“Are you okay?”
“Of course I am, why do you ask?”
“You just seem, I don’t know, tense.”
“I just, I’ve never been away from Braden this long, and its already starting to get dark.”
I moved closer to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, then took her hand in mine and pressed my lips against her finger tips, “Braden is fine, I’ve been checking with Samson every hour.”
She sighed, “I know, I’m being silly.”
At that opportune moment, the entire place lit up in a display of beautiful colours that transformed the gardens into something more like a magical fairy garden, and that was all it took to draw Rae’s attention.
“Oh my god, this is absolutely breath taking,” she stood up and turned around, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I smiled and came to stand next to her near the pond, “They do this every evening, it’s like a tradition, it’s even more beautiful in winter, and then it’s more like Whoville at Christmas.”
Rae suddenly giggled and I couldn’t help but laugh, “You remember when we watched the Grinch? That movie was sooo funny, I want Braden to watch it this Christmas.”
I chuckled, “We will have to make sure he watches Horton Hears a Who first, he’s going to need to know where the Who’s come from.”
Yep, I just said ‘we’, and by the way Rae’s mouth fell open and her eyes met mine, I knew that she read between the lines, and suddenly there it was, that sexual tension I have been trying to ignore since the kiss at Mickey’s, but now here in this magical place the lights and all the colours served as the fireworks one can expect when you look at a beautiful woman and realize she’s feeling exactly the same.
I stepped in, and so did she; my heart thumped with hope at her approach. I wrapped my arms around her waist and she gripped the front of my shirt and our lips met midway. Her breath mixed with mine and filled my lungs and I let out an audible groan, how I wish we were completely alone. I slid my hands down and pulled her more firmly against me, wanting not to scare her, but show her exactly what she did to me. Instead of pulling away she leaned harder against me. As she slid one hand up and around my neck her other hand found the hem of my shirt and slipped under it. The moment her cool fingers touched my skin, I knew I was damned.
“Rae…” I whispered as I pulled away from the kiss, cupping her face, “Baby if we don’t stop now, the trees and the flowers are going to have a lot more to talk about than bees.”
She tucked her teeth into her bottom lip and smiled mischievously up at me, then slid her hand further under my shirt until she cupped my left peck, “Then I suggest you take me home right this minute, or we’ll put nature to shame.”
I gritted my teeth as I felt her hand slide from my chest to my stomach to stop just above my jeans, she had the art of seduction down to perfection and anything she did from this moment on would put me at risk of breaking the law and being locked up for indecent exposure. Determined I took her hand and lead her back out of the gardens to the motorbike.
“Get on, before I go insane,” I said and she laughed.
“Yes sir!”
Raedene
By the time we got home my body was on fire, sitting pressed up against Caleb’s back was excruciating, all I could think of was his lips on mine and those intense eyes that that bore into my soul. The moment he turned the bike of I scrambled off and rushed into the house and I knew he was short on my heels, but I had to check on Braden first.
“Samson, Maria?” I whispered as I entered the living room.
“Hi,” Maria said as she excited the kitchen, “Braden’s asleep upstairs, he went to bed about an hour ago.”
“He never goes to bed so early,” I said concerned.
“Well we had a lot of fun and he was so exhausted. He did have something to eat before he passed out, so don’t worry.”
“Oh okay then, I’ll go look in on him,” I walked to the stairs then turned, “Maria. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
I ran up the stairs and quietly opened Braden’s door. He was fast asleep hugging a plush toy bear to his chest. My heart ached as I looked down at him sleeping and I brushed a lock of hair from his brow.
“Sweet dreams my boy,” I whispered and then kissed his forehead before I quietly left his room.
As I entered the hallway, Caleb was there waiting for me and from the way he looked at me, I knew he was also reaching the end of his sanity. Without a word, I grabbed his hand and pulled him into my bedroom.
The moment the door closed, Caleb spun me around and pressed me up against the door. He lowered his one hand to my hip and his fingers brushed the bare skin between my vest and jeans, which sent a shiver of pleasure coursing through me. I sighed as his lips met mine and I knew that there was no turning back now. I slid my hands down to his waist and pulled him tighter against me and that was encouragement enough. In one swift motion, he reached for my vest and pulled it off over my head and his hands instantly cupped my breasts, and even though they were covered in lace I could feel the heat of his palms burn into my skin. I followed suit and pulled his T-shirt off and the sight of him took my breath away. He was all muscle and ripped abs and I knew that it could make any woman swoon helplessly at his feet. I felt a stab of jealousy poke at my subconscious knowing that other women had seen him like this, but the moment his hands moved to the buttons of my jeans those thoughts fled for the hills.
We undressed each other eagerly until we both stood naked.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered as he drew me into his arms.
“You’re biased,” I joked as I ran my fingers down his chest stopping just above the V that cut down in front of his stomach. I felt his stomach muscles contract and tighten and I smiled.
“I promise you that this has nothing to do with being biased, it’s the honest truth,” he groaned and lifted me effortlessly into his arms then carried me over to the bed.
I met his eyes and his desire reflected my own, I needed him, I needed to feel him make love to me, but before I would allow myself that pleasure, I wanted him to know exactly how much I needed him. As he stood at the edge of the bed, I sat up and looked at him with a smile tugging at my lips while I ran my hands up along his thighs to his waist. He was rock hard and as I reached to wrap my hand around his erection, he cursed under his breath.
“Too much, too soon?” I asked smiling as I stroked him.
“Hell no, but if you keep that up, it will be the quickest climax in history,” he said in a strained tone.
“I doubt that very much.”
I lowered my head and took him into my mouth, his hands fisted my hair as I rolled my tongue around his tip as his hips started to move. With my one hand at his base, I dragged my tongue along his full length and then sucked him into my mouth again.
“Oh my god Rae…” he uttered breathlessly.
“Not even god can save you now,” I said and continued teasing him.
As I pleasured him with my mouth he groaned audibly and rocked his hips, not once letting go of my hair. I could feel my own arousal as the wetness between my legs increased. I was lost in time and space and the present was all that mattered. Before I knew it, Caleb had tugged me away from him and was now laying on top of me, kissing me with such passion I thought I was going to faint. I felt his hand slide down over my stomach and between my legs and when his fingers slid between my folds I cried out, “Caleb, please!” I was slowly coming undone.
“Patience,” he said and I could feel him smile against my skin as he pressed kisses along my jaw, down my throat and between my breasts. He moved his lips to one of my nipples and sucked the aching tip into his mouth. It was like a magical chord of ecstasy that connected every nerve ending in my body to each other. And while he slid his fingers in and out of my wetness and sucked on my nipple I felt my entire world spiral out of control.
He moved up along my body again until our eyes met and as he lay
nestled between my thighs I raised my knees, spreading myself for him.
“Are you sure about this,” he asked with a smile tugging on his lips.
“Is the pope catholic?” I asked dragging my nails up along his spine.
“His loyalty is questionable,” he joked and then slid his rock-hard length between my slick folds.
“Oh god, just…” I started, unable to formulate a coherent sentence.
“Say please,” he teased.
“You’re making me beg?”
“Maybe.”
“Seriously?”
Caleb looked down at me and I bit my bottom lip and in one smooth motion he moved his hips and entered me slowly at first, but with each stroke he became more relentless, thrusting faster and harder. I wrapped my legs around his thighs and gripped his biceps as he thrusted, over and over. I arched my back and met his every stroke; overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment I could feel every nerve ending in my body tingle and rise to the pinnacle of pleasure.
“Caleb,” I uttered over and over as I felt my body and mind slipping further and further into oblivion. Each thrust of his cock into my core drove me closer and closer to the edge and I knew that he too, was reaching that tipping point. When he called out my name my entire world came undone and I surrendered myself completely to him.
For a while after, I lay cradled in his arms while he drew patterns over my back and arms, something I always loved. Everything felt perfect, it was as if our stars were aligned and nothing and no one could ruin this sacred moment.
“When you said that we have to show Braden Horton hears a who, did you just say that?”
I felt the smile tug at his lips and then he pressed his lips against the top of my head.
“I meant it; Braden deserves to have us both in his life.”
I closed my eyes and bit my lip, for now I’ll take what I can get and leave the empty promises and unhappily ever after’s, for when they rear their ugly heads.
Caleb
I looked down at the financials, it’s the first time in weeks since I’ve visited the office and I knew I had to show face sooner or later. It was fun having a board of members running the show, but in reality, I couldn’t keep hiding from obvious obligations.
“Mr. Hayes, your manager is here to see you,” my secretary announced.
“Send him in.”
“Gary, this is a pleasant surprise, didn’t expect to see you here,” I said and sat down, “surely you could have caught up with me at practice tomorrow.”
“Unfortunately this cannot wait Caleb. There are stories flying around left right and centre and it’s not helping your image.”
“What stories?”
“Well some reckon the girl is leading you on and that she’s just a gold digger after your money,” he said and shifted uncomfortably.
“And who may I ask would be spreading these rumours?”
“Everyone, we’ve had reporters peeping around at the club and asking questions. They want to know if you did a paternity test to prove that the child is yours.”
“Is that so?”
Grant stood up and walked over to the window, “I know it’s not my place, but maybe you should insist on a paternity test. Some women will go to any length to get what they want.”
Not Rae, I thought as I collected the papers and placed them into a manila folder, but if that is what the public wants I don’t see why it will be a bad thing. I knew for a fact Braden was my son, and I was more than certain that Rae was no gold digger.
“I’ll arrange a paternity test, but then I want you to handle the journalists,” I said and as I looked up I saw Rae standing at the door, her face as white a sheet.
“Rae,” I said and stood up, but the look on her face told me to stay put.
“A paternity test, so that’s what you plan to do?” she bit out coldly, “Don’t bother Caleb, I’ll be gone before you get home.” And without a word she spun around and walked away.
“For god sakes,” I cursed and ran off after her, “Rae, wait!”
She spun around and shoved her finger against my chest, “No! I’m done Caleb. Braden is much better and we do not need you or your money. I can do this on my own, I don’t need you.”
I dragged my hands through my hair and sighed frustratingly. Going after her now would simply provoke her, I had to give her some time to calm down and then talk to her. So, I watched her leave and I cursed under my breath.
“She’s up to something, Caleb, otherwise she would have agreed to a paternity test. What has she got to hide?”
I strode towards Grant and grabbed him by his shirt, I was fuming, I had enough of managers trying to rule my every decision and journalists hounding me down, “She is not hiding anything!” I said angrily before shoving him away from me, “Braden is my son, and I don’t give a shit what everyone else believes. You do what you’re supposed to do and handle it, it’s what you get paid for.”
Grant stumbled back and then fixed his shirt and headed for the door, “This will leave a mark on your career.”
“Then maybe you should start looking a replacement.”
I looked at the time and although I desperately wanted to get home to Rae to sort this mess out, I had to attend the general board meeting first. I cursed under my breath and then marched to the boardroom.
Raedene
A week later I sat in my own apartment back home in Lafayette, and every day there was a few more missed calls from Caleb, which I refused to answer. The fact that he even suggested a paternity test was enough for me to make up my mind. To find out that he had the slightest doubt about Braden hurt more than anything and I simply refused to stay under the same roof as him.
I paged aimlessly through a magazine trying to keep my mind off Caleb, but in all honestly reading a local sports magazine wasn’t the best therapy either. On every second page, there was mention of the famous Caleb Hayes, or the Denver Stampede and although I didn’t exactly read the articles his name jumped out at me like a bad memory.
“Mommy,” Braden called out as he came running into the room, “look what I made.”
My heart stopped and I dropped the magazine. Did he just call me mommy? I was beside myself, he has never referred to me as his mom, but I knew I couldn’t exactly make a fuss about it, so I forced my own excitement aside and looked at him, “Let’s see what you have there.”
It was a picture with a house and a family; this time instead of his other family, he had drawn three people and I knew exactly who the third person was. A lump formed in my throat and I fought back the tears. What on earth was I going to do?
“Wow, this is beautiful, is that Uncle Caleb?” I asked and cleared my throat.
“Yep, he’s my new daddy, I want to visit him.”
I let out a controlled breath and hugged my little boy. Decision made, I had to move to Denver so that Braden could see Caleb whenever he wanted, but that would mean I would have to agree to a paternity test. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea, but I don’t think I would be able to put my heart on the line again. I was sure that I could live in the same town as Caleb without melting into a puddle of goo every time he looked at me.
“I’m sure he would like that,” I said and then lifted him unto my lap, “Caleb is playing Rugby now, do you want to watch the game with me?”
“He’s on the TV?”
“Yes he is,” I said and flicked to the sports channel.
We sat and watched the game and at half time I made us a quick snack. Initially the sport did not interest me, but seeing the players on the field and how excited Braden got each time he saw Caleb had me hooked. Half time was over and the players all jogged back onto the field and the game got underway. The Denver Stampede was leading 18 – 6, but the players looked exhausted from their efforts. Each bone crunching tackle had me on edge; I’ve never been one for such barbaric sports, and watching players being carried off on stretchers or with cuts in their faces made me nervous.
Ten minut
es into half time, Caleb was sprinting to the try line, one of the opposition players came storming him from the side and when he collided with Caleb, he was catapulted into the air and came down head first and that’s where he stayed. I looked at Braden and was grateful that he was busy playing with his Legos instead of watching the game. I glanced back at the screen; the referee had blown the whistle and raised his arms above his head with his wrists crossed. Within seconds, paramedics came rushing unto the field with a spine board and I held my breath for a second and when the live broadcast was interrupted, I knew something went horribly wrong.
***
Hours later I sat next to Caleb where he lay in traction. He had suffered a compression fracture on his C5-C6 vertebrae which caused pressure on his spinal cord, leaving him paralysed. And although the doctor reassured me that it was only temporary, I couldn’t help but worry.
In his sedated state, I took his hand in mine, “I know you can’t hear me, but I’m going to say this anyway. You have to get better, Braden needs you and-and I need you.”
Realisation swept over me as I rubbed my thumb over the back of his hand. I still loved him after all these years and coming so close to losing him after just finding him scared me more than anything. Outside reporters gathered to get a scoop of the story but Samson was determined to not allow anyone in, which I was thankful for.
“Rae…”
Caleb was waking up and even though he couldn’t move, a smile tugged at his lips.
“Caleb, you stupid fool,” I said and shifted closer to him, “You scared the hell out of me. How are you feeling?”
“Right now I’m not feeling much at all,” he said and I could see the laughter in his eyes. Unbelievable! Even at this point he could make silly jokes.
“It’s not funny, you could have broken your neck,” I said and squeezed his hand.
“It will be convenient though, you would have to look after me for life then,” he said in his croaky voice.
Seal's Professor: A Military Roommate Romance Page 32
