Caleb felt her muscles quivering around him and plunged deeper than ever before, burying himself to the hilt and finding his release right after she found hers. Together they rode the riptide of rapture.
Caleb held her tight as they came back to earth. The fire threw strange shapes across their bodies as Dani realized she had never felt this content. She was no longer alone, and she never would be again. Caleb was a part of her now. They were one soul.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear, his breath warm and sending a shiver down her spine.
"For what?" she asked, puzzled.
"For coming after me. Thank you for saving me from a life of self-imposed solitude. For being you."
"I had no choice, you know. You're just too damned good looking to get out of my system."
Caleb laughed. "I knew you just wanted me for my body."
"Yup," she said. "After all, your body is where your heart is."
"No," he countered. "Here is where my heart is." He touched her chest, putting his palm over her heart. "And here's where it's gonna stay."
"It better," she said threateningly. "Remember, I got a mean right hook."
"Don't I know it." He grinned and covered his face with his hands.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Protecting my nose!"
They both laughed, and she punched him lightly in the arm.
"Oh, wanna play rough, huh?" he asked, starting to tickle her all over her body. His hands were quick, and before long she dissolved in giggles. All that touching heated their blood and before long they were making love again, thrusting and groaning and reaching for the heavens. At last they lay sated in each other's arms and stared off into the distance.
"Caleb?" she asked softly after a while.
"Yes, darlin'?"
"What's that?" She was pointing to a familiar-looking white shape that lay on a nearby leather sofa.
"Uh, that?" he asked, and she thought his face became flushed and not because of the heat of the fire.
"Is that my body pillow? What is it doing here?"
"Keeping me company," he admitted, sheepishly. "I figured if I couldn't have the real thing, at least I could hold something that had been in your arms."
"Such a remarkable turnaround," she said, barely able to hold back her laughter. "It seems like only yesterday you were telling me that I didn't need that thing."
"And you still don't."
"Why not?"
"Because you got me. And I'm a heck of a lot better than some contoured pillow."
"I'll be the judge of that," she said with a sly smile.
"Oh baby," he moaned, "please feel free to test the merchandise any time." She took him at his word, and it resulted in yet another intense coupling.
And he was right. He was so much better than any damned pillow. Caleb took her to incredible heights, again and again. Their love for each other made each time he entered her even sweeter, even more moving. And it wasn't until the wee hours before dawn that they both dropped off into an exhausted sleep.
* * *
A young boy sat behind the couch, carefully arranging test tubes in his miniature science kit. Behind him, he could hear the sound of his parents move into the room and sit down on the couch. He ignored them for the present, filling a vial with liquid and carefully mixing it with a packet of solution before pouring it into the test tube. However, the sound of his mother's voice distracted him, and he stopped to listen.
"It's finished," his mother said, her voice rising slightly with emotion. "It's taken years, but it's finally finished."
"Um hmm," his father grunted, and the boy figured he wasn't paying attention.
"That's all you have to say?" his mother asked, anger evident in her voice.
"Um hmm," his father repeated, and the boy heard an angry huff of air leave his mother's mouth.
"Listen, it's taken me years to finish this project. Did you hear me, years? And all you have to say is 'um hmm'?"
"Um hmm," his father said again. The boy heard the sound of an impact, then a quiet "umph" from his father. "You hit me," he said in mock disbelief.
"That's right," his mother replied, and the boy turned around and peeked over the back of the couch to better observe the action. "You deserved it, you miserable jerk!"
"Oh that's it, you're in for it now," his father growled, and his mother shrieked as his father pounced on her.
The young boy felt sick to his stomach, watching his parents roll around on the couch. His father was furiously tickling her mother's sides while she giggled and shook. Disgusting. The young boy wondered if everyone's parents were so gross.
"Stop!" his mom squealed, as his dad nuzzled her neck.
"Never!" His father grinned. "You hit me, and now you'll take your punishment like a good girl."
"Punishment!" his mother protested. "But I expected a reward. I told you I just finished the project I've been working on, practically since my dissertation. You know how important that is to me!"
"I see," his dad said, his tone of voice indicating that he was thinking things over carefully. "So you think you deserve a reward. All right, let me know what you think of this." His father bent over to whisper in his mother's ear and she blushed, then sighed.
"Oh yes, that sounds like quite a suitable reward to me," she said, then captured his lips in a passionate kiss.
"Yuck!" the young boy groaned from behind the couch. His father lifted his head and both his parents stared at him and started to laugh.
"Come on, darlin'," his father said, standing up and then pulling his mother up to stand beside him. "It looks like we've offended our son's delicate sensibilities."
"He must get his fragile stomach from your side of the family." His mother poked his dad good-naturedly. His parents walked around the couch and the boy returned to his science kit. Both his mother and father sat down on the floor beside him and watched his movements.
"Well thank God he got my brains," his mother said with a cheeky wink in his father's direction.
"Yeah, but he got my good looks." His dad laughed when his mom punched him playfully on the arm. "What are you working on, son?" he asked then, leaning in closer to investigate the collection of tubes and vials.
"An important experiment," the boy replied.
"I can see that. Well, will your experiment be finished before dinner?"
"That depends," the boy responded.
"On what?" his father countered.
"On what we're having for dinner."
His parents laughed. "He really did get your brains, darlin'," his father said then ruffled the dark hair on the boy's head. "Well, since your mother finally finished her project, and since you're obviously on the way to discovering the cure to cancer or whatever it is you’re doing, perhaps we could go out tonight for a special dinner."
"Can I pick the place?" he asked in a coaxing tone.
"I don't know, son," his father said. "This is supposed to be your mother's reward, remember?"
The boy sighed and gave his mom what she called his "lost puppy dog look." "Aw, come on, Mom. Can I pick the restaurant? Pleeeeeaaasssseeee?"
His mother smiled at him. He loved his mother's smile. It was so beautiful and kind. His mother was the best mother a kid could have. His father was pretty great too.
"Well, I guess you can pick," his mother said finally with a laugh. "As long as it isn't that place with all the messy burgers." Her tone was one of mock horror.
"But Mom! You know that's my favorite restaurant!" They all laughed. Of course it was, and of course they'd go there tonight.
His father stood, then lifted the young boy up into his strong arms and held him against his chest. The boy wrapped his legs around his dad's waist and let him hold him. His father then pulled his mother up from her sitting position and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her close.
The young boy smiled. He felt so warm, so cared for, so loved. His family was the best family in the world.
<
br /> Caleb awoke from the dream with a start. He sat there in silence, breathing heavily. Then he noticed a weight in his arms and looked over, finding Dani snuggled into his chest. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, and a smile was on her innocent face. He loved her so much then, he thought his heart would explode from the fierceness of the emotion.
Caleb turned his mind back to the dream. It had started like all the others, but instead of violence, instead of death, he'd found only love. Was it an omen, a premonition of his future with the beautiful woman by his side? The dark-eyed young boy had surely looked like a combination of his and Dani's features.
The thought of a child both terrified and exhilarated him. As he'd never expected to fall in love, never expected to have a relationship, he'd definitely never expected to have a child, or a family of his own. And yet, the feelings brought on by the dream were so strong, it warmed his heart.
Caleb allowed himself to consider the possibility of being with Dani forever. They'd get married and start a family. She would be a wonderful mother, and he would learn to be a good father. He wouldn't let them end up like his parents. No, they couldn't. Dani was nothing like his mother. She was love and light, and their children would be the luckiest kids on the planet.
He snuggled in deeper, pulling her closer and resting his head on the top of hers. Caleb inhaled deeply, breathing in her fresh, delicate scent. He couldn't get enough of this woman in his arms. His grip tightened and she squirmed, turning around to gently nuzzle at his neck. He felt desire stirring within him again and he couldn't believe his sudden reversal of fortune.
Sometimes you had to risk it all for the chance of something spectacular. Caleb was glad that Dani had shown him that.
The night was still dark around them and Caleb could hear the crash of the waves against the beach. He thought about the other nights they'd spent together, nights that had ended in him pushing Dani away, of him leaving and turning his back on her love. That kind of bullshit would never happen again. Now that he'd found his home, he'd never leave it. He would cherish the love that had found him, forever.
Closing his eyes, Caleb allowed himself to relax into a deep and dreamless sleep.
And in the morning, he was there beside her when she woke. And he would continue to be there for the rest of their lives together.
Epilogue
It was the shortest winter break Dani thought she'd ever had in her academic career. Instead of going home to Texas, holing up in her office or hiding out in her apartment to avoid all that holiday cheer, this year Danielle spent the most enchanting winter weeks of her life. She'd convinced Caleb to stay at Brice Masterson's beach house through the holidays, and she thought she couldn't have made a better choice.
The holidays had always made Dani lonely. Her parents had showered her with gifts and affection, but she'd never had another child to share it with. What fun was it to play dolls by yourself? Now that she was all grown up, she wasn't interested in playing with dolls, but it did feel good to have someone to share the long winter nights with, someone to cuddle up to in front of a warm fire and talk to.
Someone to love.
It was a slow process, but Caleb was opening up to her. The more time they spent together, the more they discovered about each other. Surprisingly they had more in common than just mind-blowing sexual compatibility.
Dani loved taking long hikes along the beach and through the verdant coastal greenery and discussing books and movies with the ranger. But it was especially nice to have someone to share her dreams with, her memories, and her soul.
Not long after they'd settled into a routine of lazy days spent exploring the beach house and its surroundings, followed by passionate nights entwined in each other's arms, they received an interesting phone call from Brice Masterson.
Caleb put the cell phone on speaker so she could hear the conversation.
She heard Brice say, "You'll be happy to know that I've pulled some strings and whispered in all the right ears, and you'll be offered your old position as Head of Development of the Masterson Memorial Parklands project. You can resume your residency in that rustic little cabin of yours come January."
Caleb seemed grateful to his friend for fighting for his job. He'd been willing to walk away from it when it had meant guaranteeing Dani's safety, but now that there was no need, he admitted that he'd been feeling the loss more than he had expected.
"Thanks, man," he said, his voice gruff to disguise the depth of his emotion. "I truly appreciate your help."
"Think nothing of it. You're the one who caught my uncle and his thugs before they could do any more damage to the park. Speaking of the illegal mining operation, you'll never believe what they uncovered while dismantling the equipment.
"Apparently my uncle had just hit his first serious vein and was preparing to send out his initial shipment when you guys raided the works. They recovered all the gold that was pulled out of the cave, neatly packed away inside what resembled logs but were made out of buoyant plastic. That's how they were going to move the gold downstream without attracting attention."
"I'll be damned," Caleb muttered. "How much did they get?"
"I had an appraiser friend take a look at it and he figures that once it's refined there will be almost fifty pounds there. At a rate of over a thousand dollars a pound, the Forestry Service will be able to claim a cool million out of the deal. There are probably hundreds of millions more buried in the ground, but it will never be recovered."
"Holy hell," Caleb gasped in wonder.
"Yep. I've used my considerable influence to push for earmarking most of the funds for the parkland project. It should go a ways toward paying the development costs."
"That's very generous."
"I figured you'd earned it, since you helped bring the operation down. You and that pretty professor of yours. How is she, by the way?"
"She's well, and I'll thank you to keep my professor out of your dirty mind, Masterson."
Brice laughed. "Not to worry. My mind is totally occupied with another fine specimen of the female sex. Give Dr. French my regards. And happy holidays."
Although Caleb and Dani were pleased by the news of the restoration of his job and the extra funding for the park, they didn't greet a letter from the Dean of Sciences at Central Willamette University with the same enthusiasm.
Dear Dr. French:
I regret to inform you that your request for a decreased teaching load for spring term is denied. Furthermore, in conjunction with the office of the President of the University, I am revoking your tenure-track status. When your contract is presented for renewal for the next academic year, it is likely that it will not be accepted. Your persistent lack of ethical behavior as well as violent temperament are not what is expected of the faculty at this university. Furthermore, the fact that charges are not being brought against you for your vicious assault on my person should further convince you that your place is elsewhere. It is suggested that you seek outside employment for the upcoming year. If you disagree, said charges will be pressed post-haste.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey B. J. Fischer, PhD
Dean of the College of Sciences
Central Willamette University
"That son of a bitch!" Dani screamed, balling up the paper and tossing it in the direction of the fire.
Caleb caught it before it could reach the flames, unfolded it, read it, then balled it up with just as much fury as Dani had. "That son of a bitch!"
"I know! This is so unfair!"
"Then fight it, darlin'. You have my total support. You just march into that President's office and tell him what happened. And if he won't give you your job back and run the dean out of town, then you just give him your signature right hook and bust up his nose!"
Dani laughed, then scrunched up her face. "I wish it were that easy." She looked at him, basking in the unconditional support he offered, and smiled. "You know what, busting my ass for tenure in a department headed by that li
ttle toad suddenly doesn't sound all that appealing." She sauntered over to him, sliding her arms around his neck and stepping up on tiptoe to pull his lips down to hers. "I can think of something I'd like to do more."
"Mmm..." he murmured. "Me too. Besides, you won't have time to return to work next year anyway."
"And why is that?"
"You'll be too busy publishing your groundbreaking frog cohabitation research and winning the Nobel Prize."
Dani laughed, loving the confidence this handsome man had in her. "I don't think you quite understand how academic research and publication works. It's a very slow process."
"Does it take longer than nine months?" he asked.
"Yes, usually," she responded, curious. "Why?"
"Then I can think of something to do in the meantime. Something that we can create that only takes nine short months to come to fruition."
Dani gasped. "Are you serious?"
She was amazed by his unexpected suggestion. She'd figured he wouldn't want kids, not after his own horrible childhood, or that he'd a least want to put them off for several years.
"Very," he said, brushing his lips against hers ever so softly. "Let's start a family of our own."
"This doesn't mean I'm giving up my research," she insisted after he'd kissed her breathless.
"Of course not." He gave her a smile. "But I know you. Catching frogs would only hold your attention for a little while. Having a little girl or boy just as inquisitive and frustrating as you will keep you busy for a whole lifetime."
"Oh, Caleb." Her eyes filled with happiness. "I love you."
"And I love you, Professor Greenhorn. Forever."
The End
Author Note: Hey, hey, hey. Hope you had a good time with that one. We went ahead and wrapped up all three of these books in this stand-alone series. My sister, Ali and I decided to add these other two stories in here for you as a thank you for picking up my first real shot at Contemporary Romance. I’m usually a Bad Boy writer. I’m sweating bullets on this one. LOL. This next story, Worth the Destraction is all about Brice Masterson who you met in Worth the Risk.
Worth the Risk: (A Contemporary Bad Boy Romance) Page 24