Page 49 of The Publicist

Her eyes lock on mine, and I see they are shimmering with unshed tears. “I’ve missed you, too, Caleb. I’m sorry for everything I said that night. I didn’t mean it.” She wipes away the tear that lands on her cheek and averts her gaze again.

My heart breaks for this strong woman who looks so vulnerable right now. I can’t stand being even a table’s width away from her anymore. I get up and kneel next to her. “Shhh, baby, I’m so sorry for how everything went down that night.” I cup her cheeks in my hands and make her look at me. “What I said was the furthest thing from the truth. You were never just a fuck and run for me. You’ve shown me how to love again. I was so messed up after what Cassandra did; I was determined to not let anyone get that close to me again. But then you walked into my life. You’re stubborn, ballsy, intelligent, and beautiful. I love you so fucking much it hurts, babe.”

I watch as she stops breathing, my words resonating with her. “Wh-what did you just say?”

I smile and repeat the words without missing a beat. “I love you, Quinn. You’re the woman I’m meant to be with. Everything about you is perfect, and I can’t wait to uncover all the little things about you.”

Tears are rolling down her cheeks now, and she’s not even trying to hide them. I can tell from the smile on her face, these tears are happy and not sad tears. “I love you, too, Caleb. I have for a long time now. I’m so sorry I couldn’t say it sooner.”

She pulls me into a hug, and I’m finally where I belong. Her familiar vanilla scent makes me hard instantly, and I can’t wait to have her in bed with me. I pull back enough to plant a kiss on her lips. It’s chaste, but people don’t need to know about my personal life. “Do you want to get out of here?”

Chapter 41

Caleb can’t getus to his apartment fast enough. I need this man like I need my next breath of air, and the sexual tension in the car is so raw, it could be cut with a knife. He refuses to let go of my hand until he has to so I can get out of the car. My heart is beating in my ribs so fast, I fear it’s going to pop out of my chest. He comes to my side of the car and helps me out then closes the door and presses me against it. He tangles his hands in my hair, wrapping his them around the back of my neck, and pulls me to him. His kiss is slow and full of emotion. He takes his time exploring my mouth as his fingers trace small patterns on my skin.

I pull back from him and look into his hooded, lust-filled eyes. “Caleb, please, let’s go inside. If we stay out here, we’re going to give your neighbors a show. You don’t need this kind of publicity.”

He smiles and takes my hand, leading me toward the stairs. It’s only on the second floor, but it seems to take us forever to get there. Every few steps, he stops, presses me against the wall, and devours me all over again. I’m a panting mess, ready to rip his clothes off, by the time we reach the top of the stairs. He unlocks the door and pushes it open, and I look around, a small frown on my lips. His place is a disaster. My heart sinks. I know it’s like this because of me.

“Sorry for the mess. It’s been a rough couple of weeks for me.”

“It’s fine. Where is your bedroom, again?” He smiles and leads me to his room. There is a gigantic king-sized bed in the middle of the room, and images of our last time here flash through my memory. A familiar ache returns between my legs, and I turn to face him as I pull my dress up over my head, throwing it on the floor next to me.

He takes a step forward and places his hands on my hips. “You’ve lost some weight,” he murmurs, looking me in the eyes. “I’m so sorry, Quinn. I never meant—”

I press my fingers to his lips to silence him. “Caleb, stop it. I don’t want to hear your words right now. We have plenty of time to talk later. I need you to show me just how much you love me.” I move my fingers from his lips and tug at his shirt. He pulls it over his head and drops it on top of my dress. I caress my hands down the sides of his torso, and he sucks in his breath. When I reach for the button on his jeans, he stops my hands.

“No, not yet. Lay back on the bed.” I do as he asks, propping my head on a pillow so I can watch him. He crawls on the bed and straddles my legs, running his hands along the length of my body, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He traces his fingers along the inside of my thighs, seemingly memorizing my body with his touch alone. When he skims over my clothed core, I can’t help the quiet moan that passes my lips as my eyes flutter closed. “Please keep your eyes on me, baby. I want to watch you as I touch you.”

I oblige, lazily opening my eyes, smiling at him. “Lift your hips,” he requests, and I do without question. His slides my panties down my legs and throws them with the other clothes before nudging my legs wider apart with his knees. I’m spread wide for him and smile when he mummers, “So beautiful.” He brings his face down to me and nudges my clit with his nose before slowly licking up my center.

He’s in no hurry, lapping at me like a man without a care in the world. His tongue explores me, just like his fingers were moments before. He is taking his time, each lick sending me a little higher. I tangle my fingers through his hair and pull him closer to me, needing more. “Please, Caleb, more. I need more than this.”

“Shhh, baby. I’ve got you. I know exactly what you need.” He continues kissing and sucking my clit and inserts two fingers into my soaked core. I arch my back and moan; the added pressure feels wonderful. He continues to pump them in and out slowly as he curls his fingers inside to rub against my g-spot. I try to close my legs, the pressure building faster now, and he holds them open. My hips rock on their own, and I grip the sheets tight, my body tensing under the continued pressure. “Come for me, Quinn.”

He bites gently on my clit, and the sensation sends me over the edge. He holds me steady as I shake through my orgasm, continuing to lick until the aftershocks are gone. I lay on the bed, pliable and languid, a content smile plastered on my face. He crawls up my body and lays next to me, still in his jeans. I pout. “Why aren’t you naked?”

“Tonight isn’t about me. It’s about you.”

“Well, if it’s about me, I want you naked,” I tease.

He smirks. “If that’s what you want.” He gets off the bed and pulls his pants and boxers down his legs, his erection slapping his stomach.

I reach out for him when he climbs back on the bed, his body hovering over mine. He presses my legs apart and settles himself between them, slicking himself up. I angle my hips, trying to get him to push in, but he hesitates. “Please, Caleb. I need to feel you in me. Please don’t make me beg for it.”

He runs his finger along my jaw and presses in slowly before withdrawing just as slowly. He continues the torturous pace, and I figure it out. He doesn’t want this to be a quick fuck; he wants to make love to me. My breath hitches, and his lips come crashing down on mine. The kiss is sensual. There is so much feeling behind it my heart beats wildly.

I take his face in my hands so he can look into my eyes. “I love you, Caleb. You’re perfect for me.”

“I love you, too, Quinn. So much.” I can tell he’s struggling to keep from coming, so I reach down between our bodies to play with his balls.

“Come for me, Caleb. I want to feel you.”

He quickens his pace, and after one, two, three more thrusts, he stills, buried to the hilt as he comes deep inside me. He pulls out and walks into the bathroom, returning moments later with a warm washcloth. He helps me wash up and crawls into the bed next to me, pulling me to him. I wrap my leg over his hip and nestle my head in his chest. I yawn and close my eyes.

“You can’t sleep yet, Quinn.” He runs his fingers through my hair lovingly. “I have something I want to ask you.”

I scrunch my face and open my eyes to look into his. “What?”