by Aliyah Burke
She never even considered that possibility.
“I said we needed to talk because we need to know where this is going. And what we’re telling our parents.”
Her eyes flew wide at that. Tell our parents? Is he crazy?
“We’re not saying a word to them,” she stated. Or at least she wasn’t.
He laughed and shook his head. “Should have thought of that before you involved Lalia.”
“She won’t tell.”
“Did you forget who my mother is?”
A heavy weight settled over her chest. Crap. If Jacey knew, her own mother finding out wouldn’t take very long.
Thinking quickly, she said, “All Lalia knows is I wanted to see you. Nothing else. So we keep the whole sleeping together thing quiet and it will be fine. You’re stationed here and I was thinking of going to Russia for a while. Yes, that should take care of it all.” She grinned at him, pleased with her solution only to be met by a furious scowl.
Chapter 10
Caleb couldn’t believe it. He finally got to sleep with the woman of his dreams and she was talking about forgetting it. Not only that, but she was also talking about going to Russia. Acting as if what they’d shared never happened. His muscles tensed like before a battle.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, obviously unaware of how pissed he was. “Don’t you think it will work?”
“Hell no.”
She frowned. Her lips formed an adorable pout, made even more so by the fact he knew she wasn’t trying to be coy.
“Okay, so what’s your suggestion?”
“We tell them.”
Big brown eyes blinked at him a few times before she spoke. “Tell who what?”
“Our parents. The truth.”
It was her turn to laugh. He scowled at her until she managed to get herself under control.
“No thanks. I already lied to them about where I was going. I am not about to tell my parents I shacked up with you as well.”
“Kami,” he growled.
She wiped her eyes but continued to shake with lingering amusement. “Really, Caleb. That’s…just not a good idea.”
He realized she’d found her confidence now. And he was faced with a woman who wouldn’t look to him for support or strength. This was Kami, the real one. Part of him wished for the one who had come to seek him out.
“Why not?” he asked, struggling not to yell.
“I just don’t see what good it would do. Our mothers are friends. Best friends. This could tear that apart.”
“What about us?” The uncertainty returned briefly before she masked it. Twice she opened her mouth only to close it again. “Or are you making decisions for me again?”
Her eyes widened and he prowled around the breakfast bar, spun her seat so they were face to face, and boxed her in. “You seem to be under the impression we’re going our separate ways. Allow me to rectify that misconception.”
Her gaze held a bit of wonderment, but she remained silent. Nose to nose, he stared at her.
“Mine, Kami.”
Kami blinked slowly and sighed. “Is that what you have to say to me? That’s it?”
“I am not sharing you again. Ever. I will try to keep this from my parents, but I will not lie to them.”
“There is no reason to lie to your parents, Caleb, and I would never want you to.” She slid on the seat and he knew she was weighing her words. “I’m not yours, Caleb. I am not a possession, don’t mistake me for one.”
He disagreed. She did belong to him. Him to her. There was not a single reason to fight it anymore. He’d been doing so for such a long time now that they’d been together, intimately, he refused to stay away. Why go back to the hell he’d been living in?
“Are you ashamed of me?” he asked, ensuring to gentle his tone.
“Ashamed of you?” True incredulity laced her voice. “Why would you ask that?”
“You want to keep this a secret.”
“I don’t even know what this is, Caleb. I came to you because I was being selfish. I wanted to feel safe again. I never gave any thought to what my showing up like this would do to you. Your life.”
Distress filled him, and he began to talk only to have her hold up a hand. Therefore, he backed up a bit and kept quiet.
“I’d not slept good since we parted ways. I needed to feel safe again. I know, I’m repeating myself. You made me feel a level of safety nothing else could. And I couldn’t let it go. So I came.” Kami took down her hair and licked her lips. “I also needed to thank you for what you did. Risking your career, your life, to come find me. I should have—”
“Stop,” he plead. “You don’t need to thank me, Kami. Ever. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
“Why?” she asked, her eyes large and innocent.
“It’s always been you, Kami. Always.”
She leaned forward, sliding her arms around him. Holding her close, he kissed the top of her head. Those words he’d spoken were the closest he’d ever come to telling any woman he loved them. Family aside. The thought of losing her made his gut clench.
“Kami?”
“Hmm?”
“Marry me.”
Her body stiffened before she drew back enough to look at him. Kami’s fingers lingered on his waist, scrunching his shirt. He knew what her answer would be even before it fell from her lips. Cursing himself for allowing the words to even escape, he waited with baited breath for her response.
“I…I don’t think that’s what you truly want, Caleb,” she spoke softly. Kami tipped her head back and stared at him. “I’m sure if you think on it more, you’ll see how right I am about that.”
She was wrong. So blasted wrong. He wanted her more than she could possibly imagine.
Swallowing back his pain and hurt pride, he nodded. “Okay then.”
Kami removed her hands from him and he ignored the feeling of loss. She touched the polished gold, rose heart charm necklace that hung around her neck. He’d taken a look at it while she’d been sleeping. You opened one of the sides and a full heart tipped free. That heart had engraved: Kami, you are my best friend ever! Love you, Missy.
“You know I’m right, Caleb. I mean, really? The two of us? It would just be insane.”
Caleb took several calming breaths only to realize it didn’t help. At all.
Kami lowered her hands back to settle at his waist. “I’m sorry for everything you had to go through because of me.”
Anger rumbled deep in his chest and he clenched his jaw, trying to keep it reined in. She really needed to stop thanking him or apologizing.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said gruffly, stepping away from her overly arousing touch. She’d said no. He was more upset by that than he cared to admit.
His gaze tracked the movement of her tongue along the swell of her lower lip. He felt the answering stirring in his loins. She sat there, her face an open book. He knew she’d not refused his offer because she didn’t care, no, she said what she did because she believe it was what he wanted.
“I should go,” she said, sliding from the stool to the floor.
He couldn’t let her go like this. “No. Stay. I have the next two days off and the house is here for our use.”
Indecision flashed across her features. He waited for her to decide.
“Alright.”
Relief swamped him. “I’ll fix us something to eat.”
She nodded and left the room. Shit! I can’t believe I asked her to marry me. And I can’t believe she said no. His cell phone rang and he answered without looking at the screen.
“Moser.”
“Sergeant Moser.” A feminine voice nearly parroted his answer.
“Hey there, sis.” His younger sister Susanna. She was a banker and spent most of her time in large cities handling massive accounts.
“Susanna? Everything okay?”
“Fine, just fine. I have a layover in town for the evening and wanted to know if you can get away to grab dinner. C
atch up.”
He smiled. He loved his family and relished the time he got to spend with them. He’d love to, but…Kami. As if his thoughts had conjured her, she appeared in the kitchen.
“Dinner tonight, Susanna?” He gestured to Kami.
“Your sister, Susanna?” she whispered.
He nodded and she paled. The expression on her face was damn near comical, except for one thing. She looked panicked at the thought of anyone knowing she was here. He sighed.
“I don’t know if I can—”
“Go,” Kami said. “It’s your sister. Go. Enjoy.”
He covered the mouthpiece. “We were supposed to spend some time.”
“I’ll be fine. I could actually go for some more sleep.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded and he went back to his sibling. “I can. When and where do you want to meet?”
After setting up date and time, he ended the call. Kami waited by the window and he moved to stand behind her. Hands upon her upper arms, he drew her back against him.
“Do you want to eat now or sleep?”
“Sleep.”
There was no disguising the exhaustion in her tone, so he led her to a guest room and left her alone to retrieve the bags from where he placed them upon entering the house. What was he doing? He should be getting as far away as possible. She didn’t want anything to do with him—well, not entirely true. She needed him. But not for public knowledge. No, at night when the lights were off, that’s when she needed him.
He clenched his fist and took a deep breath. Hefting the bags, he went back to the room they’d be staying in. He paused in the doorway to find her sprawled across the full bed, feet hanging off.
Bags down, he moved to her side and took off her shoes. She stirred and mumbled quietly. With a slight curse, he crawled in with her. Immediately, she curved into him, her face burying into his chest. He glanced at his watch, cataloging the time before he, too, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep with the woman who pushed beyond his control.
She still slept when he woke to meet his sibling. He shook her awake.
“Hmm?”
“I’m off to meet Susanna.”
“’Kay.”
“I’ll bring you something back. Get some more sleep.”
“’Kay.” Just like that, she was out again, and he left with a resigned sigh and much reluctance.
He took her car to meet his sister at the local bar and grill. She waited outside for him. A grin crossed over his features. Susanna’s job kept her travelling and his…well, he was military. So there was not a lot of time to see her.
Susanna was younger than him by about eight years. She stood tall and proud in her suit. The seriousness of her countenance faded when her gaze landed on him.
“Caleb!”
He hurried to her and hugged her tight. “Hey, Suz.” A kiss on the cheek and they walked into the establishment.
“What are you doing here?” he asked after they ordered drinks.
“Like I said on the phone, just passing through. I hope I didn’t ruin any plans.”
He shook his head. “Nope, it’s not a problem at all.” She watched him with dark eyes. She had their mother’s eyes while he had their father’s. Suz held his gaze until he tilted his head and said, “What?”
“Nothing. Tell me about you. What’s up in the Marine world?”
Therefore, he told her. They had a great time over the meal and when their waiter stopped to ask if they wanted dessert, he gestured for Suz to go first.
“And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have the molten cake. But I also need to place an order to go please. Cheeseburger and fries. No onions on the burger but extra pickles. And a piece of your carrot cake.”
The order was repeated back to him and he nodded. Susanna had one brow raised.
“Hungry still?”
“I’m taking it back for…” he trailed off.
She laced her fingers beneath her chin. “For?”
He hesitated. Kami didn’t want anyone to know she was here. More like with him. Suz sent him an evil grin and he narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Let me guess, you’re taking it back for Kami.”
“What makes you think that?”
She took a drink of her margarita and gave him an amused grin. “Really? Have you met our younger sister?”
Laila. He would kill her. “She has a big mouth.”
“So, she is here. Christ, do Mom and Dad know? Do her parents?”
“No,” he said with more force than intended. He took a deep breath. “You can’t tell them.”
Her eyes twinkled as the waiter returned with their dessert. “Your food will be right up, sir.”
“Thank you.”
“About damn time.” Susanna spoke after the man walked off.
He drew back in surprise at her comment and she laughed. “Don’t play dumb with me. I’ve known…we’ve known about you wanting her. So has Laila. Therefore, you can be sure Mom and Dad do know. Had there been any doubt, it vanished the moment you went after her in Taiwan.”
“She was in trouble.”
“And you’re in love.”
He shifted on the bench seat, uncomfortable beneath her scrutiny. Knowing that and hearing it voiced at him were two extremely different things.
“What makes you think that?”
“Caleb, please. I’m your younger sister but don’t insult my intelligence.”
He sighed and put his fork down on the plate. “I asked her to marry me.”
Suz choked on her drink. She waved him off and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. “I’m sorry. What was that?”
“You heard me.”
“I know…but…but…”
“She said no.”
All humor fled from Suz’s face. Her gaze hardened and her jaw clenched. “What the fuck? She’d be lucky to have you. I don’t know who the hell she thinks she is, but the next time I—”
“Suz,” he implored. Holding out his hands, he waited for her to cool the tirade. With a deep breath, she sat back and gestured to him.
“Thank you. I think she’s doing it for me.” His sister’s look said to explain and do it fast. “She thinks I only offered because we slept together.” A deep breath and he scrubbed his face with one hand. “And I think she’s afraid. Just d…don’t say anything. I’m not giving up.”
Her expression softened. “Okay.”
They finished their dessert and he paid. Out at the car he hugged her. “Thanks, Suz. Where are you off to next?”
“Portugal for a short trip.”
“Be safe, you.”
Her smile was radiant. “Always am. With a mom and brother as Marines, can’t help it.”
“Love you, sis.”
“Likewise, brother.” She kissed him and got in the car only to pause in shutting the door. “It occurs to me that her answer may be different if you would tell her you love her.” Fingers wriggled in farewell and she closed the door before starting the car and driving away.
“Sure sis. I’ll just spit it out,” he muttered sarcastically as he walked to his vehicle.
Back at the house, he paused on the porch. A warm yellow light shone through the sheered front windows. He flexed his hand around the bag, licked his lips, and entered.
Classical music filled the air and he was presented with the backside view of Kami as she played along with the violin.
“Hey, Caleb,” she said without pausing or turning around.
He blew out a breath at the sight of her blue capris and purple shirt. Her hair was back in a loose bun, and he itched to touch, explore, and indulge.
“How’d you know?”
That question got her to face him. Hands at her sides, she gave him a look of disbelief. Her gaze went to the bag in his hand and she waved for it. He handed it over and watched with amusement at her scampering to the table.
Chapter 11
Kami returned to the table with a can of Cok
e. Opening the bag, she pulled out the two containers. She peered into the largest one and groaned at the sight.
“No onions and extra pickles.”
She was touched he remembered. He plunked down a bottle of ketchup beside her Styrofoam holder. Her mouth watering, she drenched her fries and the burger.
“How’s your sister?” she asked, sucking some ketchup off her thumb.
“Good. Apparently on her way to Portugal. Told me to tell you hi.”
Her stomach flopped over. “Why the hell would you mention me?”
“I didn’t. She said Laila told her.”
“Shit.”
She scooped two fries and ate them. Dread filled her as she realized the ramifications of Laila talking. She looked at Caleb where he sat opposite her, straddling a chair.
Like usual, her heart sped up at the mere sight of him. He wore a black polo and khakis. Not that it mattered; this man looked good in everything he wore. Alternatively, clad in only his birthday suit.
“Did…did she…” Christ, she couldn’t ask.
He understood. The heavy expel of air made her groan. That wasn’t good.
“According to Suz she hadn’t told, but said Mom and Dad knew.”
Shit. Shit. Shit. “How could they know?” She ate a large bite. “And let’s face it, if yours know, mine know, and now they know I’ve lied to them.” Dread raced to take over.
“You don’t know that. Besides—”
“Not know?” she interrupted. “Have you forgotten who we’re talking about here, Caleb? When have any of us children been able to keep a secret from any of them?” She ate some more.
He rested powerful arms along the chairs back and leaned forward. “Okay. Point taken. Worse care scenario. Our parents do know. Then what? It’s not like they can ground us. We’re adults.”
She finished her burger and turned her attention to the remaining fries. “Really? You don’t think they wouldn’t try it?”
He flashed an amused grin. “Like they tried when were little?”
Staring at him, she allowed her panic to fade as she just enjoyed the view before her. Caleb Moser was an amazing specimen. In her mind, she could hear him asking her to marry him. Lord help her, it had been so hard to stop the “yes” which tried to shoot from her mouth. Marrying him had been a childhood fantasy. She’d always been in love with him. But that was the problem. He didn’t love her.
