by Kahlen Aymes
“Speaking of Macy,” Caleb began, taking her water and setting it next to his. “We need to talk.”
Wren’s eyes were wide and wary as she waited for him to continue. She was nervous; scared of what he was about to tell her. She sucked in a deep breath and braced herself for what was coming, when he took both of her hands in both of his as they sat facing each other on the sofa.
His deep blue eyes met hers unflinchingly. She had to see that every word he said was the absolute truth. “I know what she told you, but it was all a pack of lies. She and I are not having a baby together, Wren.” His tone was filled with conviction, but Wren knew that it was too early for a paternity test.
Wren’s eyes filled with tears and her lower lip trembled. “How can you be sure? It will be months before we can be sure it’s not yours.”
It suddenly dawned on Caleb that was the reason she asked that they take a few months apart. He could see the deep sorrow lingering in her eyes before she lowered them to look their entwined hands.
It had to be excruciatingly painful for her after the time they’d spent together. He’d lost his shit when Dex was only dancing with her, and again when he thought she was about to marry Sam. A child was the most permanent bond two people could have and he could only imagine how badly Wren must be suffering. If the situation were reversed he probably wouldn’t be able to function.
“Wren.” Caleb released her hands and then scooted closer so he could cup both sides of her face, using his thumbs to tilt her chin towards his. He rested his forehead on hers. “Do you think I’d let this go on for months without making sure? I couldn’t do that to you. I’m sure, because I took her to the hospital and got a blood test twenty minutes after she tried to pull that shit with me. Not only is it not mine, there isn’t a baby at all.” His thumbs stroked her jaw and her fingers wrapped around both of his strong forearms. “But even if there were, it wouldn’t change that you are the one I want to spend my life with,” he said quietly.
“I was certain you’d marry her if it were true.”
He shook his head; his eyes still intent on her beautiful face. The severe hairstyle made her fine cheekbones even more prominent. “No. I would have been a father, but that wouldn’t make me let you go. Jesus Christ. All I’ve been able to think about was how you might believe her. I wanted to call, but didn’t think you’d talk to me. I figured my only option was to give you space.”
“It hurts that there was even a chance it could’ve been true. I hate thinking about you with her, like that.”
He felt her pain as if it sliced right through him like a knife. He’d give anything if he could take it away. “I know, Bird. I can’t change the past, but Macy has no doubt where things stand. She concocted this whole thing because she was desperate, because she was on her way out. She didn’t care about me; it was all about the money. Wren, please.”
Wren shook her head as a hurt expression settled on her face. “No, it is about you, Cale. How could she not love you?” Her voice was shaky, pain still present behind the words. “How could any woman not love you?”
His heart did a flip flop inside his chest. Every second that passed, she did or said something that only made her more precious.
“It doesn’t matter how she felt, Wren. I know that sounds callous, but I never lied to her, and I never mislead her. I’m in love with you. You have to know that, because Macy did in the first seconds after you walked into my father’s den the night we got to Denver. That’s why she turned into a vindictive bitch.”
“I can’t seem to stop crying,” she said as a small sob escaped. “Even now that you’re here and saying all the right things.”
Caleb chuckled softly, tilted her chin up further so he could kiss her mouth with gentle tenderness. His lips brushed and played with hers, his lower lip nudging her top one. “I know it’s overwhelming. I’m sorry. I should have seen some sort of scheme coming. I should have protected you, but this; you and me, is what’s real.”
Caleb leaned back into a prone position, and pulled Wren across his body and she was lying on top of him, their legs tangling together. He nestled her into a full embrace, until her head rested on his chest. He lifted one of her hands to kiss the inside of her wrist, and then continued to hold it in his.
Wren enjoyed hearing his heart beating beneath her ear and the warmth of his body seeping into hers. “I hated leaving without seeing you.”
“I wish you wouldn’t have. I went bat-shit crazy when I couldn’t find you. Jonesy told me that Veronica called you, and that you went to see her.”
“Good old Jonesy. I knew she would. I hoped, anyway.”
“What happened?”
“Mother and Macy ambushed me at the Ritz downtown. It was brutal. I think I had a panic attack. It was humiliating.”
“I swear to God, I’m going to kill them both.” Caleb closed his eyes, agonizing over what it must have been like. “You should have called me, Bird. Why would you fall for that? Veronica is like the anti-Christ. Anything she comes in contact with goes straight to hell.”
“I went in knowing she wanted something, but I thought if I didn’t go, she’d keep bugging me and months from now, I’d still be dealing with her. I didn’t think it would turn out like that. I just wanted her to get out of my life.”
“You’re an adult. You don’t have to see her. We’ll change the phone numbers and have Jonathan get a restraining order if we need one.”
“Macy is horrible.”
“Yes, but she did well at hiding it until she met you.”
“I bring out the best in people,” Wren said with a sarcastic smirk, then closed her eyes. Crying made her sleepy, but she was conscious that Macy might walk through the door any minute.
Caleb was amused. “You do. Jonesy said you were auditioning for Giselle. How’d that go?”
“I was cast in the lead.”
A slow smile spread over Caleb’s face, pride filling him up. “I’m not surprised.”
“There are two months of rehearsals and then it goes into production for the season.”
“Will they take it out with a touring group next year?”
“Yes, but I don’t have to do it, Cale. I’m not sure what I want to do, but I already miss you.”
“We’ll see each other. I can commute on the weekends sometimes.”
Wren’s head lifted and she met his eyes, a hopeful smile curving her lips. “Really?”
“I’ve missed your face. You’re so beautiful, Wren.” Caleb’s index finger ran down her velvety cheek and he bent his head to kiss her.
Wren’s mouth opened under his and his tongue slid inside. The kiss deepened when Wren’s hands wound in his hair to cup the back of his head and instinctively, Caleb shifted her beneath him. Her legs parted to welcome him into the cradle of her body and he pressed his rapidly hardening erection into her soft heat. It wasn’t long until they were making out like a couple of high school kids, kissing wildly and dry humping through their clothes.
Caleb pulled his mouth and collapsed on top of her with a groan. “Uhhhhh,” he breathed. “I can’t take this, Wren. Unless you want to give Molls an all-night show, we have to get out of here.”
“Molls?” Wren’s eyebrow lifted wryly, as Caleb climbed off of her to stand up, then turned his back and adjusted himself. Jeans and a hard dick did not work well together.
“Yup.” His expression was coy when he turned back around. She was grinning so obviously she was aware of his uncomfortable predicament. “Come on. Get whatever you need for tomorrow and let’s go into the city.”
“I’m so tired, Cale. I don’t want to run around Manhattan.” Wren went limp, still lying where he left her, but her eyes dropped suggestively to the bulge still visible in his pants. She smiled suggestively. Wren was really tired, but she was enjoying the casual play with Caleb.
“Who said anything about running? We’ll take a cab.” He grinned, then bent and lifted her like she was a child before setting her on her fe
et.
“Hurry up. I’m about to take advantage of you, and we need a bigger bed, privacy, and room service.”
“Pretty sure of me, I guess?” Wren went to the dresser that stood across the room and took a clean black leotard a pair of tights, and a short wrap skirt out of the top drawer. She went into the closet to get a light pink blouse and a pair of black jeans, and after swapping out her dirty clothes, she packed up the duffle bag Caleb had dropped just inside the door.
“Taking advantage of you is optional since you’re wiped out, sweetheart. I’ll run you a bath and order a nice dinner. We can just relax, and I’ll rub your feet or something.”
Wren giggled softly. “Or something,” she repeated.
It wasn’t ten minutes later, and Wren was falling asleep against Caleb in the back of a cab on their way into Manhattan. New York was a big difference from Downtown Denver or even San Francisco. Skyscrapers towered into the sky for miles and the city was bustling with people walking the streets in masses. The giant billboards, endless lights, honking horns and seas of yellow cabs and black sedans cutting each other off were unnerving to Caleb. Wren, however, was fast asleep with her head on his shoulder and clinging to his arm, oblivious to her surroundings. He had one arm draped over her legs; his hand wrapped possessively around her opposite thigh.
He couldn’t believe how possessive he felt about her; how proud he was of all she’d accomplished, or how much contentment he had just knowing he had her heart. In a man and woman way, not because of how he’d always taken care of her.
Twenty-four hours earlier, his life could have come crashing down in an irreparable mess. He couldn’t bear to think about it. Glancing down at Wren’s sleeping from, cuddled so close against him, all of the bad thoughts fled his mind. They each had a horrible, dark past that brought them together, but the future looked incredibly bright.
CALEB HAD CHECKED into the Hilton Suites in Midtown Manhattan before he’d gone to find Wren’s apartment. He dropped his bag off in the luxurious room. The suite was top of the line and he’d requested one with a big Jacuzzi bathtub. He’d been confident enough to hope Wren would spend the night with him, and if so, it would help soak away any aching muscles.
The second the door to their suite closed, Caleb dropped Wren’s bag and took her in his arms. He’d been aching to go wild on her from the moment he saw her walking toward him on the sidewalk.
On the way to the hotel, he’d told himself that he wouldn’t attempt to make love to her because she was physically spent. But once they were alone together, there was no holding back for either of them.
He quickly turned her around so her back was against the door. Instantly, he was pressing her into it with his own body. Desire drove them both, as they frantically grappled with each other’s clothing during an assault of passionate kissing.
Caleb pulled at the hem of Wren’s shirt, and she raised her arms so he could remove it more easily. “You don’t need this,” he breathed against her mouth, tossing it to the floor without taking his eyes off her. He was lifting her higher against the door at the same time his tongue slipped into her mouth.
Wren moaned softly as she felt the evidence of his desire pushing and pressing into her as he thrust slowly against her. Her fingers worked madly to free the buttons of his white dress shirt so they could hungrily explore his chest. It was delicious and frantic, yet it turned into slow, sweet torture.
Caleb pushed her arms up and threaded the fingers of both of his hands with hers, feeling the lace of her bra brush his bare chest. Her toned body was so small that the pressure of his hips between her thighs was enough to lift her and hold her firmly against the door. He could still feel the softness of her small breasts and the hardness of her nipples pressing against him and it was sexier than hell. The matching surge of her pelvis drove him insane with want. He’d been with more voluptuous women, but this was Wren, and no one was sexier to him. She excited him more than anyone ever had.
“I’m sorry, Bird,” he panted against her mouth as blood surged in his veins, making his cock scream for release, and his heart tighten at the same time. “I know you’re tired—” His words were more like a tortured groan. “—I had good intentions.”
“Shhh… Just kiss me, Cale,” She whispered in answer. “I want this.”
Caleb freed her hands and Wren pushed his shirt off of his shoulders, exposing the hard ripples and planes of his body underneath. He reveled in the feel of her fingertips exploring his flesh. His elbows against the wall behind her prevented her from pulling the shirt free from his body, but her nails raked lightly over his shoulders and chest.
Wren felt ravenous and her greedy tongue ran along his lower lip.
Caleb’s fingers curled against the wall. He responded by sucking her upper lip into his mouth, and flicking it with the tip of his tongue. When she sighed in pleasure, he kissed her deeply, invading her mouth and laving her tongue with his.
My God, it was amazing. He was so turned on and he craved release from the blissful agony that continued to build. Caleb repeated slow, hard thrusts as his hips pressed against her over and over; the thin fabric of her leggings did little to hide the radiating heat between her thighs.
Wren’s body was already aching, but she was instantly on fire with her need for him. Her hips matched his with an answering rhythm that drove him crazy.
“Uhhhh, Wren. Jesus.” Caleb’s hand cupped her cheek and her hands wound tightly in his hair, both of them pulling each other deeper into another kiss. He couldn’t help the way his hips rocked into hers and Wren responded with an answering ache.
He kissed her over and over, each one deeper than the last until finally he pulled back, his hot breath bathing her skin in heated pants. “Fuck, I want you,” he ground out. “I love you, Wren.”
Wren’s eyes were closed; her breathing also labored. Though the passion sweeping over her was the most intense of her life, it was her love for Caleb that was her ruling force.
Caleb slowed down as his hands slid deftly down both sides of her body, his thumbs grazing the side slope of her breasts through her bra, and then pressing into her nipples. He tortured her with slow circles around the tender peaks.
Wren’s head fell back in molten agony. “Caleb. Oh, God,” she begged. “Please.”
Her thighs flexed to hug his hips, and his hand continued down over her bottom to the back of her legs. He pulled her away from the wall and carried her toward the bed.
The room was luxurious, with the big king-sized bed near the picturesque window. The bright lights of the city shone in and it was enough for Caleb to see where he was going.
Caleb ran his mouth hotly down her neck and she arched it to give him more access until he could lie her down on the bed, he whipped his unbuttoned shirt off and let it fall to the floor.
Wren shivered at the loss of his body heat. It was June, but the air conditioning made the room overly cool. There was a gas fireplace in one corner and Caleb walked over to flip it on before unbuttoning his jeans and sliding the zipper down. His cock was swollen to the point of pain, but he was more concerned for Wren’s comfort than his own release.
She was lying in the center of the big bed waiting for him and she looked so small. Her eyes intensely following every move he made and taking in every rippling muscle. She lost her breath at how strong he was; every move confident and lithe. And his face: God, he was beautiful. Wren sucked in her breath, willing herself to not lose control of her emotions. The last few days had been merciless and she was feeling fragile.
Caleb kicked off his shoes and then, with one knee on the bed, reached forward to pull first one, then the other of Wren’s off, too. They landed on the carpeted floor with two soft thuds. Caleb’s eyes met hers as he reached forward to the waist of her leggings and started to peel them down her legs, exposing firm thighs. Her dancer’s body was athletic and toned. Caleb let his eyes slowly roam over every line of the soft swells of her hips and breasts, her flat stomach and defin
ed abs. She shivered, this time not from the cold, but from the light brush of his fingertips against her skin as the dark knit fabric slid from her body. The intense look in his eyes as he stared down at her almost made her breath stop.
The barely there black lace panties and matching bra caused Caleb’s mouth to go dry. “Christ,” he said softly. “You’re perfect.” His fingers itched to touch her more intimately. The raw tone in his voice sent electricity through her as if he’d just licked every inch of her skin.
Wren began to pull the pins from her long hair, unwinding the coil that made up the tight chignon she wore whenever she danced. As he stood there watching, the firelight sent flickering cast of rays over his already golden skin turning it copper from the amazing play of light. He looked like a bronze statue, tall and strong perfection.
“Are you cold?” he asked softly.
Wren shook her head once as she shook her hair free. It fell in glorious blonde waves around her shoulders and down her back. Caleb wanted to run his fingers through the silken strands, kiss her senseless, and lose himself in her body. Forever.
“Come closer,” she commanded, so softly he wasn’t sure if he’d imagined it. She rose to kneel in front of him; perching her bottom on her feet, so she was eye level with his chest. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. The light spattering of hair across chest lengthened and thickened as it trailed down his body and below the waistband of his boxer briefs. His open jeans hinted at the delights she knew were there and she wanted them off of him. She needed to touch every inch of his skin. His erection was obvious as it strained against the material at the top of his briefs.
Wren wasn’t as experienced as Caleb and she should have been shy. She wanted to please him, to make him feel how much she loved him in every touch. She reached out and slid both hands lightly up his body, threading through the dark trail of hair and then smoothing their way up over his stomach and chest. She was teasing him; deliberately avoiding his cock.