Caleb

I didn’t think I would, but I have to admit to feeling envy as I watch Harry wrap Gaby in his arms and kiss her. I feel puzzled by the fact that he felt the need to propose to her in Florence, and that they married only a few weeks later. Why the rush? What was it about Gaby that meant he simply couldn’t wait until he came home to tie the knot?

He loves her, obviously, but yet again I’m bemused by the emotion. I thought I loved Felicity, and it had passed through my head a few times that we might get married one day, because it’s what you do when you’ve been dating someone for a while. But I hadn’t felt the urge to hasten the process. And I don’t think I ever looked at her the way Harry’s now staring into Gaby’s eyes.

Roxie shifts beside me, and I glance down to find her green eyes watching me. I don’t miss the little skip my heart does. I feel something for this girl that I never felt for Felicity. But it’s not love—it can’t be. I’ve only been out with her once. So, what is it? I desired Felicity, and our sex life was good, if somewhat uninspired. But it felt different from the way I feel about Roxie.

Maybe it’s how she reacts to me that’s different. If her friends were there, Felicity could go a whole evening without casting a glance in my direction. But I feel Roxie’s eyes on me wherever I go. She looks at me as if I’m something special.

I like that.

“Dance with me,” she whispers in my ear, and I let her lead me to a quiet corner. Instead of taking a formal dance pose, she slides her arms around my waist and rests her cheek against my chest. Harry’s been playing some seventies disco music, the Jackson Five and Donna Summer, getting everyone dancing, but now it’s a slow track—Dr. Hook’s A Little Bit More. I smile at the lyrics, moving to the music with her, and I kiss her forehead. I feel surprisingly comfortable here, with my friends, and with Roxie in my arms.

“Mmm,” she murmurs, nuzzling my neck. “You smell good.”

“So do you.” She’s so tiny. I can remember her sitting astride me on the sofa, lowering on top of me, her lips parting with a sigh of pleasure as she began to move.

And that does it—my blood heats, and within seconds I have an erection.

She’s pressed against me, and she lifts her head now and raises her eyes to mine.

“Sorry,” I tell her. “I was thinking about last night.” I can’t get the pictures out of my head now. Looking down at Roxie’s naked body as I slid inside her, hearing her moans, feeling the bite of her teeth in my neck. Holy fuck, just the thought turns me on.

Her lips curve up. “Me too.” She slides her hands into the back pockets of my jeans. “So… did you have any plans for tonight?”

I brush my lips against hers. “I’d like to have sex.”

She laughs. “That’s a given. I meant more specific details.”

That’s a given. What a fucking fantastic thing to say.

“Want to get going?” I ask her.

Her face flushes. “Can’t you wait, Mr. Chase? We’ll only be another hour or two, I’m sure.”

“I don’t think I can wait another five minutes.”

Our eyes meet, and I know then that she can read the desire in mine. “Okay,” she whispers with a sexy little shiver.

In the end, it takes us about fifteen minutes to leave, by the time we’ve said goodbye to everyone. But it’s not long before we’re in the car, heading for my apartment.

“I hope they don’t think we’re rude, leaving so soon,” Roxie says.

“They won’t care. They’re just thrilled I went at all, especially as I had a date.”

“You don’t socialize much?” she asks.

“Not since I broke up with Felicity. I’ve been a bit of a hermit.”

“Did you love her a lot?”

“I thought I did. Now, I don’t know. I think we just got caught up in the whirlwind of the relationship, you know?”

“I do.” She looks out of the window.

I glance at her. “Has there ever been anyone special for you?”

“Not really.”

“You don’t have to talk, but I’m not asking for the nuclear launch codes. I’m interested, that’s all. I’d like to know whether anyone’s ever won your heart.”

“Are you really interested in my heart?” she teases. “I thought it was a piece of my anatomy further south.”

“You change the subject as soon as it gets personal,” I tell her. “Did you know that?”

“Yes.”

I laugh and return my gaze to the road. “What was his name? Can you tell me that?”

“Whose name?”

“The guy who broke your heart.”

She shakes her head. “I’ve never been in love.”

“I don’t believe that,” I scoff.

“Believe what you like. It’s the truth.”

“So why don’t you like talking about yourself?”

“Because that’s not why we’re together, is it? We’re together for physical reasons, not emotional ones.”

“You wanted to know about my love life,” I point out.

“True. That’s because I’m nosy.”

I give in. She’s right, I guess. “All right. We’re nearly home, anyway.”

I drive into the underground parking lot, park, and we get out and ride the elevator in silence.

“Are you angry with me?” she asks as the floors flick by.

“No. You’re right—this is just physical.”

“It doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings for you,” she says huskily. “I just meant that it’s pointless delving into each other’s pasts. We might find something we don’t like, and it could change the way we feel about each other. And I don’t want to spoil tonight. I’ve had a great time, and I want to come back with you and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

I wonder what’s happened to her that she doesn’t want to reveal. She seems ashamed of something. Part of me wishes she trusted me enough to confide—but why would she? She doesn’t know me from Adam, not really. And she’s right. I brought her here to have sex with her on the couch, not to analyze her on it.

I let my gaze slide down her, and remind myself of the way she stripped in front of me and climbed on top of me. I remember her soft, pale skin, her full breasts, how small and feminine she felt in my arms. I think back to how she aroused herself while I watched, and how her face flushed when she reached her climax. I remember the taste of her, and how it felt to slide inside her.

By the time my gaze reaches her face again, my erection is back, and I can’t wait for the elevator to ding.

“Oh,” she says, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Jesus, Caleb, I can see right into your mind, I swear.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Your eyes… they tell me everything you’re feeling.” She walks up to me and lifts her arms around my neck. “Forget about everything else,” she whispers. “There’s just me and you here tonight, and that’s all that matters. I want you so much. I’ve thought about you all day and all evening.”

I lift her up—she’s so light—and she wraps her legs around my waist. The elevator doors slide open, and I walk out with her while I’m kissing her.

Her tongue delves into my mouth, and I groan as I fumble at my door and open it. My blood’s heating, my heart’s racing, and I can’t wait to fuck her. I didn't drink this evening because I was driving, but I feel as if I have been—my head’s spinning, and all thoughts have fled my mind except for Roxie and how it’s going to feel when I’m inside her again.