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“Nothing is ever going to be normal with me in your life, Caleb.”
“I don’t want normal. I want you. Both of you.”
“I don’t know what I’ll ever have to offer you. You’ve made your mark on this world. I feel like I’m starting all over again.”
“All I want from you is your love and commitment. But I know what an independent person you are, and we’ll start at the bottom together. I’ll be here to help guide you in the direction you want to go.”
“Put me down, Caleb.”
I can see the concern wash over his face, but he lets my feet hit the floor carefully. I stand in front of him and hold my hand out for his. I walk into his living room and sit down on the double love seat that I’ve positioned at his conservatory doors so it looks outside into the acres of beautiful scenery.
I push him to sit down, curl up beside him, and wrap my arms around him tightly.
“I hope you didn’t move this yourself.” He tilts my chin to look him in the eye.
I shake my head. “I was sitting here on that god-awful foot stool while it was snowing, but my back was hurting. Clay said he could move this over to a better spot. He said you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind. It looks so much better here.” He pulls me closer to him and rests his head on my head. “I’ve missed you, Aria.”
“I missed you too. I’m so sorry, Caleb.”
“Sshh! It’s okay. We’ll get through this. I know we will.”
Just sitting here in Caleb’s arms makes me feel complete. It makes me feel like everything really can be okay if I give it a chance. I just need to let him into my heart and stop being so stubborn.
***
I open my eyes and look around myself. I feel disorientated and lost. Then it hits me that I fell asleep in Caleb’s arms, looking out into the black night at his conservatory doors.
I feel his arms wrap around me tighter. I look up slightly, to notice that I’m practically lying on top of the poor guy. He must be crushed with the weight of me and the baby.
“Morning,” he says croakily.
“Morning. Let me get up. You’ll have no feeling in any part of you…”
He tightens his hold around me and kisses my forehead. “Stay where you are. I actually had the best sleep I’ve had in such a long time.” He laughs, and it’s the sweetest sound.
“Me too. Who would have thought this seat would be comfortable for three people to sleep on?”
I daren’t tell him that my shoulders are aching, because I love lying here like this. Even the baby is moving around bright and early this morning.
“I don’t know how you can sleep with this little one wriggling around.” He caresses my tummy, and it’s at that moment that I realize his hands are under my pajama top. I don’t freak out like I thought I would. I relax into his embrace and take in a deep breath.
“It’s with great difficulty at times.” I giggle. “Night time is the most active time, but for some reason, he likes your touch this morning.”
“That’s good to know. But what about you? It isn’t too much for you?”
I shake my head. “I honestly didn’t know how I’d react to contact from any man, but last night…” I sit up on my elbow. Caleb tucks a strand of hair away from my face. “Last night you made me feel things that I haven’t felt in… forever. I don’t think I would have stopped you going further, but a part of me is glad you took control of that situation.”
“I’m just going to put this out there, because I don’t want you to think I need anything sexual from you until you’re ready. That could be tomorrow, next month, next year. This, holding you, kissing you, it’s all enough.”
His words touch me on a level that nothing ever has before. I feel the tingles all the way from my toes. I lean forward and place my lips over his. His hand remains on my stomach, and he lets me take the initiative with this kiss, and I like kissing him.
“Oh, sorry.”
I pull apart from Caleb and hide my face in his neck. I never even heard the front door open when Clay arrived with the morning bagels and croissants. He usually bangs the door closed so I know he’s here.
Clay walks into the kitchen and I climb off Caleb. He catches my hand and pecks my lips. “Take as long as you need. I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
