Clearing my throat roughly, I rolled my shoulders to get rid of some of the tension that rested just under my skin. Nerves tightened my abdomen, stiffening my arm when I raised my fist to knock on the door.

Caroline’s home was part of a cookie cutter collection that spanned the entire neighborhood. Wrapped in light beige siding, with a two-step, tiny concrete block to stand in front of the door under a curved, white awning. The front yard was covered in green grass, but there were no flowers anywhere.

My heart thudded hard in my chest as I waited for someone to answer my knock, and I swiped my palm across my jaw. I couldn’t remember a time when I was so nervous to meet a woman. Then again, most women don’t do what she did.

Glancing back at my car, I pursed my lips together at the sleek, black paint job and shiny rims. I had stuck the thing in storage and bought a truck, but the strange notion to impress Caroline urged me to wipe off the dust. A soft click stole my attention, and I whipped my head around just as the barrier swung open.

Caroline stood in the threshold awkward, and I narrowed my eyes on the crutch that supported half her body. Her injured foot was encased in a thin boot, and the other was resting in a purple flip flop. Traveling up to her face, my eyes strained to take in every detail I could.

I’d missed her- a lot.

“Hey, James- um… come in.” Wobbling out of the way, Caroline’s face flushed pink, and the sight brought a smile to mine. “How was the drive? I know it’s long- I’m sorry.”

“It was fine, thanks. I’m actually glad to be back in the city.” Lies. Clenching my jaw, I shut the door behind me before turning to face Caroline fully. “I was surprised when you asked me to come by. Is everything okay?”

Alarm flittered across her expression, and she turned a darker shade of pink before nodding. The floor creaked when she shifted against her crutch, and I held my breath in anticipation.

“Oh yeah- everything is fine… I just- I wanted to see you.” My eyes widened at that, shock taking over my expression as my chest tightened. Staring down at her feet, Caroline huffed what might’ve been a laugh that rose above the blood that pounded in my ears. “It seems stupid now that I say it out loud… but- yeah, so…”

“It’s not stupid. I was glad you asked. Where’s your dad? And Sheila?” Tearing my gaze from Caroline, I glanced around her living room almost anxiously. I felt like a teenager again, meeting a girl in her house for the first time without her parents home. It was as shitty a feeling as it was exciting, and she hobbled towards the plain, brown sectional sofa to drop down heavily.

“My dad had a VA appointment, and Sheila went with him. It’s weird. They don’t love each other like that, but she’s basically his wife. I’m lucky.” Sitting next to her, I grunted absently at that knowledge as I looked over the assortment of odds and ends on the entertainment system. “What about you, though. James, you didn’t call me last night- I got worried.”

Taking a deep breath, I licked my lips in preparation to utter the words I’d never thought I’d say. Cracking a smile, I glanced over at Caroline’s worried expression, her brows drawn and eyes shining. My chest buzzed, and I clasped my hands together to rub away the tingling sensation that shot through me.

“Actually… I- I slept really well last night. I didn’t have a nightmare…” I dreamt about you instead. I could almost hear that last phrase hang between us, and Caroline grinned widely. Pride and accomplishment overtook her face, and she reached to grab my hands in both of hers to squeeze. Electricity shot up my arms to jolt my heart, and she’d barely opened her mouth before my body moved without my mind’s control.

Caroline’s lips were soft and tasted a hint of mozzarella cheese, and I kissed her hard before realizing what I was doing. Any attempt I could make to pull away was halted when she flung her arms around my neck, and her acceptance set fire to my blood. Capturing her mouth with a ferocity I didn’t know I possessed, I leaned back to pull her into my lap.

Straddling my waist, Caroline rubbed her generous bust against my chest with a needy whimper. My mind washed in white, and I worked my tongue into her mouth to groan at her taste. Wrapping my hands around her waist, I held her tight and close as desperation surged through me.

“Don’t scare me- oh God… you scared me so bad. I- I thought something bad happened to you- that you did something bad to yourself…” Mumbling into my mouth, Caroline took a deep, shuddering breath that seemed to suck part of my soul from me. “I need you to call me, James. Okay? You have to call me.”

A small, hot tear fell from Caroline’s thick eyelashes to land on my cheek, and I slid my hands up her body and into her hair. Resting my forehead against hers, I took a shaky breath of my own before answering.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve called this morning.” Relaxing heavily into the couch with Caroline’s weight comfortably holding me down, I kneaded her scalp absently as she sunk into my chest. “I missed you.”

“Asshole-“ Cracking and high pitched, Caroline’s rasp made me wince even as I closed my eyes. “I’m… I’ve been miserable. My dad and Sheila teamed up on me, and I can’t go out to photograph anything until my ankle checks out. I should’ve stayed with you. This city is terrible.”

“Do you want to sneak out with me?” Affection blossomed in my chest when Caroline nodded instantly, and she sat up a little to wipe her moist eyes.

“I was hoping you’d ask. Can Kiki come, too? She needs someone to play with her.” Smiling as Caroline clumsily climbed off me, I nodded even while she looked anywhere but at me. Watching her grab her crutch, I waited until she was plenty far away to stand up. My lips tingled, aching to touch hers; after the dozens of hours on the phone, I just wanted her close.

“Um… where are we going? Do you have any place in mind or was that offer spur of the moment?” Caroline’s blush reached its peak, and I shrugged absently as I tried to focus on what she meant, not what she meant. Wobbling around the couch, she headed for the other side of the living room where a sliding, glass door sat unnoticed.

“Actually, I was hoping you’d have somewhere. I don’t really know this city too well. I’d only lived here for six or seven months before getting that cabin.” The door slid open, and I stuffed my hands in my jean pockets as Kiki came bouncing through. She trotted right over to me, tail stiff and nostrils flaring as she sniffed and circled me. Letting her do her thing, I cast my gaze at Caroline while she wandered back over to me.

“I mean… we can always go to the park?” Any idea was a good idea at this point, and I fished my keys out of my pocket quietly. Eyeing Kiki wearily, I reached to scratch between her ears with a slight smirk. Her pleased groan echoed around the room, and when I glanced up Caroline wore a warm smile.

“Let’s go, then. I’ll even take you to lunch- somewhere with plates.” My lame attempt at a joke earned me a laugh, and Caroline shook her head as we shuffled towards the door.

“Such a gentleman. Upgrading from bags to styrofoam take out boxes. What did I do to deserve such luxury, James?” Pulling open the door, I grinned at the question before wrapping my free arm around Caroline’s waist. Instantly her cheeks reddened, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at how embarrassed she looked.

“It’s the least I can do after keeping you up all night, every night, Caroline.” Her jaw dropped, eyes widening, and my grin threatened to break my cheeks. Pushing herself away roughly, she huffed as she tried, and failed, to storm off with her crutch down the short stairs. I’d missed our banter, no matter that it’d taken a sharp sexual turn, and I shook my head before closing the door behind me as she muttered to herself just loud enough for me to hear.

“Idiot…”