August, Honey, You Were Mine

Chapter eight

Dove

Caleb and Dove were never meant to be together. That was how she felt. She lay next to Caleb. He was sleeping, the quiet rhythm of his breathing a lullaby in the stillness of the night. She should have been asleep as well, but she just couldn't. Sleep should have claimed her, yet her mind danced frantically with an array of thoughts after the day's tempestuous events. Her thoughts and memories collided heavily - The chaos of that evening, the lust of that afternoon, the gentle curiosity of that idyllic morning hike. Images of Caleb flashed through her. His face, the texture of his everything. Everything about him captured her. He was the first boy to make her feel that way. Completely insane. Totally at his feet, on her knees, and ready to fulfill his every command.

She saw his eyes fluttering several times before they finally opened and he groaned. "Still awake?" he drawled, his accent coming out thick since he wasn't fully awake enough to control it. And his voice came out a tender whisper that brushed against her senses. Dove nodded, lips pressed together, the mattress rustling softly beneath her.

His gaze held hers, his eyes so large and beautiful. His brows knitted in a gentle question. "What's on your mind?" She was thinking about the first argument they had. Years ago, over the internet when they barely knew each other. It was actually how they met. It had been something really stupid. She insulted him because he called cruises stupid. But it was a moment of foolishness that paved the way to their present, a fateful meeting.

"That day we met." Dove said.

"Yesterday?" he quipped, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm, a familiar grin gracing his lips - a smile that unfailingly tugged at her heart. "Ha. Ha." She responded dryly rolling her eyes. It earned her one of his signature grins. And her heart clenched as a result. "That's what I'm thinking about," she affirmed, her gaze steadying on him. Caleb nodded. "How I wouldn't be laying here right now if it wasn't for ships."

"Yeah, you're obsessed with those things." He added. But in a way that sounded like a compliment to Dove. He shifted closer to her. And he was so warm, his whole body radiating heat. She felt at home. He pulled her close to him with his hands. And held her. "Mmm" he breathed. "You smell so good. And you're so soft." He said. Dove sighed contentedly, relishing his touch and his affectionate words.

Her lips curved into a small smile, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of understanding. His lips met hers. And when the kiss ended, her smile had faded a little and she looked withdrawn and sullen.

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly, his low voice laced with worry and anxiety. "Nothing." she said, and her response hung in the air for a moment. "No, tell me," He pressed., insistent and desperate. She shook her head. "Dove. Please tell me." She hesitated, drawing in a sharp breath, before finally confessing, "The first thing we did was argue." He went silent, and thoughtful.

Then, as if translating emotions into action, he pulled her closer into his warm reassuring arms. Hugging her tighter. And a deeper kiss followed. As if trying to shush her now in anyway he could. She was allowing it again. Because she enjoyed the feeling of him on her skin . It was maddening. So she surrendered to the sensation, to the taste of his lips against hers, and the intoxicating spell he wove. A groan escaped her, a mingling of frustration and desire, and a question surfaced, unbidden. "Why didn't you let me leave, Caleb?"

He stopped kissing her neck and looked into her eyes. "I didn't want you to leave." He replied immediately. "Why?"

He rolled onto his back, exhaling softly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought. "Um..." His voice trembled slightly, a quiet admission hanging in the air. "You matter," he murmured, his eyes finding Dove's as if seeking refuge. The rustling leaves outside the window provided tranquility in the room. "Today spiraled into chaos because I messed up, because I acted stupidly." He hesitated, inching closer to her, his lips brushing against hers tenderly. "Damn it," he sighed, his breath mingling with hers. "All I wanted was for you to stay, right here... beside me."