Page 96 of Untouchable

Caleb ached for her. His body, his heart, everything. But he schooled his expression so that she wouldn’t see his frustration. And, after he took off his clothes, he pulled on a pair of gray pajama pants, even though he preferred not to wear them.

He turned out the light and got under the covers beside Kelly.

She shifted to her side and brushed her hair out of her face. “Are you getting annoyed with waiting for me?”

She looked so worried, even in the dark, that Caleb couldn’t help but smile. “It’s only been two weeks. I’m not such an ass that I can’t manage to refrain from sex for a couple of weeks.”

Hewassuch an ass. He had been since he’d hit puberty. But he’d told her he was willing to change if he could, and he’d meant it, so he could hardly back out now.

Her mouth softened in an answering smile. “I suppose not. But I think this is different. I’m really not intending to tease and torture you, you know.” Her hand slipped up to his chest, and she rubbed it, more affectionate than erotic.

“I didn’t think you were,” he assured her, enjoying her touch in whatever form it took. “I know you’ve been all torn up by everything that’s happened. It makes sense that you don’t want to rush into anything too soon.”

She opened her mouth as if to object. But then she closed it and instead leaned over and pressed a soft kiss into his neck.

Caleb experienced another pang of disappointment that she still didn’t trust him enough to truly tell him why she was stalling.

When Kelly pulled back, her face was natural and relaxed. “I need to start rounding up some more clients, I think. Taking most of the month off kind of stalled my momentum.”

Caleb gave her a dry half smile. “I already got you a perfectly good client.”

Kelly giggled and gave him a teasing slap on his bare chest. “Like I would take a client you bullied into using my services.”

He managed to maintain a smug expression. “As if I would do anything so crass as bully someone.”

Kelly seemed to appreciate his pretense at arrogance. She chuckled huskily and pulled him into a soft hug. “I love it when you act all cool and superior.”

He loved when she was like this. Loved how she wanted to be close to him. Loved that it felt so real, so natural—so inexplicably different than the way they were before, as if something inside her had melted or relaxed.

But her fond touchiness did make it difficult for Caleb to maintain his patience and self-control. When his body instinctively reacted to the feel of her soft curves against him, he pulled away gently. Clearing his throat, he replied, “What do you mean? There’s no act here. Iamcool and superior.”

She giggled deliciously and didn’t try to nestle against him again.

Since she was in a talkative, affectionate mood, he risked a question. “And since I’m so cool and superior, have you thought any more about giving me more information on this guy from your past?”

He felt her grow very still beside him. “Caleb?—”

“I’m just asking.”

“I know. But I’m wondering if he’s giving up on me again. Nothing has happened since that one attack.”

“I know that. But I’ve been protecting you all this time, with the exception of the two days you left me, so he might not have had an opportunity. You can’t just ignore men like him. They always come back. They’ll remain a threat until they’re dealt with.”

“But I don’t want you involved any more than you already are. I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“Why do you assume I’m in danger from him? He’s much more likely to be in danger from me.” His voice had taken on a certain chill, but there was no way he could hide it.

She swallowed so hard he could see it. “Caleb, please.”

“I’m serious, Kelly. I know people. I have resources. I could make a call and have the whole thing taken care of.”

She didn’t answer, but he felt her trembling in the bed beside him.

“It’s true.”

“I know it’s true,” she whispered.

“Does that scare you?”