Hell, he knew why. Because he couldn’t stop thinking about those mind-melting kisses he’d shared with Lily. A couple of hours had passed since it happened, but he could still feel the shape of her soft lips against his, could still taste her sweetness on his tongue, hear her tiny gasps, see the desire in her eyes. Latent heat, still simmering from that kiss, frothed up at the memory and seethed through his veins. God, he was getting turned on in the middle of a hardware store just by thinking about Lily.

Why did she have such a hold over him? Her pet bearded dragon, her lucky barrette, her passion for yarn, her quirky view of the world—she wasn’t like any other woman he’d lusted for before, and yet he couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted to kiss a woman so badly. Couldn’t remember when last he’d enjoyed a kiss so much.

Maybe it was all to do with forbidden fruit. Lily was desirable because everything told him—warned him, sternly—not to make a move on her. But that theory didn’t make sense. There were plenty of women he couldn’t pursue, and that didn’t make them more attractive to him. So what was it about Lily Baker? Why had the touch of her fingers on his shoulder gotten his blood pounding so hard it was all he could do not to crush her in his arms? What made it even crazier was that she’d been turning him on for days, and she had no idea she was torturing him so badly. She was—

“Hey, Caleb. This is a nice surprise,” a familiar female voice spoke from just behind him.

He spun around, the box of screws slipping from his fingers, to see Hannah together with Amber, who also happened to be the manager of the hardware store.

He exchanged greetings and kisses on the cheek with both women before picking up the screws he’d dropped.

“You were staring at that box of screws so hard you barely heard us,” Amber remarked. “Is something wrong?”

Amber, always forthright, had no qualms about prying in his business. “Nothing’s wrong,” Caleb replied. “Just stocking up on supplies. I have a big job starting tomorrow.” He went on to tell them about the house he’d promised to finish in four weeks.

Hannah let out a low whistle. “You’re doing all that just to impress Bill Baker, with no guarantee he’ll make you a partner at the end of it.”

“You’ll have to work extra hard to get it done in that time frame,” Amber said. “Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with. Any supplies, hire tools, whatever. You know you can count on me.”

“Thanks, Amber.”

She cocked her head to one side, studying him, before saying to Hannah, “There’s something different about him today, don’t you think?”

His sister nodded. “Yes. I don’t know what it is. He’s got that look like he’s just tasted something delicious but forbidden. Like when he used to steal my apple cookies and deny it even though there were crumbs all over his face.”

“Don’t know what you two have been drinking,” Caleb said, “but there’s nothing different about me.”

“No, there is.” Amber peered closer at him. “Is that lip gloss on the corner of your mouth? It is.” She started to chuckle. “Hannah, it’s not forbidden apple cookies he’s just tasted, it’s a woman’s lips.”

“Must have been nice.” Hannah snickered.

Rubbing the back of his hand against his mouth, Caleb turned to the shelves and grabbed a few more boxes of screws at random. He swiveled around to see the two women still grinning at him.

“You’re not going to tell us who the lucky girl is?” Amber asked, never one to hold back.

“I’m not saying anything to you two.”

“Aw, let’s cut him some slack,” Hannah said. “He doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Thanks, sis.”

“I have a big favor to ask,” his sister smoothly segued. “One of Derek’s clients invited us to a swanky party this Saturday afternoon. Can you babysit Amelia? Dad and Rosalind could manage if it was a couple of hours, but we’ll be gone from three until around eight.”

“And Logan and I are going to Lake Tahoe for the weekend,” Amber said. “Or I’d totally watch the munchkin.”

“Of course I’ll take care of Amelia,” Caleb said without hesitation. His two-year-old niece was growing up so fast, and he didn’t spend nearly enough time with her.

“Are you sure? Five hours is a long time to babysit, and besides, you have this big important job to finish.”

“I can afford five hours for my favorite niece. I’ll take her to the county fair. We’ll have a great time.”

“Thanks, Caleb.” Hannah leaned in to peck him on the cheek. “That’s really great.”

“No problem.”

“Speaking of Amelia…” Hannah gave him a cautious look. “I suppose you know about Mom visiting Pine Falls in a couple weeks?”

Caleb’s genial mood instantly evaporated. “Yeah. Amber told me. Are you really planning to let Tracey see Amelia?” He deliberately avoided calling her mom. “After everything she’s done to us?”

His sister winced. “I haven’t made up my mind yet. Derek says he’ll support whatever decision I make.” She touched Caleb’s arm gently. “I don’t want this to create a rift between us, Caleb. I know Mom did some horrible things to us. But I’ve been talking with her recently, and I think she’s changed for the better.”

Meaning she regrets quitting on her family now that she’s old and lonely. The bitter words rose in Caleb’s throat. He swallowed them down; his sister didn’t deserve to glimpse the rawness inside him.

Hannah squeezed his arm again. “The last time we spoke, she asked about you. She’d really like to see you again—”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“But Caleb—”

“Look, if you want to make up with Tracey, then that’s your prerogative, but don’t try to drag me into it. I don’t want to even think about her. Okay?”

Hannah and Amber exchanged glances. He knew full well they’d be discussing him until the cows came home, but no matter what they tried he wouldn’t be swayed. He wanted nothing to do with his mom, and he wished Hannah felt the same way. It wouldn’t surprise him if Tracey sweet-talked Hannah into setting up a meeting and then canceled, forgot, or, even worse, turned up only to ask for a loan or a favor. He’d be furious if his sister got hurt again.

“All right, Caleb,” Hannah said.

“Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll see you ladies later.” Waving goodbye, he walked off before they could try to persuade him otherwise.

He had enough to deal with without the extra complication of his mom turning up like a bad penny. He needed to help Lily get that perfect date she wanted, and he had to do it without thinking about her and those luscious kisses. And he had to concentrate on the most important task of all—finishing the house and getting that partnership.

…

Lily set down her crochet work to take a sip of wine. She’d attracted some strange looks tonight. She guessed not many people crocheted in Jimmy’s Bar, but she needed to finish her project. Caleb, sitting opposite her, had grinned when he’d arrived and found her in a booth surrounded by balls of yarn.

It wasn’t a date. They were here because Caleb had suggested it as a meeting place to discuss her next prospect. A part of her wondered if he wanted to avoid being alone with her because he didn’t want a repeat of what had happened at the building site.

She sighed inwardly as she resumed her crocheting. Three days had passed since she’d tasted his kiss, and still it was the last thing she thought about at night and the first when she woke in the morning, her bedsheets twisted and rumpled from her feverish dreams.

“Here, how about this guy?” Caleb’s voice broke into her unsettled thoughts. He was gazing at her phone, where she’d brought up the eCherish app. “Dudley. Thirty-one. Small business owner. Likes dogs, hiking, and ice hockey. I see you’ve been chatting with him already.”

“Yes, he said he gave me a daisy because of my profile description, so it’s all thanks to you for updating it. He seems nice and respectful. We scored eight point one on the compatibility meter.”

“That high? Do you really think this compatibility meter is an actual thing?”

“I don’t know. I hope so.”

“Sounds like the kind of thing I’d send a rookie worker to go buy. You know, like skyhooks.”

She laughed. “Point taken. But, in any case, I don’t have to like everything he does, and vice versa.”

“Well, I suppose so.” Caleb was still looking at her phone when a notification chimed. “It’s Facebook. Want to check?” He handed the phone back to her.

A quick glance at the screen and Lily saw the activity on her college reunion Facebook group. They were nominating people for awards, like “most likely to arrive late,” or “most likely to become a politician.” Most of them were funny or silly, but then she saw the post where she’d been tagged: Shari Slater had nominated her as “most likely to not turn up because of some lame excuse.” Lily instantly grimaced. Her old college nemesis seemed unable to resist these constant little digs at her. She also saw that Maddie had quickly jumped to her defense, nominating Shari as “most likely to be proven wrong,” and Lily as “most likely to bring the hottest date.” She couldn’t ask for a better friend than Maddie, but in her effort to help, she’d only made the situation worse.

“Something wrong?” Caleb’s voice broke in.

“Um, no.” She hastily swiped the notifications off her screen. She would post a reply later, something carefree to show everyone she wasn’t taking Shari seriously, even though she was.

Caleb was still looking concerned. “It’s not Grabby-hands-Greg, is it?”

“No, definitely not. It’s nothing important.” She turned her attention back to the eCherish site. Getting the right date was more crucial than ever. Shari’s snide innuendos were bad enough, but no way was she going to let Maddie down. “I like Dudley,” she said firmly, tamping down any doubt she’d felt about him. “He was very interested in my work. He thinks accounting is fascinating.”

Caleb’s eyebrows shot up. “He does?” He coughed. “I mean, yeah, of course it is. And I know you’re super smart, so that’ll impress him.” He returned his attention to the dating profile on her phone. “This Dudley dude has one of those hipster beards. You into that?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never kissed a man with a full beard.”

As soon as she said that, she wished she could take back the words because all she could think about was kissing Caleb, and from the expression on his face she could tell he was thinking the same thing about her. She picked up her yarn and hastily finished her triangle.

“So, do you want to set up a date with this guy?” Caleb asked.

“Yes, I think I do,” she replied, glad to be moving on. “How about the county fair this Saturday? It’ll be a casual date, no need to dress up or anything, which suits me just fine.”

“Go for it.” He pushed the phone toward her. “Ask him now.”

“Right now?”

“Yeah, why not?”

Hesitant at first, she tapped out a message. “Okay, it’s done.” She leaned back to sip her wine. Her nerves were on edge, not only because she’d just asked a stranger out on a date and the pressure of her impending college reunion, but because of the man sitting opposite her.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be at the fair, too,” Caleb said.

She paused, frowning a little. “Not to stand guard over me, I hope.”

“Hannah and Derek are away that day, so I’m taking my niece. Since I’ll be there, I can keep an eye on you, too.” He was serious, she realized. Was he worried she’d end her date crying again?

“No, you don’t have to do that. Dudley hasn’t even said yes yet.” Lily tugged at her length of yarn. She was beginning to hope the guy would turn her down.

“He’ll say yes.”

At that moment, her phone beeped. It was Dudley. He’d love to go to the fair with her. He was looking forward to learning more about her.

“You’re right, he accepted. We’re meeting Saturday at two.” She nibbled on her lower lip. How could she go on a date with a stranger while Caleb was in close vicinity? The prospect made her antsy. Especially after those crazy-hot kisses.

“You seem anxious,” Caleb said, perhaps misinterpreting her reaction.

It was high time she nipped this stupid crush on Caleb in the bud. She had to focus on her goal—finding the soul mate she yearned for, who would be that perfect boyfriend she’d promised all her friends on Facebook. And after Shari’s annoying nomination, she couldn’t show up at the reunion on her own and face all the prying questions and snide looks. With the reunion in four weeks, she didn’t have much time to find her dream hero; Dudley might be her last chance. The realization of how much was riding on this next date made her break out in a cold sweat.

“Lily?” Caleb was gazing closely at her. “Hey, you really are nervous, aren’t you?”

He didn’t know the real reason for her anxiety, and she wasn’t going to tell him, either. She pressed her lips together. “A little.”

“Okay. But you’re not nervous sitting here with me, are you?”

Lily rubbed her hands on her thighs. “No.” Not exactly nerves. It was more like an electric hum of excitement, arousal, anticipation. Emotions she shouldn’t be feeling around him.

“So if you’re not anxious with me, you can’t be because of this Dudley guy.” He leaned his elbows on the table, drawing closer to her. “You’ll do great, Lily. You’re smart and funny and…cute, too. Just let your natural personality shine through, and you’ll be fine.”

For a moment she let herself sink into the sky-blue warmth of his eyes and pretend he was saying those things because he was into her. Because he wanted more from her. But the indulgence only lasted a second before she pulled herself back. Caleb might find her cute enough to kiss, but there was a world of difference between an impulsive lip-lock and being truly smitten.

“Okay,” she murmured. “I’ll try to remember that.” Choosing a ball of purple yarn, she started on another crochet triangle.

Caleb touched the woolen triangle she’d completed. “What are you making?”

“It’s a dress for the county fair competition. Crocheted item, apparel, adult garment. When I was young, I used to enter the kids’ competition all the time. This is the first time I’ve done it in years. I didn’t realize how much work a project like this involves, though, which is why I’m crocheting in a bar.”

“Is the competition fierce?”

“Oh, absolutely. I’ll be up against seasoned veterans. I’d be over the moon if I even placed.”

Caleb paused for a moment. “You should’ve told me. I don’t know if it’s such a good idea having this competition and your first date with Dudley on the same day.”

“The judging is done before the fair, so I’ll be able to see my dress in the morning, before the date. That should give me enough time to get over my excitement or disappointment and settle my nerves before seeing Dudley.”

He pondered her for a while, not saying anything. “Well, I want you to know that, whatever happens—with your dress or your date—I’ve got your back. I’ll be there if you need anything, even if it’s just a breather.”

His quiet sincerity warmed her heart. Caleb was genuinely trying to help her.

“Thanks.” Even though he rattled her in ways she couldn’t control, having Caleb in her corner meant a lot. “But you may have your hands full with your niece.”

“I can multitask, you know.” He smiled. “Amelia’s a firecracker, but I know how to keep her entertained. It’ll be petting zoo, face painting, hot dogs and cotton candy, and the Ferris wheel.”

“Sounds like fun.”

It really did. Everything involving Caleb sounded like fun. Something had happened between them. He’d seen her at her worst, and somehow he’d still kissed her. He’d made her feel alive, desirable, special. Like no one else ever had. He was the prince to her frog, and his kiss had transformed her.

But life wasn’t a fairy tale, and Caleb didn’t want to be her prince. So she’d just have to find someone who did.