Caleb’s P.O.V. As I had finished showing Reese around the land where I wanted to build my own home, I had found myself drawn to her even more. Maybe it was the fact that she had actually come today after school like she had promised me she would. Maybe it was seeing her walking around on the Loup ranch grounds as if she actually belonged there. Hell, maybe it was the fact that she was walking around on a piece of grass where I was about to build a home, not only for myself but for her as well, not that I was telling her that little fact already. At least, that was if my inner wolf had something to say about the matter. When I had spoken to my brothers, they had all told me that after my injury and my abrupt ending as a professional athlete, how they wanted me to find a new dream, a new meaning to my life, a new goal. And maybe I had just told Reese that building a home was that new meaning… what I really meant to say to her, was that my new meaning in life, my new goal… it was her.No

Caleb’s P.O.V.“Caleb is an incredible hockey player, and you’re only calling out on him for his injury because you know that he would wipe the floor with Florida’s team if he would be at his full strength. Hell, he’ll wipe the floor with you WITH an injury!” Reese yelled, sticking out her finger and probably giving the man the look she would give her students whenever they were crossing a line. I could not help but feel my chest swell, along with my dick, seeing and hearing how Reese was sticking up for me, trying to protect me even though I knew for a fact that she had never seen me play on the ice. Fuck… it made me want to throw her over my shoulder, take her home so I could have my way with her, ending with her having my mark on her body so no other guy would ever dare to look her way ever again. The guys standing with the troublemaker already sent me an apologetic look, but all I cared about was hearing what else my woman had to say. Fuck… hearing her so angry somehow was freakis

Reese’s P.O.V.I turned myself around, facing the bartender so I could ask him for a drink and at the same time hide my blush from Caleb.“No, I’m not jealous at all. I don’t even have any reason to be jealous in the first place.” I answered him matter-of-factly. “In fact, I’m so ‘not jealous’ right now, that I won’t even bother you for the rest of the evening, especially when you seem to be so… busy,” I spoke, before lifting my hand in the air, finally getting the attention of the man behind the bar, finally.“A martini, please!” I shouted over the music, giving Caleb my back and nothing more. I was pissed and right now, I needed time to cool off, so instead of giving Caleb any more attention so he could piss me off even more, I took my drink and walked over to Dana, saying hi to my coworkers and sticking out my hand to meet some of her friends who I had never seen before.“Hi, I’m Reese.”I shouldn’t even have felt down when Caleb seemed to take the hint and stepped away from me. B

Caleb’s P.O.V. I sensed her turmoil, so I stopped walking and turned to face her. Her gaze burned with intensity, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and affection at the same time. And I sighed, as I tried to find the right words to say to the most stubborn woman that I had ever met in my life.“Reese, I need you to listen to me for a second,” I said, my voice steady but laced with vulnerability.“I get why you are scared here, but you have to know that my feelings for you go beyond any superficial desire. What we have between us, it’s real, and I care about you deeply.” I watched her as her eyes welled with tears, her defenses slowly beginning to crumble. Thank you, alcohol!“I’m terrified.” She gasped before she pressed her lips together. Looking like a little bird that needed to be saved. And I felt my own expression soften, my hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek.“Oh gorgeous, you have to believe me. You are not just another name for me. I have never felt this way be

Reese's P.O.V. With trembling fingers, I picked up my phone and opened my messaging app. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. But the memory of our kiss was still vibrantly alive in my mind and the taste of him was still resting on my tongue. God… I wanted to see Caleb again, hell… I wanted to be with him again. But how could I possibly put into words the whirlwind of emotions that were coursing through my veins right now? I pondered for a moment, but eventually… taking a deep breath, I began to type. Reese: Hey you, Mr Melt-my-heart and turn around to leave. I hope you know that my thoughts are still consumed by tonight. That kiss… it’s a fire that’s still burning bright… I paused, my fingers hovering over the screen. Was this too bold for me to send? Nah, I thought, smiling and shrugging to myself, the alcohol still giving me the extra courage. I wanted to show Caleb that I appreciated his intention and his desire for something more substantial. Reese: But you,