Page 11 of Our Now and Forever

“Getting ready for bed,” he said, choosing not to mention the baby duck–covered pajamas that were buttoned to her neck. If she was going for non-sexy, she’d hit the mark. “You don’t expect me to sleep in my jeans.”

“Then what are you going to sleep in?” she asked, regaining the blankets and hugging them against her chest.

Caleb grabbed the hem of his T-shirt. “Afraid I don’t own fancy pajamas like yours,” he said with a smile, and tugged the shirt over his head.

Snow tried to cover the gasp, but it was no use. His broad shoulders glowed in the soft light of her bedside lamp, rippling with every movement, making her long to run her fingers through the light patch of hair on his chest that she knew would be soft to the touch. Her mouth dried up as other parts turned moist, and Snow couldn’t pull her eyes away. Her husband was gorgeous.

And he knew it.

Holding her gaze as he pushed the worn denim over narrow hips, down muscled thighs and solid calves, Caleb conveyed with a look that all she had to do was break her own rule and she could have anything she wanted. And oh did she want. She wanted this man as she’d never wanted anything in her life, but she couldn’t have him and win back her future.

“That’s far enough,” she said, falling back onto the pillow to stare at the ceiling.

Snow turned out the light and flopped onto her side to face away from Caleb’s half of the bed. She felt cool air against her back as he lifted the blankets, replaced by heat as he settled in beside her. His breath tickled the back of her neck, and she wished he’d face the other way. Of course he wouldn’t. Caleb meant to make this night as difficult as possible, just as she intended to make his days a living hell.

At least they both knew what they were up against.

“Do I get a kiss goodnight?” he asked, his voice a whisper in the silent room.

Snow squeezed her eyes shut tight as a yes danced on the tip of her tongue. She could turn around and fall into him. Experience the security and protection she always felt in his arms. But that feeling is what had gotten her into this.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.

“Just a kiss, Snow,” he pleaded. “It’s been a long time.”

Caleb toyed with her curls, waiting for her to change her mind. The gentle gesture weakened her resolve, and she rolled onto her back. “Why are you making this harder?”

With a deep chuckle, he said, “Something is definitely getting harder, but it’s more your doing than mine.”

His toe slid up her pant leg, and Snow fought to keep her knees together. “Your condition was that I take this seriously,” she whispered, turning to face him. “I’m willing to do that, but you have to honor your part of the bargain. We need to know each other without the fog of sex getting in the way, Caleb. Without lust clouding up our minds.”

A boyish smile lifted one side of his mouth. “Not having sex won’t take lust out of the equation. Not for me. I can’t imagine ever not wanting you, Snow.”

The confession created a piercing pain in her heart. “You want my body. There’s more to me than that.”

The toe retreated to his side of the bed. “You’re right,” he said, taking her by surprise. Before she knew what he was doing, her husband placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and said, “Good night.”

Though she should have reveled in her victory, or been relieved that he’d seen her point, Snow didn’t experience either of those things. Instead, she felt ... disappointed. Silly, since she was getting what she wanted. She rolled onto her side again, wide awake and expecting to stay that way for hours, listening to the sound of her husband breathing only inches away. But eventually, Snow closed her eyes and drifted into dreams, lured by the dark, or calmed by Caleb’s presence, she wasn’t sure which.

Chapter 5

Caleb woke in an empty bed, not sure where he was. Nothing looked familiar, but when he leaned up on his elbows, the scent of wildflowers danced around him.

“Snow,” he said, looking around. Fear sent his heart racing.

Had she left again? Where would she go this time? Caleb jumped out of bed and was grabbing his jeans when he heard a noise from the kitchen. Like a toaster popping. He peeked through the open bedroom door to find his wife making breakfast a few feet away.

“Morning,” she said, pulling a mug off a shelf above the counter. “I was going to give you five more minutes if you didn’t get up on your own.” Reaching for a half-filled coffee pot, she said, “Do you want milk or vanilla creamer? Afraid that’s all I have. I wasn’t expecting company.”

Caleb shoved one leg into his jeans. “Milk is fine,” he answered. “How long have you been up?”

“About an hour.” He heard plates hit the counter. “I need to leave soon.”

The clock on her nightstand said 7:10 a.m. “To open the store?” he asked, stepping into the living room as he pulled a clean shirt over his head.

Snow gave him a shy smile as she handed him the coffee. “No, I don’t open the store until noon on Sundays. There’s an auction today out at the old Brambleton place.”

“That’s where you get all the stuff you sell?” he asked, sipping his coffee, which was perfectly sweetened. She must have remembered how much sugar he liked.

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