CHAPTER2
The farmhouse hadn’t changed much since the last time Megan had spent a weekend a year ago. Everyone in the Keating family had access to the house year-round, but Megan had used the house when it was unoccupied to experiment with some new recipes. The kitchen was twice the size of the one in her apartment, which made it that much easier to work and clean.
The oversized living room still had the old leather couches and throw pillows arranged in front of the wood-burning brick fireplace. The built-in bookcases next to it overflowed with books. Aside from the kitchen, that was Megan’s favorite thing about the house. Most everyone else loved the fireplace or the view, or even the new hot tub outside on the covered porch. But Megan always found comfort in two places: the kitchen and in books.
However, Caleb Jackson on one of the couches was not a familiar sight. He and Tucker were in the middle of a conversation as she walked in.
Caleb saw her first. “Hey, Megan.”
Her heart jumped to her throat at the sound of his voice. “Hi, guys.” She gave them a small smile and pulled her luggage over the threshold. Megan heated under Caleb’s gaze, and she made a point not to meet his eyes. Tucker stood and said something about going to get a drink. Megan closed the front door and hauled her suitcase and multiple travel bags to the bottom of the stairs and contemplated the best way to get everything up to her room.
The second floor of the house boasted a master bedroom with an en suite, three bedrooms for Keating family members, an official guest bedroom, and a nursery that was converted into a kids’ room complete with bunk beds. Except for the master bedroom, the rooms were fairly small. There was also the office on the first floor, which had a daybed for extra guests.
Per the email from Rose, she and Henry would share the largest bedroom until the night before the wedding. Henry would spend that particular night at his parents’ house. The Keating family members, Tucker, Rebecca, and Megan, each had their own rooms. Groomsmen Tyler and Caleb would be in the kids’ room, and Matthew and Theresa would share the guest bedroom since they were the only couple in the bridal party.
Caleb appeared at her side before Megan could make up her mind about how to take everything up to her room. He grabbed the suitcase and two of the smaller tote bags. “Lead the way.”
“Oh! You don’t have to do that. I can manage.”
Caleb fixed his green eyes on her. “I know you can.” He flashed her a smile and the knots in her stomach loosened. “I want to help. Lead the way.”
Megan hefted her weekend bag and the small bag from the bookstore and led him up the stairs. Her room was between Matthew and Theresa’s and the bathroom. Caleb and Tyler’s room was right across the hall, and between Tucker’s and Rebecca’s rooms.
Excellent. Her brother, cousin Rebecca, and the guy she’d had a crush on for years all in rooms directly across from hers.
Caleb stayed one step behind Megan as she opened her bedroom door and deposited her bags on the bed. The room was large enough for a queen bed, chest of sheets and blankets at the foot of it, a dresser, small nightstand, and an antique standing mirror.
“Is that a bag from Starfire Lake Books and More?” Caleb put the rest of her things next to the bed and pointed at her shopping bag.
“It is.” Megan didn’t want him to see her choice of reading material. She shoved the bag behind one of the tote bags. “I stopped in on my way here.”
“Go there often?”
“Sometimes.” She put her hands on her hips. “Does it matter?”
“Not really. Buy anything interesting?” he asked. Amusement danced in his eyes.
“Nothing you’d like.” Megan stepped around him to hold the door open and motion him out, but he’d already dashed around the bed and grabbed the package.
“What do we have here?”
“Hey!” Megan dove for the bag, but he was too quick, and she landed on the bed. She scrambled to her knees and grabbed for the books now in his hands.
He stepped back out of reach. Caleb read the titles she’d picked out. His eyes widened and his expression changed from aloof mischief to something else.
Caleb flicked his gaze from the books up to her and stared for a long moment, the books still in his hands and forgotten. A muscle in his jaw feathered, and he licked his lips in an excruciatingly slow movement.
Megan was frozen in place. Her body tightened as he moved to stand in front of her, and gently placed the books next to her. It was such a simple gesture, even as his gaze never once broke from hers. Her breath was uneven, and her heart beat an unsteady rhythm against her ribs.
It had been too long since any guy had given her a second look, much less a look that said he wanted to devour her. Megan couldn’t take her eyes off his mouth.
A memory from their night together last month flashed through her mind.
His hand pinned both of hers to the mattress above her head. His lips on her neck. He growled in her ear as his free hand found her wet and ready for him.
The mattress groaned as Caleb braced a hand on either side of her and leaned in close. His words a whisper against her skin. “If you want to practice any of those scenes, I’d be more than happy to oblige, princess.”
Megan’s heart leapt into her throat and her pussy clenched in anticipation. Heat bloomed across her face and chest. His mouth was right there, close enough that if she shifted her weight ever so slightly, she could kiss him.
