Her First Love

EIGHT

Wild horses couldn't drag Nicole away from Caleb. Not now. But how far was he going to take this? Did he just want to talk, or was he thinking of kissing her? The last time they were alone, he had promised her he'd never get close to her again. Yet... here they were in each other's arms and staring into each other's eyes as if there was no tomorrow. Sleep wasn't important now, no matter how tired she'd be at work tonight.

"Caleb?" Her voice was much too soft, but then, as comfortable as she was right now, it was no wonder she sounded like this. "Do you find it strange that we are together right now?"

"Not at all." One side of his smile lifted higher than the other.

"I mean, after our talk in front of my room at the boarding house, I thought—"

"I was wrong," he said quickly. "I reacted badly when I realized you thought that Brenda and I were... you know."

"Forgive me for speaking my mind. That's why I didn't want to say anything to you."

"One of the things I like most about you," he took a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his finger and thumb, "is that you speak your mind. I just need not react so quickly next time. In fact, it is I who needs to ask for forgiveness."

"So, you're not still upset with me?"

"Would I be holding you like this if I was?"

"I don't know. I thought you were holding me like this because you felt sorry for me because I shot Weston."

"Maybe at first, but now..." He bent his head and swept his lips across her cheek. "Now, that's completely out of my mind."

Heated tingles shot through her, and she trembled with delight. She released a heavy sigh and tilted her head back, closing her eyes. "Oh, Caleb." Her heartbeat accelerated quickly. "Why can't I control myself when I'm around you?"

He kissed her forehead and gradually moved his mouth to her eyes, brushing across each eyelid. "Is it because I'm the first man to make you feel this way?"

"Yes... I suppose. But, then I think there is more."

"Like what?" His mouth moved down her neck, placing kisses along the way.

She didn't understand why he wanted to talk right now. It was getting harder and harder for her mind to work. "Well, it's like what happened at work earlier when Weston touched me."

Caleb lifted his head. She looked into his face. It was obvious that he didn't like hearing about Weston touching her. "He wasn't trying to flirt or anything – I think – but when he touched me, all I wanted to do was move away from him. I didn't like the way I felt when he placed his hand on my arm."

Caleb's expression relaxed, and his smile returned. "And how do you feel when I touch you?"

Nicole should have known he'd ask her that. It was difficult to express her feelings, only because she worried that this was wrong. He was still her boss, after all.

"My heart flutters, and I become very warm. Sometimes it's hard to breathe."

He nodded as his gaze dropped to her mouth. "I know how you feel. I'm feeling breathless right now, in fact."

His face moved closer, yet she couldn't stop watching him and anticipating his next move.

"There's only one thing we can do about this." His voice was so very soft and sweet.

"What's that?"

"Lay back and relax, and let me show you."

The moment his mouth covered her, she closed her eyes and followed his instructions. Yet, relaxing wouldn't come just yet. By the way her heart jumped around in her chest, and every nerve in her body came alive, she knew she'd be too busy to relax.