When he reached the waistband of my jeans, he paused and looked up. “Still good?”
“Yes,” I said, breath catching a little.
He unbuttoned and eased them down my legs, slow and careful. His fingertips brushed my skin on the way, and a small shiver moved through me. When I tensed, just an old reflex, I couldn’t hide it fast enough.
Caleb noticed immediately.
He didn’t ask what was wrong. He didn’t make it a big deal. He just came back to me, bracing one hand beside my head as he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured. “Always.”
A cool breeze blew across the field and something loosened inside me—like the breeze was blowing away the tension I held onto. I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding my breath until I finally let it out. I reached up and kissed him, needing that closeness for just a second more before letting him continue.
He slid my jeans the rest of the way down, taking the lacy fabric underneath with them, until there was nothing left between us. My thighs pressed together briefly, nerves flickering under my skin. Caleb didn’t push or rush—he simply lowered himself again and pressed a slow kiss to the inside of my knee, his hands warm where they rested on my legs. Another kiss, higher on my leg this time, and my breath stuttered.
“So damn beautiful,” he said, voice low and laced with heat. “All of you.”
His fingertips traced the inside of my thigh, slow enough to make my breath catch. His gaze followed the path of his hand, and when it settled, his eyes darkened, like he was already lost in me.
His hand trailed slowly up my thigh, giving me time to feel every inch of his touch before he reached me. When his fingers finally brushed over me, the first stroke pulled a gasp from me; the second stole my breath entirely. He watched me fall apart under his touch, his rhythm shifting to match every change in my breathing, every restless shift of my body. He explored me carefully, like he was learning what I liked, what made my body react, and every slow stroke made my hips lift, asking for more.
The sounds leaving me were raw, honest, and uncontrollable. My composure slipped, along with any hope of hiding how much I needed him. I was getting close—my body tightening, breath catching—as his name fell from my lips. And when it hit, I went over the edge fast, shaking, lost in him.
My breathing was still uneven, a small laugh escaping before I could stop it. I felt flushed, dizzy, and a little shy, but happy in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Caleb smiled that sweet smile that always melted me. He brushed a strand of hair from my cheek, his eyes warm. For a second, it seemed like he thought that might be the end—that we’d stop here.
But I didn’t want to stop. I propped myself up on the blanket that was now slightly rumpled and looked at him—the man I knew cared about me more than anyone else.
“I need you,” I whispered, still breathless.
He froze—not tense, just surprised. His eyes searched mine, and emotion flickered in them. I reached for his shirt and pulled him to me. “Please, Ranger,” I whispered, voice barely there.
He shifted closer, his hands still patient. Then he reached toward the saddlebag beside us. The sound of leather and a small metallic rustle made me laugh through my nerves.
“You came prepared?” I teased.
He grinned, voice low. “Didn’t want to ruin the moment by not being ready for you.”
That flicker of humor eased what little tension was left inside me. I was nervous, yes, but not scared. Not with him.
Caleb leaned back in, his forehead resting against mine, and everything else blurred—the grass beneath us, the faint whinnying from the horses, the warmth of his breath on my lips.
I pulled him in to kiss me, the kind of kiss that left me a little dizzy and smiling against his lips. My hands found his belt, trembling as I worked the buckle, and he helped. When his clothes were gone, the air between us felt heavier, charged.
I looked at him, eyes wide, a breath catching in my throat. “Wow...” The word came out soft, almost a laugh. “You’re...wow.”
His mouth curved into that half-smile that always undid me. “Yeah?” His voice was low, playful in a way that melted me. “You’re pretty wow yourself.”
I met his gaze and saw a tenderness in his eyes that I’d not seen before. At that moment I knew I loved him.
He slid into me slowly, watching my face the whole time. A small sound left me, and he paused to press a kiss to my forehead.
“You okay?” he whispered.
I nodded, pulling him closer. “Better than okay.”
He let out a quiet laugh, breathless. “You’re gonna kill me,” he whispered.
