by Coleen Kwan
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that.” She put on an innocent face even as she slanted him a mischievous wink.
“You are, you minx.” His eyes gleamed. “I’m out of jelly donuts at the moment, but”—he bent to scoop up a handful of mud—“I’ve always been good at improvising.”
At the sight of the mud, Lily’s mouth fell open. She didn’t think trying to flirt would have led to this. “Oh…you wouldn’t dare.”
“That’s the worst thing you can say to a prankster. Now, those red boots of yours. They’re way too shiny and clean for a building site.”
She glanced down. “No, they’re— Argh!” she squawked as Caleb lobbed his mud at her, spattering the sludge across her bright red rainboots.
Caleb paused. For a moment she saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes as he waited for her reaction. She crouched down and plunged her hand into the puddle of soupy mud. As she drew back her arm, she saw he was grinning, totally unfazed. No wonder; his well-worn boots would hardly notice the extra muck.
She’d show him. Darting forward, she smeared her hand across his cheek, leaving behind a long streak of sticky mud. His eyes widened, and then he burst out laughing.
“Okay, now you’re talking.” He plunged both hands into the puddle, then advanced on her, his intentions clear.
Giggling, she turned and tried to dash away, but he caught her easily, capturing her from behind. Air whooshed out of her lungs as she felt his hard body pressed against her back. His broad hands were splayed over her ribs just beneath her breasts, their imprint warming her through her thin T-shirt.
“Gotcha!” Caleb spun her around. “And now for some face painting. How about this?” He stroked a finger slowly across her face, leaving behind a smear of mud that was cool against her heated cheek.
His breath stirred the hair at her temples. He was focused on his task, his lips slightly pursed. His other hand was still holding her at the waist so that their hips brushed together. His fingers slipped beneath the hem of her T-shirt and found her bare skin. The movement was infinitesimal, but the spark of pleasure was undeniable. She sucked in a breath. He stilled, staring down at her. An unbelievable rush of heat flooded her body, desire electrifying every nerve ending. He clasped her with both hands and drew her even closer, his breathing ragged as the air between them sizzled.
She couldn’t be misreading this, could she? His eyes were electric with need, his hands sliding around her like he couldn’t get enough of her. He was going to kiss her, surely. But still he hesitated, even though her own need must be as plain as daylight, and she began to fear this moment would slip through her fingers and be gone forever.
Screw it. No risk, no reward.
Rising up on her toes, she pressed her mouth against his.
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 intens
ified, 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?”
&nbs
p; 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.”
