Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
When her eyes sparkle up at me and she nods, so trusting, one thing is clear.
I’m not falling in love with her. I’m already there.
CHAPTER 10
Ashley
I feel awake for the first time in years.
I’m sitting across from Caleb at an outdoor café, an hour’s drive from our town. We must be careful to not be spotted, because I’m being unfaithful, but we don’t say that out loud. I don’t feel like I’m being untrue to anything. In fact, I think I’m finally being faithful to myself. Because I want to be here. I chose to be here. With him.
With this man who I’m already coming dangerously close to loving.
How could I avoid the feeling when he gives me options? At every turn. Even when he is clearly in sexual pain, he asks me if I want to be kissed. If he can press his body against mine. I’m breathing right now like I’ve miraculously grown a third lung. So much space to exist that I don’t know what to do with it all, but I also don’t feel any immediate pressure to decide. It’s exhilarating.
Caleb appears so staid now, compared to how frantic he was in the locker room, his thick hips shoving up between mine, his mouth plying me with pleasure I didn’t know was possible. I can still feel his big hands gripping my butt and I loved them there. I love his hands on me. Considering I abhorred human touch a couple of days ago, this revelation is astounding. All I can think about as I observe his polished, controlled exterior across the table is…what will his fingers feel like inside me? What will it be like to be touched there?
To say nothing of…sex. Intercourse.
My breath skips and I press my white napkin more firmly to my lap beneath the table. His eyes tick upward from the menu he’s perusing to scrutinize me.
“Is there something you’d like to tell me, Ashley?”
It should be unnerving to have a man be so attuned to my every movement, but it’s not. Not with Caleb. Which makes me wonder how he became this person. Someone who can liberate me with such skill, designed exactly for my experiences and insecurities. Where did he come from? Was he ever a young man or has he always been this distinguished and magnetic and…mysterious?
“I was thinking…I don’t know anything about you,” I say.
The waiter arrives then, but Caleb keeps his gaze trained on me while we place our order and the man leaves again. “I’d rather our sessions focus on you.”
“Is that really how you think of our time together?” I swallow the trepidation, but it sticks. “Sessions?”
“No.” A vein ticks in his temple. “That’s what I’m calling them for your benefit.”
Confusion prods me. “Why?”
His head tilts, ever so slightly. “You’re not ready to hear the answer to that, angel. As much as I’d love to tell you.”
“I am ready to hear it.”
He opens his mouth to protest, but he stops himself. Checks himself. Recognizes that I have a will, am expressing it and he should respect that. My God, this is what it’s like to be seen and understood. “The way I feel about you is rather intense, Ashley.”
My pulse scatters. “So…it’s not like this with all your clients?”
An incredulous laugh puffs from his mouth, followed by a longer and louder one. “No. My methods might be unconventional. Immersion or adventure therapy, for instance.” His amusement fades rapidly, something intense snapping in his blue gaze. “But I can confidently say it has never occurred to me, before now, to steal another man’s wife out from under his nose.”
My lungs labor for air. “Is that what you’re doing? Stealing me?”
“I’ll answer that when I’m positive you want to be stolen.”
I start to respond with I am. I am positive. But I can’t. I’m not free to make that decision yet. I’ve been caught up in this whirlwind of Caleb and his sensual methods of bringing me back to life, but…nothing has changed. Not really. Waylon still owns the farm on which my parents’ livelihood depends. The deed is done. I sealed myself to that monster and even if I could find a way to get my parents off the hook, I don’t think my husband would willingly let me go. Not without an ugly battle.
Caleb nods once, as if he’s read every frantic thought in my head. “Patience, angel.”
“Okay,” I breathe, feeling shaky. At least, until he presses his instep to mine beneath the table, grounding me. The way I feel about you is rather intense, Ashley. “Can I ask you more about yourself?”
His Adam’s apple lifts above his collar and disappears again, his gaze drawn down to the table. “I’ll do my best to answer. There are parts of my past I’d rather leave behind.”