Chapter 8
Kadence
In this dim lighting I can’t make out if his eyes are brown, green, blue, or just a mix of them all in the prettiest of hazel. Every single time he blinks I feel hypnotized, and that’s unlike me.
Going without something for a long amount of time has left me needy and wanting what I shouldn’t even be thinking of. Sex was never on my to-do-list. Sure, I’ve had what some would call on again, off again relationships. It’s impossible to commit to someone when my life is as busy as it is. On occasion, I’ve shared a weekend with close male friends. It’s always been sort of an agreement with me and another person, but in all honesty, I can’t remember the last time I was intimate with anyone. Maybe it’s the alcohol, or stress of knowing what I have to go back to when this night ends, but I’m reluctant to say or do anything that would make this guy want to walk away from the fun we’re having.
I’m not being naive. It’s obvious he’s trying to get in my pants, and he can go on thinking he’s making progress. His efforts are entertaining, and I need that right now. I need to feel like I’m someone else for just one night.
“You won fair and square,” he admits. “Your wish is my command.”
It’s starting to get crowded in the small bar, and since I’m trying to unwind, I refuse to let it damper the experience. “I think I need another glass of wine before I decide.”
He hunches over with laughter, but finally concedes to refilling my glass. When he returns I’ve almost talked myself out of what I’m about to suggest. Just because I know where he works and have spent a little time with him doesn’t make him any less of stranger, yet for some reason I don’t feel as through he’s a threat.
“Give it to me straight. Do I need to take off all my clothes and dance on the bar? Do you want me to walk up and make out with another dude?”
I can’t contain my giggles. He’s obviously been at the losing end of the stick before.
“Actually, I’d much rather do something more dangerous.”
“Dangerous,” he says with a clap. “Lay it on me.”
“Take me kayaking again.”
“Sure. I can squeeze you into a tour tomorrow, as long as you leave your friends at home.”
I snicker. “No, I don’t think you understand. I want to go now.”
“In the dark? Are you fucking crazy?”
“They say you only live once, right?”
“Whoever says that must be in their nineties and at death’s door.”
While still smiling from his last statement, I flash him a reassuring grimace. “You said anything I wanted. I won fair and square. Unless you’re too chicken.”
His brow furrows as he clears his throat. “Fine. If your crazy ass wants to go kayaking in the dark I’ll take you.”
He finishes off another beer and heads over to sit it on the counter. After tossing some dollar bills on the counter, he comes back to where I’m standing and offers me his arm. “Shall we?”
I’m reluctant, suddenly realizing what I’m doing. Once again, the alcohol must be causing these bad decisions to continue. “How do I know you don’t bite?”
“Oh, trust me, I do, but only when you ask for it.”
I stop when we reach the parking lot. “This is a bad idea. I don’t usually hang out with strangers.”
“Neither do I. Tell ya what, I’ll make this easier for you.” He holds up his phone and snaps a selfie of the both of us together. Even though he’s making faces in both, you can see our faces clearly. He then proceeds to message a group of numbers at the same time with the caption ‘With this chick tonight. Something happens, I’m at fault and report me to authorities.’
After only a few seconds he gets a reply. “Going to extremes to get laid again?”
He shakes his head and puts the phone back in his pocket. “Ignore my family. They’re mostly dickheads.”
Caleb starts looking around the parking lot. “Which one is yours?”
“I walked.”
“Me too.” He offers his hand. “Guess we’ll be working off the booze.”
Holding hands with a man feels weird to me. Don’t get me wrong, I like knowing I’m able to capture the interest of someone so handsome, but at the same time, I don’t really know how to handle it.
“Are we going to the kayak rental place?”
“Na. I’m taking you to one of our boats. We’ll be more comfortable and it’s much safer. Trust me, you don’t want to be out on the water and something happen to your kayak. Even I’m not that stupid.”
“So we’re going for a boat ride?”
“You asked for a kayak experience, so I’m going to do you one better, if that’s okay. If not we can go back in the bar and throw down a couple more drinks before taking it back to my place for a snuggle fest.”
The things he says should make me feel nervous, or like I’m making a huge mistake, but I enjoy his company. Something tells me he’s used to being the comedian in the room. I need this.
He waits for me to reply, but reaches up and brushes my blowing hair away from my face. “I’m only a stranger if you refuse to be my friend.”
“And if I don’t?”
He squints, as if to try to read what I could be thinking. “Then I suppose we’re friends and you don’t have to worry about what comes next.”
“I don’t fear you. I know how to defend myself. If I don’t want to be somewhere, I’ll leave.”
He changes the subject with a comment that’s both shocking, but also like an electric shock flowing through my veins. “I’m going to kiss you so you stop thinking about it. Close your eyes and relax your lips. You’re about to fall in love.”
I could object. I could kick him in the balls and walk away before I let it go any further, but I don’t. Something won’t allow my feet to move. As requested, my lips part and wait.
He's narrowing in, and all I can do is wait in anticipation. My mother's advice to enjoy myself keeps repeating in my head as soft lips brush over mine. He's slow. It's effortless for him, confidence bleeding out of him. The sudden realization of being embraced by someone so unfamiliar excites me further. I'm falling victim to my own need.
Greedily taking my hands from my sides, I raise them until I'm touching a firm chest. My fingers grip the fabric of his shirt at the same time he drags his tongue over my bottom lip. He's resting the waters to see how far he can take this single kiss. There's nothing chaste about the way his lips course over mine. He's calm and careful, gracing every inch of my mouth the same nourishment. My lips continue to part until they're allowing him entry. His tongue taunts mine until it responds, and then, like we've done this a million times, were completely engulfed in a breathtaking embrace.
Caleb continues his seduction over my mouth until a tiny cry escapes my lips. When he pulls away it's obvious he's pleased with my reaction.
Offering his arms again, he smiles and nudges a direction with his head. "The docks are this way."
I have no idea what he thinks is going to happen when we get on his boat, and the worst part is, after just one kiss I can't stop hoping there are more to come.