by EJ Logan
I swear I've become such a sap since that girl came into my life. Walking to my room, I heard Ari yell out my name. I quickly ran to her room throwing the door open to find her tossing and turning in bed. I first thought maybe she was having a dream like me, until I heard her callout again. "Caleb help!"
"Shit" I hissed rushing to her and pulling her into my arms. She was having another nightmare, and it sounds like I was in this one. "It’s okay baby girl, wake up,” I whispered to her running my fingers through her long brown hair. "Wake up love," I said kissing the top of her head.
“C…Caleb,” She cried, before throwing her arms around my neck and hugging me close to her.
"Everything's okay. You're okay; I have you. No one's going to hurt you baby,” I cooed in her ear trying to calm her. I hate that she has to go through this. She hasn't had a bad nightmare like this since she first moved in. I know it's because of that asshole last night. It's a good thing I don't know where to find him.
Once she had finally calmed herself down some, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she looked up at me. Oh and the look she wore on her face broke my fucking heart, she looked so scared and lost. I leaned in wiping her eyes and kissing her forehead. “I…I… I’m sorry if I woke you,” She stuttered.
“I was already awake love don’t worry. Do you want to talk about it?” I asked her, giving her a reassuring smile, hoping she would open up a little more to me, but she shook her head no.
"I don't. Not now, maybe later. I do want to thank you though, for both this morning and last night at the bar. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up. I owe you so much,” She told me before hugging me again.
Was it the most horrid thing that when she said she wanted to thank me I thought of my dream. I'm such a disgusting perv. This girl is having a breakdown because of men taking advantage of her in some of the most horrendous ways and I’m thinking about her body wrapped around mine. I rubbed my hand over my face in frustration. I need some help; I think I have a problem.
She leaned back out looking up at me tears streaking her pink cheeks. "I'm so sorry Caleb. You shouldn't have to deal with this. I'm a freaking mess, and it's not your job to clean it up,” She said to me staring at me with her big sad hazel eyes.
I ran my hand over her head "Oh baby girl, just be quiet. You have nothing to be sorry for, I'm exactly where I want to be. Also, you are allowed to be a mess now and then. You went through something no one ever should, and you came out a strong, beautiful, amazing woman. I will always be here if you need me and not because I have to be, but because I want to be,” I said
Stroking her cheek, I lifted her chin so she would look at me again. "You babe, have become one of my best friends, and that's what friends do, they are there for each other. So don't you ever think you're a burden on me. Got it?" I asked giving her a small smile.
She nodded and then hugged me again. Hearing myself call her a friend made my chest hurt. I know I want more with her, but my fears are too much for me to take that chance. What if I messed it up and hurt her? I would never forgive myself and if she left I would break. I can't lose anyone else I love. I won't risk her heart let alone my own.
“You're amazing Caleb. I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate or friend,” She said
I shook my head laughing “You better not let Tess here you say that,”
That got a little laugh out of her. "You're right she would through a fit if she heard me say that,” She got up out of my lap, and I felt the emptiness comeback. "Thank you again for everything. I'm going to go jump in the shower now and try to clean myself up a bit,” She told me biting her lip.
Uh, if she only knew what that did to me. I gave her a smirk "Need any help?" I asked wagging my eyebrows suggestively.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the expression on her face. “Shut up and get out, oh and thanks for ruining a sweet moment, again,” She said laughing and pushing me out the door.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t love me babe. You know you do,”
She gave me one final shove out the door, but before she shut it, I heard her mumble "He will never change,”
I went to my room still laughing. Glad that we had left it on a happy note, but Ari's words kept going through my head " He will never change" I knew those words were true, but I wish I could. For her, I wish I could be the man she needs and deserves.
Ari
After the talk with Caleb and a nice hot shower, I was feeling better. I dressed in a pair of cutoff shorts and a little red tank top, putting my black bikini on underneath, knowing everyone would be here soon for our weekly cookout.
I made my way into the kitchen for some coffee and breakfast even though it was almost noon. I don’t think I've ever slept this late. I found Caleb with his head in the fridge looking for something to eat. “What are you doing?” I asked startling him.
He jumped up and swung around. “You scared the shit out of me babe, and for your information I was looking for something to eat. You aren’t taking care of me the way a woman should,” He said with a huge smirk on his face.
I scoffed rolling my eyes. "Oh, honey bunches," I said reaching up and pinching his cheek. "I'm sorry I haven't been taking care of you right. What does my little man want to eat?" I asked using a baby voice.
“Whatever I don’t want anything,” He huffed crossing his arms over his chest.
"Okay, well watch out so I can make myself an omelet. I'm starving,” I said shoving him out of the way, but he grabbed my hips and pulled me back into to him.
"I'm sorry, I won't call you, woman again, but I would love an omelet,” He said whispering into my ear causing me to shiver. "Mmmmm did you like that babe?" He asked still breathing down my neck.
I shook my head unable to bring myself to move out of his arms. He lifted my chin and placed a small kiss on my jaw right below my ear. Again causing my body and mind to betray me. My nipples hardened, and a soft moan escaped my lips. "What about that?"
Again I shook my head “N…n…no, I thought you were hungry,” I stuttered pulling out of his grasp.
I looked back at him to see lust filled eyes “Oh yeah I'm definitely hungry,” He groaned giving my body an appreciative once over. I just shook my head and started getting the ingredients to make the omelets. Messing with him I made sure to bend over in his direction. “You do this shit on purpose don’t you? Not fair babe, not fair at all,” He groaned
I just turned giving him a sweet smile. “I don’t understand. Do what?” I asked innocently.
He shook his head laughing a little. "You're killing me, I'm going to take a quick shower,” He said before walking off to his room. It's fun to mess with him. I know I shouldn't, but I can't help it.
Everyone showed up around three for our weekly get together. Aiden being the last to arrive, and he seemed to be avoiding me. I don't know why he's acting this way and it's really starting to piss me off. I mean what did I do? So when he went inside to use the bathroom, I went in and waited in the hall to catch him alone.
He walked out of the bathroom and jumped a little when he saw me. "Whoa, you scared me Ari,” Ari really? He's always called me beautiful, and now I'm Ari?
"Hey, sorry Aiden, I wanted to catch you before you went back outside. What's up? Why have you been ignoring me all afternoon?” I asked him with a little edge to my voice.
To my surprise he laughed humorlessly “Really you're going to ask me that? I ask you to come out with me to have a few drinks, you leave with my best friend not even saying goodbye and you ask what’s up. I knew you guys had a thing for each other, but I didn’t think you'd ever act on it,” He spat.
I just stared at him, shocked at his accusation. “Are you fucking kidding me? That's what this is about? I thought Caleb text Jake to tell him we were leaving?”
"Yeah, he said something about a situation and needing to get you home, but that's it. I had no idea what was going on,”
"Well, I'm sorry that yo
u got upset by all of this, but you shouldn't, first of all you and I are just friends who are getting to know each other better, to see if maybe one day we could be more. For me that one day could be an awful long ways off, and I thought you were good with that. I don't belong to anyone, and you have no right to act like I do. If you must know something happened and Caleb saved me and brought me home, nothing more. Maybe if you would have stopped acting so childish and just grew a pair and asked what was up you would know this,” I said angrily.
"Oh, uh, what happened? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you? I'm so sorry I got…" I interrupted him placing my hand over his mouth. My anger was starting to dissipate a little. I know he was just jealous because he likes me, but I don't want him to be that way. I just want the laid back friend I know and care for.
"Aiden calm down. I wasn't hurt, but if Caleb hadn't shown up when he did, I might have been,” I continued telling him the whole story.
"Oh beautiful, I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry I acted like a jerk, and I know I have no right. I just, I don't know. I like you and the thought of you going home with my best friend just didn't sit right with me. Please forgive me. Give me another chance. I promise not to act like a dumb jealous ass anymore,” He said grabbing my hands with his.
"Aiden, nothing, has changed for me, and I like you too, but I'm just not ready for this to be anything more than it is right now,” I told him. He nodded in understanding giving me a small hug, then we went back out to join everyone.
We all had an excellent dinner and played around in the pool until everyone decided to head home to get ready to go out. Aiden had to go watch that same band again, and everyone was going to join him. Well, everyone but me and surprisingly Caleb. I tried to tell him to go. That he didn't need to babysit me, but he wouldn't listen, saying he just felt like staying in.
Caleb and I spent our night in our usual fashion watching a movie on the couch together, my feet in his lap as he massaged them. It was a nice peaceful night and after the previous night that was exactly what I needed.
CHAPTERsixteen
Caleb
Sunday afternoon I met all the guys to go surfing. Well, all but Aiden, who coincidentally was out with my roommate, even Jake came, and he hasn't come out with us in months. After we finished a few of us went to the same bar we always go to for dinner and drinks. I planned to make it an early night though since I have to be at work early in the morning. We had only been there about fifteen minutes when a group of girls came up asking if we'd like to dance. At that exact moment, Aiden walked up, and a cute little red head grabbed his arm. He always had a thing for redheads. "Aiden babe I haven't seen you in here in a while," she purred.
He gave her a smirk. “Been busy sweetheart, but I’m here now,” He said grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close.
What the hell was he doing? What about Ari? I swear if he hurts her, I will kill him. He has a chance to be with the most amazing, beautiful, bad ass chick I have ever met, and he wants to blow it by hooking up with this little slut?
I gave him a questioning look, and he noticed. "Give me just a moment sweetheart,” He told her before pulling me aside.
"Hey man don't give me that look. I like Ari, I do, but it’s not like we're a couple. Pretty much we're just friends getting to know each other better. Shit I don't even think she likes me romantically at all. You've gotten more action from the girl than I have," he said.
Is he fucking serious, I wanted to punch him in the face. “Is that what you want from her action? I thought you were looking for more with Ari,” I asked through gritted teeth.
Aiden took a step back putting up his hands up in surrender. "Whoa man, take it easy. I do, or I did, shit I don't know anymore. Like I said I don't think she's into me that way. I mean just tonight we went out for dinner and had a nice time, we get along really well, but after I had taken her home, I went to give her just a small kiss goodnight, and she turned and gave me a hug. I'm pretty sure she's into someone else and is just using me as a distraction. The problem is it doesn't seem to be working,” He said giving me a pointed look.
I stared back at him with my mouth agape. He can't think she wants to be with me. I told her from the beginning not to fall for me. Shaking my head, I let out a loud sigh. "I think you've got it wrong man. Listen I'm heading out you have fun,”
“Just ask her,” I looked at him questionably. “Just ask her how she thinks things are going between us. She'll say the same thing I just told you. She doesn’t see me as anything more than a friend,” He said giving me a pat on the shoulder.
I started to walk away, but he called out to me again. "Hey Caleb,” I turned and looked at him. "You know what's funny. I think you feel the same way about her, but you're just too afraid to let yourself be happy,” I just stared at him for a moment, before turning and walking out of the bar.
It was about nine thirty when I got home. Ari was lying on the couch watching Vampire Diaries when I walked in. Pausing the show she looked up at him. "Hey, you're home early,”
I nodded "Yeah I just didn't feel like that scene tonight,” I said. She looked at me questionably, but I didn't elaborate.
I made my way over lifting her feet and setting them in my lap. As I started to rub them, I looked over at her, fuck she's beautiful. "Your night ended pretty early too. I was surprised when Aiden walked into the bar I thought you guys would have still been on your date,” I said giving her my own questioning look. Hoping she'll tell me how she feels about him, without me having to ask.
I heard her sigh loudly. "I don't know. I mean we had a nice time and Aiden's great. We get along, have a lot in common, and he is definitely good looking, but I just don't know. I just don't think I like him as more than a friend ya know? Maybe I just need to give it more time, maybe those feeling will develop between us,” She said shrugging and looking down at her hands.
I just stared at her as she spoke. I guess Aiden was right about how she feels. "Yeah maybe, I mean I'm not one to give any relationship advice, but shouldn't you know? I mean you two had gone on a few dates and hung out a bunch of times, wouldn't you have started to feel something by now?" I asked.
"Mm yeah, you're probably right. I mean I do like him. I don't know I've only been with one guy. I don't know much more than you do when it comes to all of this,” She said with a shrug.
Shit I didn't think. I don't want to make her think of that asshole. I looked back over at her to see her biting her lip. Man that was hot. I sat up dropping her feet and pulling her into my lap. "I'm sorry baby; I didn't mean to make you think about him,” I spoke into her ear.
She laid her head on my shoulder, hiding her face in the crook of my neck. God she smells good. "It's okay," she said into my neck. She looked up at me, and I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad. "Don't worry I won't freak out, I can talk about him now, I think,” She told me.
I just stared at her for a minute before I spoke. “So he was your only boyfriend?”
"Yeah, my only everything, well I've kissed another guy," she said giving me a shy smile.
It took me a minute to realize what she was talking about and who the other guy she had kissed was. “So I was only the second guy you have ever kissed?”
She nodded "Yep I've only ever kissed two men in my life. Pretty lame for a twenty-two-year-old huh?" We both laughed, but I didn't think it was lame. It made me feel something I had never felt when it came to a chick.
As she was laughing her bottom was moving around on little Caleb, and I thought I might just blow in my pants. That is what this girl does to me. I felt her stiffen when she felt me twitch below her.
I have been trying so hard to keep things just friendly between us, but I wanted this girl more than I have ever wanted anyone
She quickly got up untangling herself from my arms. "Hey, I'm going to go to bed. I'm beat, and you have an early meeting tomorrow,” She said once she was standing in front of me.
I stood as well, hating myself for
not having better control over my hormones. She turns me into a thirteen year old boy I swear. "Yeah, I need a shower and to get to bed too. Good night baby girl,” I told her as I pulled her into my arms once more.
"Goodnight," She said giving me a little wave as she went to her room. Sighing I went to my own room. It looks like another cold shower for me.
Monday I had an important web conference with a group from Houston Texas. They are looking to build multiple sky rise condos in three different cities. I had sent in my proposal over a month ago, and they finally called back to set up this conference. The conference went amazingly, I found out they had narrowed it down to two different architectural firms, mine being one of them.
I have to leave on Sunday to go down to Austin for multiple meetings and a formal dinner party. The Investors want to meet with both potential Architects to get a feel for them. This is a huge deal for the company. This will be the first time we've done a job out of California.
So of course I'm going to need to bring my PA with me, I might need her, I thought with a smirk. I had decided to book the hotel myself and of course, I got us a king suite to share. I just love falling asleep next to her, the couple of times we have I slept like a baby, but I'll just leave that detail out when I tell her about the trip.
The rest of the week went by quickly. It was now Friday, and I was heading home. I had let Ari leave early to go meet with her friend who's in town. I think her name is like Carrie, oh no it's Callie.
We're going out again tonight. Aiden's watching another local group tonight, at this club by the bay. Hopefully, this will be a better night than last week.
When I walked in I heard Ari yell out to me. "Hey Caleb, how was your day?" she asked. Well someone was cheery today. She must have missed her friend.
I came around the corner to the living room to see them on the couch each with a glass of wine in their hands. I hope she hasn't drunk too much. Ari is a light weight. If she starts this early, she's gonna be toasted by nine o'clock.