by V, Krissy
“He is damn fine isn’t he” she says eying him all the time, when he turns away from the bar and starts to walk up to her she starts to blush.
“I’ll leave you two alone for a while” I say walking away to another group of work colleagues. After an hour my phone rings and I can see it is Caleb calling.
“Hey Tasha, how are you doing after your first week at work? Are you in the pub celebrating?” he says.
“Hiya, yeah I’m in The Angel pub next door to the office, I just met Dillon, again!” I laugh remembering how I met him the first time.
“Ah yeah, I forgot to mention that” he laughs “Would you be embarrassed if I joined you all for a drink, I usually do” I can tell he wanted to give me some space, but he doesn’t want to do something that is different to normal.
“Of course it’s fine, it might feel awkward, but I’m sure we can control ourselves” I laugh.
“Speak for yourself” he says, laughing “I’ll be there in 10 minutes so prepare yourself” and he hangs up.
I take a deep breath and walk over to Tracey, she is one of the secretaries who has been good to me this week “Thanks for helping me get through my first week, you’ve been a great help. How long have you worked here?” we stand talking for ten minutes or more and then I can feel Caleb behind me, he doesn’t need to speak or do anything, I just know he’s there.
“Mr. Hunt it’s great to see you tonight, didn’t think you were going to come along, thought you might have been busy” Tracey says giving him a big smile.
“I had to come and see my new employee and see how her first week went, you know the drill” he laughs “So T.. Natasha, how was your first week at work?”
I turn to talk to Caleb and falter at my first sight of him “Mr. Hunt, it’s a pleasure” I say sticking my hand out for him to shake. Big mistake because he takes my hand and shakes it and then rubs his thumb under my wrist. I can feel myself getting flustered and so I take my hand away quickly. He looks at me and hides his smile. “I’ve really enjoyed this week, everyone has been really friendly and I’m starting to settle in”
“That’s great news, I’ve heard good reports from everyone so far. Now that I’ve let you settle in this week, I have some projects I want you to work on starting next week. We can talk about them on Monday morning so don’t worry about them now. Do you want a drink? I usually buy a round for everyone on a Friday” he asks walking towards the bar.
I turn to look at Tracey “Does he really do that? That’s really cool” she laughs and nods her head.
I follow Caleb to the bar “Mr. Hunt I’d love a drink, can I have a coke, I have to drive home tonight”
He turns and smiles at me and leans into me and says “I’ll make sure you get home Tasha, have a proper drink” and then he stands up and orders a vodka to go in my coke.
I take my drink, say thanks and then walk around talking to everyone for a while. After about 20 minutes I get a text from Caleb.
“I want you to know how much I like you calling me Mr. Hunt LOL”
“Well it is your name Mr. Hunt!!!”
“Yeah I know, but it turns me on Tasha”
“OMG Caleb you didn’t just say that to me did you?”
“Yeah I think I did Natasha, what are you going to do about it?”
I don’t reply, I walk over to him and say “Mr. Hunt, thank you so much for my drink, I was wondering if I can buy you a drink back Mr. Hunt. What do you drink Mr. Hunt?” I am trying so hard not to laugh because his face is hilarious.
He stutters “Thank you Natasha that would be very kind. I’ll have a long sloe screw please”
That’s it for me I start laughing so hard and I can feel tears coming down my face. “You did not just say that did you Mr. Hunt?” I say between laughs.
He laughs in return and says “Now Natasha do you need me to repeat that or have you heard of it before?”
I turn from him and go up to the bar and ask the barman for a long sloe screw, laughing all the time. My phone beeps with another message.
“This is so hard Tasha, all I want to do is hold you in my arms and kiss you, you need to stop laughing you look so beautiful”
I smile while I read the message and then I turn around to see the most handsome face looking at me, smiling. He starts to walk towards me and I know, I just know that he doesn’t want to wait 6 months, he wants to do it now. I start shaking my head because I need to wait longer, I need to get to know these people and let them get to know me. He stops and the smile falls off his face and I feel sad that I did that to him. I walk over to him and hand him his drink and say “Sorry Caleb I can’t do it now” and then I go over to Tracey and Meg and say goodnight. I know Caleb can’t follow me because it would look too strange to the others.
I stand outside the pub and lean against the wall, I’m breathing heavily, I feel like crying, Caleb looked so hurt and I don’t want to hurt him. I know he won’t follow me, he wants me to have some space to think about what happened.
I'm confused, I want to go back and tell him I'm sorry and show everyone how much he means to me, but I can't do it. I don't know if I can let myself get into a relationship again and be hurt. How can I trust him to be himself? What if he's only pretending too? I don't know if I can trust my heart to anyone again.
I sink to the floor and start sobbing, I feel someone walk up to me and sink to the ground with me. It's Dillon!
"He sent me out to make sure you're ok, he's frantic he can't just walk out. Too many people would ask questions and you don't want that. Caleb has told me about what happened to you and how he's been there for you and I admire him. It's hard to be in love with someone who doesn't love you back Tasha. I've never seen Caleb like this with anyone, you're everything he thinks about, talks about and dreams about. I just hope you're worth it, because right now I don't think you are! To hurt him like you just did" he reaches out and takes my hand in his "Tasha that man in there was prepared to lay his heart down in front of people who respect him and you hurt him, you threw it back at him. I know he said he would wait 6 months but I really don't think he can. He needs to know how you feel and he needs to know tonight. I'm going back in so think about it seriously Tasha. You'll always have a job here but you need to make your mind up. Do you want Caleb the way he wants you or what do you want?"
Before he stands up and leaves me I say "Dillon you said you know what I've been through, you know I've had my heart ripped out and stamped on. I'm not sure I can do that to myself again Dillon" I wipe the tears away from my face "I know I have strong feelings for Caleb and I can feel myself falling in love with him, I just don't know if I can let go of that last bit of my heart".
"Tasha I understand that, but in my opinion no one will ever love you or treat you any better than Caleb Hunt. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he wants your heart in return" now I'm going in for another drink are you going to join me?" He holds his hand out for me to take to pull myself up, I reach out and take his hand. He pulls me close and hugs me "He's worth everything and more Tasha take a chance."
I step back and look at him and smile "Will you promise to be there to pick up the pieces of my heart if he breaks it?"
I look up into Dillon's eyes and see him smile "I promise I will beat him up myself if he does" he holds his arm out for me to take and after two beats of my heart I slide my arm through his. He smiles and just like his best friend he has a gorgeous smile. We walk thought the door and Caleb turns around and smiles when he sees me, thank god I didn't piss him off too much. Dillon walks straight over to him and the group of people he is standing with "Look who I found outside who couldn't get a taxi. I talked her into coming in for another drink" everyone welcomes me back and they keep on talking.
All the time Caleb is watching me, waiting for me to be on my own so he can talk to me. I know what I need to do, I just need to build up the courage to do it, to take what I want and not be afraid of the consequences. I take a few deep breaths and slowly walk over to h
im, I can see him staring at me and looking around him to see who is watching, he doesn't know what to expect from me. Neither do I!
When I'm stood in front of him I slowly raise my head to look at him and I say "Mr. Hunt, Caleb can I ask you something?"
He's nodding his head "Yes of course you can" he says uncertainly.
I reach up and pull his head down to mine "Can I kiss you?" I say and don't wait for an answer, I put my lips over his very gently and then a little harder, all the time I am looking him in the eye and I can see them widen with shock.
He starts to return the kiss and puts his arms around me and pulls me close, he groans into my mouth "Tasha, my Angel."
After what seems like an hour we pull apart and I just smile at him. Everyone is looking at us and I start to blush, I don't know what to say. Caleb pulls me into him by the shoulder and says "Everyone I want to introduce you to my girlfriend Tasha, she didn't want you to know because she doesn't want you to judge her but I can't hide it when I'm around her" he kisses me on the side of my head and smiles at me. I just want to curl up and die.
Dillon comes over and claps Caleb on the shoulder and then comes over and kisses me on the cheek "You did the right thing Tasha" everyone else starts congratulating Caleb and smiling at me. Caleb goes and buys me a drink and Tracey comes over to me "You sly dog" she says "we've all wanted a piece of his arse for a long time, but I can see how happy he has been for a while now. Congratulations Natasha"
I smile and hug her "Thanks Tracey, I wanted you all to know that I got this job because of me and my skills not because of Caleb."
"Oh we know that honey, you're whipping us into shape already" she laughs.
Caleb comes back to me and gives me my drink "What changed your mind Tasha?"
"Dillon had a little word with me and promised me that he would beat you up if you broke my heart" I laugh and reach up and kiss him gently on the lips. "Can we get out of here soon? I think we need to talk" I ask.
"Anything for you, my Angel, anything"
"Ok, then I want you to take me back to your apartment and let me stand on your balcony while you wrap your arms around me and hold me tight" I smile.
"Ok down your drink we're leaving now" he laughs. "Dillon, thanks buddy for talking to Tasha, now we have some things to talk about so we are going to leave, make sure you buy everyone a couple of drinks, I'm feeling generous all of a sudden" oh my god I love that smile.
"See you Monday morning bright and early everyone, me and Tasha are off now, enjoy your evening, Dillon will get a couple of rounds in for you, night".
Everyone starts talking at once "thanks" "cheers" "behave" Caleb laughs as he takes my hand and we leave the pub.
When we get outside he turns and says "Are you sure about this Tasha?" and then he leans up against me and kisses me like his life depends on it.
"Tasha I'll give you whatever you want, you’ve made me so happy tonight" he kisses me so deeply I feel like I'm going to explode.
We walk back to his apartment holding hands and every now and again we stop and kiss, because we can. I know I have a big smile on my face, but I can't help it I have this beautiful man kissing me.
When we get back to his apartment we get into the lift and he pushes me against the wall very gently, he doesn't want to frighten me, he puts his two hands above my head and he bends down slightly so that he can kiss me "I can't get enough of your lips Tasha, now that you've allowed me to have them I can never give them up. They are beautiful and taste divine" he says as he plunges his tongue into my mouth. He is such a great kisser I think I can get used to this.
When the lift stops we get out and go into his apartment. He is still holding my hand and he opens the balcony door, he takes me out by the hand and makes me stand up against the balcony. He stands behind me and wraps his arms around me "Is this what you wanted Tasha?"
"Yeah Caleb, this feels like a small piece of heaven right here" I say leaning against his chest. He groans into my ear and kisses my neck
"I know you've been through so much in the last couple of months Tasha, I'm here for you morning, noon and night! There is nothing I won't do for you. You don't ever need to be scared of me, I won't break your heart I promise. I also promise here and now not to push you into anything you don't want to do! I will leave the pace of our relationship up to you and will stick by your decisions. I want to make you mine in every possible way that I can, but I know that you're not ready for that" I blush because I know he means sex and I’m grateful for him not pushing me, that takes the pressure off me anyway.
I turn in his arms "Caleb I don't know what I ever did to deserve you in my life. Thank you for understanding my fears and I know you'll help me through each and every one of them when the times comes" I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his head down so that I can kiss his lips.
"God Tasha you're kisses are my new drug of choice" he groans into my mouth. I'm not sure how long we stood on the balcony just huddled together in silence but when we move back inside I can see the time is 11 o'clock.
"Do you want me to take you home Tasha? It's getting late, I know you're worried about your parents" he says touching my cheek "I'd rather you stayed but I understand if you want to go home"
I push him up against the couch until he sits down and then I sit in his lap. "I'll text Mum and let her know I'm staying here tonight if that's ok with you" I say looking in his eyes.
He smiles a smile that is so wide his eyes shine. "Thank you Tasha"
I move to get off his lap and he holds me down, I stop what I'm doing and look at him. I know he's not going to hurt me but I start to panic a little. I start trying to jump back off his lap, my eyes are wide with panic. Then he let's me go "I'm sorry Tasha I didn't want you to get off my lap. I didn't think about what I was doing" he looks so sad and sorry.
"It's fine Caleb, I just panicked a little but I’m fine" I smile at him so he knows that I’m ok. I reach over to my bag and get my mobile out to text Mum. I get an instant reply.
"Thanks for letting me know. I hope you know what you're doing! Love you baby girl"
I tell her I love her too and then turn to face Caleb "Can we go to bed now I've had an exhausting evening" he smiles at me and takes my hand and drags me up the stairs.
When we are in his bedroom, I start to get panicky "I'll give you some shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in so you don't feel uncomfortable" he says rummaging around in his drawers.
I go into the bathroom and undress and put on his clothes, when I go back into the bedroom, he's already in bed and he has the covers pulled back for me to jump in. "Can I cuddle you to sleep tonight?" He says as I get in and he starts to pull me back to his chest.
"That sounds like heaven" I say snuggling back into him.
He runs his hand up and down my arm and says "You've made me so happy tonight, I just want to go to sleep with you in my arms and wake up to your beautiful sunny face in the morning. Anything else will be a bonus later on" he kisses the top of my head "night night my Angel"
"Night Caleb sweet dreams"
"They always are when I dream of you" I can hear he is starting to drift off. I fall asleep quickly and peacefully.
Chapter 58
WHEN I WAKE UP, I feel someone’s arms around me and a leg draped across me, it feels so natural, but I start to panic a little bit. I start to move and the arm around me tightens “I hope you’re not changing your mind Tasha, I told you the last time you stayed over that I wanted to wake up like this every morning” he pulls me closer and kisses me on the lips. “Good morning Tasha” he smiles his gorgeous smile at me.
“Morning Caleb” I say in between kisses “I’ve not changed my mind, I think this is the best decision I have made in a long time” I smile at him, he pulls me closer to his body, facing him.
He runs his hand up and down my back while he talks to me, I know he is trying to put me at ease “I have waited so long for you to come into my life, I thought I’d never meet someone who too
k my breath away and became my reason to breathe and then you fell into my life. I told you that it was destiny and I still believe that. Tasha, I promise you that I will protect you and love you until my dying breath. My Angel!” he kisses me so gently if I wasn’t looking at him I wouldn’t have felt it.
“Caleb, when I bumped into you that night, my life was so different and it changed that night, not for the best as you know, but you came into my life and you were the only one I could talk to through that hard time and I will always be grateful for that. You have come into my life and have consumed my thoughts and I know that my life will still have some obstacles but I know that you will be there helping me along. That makes my life easier to live” I kiss him, not so softly on the lips, I want my emotion to come out in the kiss.
I feel his cock in between us and I know I need to address the subject of sex and I’m embarrassed. “Can I ask you something?”
“You don’t need to ask that - you can talk to me about anything Tasha” he says smiling at me.
“What if I can’t, you know” I look down at the bed “you know, can’t have sex because of what happened to me. What will you do then? Will you leave me?” I can feel a tear coming out of my eye, because I don’t want to lose him, I’ve only just found him.
He puts his finger on my chin and lifts it so I am looking in his eyes “Hey Tasha I’m not going to give up on you that easy, I want you in my life in whatever capacity I can. I want to help you through any issues you might have. You have been through a very traumatic experience and there will be repercussions, we both know that, but I am not going to give up at the first hurdle. You need to know that I am in this for the long term Tasha, I can’t live without you now that I have you” he reaches over and wipes up the tears that have run out from my eyes and then he leans in and kisses each of my eyes “Come on Tasha”
