Forgiven (15 page)

I shrugged and looked away again, still slightly embarrassed. “I just haven’t found the right person yet.” I knew it wasn’t the full truth, but although he’d admitted his feelings, he was still keeping secrets, and I just wasn’t ready to tell him about my dad yet.

He tucked his finger under my jaw, lifting my chin until I was looking at him. “I meant what I said earlier. You make me happy and I can wait until you’re ready,” he said as he kissed my nose.

I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He really did care about me and was interested in me for more than just sex. “Really?” I said shyly, looking up at him from beneath my lashes.

“Really,” he said tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Now come here so I can cuddle with you,” he said sweetly.

I bit my bottom lip. I didn’t want to stop what we were doing, and I just didn’t want to go any further…yet. I needed to be sure he wasn’t going to run again before I gave myself to him fully. I looked up at him through my lashes as I kissed his jaw.

He looked down at me, his eyes questioning. “Angie?”

I felt the blush in my cheeks again. “Caleb, I may not be ready for the next step…but I liked what we were doing.”

I could see the desire spark in his eyes again, “Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“Okay, but just say stop and we’ll stop,” he said as he bent his head to kiss me again.

His lips captured mine as he traced his tongue along the seam, silently seeking access. I opened my mouth and let his tongue caress my own. I felt his hand slide to my breast again, slowly teasing circles across my nipple. I moaned in the back of my throat.

I slid my hands up his hard muscular chest—his skin felt like satin. He trailed his lips down my neck to my breast, and I felt a dull ache between my legs.

Caleb moved to my other breast to lavish it with the same attention. I wanted to trace his tattoos with my tongue so I pushed his shoulders until he rolled onto his back. I straddled his lap and felt his arousal pressing into my core. I ground my hips on him before I lowered my lips to his shoulder.

The tattoo was an intricate tribal design with the word “Forever” scrolled into the design. When I ran my tongue across the ink, I heard him groan and he rolled me onto my back. “Angie…the things you do to me,” he breathed as he lowered his lips to mine.

He slid his hand down my stomach and into my jeans again. His hand stilled as he waited for me to say stop, but when I didn’t, his fingers slipped down between my wet folds and started to tease me again. Nothing had ever felt this good before—it was like he was igniting my body with every touch. But I needed more.

He must have read my mind, or my body, because he slid his finger inside me. I wasn’t sure how he knew, but at that moment I didn’t really give a damn. I bit down on my bottom lip to keep from screaming out.

Caleb sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, but let go too quickly. “That poor lip,” he said, running his thumb across it. “Don’t worry, I’ll stop your screams. Just enjoy this,” he said in his sexy voice.

His other hand moved back to tease my nipple, as he rolled it between his thumb and finger. I felt the electricity building in me. Every part of my part of my body was drawn taut. My body squirmed and I whimpered until the orgasm exploded through my body with wave after wave of sensation. I started to cry out his name before he covered my mouth with his and swallowed my screams.

As my body stopped quivering and my breathing started to slow, I looked up to see Caleb staring down at me. I was still a little nervous that he was going to leave again.

He must have seen the fear in my eyes. “I’m not leaving you,” he said as he pushed a piece of hair behind my ear.

I nodded and smiled up at him. He rolled onto his back, bringing me with him. I lay my head on his chest and enjoyed the warmth of his body.

“Angie?”

I looked up to see him staring at me, the sweetest look on his face. “Yeah?”

“Can I stay here tonight?” He brushed my face with his thumb. “I’ve wasted so much time, and I want to spend every moment I can, with you.”

I smiled. “Sure, I think it would be nice if you stayed.” The look in his eyes had me falling deeper and deeper under his spell. We still had things to work through, but there was something about him I just couldn’t walk away from.

I started to get up, when he pulled me back down to him. “Where are you going?” he asked as he kissed my fingers.

“To call off the attack dogs. If I don’t talk to Em soon, she’ll end up busting down the door to drag your ass out of here,” I laughed.

He shivered, “Go. But hurry back—she scares the shit out of me.”

I got up and put my bra and shirt back on. Leaning over the bed I gave him a quick kiss. “Don’t worry I won’t let her hurt you,” I said as I walked out of the room giggling.

I knew Em was going to have some kind of lecture for me about not being stupid. The problem was, I couldn’t control my feelings for Caleb. The more time I spent with him, the stronger my feelings got. When I got to the end of the hallway, Emily’s eyes snapped to mine. She was sitting on the sofa, on guard, waiting to pounce the minute my door opened.

“What are you doing out here? Where is he?” she demanded.

I held my hands up in surrender, “Em, calm down. Caleb is still in my room.”

“What the fuck?” she yelled. “Drag his ass out here right now and we’ll throw him out the front door.”

Shit! It was going to be harder to convince her than I’d thought. “Can we sit down and talk first?”

“No fucking way. That asshole has made you cry more in the last two weeks than you have since I met you,” she roared.

“Em, stop yelling at me,” I demanded.

“What is with all the shouting?” Jillian asked as she emerged from her room down the hall.

Emily points at me. “Caleb’s here and in Angie’s bedroom,” she said with a scowl.

Jillian shrugged, “So? Wait…what?” Her head snapped to look at me.

“Will everyone calm down for a minute and let me explain?” I pleaded.

“Explain? How the fuck do you explain not throwing his ass out?” Emily demanded. I could tell she was not calming down.

Jillian looked between the two of us, waiting for an explanation.

I threw my hands up in exasperation. “I had a date with Nick tonight. Caleb was waiting outside when we got back. He’s been trying to talk to me all weekend. He’s called, and even tried to get me to go to dinner with him but I blew him off. Nick and Caleb got into it outside and then Caleb followed me, begging me to listen to him,” I rambled.

“Followed you? Are you fucking
serious
?” Emily shouted. “She forgets to mention that he carried to her room—against her will—locked the door, and wouldn’t let her out, or me in. He’s been nothing but a bastard since you met him. I can’t believe you’re defending him.”

Jillian looked at me. “Why don’t we give her a chance to explain what happened in her room.”

“Thanks, Jillian.”

“You can’t explain away how he’s treated you. He’s just going to do it again, and who’s going to be here to pick up the pieces next time?” Emily scowled.

“Enough Emily!” We all look to the hallway to see Caleb standing there. Fuck! How long had he been listening to this bullshit?

“Caleb, I’m so sorry,” I said, pleading with my eyes for him not to be mad.

Emily turned her anger toward him. “Don’t you
dare
apologize to him. You don’t owe him a
thing
.”

“Emily!” Jillian and I said at the same time.

“No Angie, she’s right. I’ve fucked up with you more times than I can count.” He came up and wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

“Look I know I’ve been a fucking dumbass when it comes to Angie, but we could have something great, and I’m not about to give that up.”

He moved his hands to my shoulders and turned me to face him. He looked into my eyes, almost as if he was trying to make me feel what he was saying. Without looking away, he continued.

“I pushed her away because I was scared and didn’t think I deserved her. I’m still not sure if I do, but I need to see where this is going.”

He brought his hand up to rest against the side of my face. “I promise that I’m going to make it up to her. I’m not going to keep pushing her away. I’ll prove to all of you how much she means to me.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes and as one escaped, Caleb used his thumb to wipe it away. He brought his face down and captured my lips with his. I put all of my feelings into that kiss, knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to keep my heart away from Caleb for long.

I pulled back to see Jillian smiling at the two of us, while Emily still had a scowl on her face.

I looked at her, pleadingly. “Em, please stop looking at him like you want to murder him. Just give him a chance? Please? For me?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. “Fine, but Caleb if you hurt her again, I
will
fucking kill you.”

“I promise, I’ll never hurt her again.” Caleb said solemnly.

He grabbed my hand and started to head back to my room. I turned to look at Emily, mouthing my thanks. She nodded her head and gave me a small smile. It was a start.

I walked Angie back to her room. I don’t know what had possessed me to go out there and confront Emily, I just knew I couldn’t let Angie face her alone.

When she closed the door she turned and looked at me, “I’m so sorry Em acted that way. I know she’s only trying to protect me, but you didn’t deserve that.”

I reached my hand out to her. “Angie, come here.”

She took my hand and I pulled her into my arms. I put my finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at me. “Sweetheart, I deserved all of that and more. I know I’ve been an asshole, and the fact that you are willing to give me a chance says so much about your willingness to forgive.”

“But—” I covered her lips with my fingers.

“There are no buts. You’re an amazing person, and I am so lucky you believe in me.” I leaned down and covered her lips with mine. She was so beautiful.

I slowly pulled away from her, and she watched me as she tried to catch her breath.

“Come lay down with me,” she whispered as she started to change.

She pulled off her shirt and jeans and threw them into the hamper. My breath caught at the site of her standing in the middle of the room in just a bra and panties. Holy shit, she was sexy as hell. She had beautiful curves with legs that just begged to be touched. I wanted nothing more than to lay her down and caress her everywhere.
Shit, don’t be an asshole
. I had to remember she was a virgin, and probably not ready for this.

She’d shocked the shit out of me when she’d told me that. I never expected it. I mean I’d figured she didn’t have that much experience, but none? I knew I was going to have to get her to trust me fully first, and even then I needed to make her first time special. I couldn’t lie to myself—now that I knew she was a virgin, I wanted her first time to be with me.

When she caught me staring I saw the blush rise up her body. She quickly grabbed a tank top and shorts to sleep in.

Shit, would she be offended if I slept in just my boxers. “Baby, is it alright if I sleep in my boxers?”

She blushed again. “Sure.”

She climbed into bed and after taking off my pants, I climbed in behind her. She rolled onto her side so she was facing me. As I looked into her eyes I realized how beautiful they truly were—even if the memories they brought to the surface scared the shit out of me.

I ran the back of my hand across the side of her face. “You have beautiful eyes.”

She laughed, “Sure, they’re shit-brown. Not really that exciting. Now
your
eyes on the other hand are a gorgeous color.”

She really had no idea. “I’m not kidding, they are a beautiful shade of brown—like milk chocolate, with gold flecks mixed in.” I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. “I could get lost in just your eyes,” I said wistfully.

She blushed again and smiled. “Thank you.”

I rolled over onto my back, pulling her against my chest. I stroked her back and I felt her breathing even out. I was so lucky she was willing to give me another chance. Now I had to try not to fuck it up. I was going to do my best to be everything she deserved. With that thought, I fell asleep.