“It was.” Time to change the subject. “Go find us a movie, and I’ll finish up here.”
Kaleb fills our wine glasses with the rest of the bottle, and I hear him turn on the TV. “What do you like?”
I fill the baking dish with soapy water to soak. “How about something James Bondish? Not too much gore, and not too chick-flicky.”
“Got it.”
Movie over and wine gone, I’m cuddled against Kaleb’s chest, but nerves take over. “Should I get the dessert?” I pop up before he can answer.
I’ve anticipated a heavy make-out session, but am suddenly chicken. Throughout the movie he rubbed my back, and his fingers flirted with the bare skin at my waist. My body simmers right now, but my head freaks out. I’ve only been with one guy. It was good for a while, and then it wasn’t. What if being with Kaleb brings on a panic attack? What if he thinks… No. Normal guys aren’t like that.
I take a deep breath and open the dessert box. Releasing a big sigh I sense Kaleb near me. His palms land gently on my shoulders. “I’m nervous, too.”
I turn to him. “You are? Why?”
“Let’s see. Well, what if all I am is a good kisser? What if I touch the wrong places, or you don’t like my body, or I’m too sweaty or—”
I put my fingers on his lips. “You’re adorable. Okay, here it is. I’ve only been with one other guy and it didn’t end well. I don’t…” Damn it. “I wasn’t very good at it.”
“My last girlfriend didn’t think I was very good at it, either. We can be dorks together. Okay?” He leans down and kisses my neck lightly. I welcome the shiver it causes and thread my fingers through his hair.
He whispers, and his hot breath teases me. “I’m in no hurry. We can take all the time you need.” He moves his lips to my mouth and kisses gently. He waits for me to take the lead.
I nibble on his lower lip, slide my tongue into his mouth, and he meets me. We gently caress each other until he pulls away and says, “Let’s do dessert.”
He slides a piece of dense chocolate cake onto the plate I set out. “I won’t eat more than a couple of bites, so why don’t you keep the other for tomorrow.” He closes the lid and puts it in the refrigerator.
I grab the plate along with two forks and lead the way to the couch. I sit with a leg tucked under me. He takes a fork and lowers himself onto the sofa. “I think you’ll like this.”
I put a bite into my mouth and hold it on my tongue. Espresso-infused chocolate flavor spreads in my mouth. “Ummmm.” I close my eyes and swallow the cake slowly. “Oh yeah, that’s good.”
He chuckles softly. “Now to get you to say that about me.”
With my next bite I tilt my head and remove the fork coyly. “I hope you say it about me.”
Feeling brave, I stick a finger in the thick cream and raise it to his mouth. He sucks it and rolls his tongue around the cream. My eyelids drop as the sensation travels to my core.
I set the plate on the coffee table and swipe a little more cream. Rising up on my knee, I put my finger in his mouth and my other hand on his shoulder. I’m inches from his face. I lick my lips, and when he nips at my hand, I crush him with a kiss.
This time it isn’t sweet. It’s hot and sexy, and a low sound escapes my throat. I release my grip on the firm muscles of his arms and move my hands over to his chest. My goodness, he’s ripped. Ridges so defined. I use my fingers to trail the edges of his pectorals and bump over his abs. I fiddle with the bottom of his shirt, wanting to take it off and touch his skin. Reaching under it, I let my hands make their way back up.
He grips my shoulder blades and breaks away with a low groan. “Should I take my shirt off?”
I nod and bite my lip. He reveals what my hands already know. Light hair disappears by his nipples and reappears in a line below his navel. “Not too sweaty, nice body.” I raise my eyebrows at him. “Ummm, this is good.”
I lean into his chest and kiss his neck as his hands move under my sweater. His thumb grazes over my nipple, and I shudder with the desire for more.
Kaleb moans. “You feel so good.”
I pull away, and he tilts his head in a question. I assume he wants me to take my top off. Surprisingly, I want to. I nod and pull my sweater over my head. My full breasts are on display in a pink lace push-up bra. A soft gasp escapes from his parted lips, and his desire shoots through me. Kaleb places a finger on the hollow of my throat and moves it slowly down.
He says, “Not too sweaty.” My chest muscles tighten, and he goes lower. “Nice body.” My core trembles and my breathing quickens. His hand gently cups my breast as he pulls me in by my waist. His voice tickles my ear. “Ummm, this is good.”
His kisses move down my neck and toward my cleavage. My breasts tingle and crave his lips. I unhook my bra, and he reaches under it. Twirling a finger around my nipple, his mouth moves closer. With his tongue, Kaleb licks my hardened peak, and I shudder. Soft lace falls to the floor.
He grips my hips as he rises up to my mouth. I squirm against his chest to feel the sensation of his skin against mine. A sound catches in my throat.
His kiss is intense as he pulls me against his arousal. A knee-jerk reaction, my body tenses before I can squelch it, and Kaleb relaxes his hold. His hands move to the middle of my back. “Should we stop now? It’s up to you, babe.”
His look of compassion tugs at me. What’s my problem? This guy isn’t forcing a thing.
But the moment is ruined, and I’m not ready to go further. I nod under his smoldering gaze. This man is practically perfect. I want him to stay and keep holding me.
He hands me my bra, and I put it on as he reaches for his shirt. I pull my sweater over my head and pull out my hair. It crackles with static. “I’m sorry,” I say.
“No. It’s really okay.” He takes my face in his hands. “I’m happy to take this slow.” His lips brush mine. “Let’s finish the dessert.”
We sit and eat cake. He’s kind and endears himself to me as he tells me cute stories about his family. When we finish, he decides it’s time to leave.
I stand at the door, reluctant to let Kaleb go. I put my hand on his cheek, and he leans into it. “I had a great time,” he says.
“Me too.” I stand on my tiptoes and meet him in a kiss. It’s sweet, and while not passionate, it’s exactly what I wanted. It’s as if he can read my mind. What does he know?
Chapter Eleven
A pile of clothes is on my bed, and it just might be everything I own. I try to figure out what to wear on a group date with Kaleb, Nick, Megan, Jason, and Casey. We’re going to the Cowboy Café, which is a great place for burgers and pool.
Having never played pool, I have the movie version in my head. Women lean over to shoot and show off their cleavage while the hunky lead can’t wait to get the heroine in bed. I smile to myself and think it’s a pretty good plan, but not who I am.
I finally decide on skinny jeans, tall boots, and a long-sleeve tee with a boat neck. I blush thinking Kaleb knows what’s under it, but I don’t need to share that view with my friends and strangers.
A glance at the clock tells me I’d better hurry. He’ll be here in thirty minutes, and I haven’t done my hair and makeup. I’m going for bouncy curls and smoky eyes tonight.
Squeezing an eyelash curler, I hear the crunch of ice and snow as Kaleb pulls into the driveway. The metal device clatters in the sink when I drop it to jog the few steps to the door. I throw the bolts open quickly and return to the bathroom.
My nervous hand swipes on mascara, and I hold my breath to keep from poking myself in the eye. I finish just as Kaleb knocks.
I walk to the door and throw back my shoulders. Cotton is smooth in my hands as I tug my shirt down. My fingers click the cold metal lock open, and I let Kaleb in.
“Hi.” His deep voice ignites my desire and just about does me in.
My eyes are confused about where to look first. And I thought deciding what to wear was hard. I settle on his face. His lips, to be exact.
A small sound escapes the back of my throat.
Amusement dances in Kaleb’s eyes. “Cat got your tongue?”
“No. I…” I let my eyes move down to his Henley shirt that strains at his chest. I shrug. “I like what I see, that’s all.”
“You always know the right thing to say.” Now his voice is husky, and he steps closer. He doesn’t touch me, and I realize he’s teasing. He rakes my body with his eyes and says, “I happen to like what I see.”
Two can play this game. I step closer, and we’re not even an inch apart. I tilt my head back to an uncomfortable position and look up at him. A playful smile forms on my face as I keep my hands by my sides.
I pull out a Casey trick I saw the other day and dart my tongue out to lick my lips and then bite the bottom one. Magic. A small groan comes from Kaleb, and he closes the distance between us with a tug of my hips.
His hands move to my face, and he bends down. His kiss is hungry, and I’m sucked in. Our height difference makes it awkward, and I stumble back with Kaleb’s weight.
He catches me, and his hands slide down to the back of my thighs. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to knock you over,” he says. With one quick movement, he lifts me up to his waist, and my hands hold on to his neck and shoulder. I can’t help but wrap my legs around him.
“Clever,” I say and thrust my hips into his waist. The sensation of his heat seeps into my core, and my insides quiver with desire.
He covers my mouth with a kiss that turns me into a trembling mess. I break away with a pant. “I’m playing with fire, aren’t I?”
He sets me down. “You are. We don’t have to go.” He teases again, but I’m tempted to call his bluff.
“Let me get my coat.” I touch my lips and send him a smoldering look before I abruptly turn away, knowing my curls bounce. I’m rewarded with a guttural noise that sends a quick pulse of electricity through me.
My heels click down the stairs as Kaleb leads us to his car. A flicker of amusement crosses his face at my footwear choice, but he says nothing. His sisters must have taught him not to question a girl’s fashion decisions.
We pull into the parking lot across from the restaurant. Kaleb nods toward the red truck on my side. “Jason and Casey are here. That’s Jason’s truck.”
I don’t tell him I already know that. I smile to myself because Jason and Casey are adorable together. I’m glad they worked things out. Kaleb walks around to my side as I get out. Not saying a word about my high-heeled boots in the snow, he takes my arm.
We enter a western-styled restaurant. Round wooden tables are circled by bar stools with bases that resemble barbed wire. Old road signs and horse paraphernalia adorn the walls. There must be one hundred different beers on tap, and the smell of beef permeates the air.
Jason calls to us. “Kaleb! Over here.” He waves a hand in the air, and we walk over.
We’re the last to arrive, and I see numerous small glasses scattered over the table. Most have beer in them. Nick says, “You got here just in time. We’re picking the beer of the night.”
I look at Casey and Megan. “All of us?” I ask.
Casey shrugs her shoulders. “I’m going with the flow. We’ll get two pitchers to make sure we can have something lighter in flavor.”
I sit on the stool next to Megan, and she slides three small glasses toward me. “We’ve narrowed it down to these for the girl pitcher,” she says. “You pick which one.”
I take a sip of each and do my best to determine the difference. They all taste similar, but each has a slightly different hint of flavor. Two are berry, and one might be pumpkin. “I don’t know, maybe one of the berry ones,” I say. “I guess I’m not very good at this.”
Casey says, “Hey, you’re doing better than me. I thought all of them tasted the same. Let’s go with the raspberry one and call it done.”
“Agreed,” says Megan.
The guys discuss their choices with a lot more detail. Megan elbows me and leans forward. “This could take all night.”
Nick sees us and says, “I heard that.” But from the toothy smile he gives us, I know he sees the humor.
The waitress arrives and we order. Because everyone orders their burger too, I go ahead and get a plain hamburger without looking at the menu. Kaleb looks over at me and tilts his head toward the pool tables. “Want a quick lesson?”
“Sure.” I slide off my stool.
We head over to the series of wooden tables. Balls clunk on the red felt as Kaleb removes them from pockets, and I follow his lead. Once they’re all on the table he gathers them together and traps them in a wooden triangle-shaped frame. He rolls it back and forth and lifts the frame to leave the triangle formation of balls on the table.
Moments later he hits the white ball, and it smashes into the others with a loud crack. He proceeds to show me how to line up my shots and hit the balls to go in. I’m terrible but don’t care. Every time Kaleb moves my body into position, I revel in his touch.
After my quick lesson, we return to the table. I take a sip of my beer, and its flavor rolls over my tongue. The hint of berry makes it go down smoothly.
Megan says, “Don’t worry too much about the pool. We usually beg off after the first game. They just like to try to include us.”
The odor of fried food and meat arrives as the waitress sets down our burgers. They’re huge, and I wonder how I’ll wrap my mouth around one to take a bite. Besides that, they look messy. I take the bread off the burger and unroll my silverware from a bandana print napkin. I’ll just eat the meat and vegetables because I’ll never finish all of it anyway.
I listen to the friendly banter around the table. Jason’s humor is quick-witted, and he keeps us laughing. I watch in fascination as others try to keep up. So far Casey seems to be the one that does it best. I’ve haven’t spent much time in playful groups like this and don’t even try to add to the entertainment. I’m quite content to soak it all up instead.
After everyone has finished eating, we move to the pool tables and commandeer a smaller bar table for our drinks. Megan, Casey, and I sit to watch while the guys play.
Megan leans over to me. “Hey, I need to go the ladies’ room. Come with me?”
“Sure,” I say and look over at Casey. She picks up the cue and gets up with us.
When we’re all at the mirror, Megan asks, “Are you having fun, Lori? You’re so quiet.” Water runs as she washes her hands.
“I am. My goodness, is Jason funny.” I push a lever, and slippery soap oozes into my hand.
Casey swipes on lipstick and presses her lips together. “He keeps me on my toes,” she says. “Kaleb is spending a lot of time looking in your direction. Are things going well?”
“I think so.” Heat rises in my cheeks as I think about Kaleb’s gaze. Megan smiles in the mirror at me as I check under my eyes for mascara flakes. We walk out of the restroom and back to the guys. The restaurant has filled up since we got here, and occasional bursts of laughter rise above the din of conversation.
When we get to our table, I notice Nick nod his head toward the entrance for Megan to see. There’s a girl walking out the door, but I can’t see enough to recognize her. I glance at Megan and her mouth is tight.
Looking back at the guys, Kaleb looks upset, too. His brow is furrowed, but the moment he catches my eye he breaks into a big grin. He walks over to me and leans in close. His breath tickles my ear. “You just about ready to get out of here?”
An electric jolt travels down my spine, and I think about my legs wrapped around his waist earlier. I nod as I look into his eyes. A little something smolders in my belly, and I let my eyes drop to his mouth. I’m trying to send the signal that I’m anxious to pick up where we left off. When I glance back up at him, he smiles at my reaction.
Nick and Jason return pool cues to the rack and join us at the table. Jason says, “We paid the bill and can leave any time, ladies.”
A group of girls hover by us, and Casey says to them, “You can have our t
able.” One of them answers, “Thanks.” They slide in and drinks thud on the wood. I turn to see what holds their interest and notice they watch a couple of guys play pool. One of the men is clearly puffed up a bit, trying to impress. It works, and I hear hushed voices and giggles.
My mind returns to the look on Kaleb’s face not too long ago, and I wonder about the girl that left. I give myself a mental headshake and put my arm in the sleeve he holds out for me.
Strong arms wrap around my shoulders from behind, and Kaleb leans down to my neck and sneaks in a kiss. I lean back into him, and he gives me a quick squeeze. Whatever happened earlier seems to be the furthest thing from his mind.
Chapter Twelve
Snow squeaks under our feet, and frosty air blasts out of our mouths as we cross the street to the parking lot. The temperature dropped, and I guess it’s in the single digits. We all say our good-byes as kisses and hugs are exchanged.
Kaleb walks with me to my side of his car. The car door groans open, and my body turns to ice. Dark hair spills out through the opening and my head swims. Oh God! The slumped body of a girl is in his car, and she’s naked.
An arm flops out in a delayed reaction. When it stops, the hand opens and a key lands on the ice with a small crack. Is she dead? A thought is on the edge of my conscience like a name you should know and can’t recall, out of reach. I hear my scream fade away as my world goes black.
I awake to the smell of Kaleb’s musk. My cheek is against his chest which is warm. I don’t want to move because I realize he’s holding me, and I snuggle in. But something’s wrong. When I look up at him he speaks. “You fainted.”
Reality slaps me in the face. “Is she dead?”
Casey lets out an annoyed huff of air. “No, but she’ll wish she was when she wakes up tomorrow.”
The girl mutters. “I jusss fell asseep. Iss okhaay.”
I squirm in Kaleb’s arms to see, but he turns his back to her.
Jason opens the door to the red truck next to us and says, “Put Lori in here.”
What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 7) Page 144
