by Gina Leuci
No. It was just words. I would ignore the intensity in his eyes. I would pretend his tone didn’t hold a new level of depth. I pushed the sudden wayward emotions aside and instead focused on the here and now.
I watched as water trailed down his chest, to his abdomen, to the curve at the top of his thigh. My eyes were drawn to his erection, already sheathed in a condom—so that’s what had taken him so long to join me—and I reached out, placing my hand around it before I looked back up into Caleb’s hypnotizing gaze. One slight nod on my part and his hands were at my backside, lifting me up. I captured his mouth at the same time he plunged into me. It was fast and hot and exhausting all at the same time and when we were done, my insatiable lover helped me wash my hair as I no longer had any energy.
“Do you think my boss would mind if I went to work late today?”
Said boss wrapped his arms around me and I stared at him through the mirror, only now starting to lose the steam on its glass surface. “Yes, I do believe he would mind because he would miss watching you discreetly from his office, where he spends most of his time mentally undressing you.”
I elbowed him. “Why, I can’t work under those conditions. That’s sexual harassment.”
“Not if he doesn’t act on it in any way.”
I placed my hands on top of his around my waist. “No? But now I know what you’ll be thinking.”
“Darling,” he drawled, causing my insides to flutter, “now you know how I have felt for the past several weeks. When I’ve left the office to go on patrol, it was because I needed space to get myself back to sanity.”
My eyes widened as I saw the truth in his eyes. “I really do that to you?”
“After this weekend, do you have any doubts?” He took my towel and dropped it to the floor. “Your body,” he ran his hands over my breasts, then downward to dip a finger inside me, still wet from the sex and shower, but then back up, “is amazing and responsive to my every touch.” His eyes met mine in the mirror and didn’t leave as he spoke. “But it has always been your eyes and smile that have twisted my insides to the point where I don’t know whether I am coming or going around you.”
I gulped, mentally arguing with myself. It’s about the sex, Grace. All about the sex.
“From the day we met,” Caleb continued, “I knew there was something special about you. A part of you that I wanted to get to know better.” His hands continued their slow, tender exploration of my body that we watched together in the reflection of the mirror, but it was his words that seduced me. “The more we interacted, the more intrigued I became. But now.” He nipped at my neck and my legs became jelly. “Now that I have gotten to know you—You! Who you are, what makes you tick, what makes you happy—I can’t get enough.”
“Caleb.” I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say. His hands and words had me under his spell. “Remember our first baseball game, when we crashed.”
“Oh, I remember every moment.”
And I saw it. The same look we’d shared that day now reflected back at us. His hands had been on me that day, moving down my body to make sure I was okay. Now, his hands were on me again, this time on my bare, shower-pink skin. Seeing us through the mirror, watching his hands on my body, skimming across my abdomen was a new experience for me. I lifted my gaze upward to Caleb’s and caught my breath. It was as though he could see into my soul.
“After you knew I wasn’t hurt, I saw your look,” I admitted. “And for the rest of the week, I tried to see you, but for the first time since I arrived, I couldn’t find you.”
“No. I avoided you.” His fingers circled my hardened nipples sending shock waves through my body. “Because I knew then I was in trouble. You were off limits.”
Watching him touch me and seeing my body react made me a bit weak in the knees. I pushed back against him, leaning my head back against his shoulder. “I’m not off limits now.”
“No, no you’re not,” he whispered. “But I am definitely in more trouble now than I ever realized.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom. We made it to work at precisely eight o’clock, but only because we didn’t eat breakfast.
Whenever I glanced up from my desk, I saw him watching me through the window of his office and when he’d give me his slow, sexy grin, I knew what he was thinking, so I would quickly turn my back and begin typing. I had to redo several of the pages when I realized my fingers had been on the wrong keys of the keyboard, and I hadn’t noticed despite my intense forward stare to the screen.
So began a new routine. Caleb loved his morning run. He was happy to get back into that on a regular basis. I hated it but joined him anyway. We’d pick up breakfast and tea at the diner as we continued to linger a bit in the shower.
Dinners were still at Rita’s house as Caleb spent every moment he could with his children, but we didn’t stay long into the evening.
No, the nights were reserved for us. We barely made it behind closed doors of the apartment before we stripped each other down.
Work was a killer. We didn’t touch each other at all. We barely spoke. But our eyes spoke volumes.
The next weekend, we spent dealing with three sick children after Rita came down with the stomach bug. We never left her house from Friday afternoon until late Sunday. I was so caught up in my own domestic life that once again I didn’t call or check in on Jake.
Monday morning, I arrived late to work after we’d had yet another vigorous workout. Our morning run wasn’t any shorter mile-wise, but we’d picked up our pace in order to have our second round of aerobic exercise which started in the shower and ended up with us back under the sheets. Caleb showered again first and hurried out while I took a little extra time to catch my breath. We were taking this day-by-day seriously. Each day could be our last together, and we were sure to take advantage of every opportunity, if the dwindling box of condoms was any indication.
While I turned on my computer at work, Caleb placed a steaming cup of tea on my desk as he spoke into his cell phone—a luxury item he was currently not allowed to bring home at night due to my restrictions. Also, each call made on any cell in Wellington was logged and flagged in dispatch. Any number with an outside exchange would be immediately disconnected. The Nazi’s.
“Is she still running a fever? No? She wants some daddy time? Of course. Give her a big hug from me and tell her I will come by shortly.”
I put down my mug, recognizing the blend he’d introduced me to which seemed to do best for me in the mornings. It still wasn’t the jolt I was used to from my overload of caffeine filled java, but it did help some to get me energized.
“Which one?” I asked.
“Elena. I’m going to head over there for a bit. Check in on her.” His oldest had been the last of the kids to fall ill, but when we’d left yesterday, Rita was back up and running and had taken the helm once again with caring for her grandchildren.
I nodded as he checked in with Brent before heading out. Before he could exit, Roger strode in, and Caleb stopped him at the door.
“What can I do for you, Roger?” Funny how I could now tell the subtle differences in his tone. While at first, he sounded pleasant and welcoming, I recognized the steel underneath meant he was anything but happy to see the visitor.
The councilman brushed past. “I’m here to see the girl.”
Caleb shut the door, and I knew he wouldn’t leave me alone with my arch-nemesis. “The girl has a name, Roger.” He stressed the man’s name. “Why do you need to see Grace?”
I spun my chair around to face them as the town’s manager made a direct route to my desk. He took out a folded paper from his shirt pocket and handed it to me with a satisfied look on his face. “This is for you. It’s a copy of a letter I sent out this morning.”
Curious, I unfolded the single page and read the typed letter.
Hi, Mom and Dad: You won’t believe the incredible time I’ve had this summer. Jake and I love it so much
we are now married and settling into our new lives here. I know it all sounds crazy and impulsive, but it’s hard to understand unless you’re actually in our shoes. Don’t worry about college. I am transferring my credits to a local university, and the town is going to pay for the rest of my education. I miss you all. I will write again soon. Love, Grace
Caleb tore the page from my shaking hands. He read it quickly before crumpling the paper and tossing into the trash can. “You can’t send this,” his voice boomed.
Roger snorted. “I already have. One for Jake’s family as well.” He gave a smug grin. “I will not have him running out on my daughter and that means making sure his family doesn’t come looking for him.”
He gave a pointed look at the hand Caleb had resting on my shoulder. “It benefits you, too. I hear the two of you have been getting along quite well.”
The fingers tightening in my shoulders told me Caleb barely had his anger under control. “You’ve made your point, now get the hell out of my station.”
The older man wiped his hands, as though he was done with us, and sauntered out. The shaking was nearly uncontrollable now as I gasped for breath.
“Grace.” Caleb turned my chair to face him, and he squatted down to my level. “Sweetheart. Breathe. Please.”
I couldn’t though. Despite everything which had transpired this summer, despite the original plan for our escape, I’d still had the ace card of my parents looking for me when I didn’t come home at the end of the summer.
Brent brought over a glass of water and placed it on my desk then stepped back as Caleb ran his hands up and down my arms.
“I can’t… He can’t… I’m never going home, am I?” The sobs finally hit, and I lunged into his arms. I’m not sure how long we sat there, but when I finally stopped, I felt completely wrung out. Caleb sat with his back against the desk, his legs straight out with me across his lap. He reached up behind him and brought the glass of water down for me.
I took a sip and set the glass down on the floor. We continued to sit there until I glanced up at the clock. “Your daughter is waiting for you.”
Caleb ran his hands soothingly up and down my arms. “My mom is there. You need me right now.”
My body was numb, almost like the days immediately after the forced marriage. It was as though all my emotions had been physically wrung out of me. “I think I want to go back to bed. Can I take a sick day?”
He pressed my head into his shoulder, wet from my tears. “Of course, but no hiding out for days, okay?” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll take you home and get you settled.”
I pushed away and wiped my face with my palms. I was a bit lightheaded from the crying, but what I wanted was to be alone. “I’m okay. I’ll walk. Besides, your mom’s house is the other way.”
“I don’t want you walking.” I heard the concern in his voice, and I wasn’t up for the arguing. But then Brent spoke up.
“I can drive her, Chief. I’ll make sure she gets home.”
I pushed to my feet, only to see Randy had come from his office down the hall and had joined Brent over by the hot water, both drinking tea. Both having watched my meltdown.
Caleb stood. He took my face in his hands and forced me to look up at him. “What do you want, Grace?”
He was asking. Not telling. He’d already let me know what he preferred, but now he asked and my lower lip trembled. “I promise, I only need to sleep right now. Brent can drive. Elena’s been waiting long enough.”
He kissed my forehead before he nodded to his officer. Within minutes, I was sitting in the front of a squad car being driven the few blocks back to the apartment. When we arrived, I exited the car, but Brent was out on the sidewalk by the time I stood.
“You don’t need to come up,” I mumbled.
“Yes, I do.” He made sure I was in the apartment, but before he closed the door, he gave me a long look. “Grace, I need to ask you something. Were you ever here of your own free will?”
I nearly choked at the lump in my throat. “Don’t you know?” He stood, silent. Waiting. Damn, did he take lessons from his chief? “If you mean, did I get onto the bus back in Vermont willingly? Yeah, I did. But this?” I pointed to the wristband everyone in town wore. “I may as well be shackled to a wall with the amount of freedom I’m allowed. I didn’t sign on for this, or to get married. Or to never go home to my family again.”
Brent gave a slight nod and closed the door. But I saw it. I saw the questions he had. He was a police officer outside of the Wellington gates. Maybe, just maybe, his question meant he was beginning to open his eyes to what was happening in his home town.
Chapter Eighteen
I slept. When I woke, it was after two, and there was a pop can and sandwich on the nightstand. Caleb had come to check on me. He was a good man.
I took a bite of the turkey and cheese before carrying the plate and drink to the kitchen table. While our plan to wait a few weeks until the town council calmed down and lowered security had sounded reasonable when we’d made it, it was time to speed things up.
The security in place was still a definite issue. While my relationship with Caleb had become more than the farce we’d wanted to project, it was Jake and Hope’s warfare that I believed warranted the security ratings to remain on high alert.
I went to the phone on the wall and picked it up, praying Connie wouldn’t answer. I couldn’t deal with her chattiness now.
She didn’t and after calling the furniture factory and finding out Jake wasn’t there, I threw on the first set of clothes I could find and went to his apartment on the ground level.
He answered my knock, and when the door swung open, it was like looking at a different man than who’d arrived on the bus almost three months ago. Gone was the county club attire and the perfectly styled hair. Gone was the charming smile and flirtatious attitude.
His hair stood on end, and his face was pale. He wore only a pair of track shorts, giving me a view of his very perfect, lean, well-defined body. He’d said he loved me. But today, I knew I loved him only as a friend. One who was in desperate need. His blue eyes were gray and lifeless. If this had not been a dry town, Jake Collings would most likely be hitting the bars and probably would have been too drunk to stand.
“Are you alone?” I asked.
He pushed the door open wider and since the woman in question wasn’t glued to his side, or curious to see who’d knocked, I had my answer, but I was not venturing inside.
“Put on some clothes and come to my place. That’s an order.” When he hesitated, I turned him around and pushed him back inside. “Do it. Now.”
He came back a moment later, the only thing different was the tee-shirt he’d pulled on. He didn’t even bother with shoes as he closed the door behind and followed me up the stairs. I motioned for him to take a seat at the kitchen table. “I take it Roger came by your work today.”
“You, too?” He nodded dejectedly. “Sorry, Grace. I don’t think he even thought about our parents looking for us until I said something last week.”
“Can’t know for sure, but I guess it’s time to start coming up with ideas. This is what I’ve noticed about this place.” I grabbed a pen and paper and began to scribble as I talked.
Caleb came in shortly after five while Jake and I sat, heads together, over our notes.
“Hi, Grace. Jake.” I knew he was surprised, but he wasn’t about to show it in front of a visitor.
I gave a wan smile. The day truly had worn me out. “Hi. Thank you for the sandwich. And for checking on me earlier.”
He came over and I lifted my face for a kiss, which he gave, albeit brief as he looked over my shoulder. “What are you two doing?”
I hesitated. He knew we planned to leave, but after our time together, it didn’t make it an easy conversation. “We’re making a list of exit strategies.” I pointed to the paper. “I know both the police station and the hospital have machines to disengage the trackers and I know that unless they are taken of
f properly, an alert will go out. Also, we are compiling a list of vehicles which leave Wellington on a regular basis, so maybe we can hide on one of those until we are outside the gates.”
If I hadn’t seen the darkening of his eyes, I would never have known he stuffed his emotion back. Instead, what he did do, was nod and say, in a much too calm voice, “I can probably help add to your list.” Then he pulled out a chair and asked to see the paper.
“How is Elena?” I needed to change the topic, despite Caleb taking the pen.
“She started throwing up again around one. My sister took the two younger kids for the night so Mom can give Elena undivided attention.”
I wrangled my fingers together at the almost forced conversation, while Jake sat next to me, quiet, almost sulking at no longer having my attention. “Do you need to go back?”
Caleb nodded. “Later. We can pick up a pizza then I’ll head over to check on her.” He slid the paper back to me. “Here, I’ve included some of the delivery trucks which come in to town.”
Jake looked at the addition. “Since when do trucks come here? I’ve never seen them.”
Caleb sat back. “There is a warehouse on the north side of town, about a mile in from the gates. Most deliveries here are delivered to the warehouse then separated out and delivered by our own vehicles into the center of town. Even if I could get you onto one of those trucks, I am still locked out of the security access until further notice and without the trackers disabled, even getting you out to the north section of town without setting everyone on alert is going to be difficult.”
I tapped the pen against my lips as I gave it more thought. “If I need to have an x-ray, they would take off the tracker.”
“Not an option.” My head bounced up at the dark, menacing tone. “Anything which involves you being hurt in any way is not on the table. End of discussion.”
I sucked in my breath as I met his gaze. Dear God, he was serious. I gave a slow nod to acknowledge I’d heard him then crossed the hospital off the list.
