A Love We Deserve (True Love Book 2) (7 page)

“You can call me Mel, if you want. Everyone does.”

“Well, I’m not everyone, and I love the way your name sounds. Reminds me of
Gone With The Wind
.”

“That’s so weird, my mom named me after that character in the movie. You’re the first person to make that connection.”

That’s remarkable. A hunky guy from the Midwest knows
Gone With The Wind
. Go figure. Maybe there is such a thing as destiny. I reel in my thoughts to the here and now.

“For now I think the best time to see each other is going to be during the day when my boys are at school. I don’t want them finding out I’m seeing someone just yet. Do you understand?”

I said that without thinking that his feelings could be hurt.

“Of course, I do. I think that’s wise. I can move around my schedule at the gym, I’m really flexible.”

Yes, you are Caleb, yes, you are. I’m so grateful he can’t see how I’m blushing on this end. Keep it smooth, Mel.

“How about Monday? My boys have a lot going on this weekend, so I’ll be too busy. I hate to wait until then, but I think it’s best. Is that OK?”

“I told you, Melanie, I can be flexible. I hate to wait that long too, but I completely get it. We don’t need to disrupt your life right now. Is it OK if I think about you in my bed all weekend? The real thing is much better, but my memory is pretty good. It may hold me until Monday.”

Thank God. He has a sense of humor about this.

“Yes, of course. I’ll be doing the same. I can almost feel your hands and mouth on my...”

“Mom! You got a package!”

Oh, shit.

“Caleb, I have to go. Talk to you Monday.”

I hear him laugh as he says his goodbye. I take the package John threw on the counter at me; thanking the dear Lord it hadn’t ripped open. This may come in handy after all if I have to wait until Monday to see him. I check the battery drawer and I grab two AAs, and head upstairs to put my toy away for later.

The boys and I have pizza and play video games until bedtime. They’ve had a busy week, and are tired out early tonight. I tuck them in, and while I should head to bed myself, I get my cellphone out of my purse. I turn off all the house lights, and go to my bedroom. I completely redecorated this room after Chris left. It’s romantic and pretty, without being too girly. I haven’t slept with a man in here since, but I can fantasize about it tonight. I shoot Caleb a quick text:
You up?

He answers right away:
In more ways than one, just thinking about you. What are you doing awake? I thought for sure you’d be out like a light by now.

Wow, that gives me a nice image.
I can’t sleep; I’m too wired. Tell me a bedtime story?

I’ll let him take the lead. I’ve never “sexted” with anyone before.

He replies quickly:
Mm, Naughty or nice?

Oh my:
Naughty, I think. Do you know any good ones? I think you should call me though; my texting ability isn’t good with one hand.

He responds:
Dialing now. You just made my dick rock-hard thinking of that image.

The phone buzzes and I answer.

“So, know any good stories?”

“
I do. I know the hottest story about a gorgeous woman and her masseuse. They did all kinds of dirty things. Want to hear that one?” His voice is lower by an octave, and he sounds insanely sexy.

“I do.”

He begins weaving our story into the most romantic, yet sizzling tale. His description of how he felt massaging my body is making me wet. As he’s talking, I look in the drawer and get out my new friend. I pop in the batteries and turn it on. It’s loud! I fumble trying to turn it down, and I hear him laughing.

“Really, Melanie? A toy? You’re killing me! Don’t waste that gorgeous orgasm on a toy, save it for me!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, I was just brushing my teeth.”

“Then my feelings are hurt. I’m telling you this beautiful story, and you’re brushing your teeth? Where’s the romance?”

He laughs again, but we both know what it is. He continues to tell the story while I find a much quieter setting. I should have tested this thing out before my bright idea to call him.

“He’s kissing the inside of her thighs, and she’s moaning,” then I hear him whisper, “Put it inside your delicious pussy Melanie. Squeeze it like you squeezed my cock. I want to hear you come for me.”

I obey his command, and I come within seconds. This thing is intense! I drop the phone and squeeze my legs together; the sensation is incredible. I hear him saying something on the phone, and I pick it up to hear him.

“I’m coming with you, baby; fuck, that’s hot. Squeeze that cock tight in your pussy. I’m coming!”

I hear a few grunts and soft moans. We’re both breathing erratically into the phone, neither of us saying a word. Wow, my first phone sex, and it was pretty damned good.

“So was this planned? You seemed to have your arsenal at the ready!”

He giggles into the phone. I’m so embarrassed. I thought I would be able to get away with it with him not knowing.

“No, no it wasn’t. I just missed you. I received a package today after doing a little online shopping. It just happened to be close by.”

“Well, no complaints here, but I am a little jealous. Don’t rely on that thing, I can’t compete.”

We both take a quick break to get cleaned and in bed, and then we continue our conversation. I turn out the lights and place the phone on the pillow next to me so it’s like he’s here in my bed. We talk about nonsense. Our favorite movies, what we were like as kids, just silly stuff. I could really get used to this.

Chapter 7

Three Weeks Later

I’m ready for Caleb to meet Katie and Jason. Things are going so well between us, I want to see what they think about him. It’s been nice in our bubble, though. We manage to carve out a routine of seeing each other during the week. I’ve told the boys I had a new friend named Caleb, but that’s it. They have noticed that I’ve lost some weight, and I told them my friend was helping me. Half the time we burn our calories in the gym; the other half is a lot more fun.

I take Katie’s advice and give myself a mini-makeover. I darken my platinum blond a few shades, and incorporate natural highlights. I’ve sworn off tanning beds, too, after she gave me a lecture on skin safety. I look and feel better than I have in years, probably since college. All the worrying I had about dating now seems like time wasted. I’m happier, and so my boys are happier, too. For the first time in a very long time, I’m hopeful for a happily-ever-after.

Chris’ sister hasn’t seen the boys over in a while, and she offered to have them this weekend. Perfect timing for us to have our double date. I call Katie to make the plans.

“Hey, girl. Where should we go this Saturday? Any ideas?”

“Well, Jason is on the sidelines at the Northwestern game helping out his friend, but he’ll be home by 5:00 p.m. Want to head downtown?”

“Yes! I haven’t been out downtown in so long. You and Jason pick the place and we’ll meet you there. I’m a free woman so we may decide to stay in the city. Who knows? I’m so excited for the two of you to meet Caleb. I know you’ll love him.”

Jason chooses a famous Chicago steakhouse. When Caleb and I arrive, just a few minutes late, the maître d’ lets us know our party is here, and he leads us to the table. Jason must have some pull, because we have the best table in the place. It’s adjacent to a stone fireplace that is crackling with fresh wood. I’m really nervous; this meeting is so important to me. If things work out with Caleb, the four of us will be spending a lot of time together. Katie’s the first to see us, and she hops out of her chair and rushes to us. She gives me a huge hug, and the gives one to Caleb.

“I’ve been so excited to meet you.”

“Pleasure is all mine,” he says with her arms still around his neck.

“OK now, you have yours, let go of mine. Caleb this is Jason, Katie’s husband.”

The two men heartily shake hands and give the one slap on the back that men do. When do they learn this stuff? We all sit down and Jason pours us wine from the open bottle on the table.

“I’m so sorry we’re a little late. Beth came to pick up the boys around 3:00 p.m., and I wanted Caleb to see the house. I gave him the tour.”

I realize the way that sounded. I blush a deep red and Katie cracks up. Jason laughs, too, and makes a little quip.

“Hey, man, a tour is the best reason to be late for anything.”

He slaps Caleb on the back again. I really did want to have Caleb over. He waited to come until the boys were gone so we could get ready together and avoid any awkward meetings. He loved the house, and had so much fun looking at the kids’ toys and sports memorabilia. Jason has gotten the boys autographs from just about every famous Chicago athlete possible. Caleb was impressed.

“OK, I want to be ten again. I would live in this room and never come out!”

He was so adorable. I stood and stared at his face while he was looking through the shelves. He turned around to ask me a question and caught me watching.

“What is it?”

He walked over to me, and took my hands.

“Why do you have that weird look on your face? Did I touch something I wasn’t supposed to?”

“I’m in love with you, Caleb. I knew I felt it, but I wasn’t sure until just now. I love you.”

His face lit up. His hands cupped my face and he kissed me so passionately I thought I would melt on the spot. I couldn’t believe I said it. I knew I was, but the feeling just overwhelmed me. I thought I wouldn’t be able to say another word before I told him. I had no idea how he would react; I just needed him to know.

“I love you, too, Melanie. I’ve had such strong feelings for you; I’ve been afraid to admit them. I didn’t want to scare you away. I’m just so sorry I didn’t say it first. I love you so much, sweetheart.”

He was so sweet and sincere. He picked me up and carried me down the hall to my beautiful, un-christened bedroom, and looked like he had plans to change that status. He lay me down softly on my bed, while he stared into my eyes.

“I love you, baby, I really do. Thank you for having the courage to say it. I know how hard it is for you, always having your boys best interests at heart. I just want you to know I’m here for you.”

He took his time undressing me, slowly and lovingly. We’d had a lot of sex before this, but we were making love for the first time. We held eye contact the entire time. We both whispered to each other, “I love you.”

When we were finished, there was no time to bask in the glow, we had to rush to get out the door. Now here we are, with my two closest friends in the world, with the man I just declared my love for. I couldn’t be happier. Jason and Caleb are deep in conversation already, which is a great thing. Jason can be a little cold if he doesn’t like you, so this is a good sign. I knew they’d hit it off; they have a lot in common. I hear Jason talking to him about the possibility of him offering deep tissue sports massage at his main office. Geez, they move quickly. I look over at Katie to say something, and she has a weird look on her face.

“Kat, what’s wrong? I know you, that’s one of your ‘I see visions’ creepy looks. You’re freaking me out.”

“He’s not the one from my dream, Mel. Definitely not.”

“You don’t like him? What are you talking about?”

“You know, the dream I had.”

“I know but you said you couldn’t see his face. How do you know it’s not him?”

“I just know, OK? I like Caleb, I really do! I’m happy for you, but he’s not the one you were with. I don’t feel the same connection between you two like you had with the person in my dream.”

I must have a strange expression, because she backpedals quickly.

“Mel, it means nothing! I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth. Maybe he is the guy, and I’m just a little off. Ignore me, and my stupid dreams. We are celebrating your happiness.”

“I just told him I love him tonight, Kat. You know how much your opinion means to me, and we both know just how accurate your ‘dreams’ are. Please try to see something else. Really think about it. I love him, I really do.”

“You love him, I love him. Story closed, not another word about it. This wine sucks; I need something a little stronger. Waiter!”

She tries her best all night to seem OK. I know her too well though; it’s bothering her. Maybe her dream meant something else. Jason picks up on her weird vibe, too, but he ignores it. I think he really likes Caleb and doesn’t want her to seem rude. We part ways at the end of dinner, Jason and Caleb seemingly new best buds, and make all the obligatory promises to do it again soon.

* * *

Jason and Katie

“Honey, what was going on tonight? You weren’t yourself. Are you feeling OK?”

“Jason, I just can’t explain it. Caleb is a very nice guy, and he wasn’t doing anything wrong. Remember that dream I told you about with Mel?”

“Sure. Wasn’t she with someone? Didn’t that make you happy?”

“Of course, it did. All I’ve wanted is for her to be happy. The problem is that Caleb isn’t the guy in my dream. Not just because of how he looked, it was something between them. My dream was so vivid; she seemed… different. I felt about her and that guy like they were soulmates like you and me. I know she really cares for Caleb, and maybe loves him but I’m telling you, I feel it. He’s not the guy who’s out there for her.”

“Just be careful, Kat. You don’t want to end up damaging the relationship you have with her over something like this. Let her be happy. Now get your fine ass up those stairs and we can finish our night the right way.”