chapter 8

Nerves.

She was used to them but why was Caleb nervous?

Bethany waited as he rounded the truck and held her door open like the perfect gentleman. She didn’t know how she was able to get his attention, but she was on cloud nine. This was her first date in well, ever, and she was excited.

She couldn’t contain herself. Sitting beside him, she had to keep forcing herself to look out of the window, not that there was much to see as the sun had already set.

She hadn’t been on a real date in so long. If she were honest, she’d never been on a real single date.

She’d been really unlucky when it came to love and she wasn’t about to fall for any line a guy might think she’d go for. Now, as they walked toward the bar, the music drifted into the night.

Men and women laughed. Some were drinking, others smoking, a bunch doing both, but Caleb put his hand at her back and guided her inside.

Was it her or did he feel warm?

Pushing those nerves to the back of her mind again, she followed him toward a reserved table.

“You booked us a table?”

“This is the best damn place in town, no offense.” “None taken, believe me.”

He pulled out her chair like a proper gentleman. Her heart fluttered but she was able to contain herself.

Get a grip, Bethany.

He sat down and handed her the menu. “Pick whatever you like. Do you want a beer?”

“Er, sure.”

She wasn’t much of a drinker but right now, she needed something to settle her nerves. The music was good. The bar was full but not too crowded where she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Everything was going well.

Glancing over the menu, she nearly jumped as a waitress placed down a bottle. “Are you guys ready to order?”

Caleb raised a brow at her.

“I’ll have whatever he’s having.”

She didn’t know what to eat. Caleb ordered … a lot of food.

After he finished, he handed the menus to the waitress and they were alone. “You’re hungry?” she asked.

“Starving. Don’t worry if it’s too much for you. I’ll eat it up.” “You’re used to eating a lot?”

“I work a lot. I need the calories.”

She couldn’t resist looking at his broad shoulders and thick muscles. There was no denying that he worked out a lot. Licking her dry lips, she kept a smile on her face. “So, what is it you do?” She was curious. Joe wouldn’t talk about him.

He’d warned her, but something told her that his words were lies. Caleb wasn’t a cruel man. He didn’t have that vibe. She was no expert in body language but he didn’t give her the creeps.

“Let’s not talk about me. Tell me about yourself. Are you staying in town long? What do you like to do on the weekends when you’re not on a date? Do you love sunsets? The full moon?”

“Wow, okay. That’s a mouthful.” She giggled. “Let’s see. I’m here as long as I’ve got a job.”

She nibbled on her lip but decided there was no point in lying to him. If tonight’s date went well, she wasn’t going to turn him down for a second or even a third one. She’d like a home though.

A place to settle down. To call her own. Where no one could take it from her and she’d find protection, safety, security, and one day, she hoped to have love.

“I actually live at the boarding house for now. I’ve got a room there. I’m hoping to get my own place when I’ve got enough money. Anyway, moving on, I love long walks. Do you like long walks?”

He chuckled. “You could say that.”

“I love sunsets. I’ve never paid too much attention to the full moon.” “You should. The full moon is a beautiful wonder.”

“I’m going to have to check it out,” she said. “I guarantee you’re going to love it.”

“I bet I will.” She shook her head. “So, yeah. I love reading, cooking, and just living. Oh, I love dogs.”

“Dogs?”

“Yes. Actually, all animals. I don’t know why I’m telling you this.

It’s crazy but I do. If I could, I’d have cats, dogs, bunnies, the lot. I don’t mind. Birds as well.” She smiled. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt so incredibly happy. “What is it you like?”

“I love long walks as well.”

“You already said that. Come on, I’ve bared my soul to you. It’s your turn to bare all to me.”

She tilted her head to the side. “I’m listening.”

“I want to hear all about you.”

“I know but like I said, there’s not a lot to know. I’ve given you most of it. Come on, tell me more about yourself. I want to hear it all.” She reached over, taking his hand. Again, hot body, hot everything.

She licked her lips and tried to think, tried to do anything, but she just wanted to touch him.

Not only that, for some odd reason, she started to feel…

hot all over. She wanted him—there was no doubt about that.

That want was all-consuming. She took a deep breath, trying to gain some focus. Within a split second, she could imagine his hands all over her, touching her, feeling her. She craved his touch, wanted to be consumed by him.

Shaking her head, the feeling was gone, but she was drawn back to him.

He reached out and stroked her cheek. “Has anyone told you just how beautiful you are?”

There went her heart again, racing. All senses on high alert.

“Do you know what’s beautiful? The sunset from my house. If you’d like, it would be my honor to cook for you, and having you stop by my house to see it. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.”

“I don’t imagine for a second I could be disappointed in whatever you have to show me.” That sounded really dirty, even to her.

Her cheeks heated and was that a smile on his lips? He knew as well.

He’d read her mind. This was going bad.

Before she got the chance to excuse herself, the waitress returned, loaded with food.

Bethany didn’t know how the waitress did it, but she managed to fill their entire table with the food.

“Dig in,” Caleb said, already thrusting cheese-covered fries into his mouth. “So good.”

She picked up her fork and started to eat. Maybe with some food, she’d be able to actually gain her composure back and not be a complete idiot.

“You never said if you’d like to come by my house. See the sunset?”

What should she say? Was it being too forward going to his house in the afternoon? Would he expect sex? He’d be disappointed. She didn’t know the first thing about sex or being with a man.

She’d kept that part of herself to, well, herself. “I promise I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”

Now she was disappointed. Another flash of him pushing her to the bed, spreading her thighs, licking her, tasting her.

“Yes, I’d love to,” she said. She didn’t know if she was saying she’d love to in her mind, or to the vision she’d just experienced. Either way, she had to gain some control here, otherwise, she was going to lose her mind, and that wasn’t good.

She watched as he cut into his steak and listened as he talked about his home. The small garden he had, the woods he protected. She loved hearing his deep voice and it soothed her soul, but she couldn’t help but feel like he was hiding something. She didn’t know what it was exactly, but he kept up the conversation, asking her opinion on matters.

After they ate their food, and Caleb did the most work, finishing off her steak, fries, and even the salad, he took her onto the dancefloor.

This made her even more nervous. One of his hands went to her back, and she rested her head against his shoulder. The music was soft, slow.

“I knew you’d feel perfect in my arms.”

She tilted her head back to look at him. “You did?” “There’s no way you could have been anything but perfect.” “How did you know?” she asked.

He was so close. His lips just a breath away. Did she want him to kiss her?

Why was this man confusing her in all the right ways?

“Because I just knew you’d be the right one for me. You’re what I’ve been looking for all my life. I just had to wait for the right woman.”

His lips touched hers. It started out slow, calm, beautiful. His hand slid up her back, cupping the back of her neck, and this time, she felt the need rush through her body.

With him wrapped around her, the world fell away and all that remained was the two of them.

She held onto him, the kiss surrounding her, filling every single one of her senses, making it hard for her to think, to do anything but feel.

She didn’t want it to stop, but he did, he broke the kiss.

The song had changed. People around them were dancing to a new upbeat tune.

She didn’t want this to end.