Page 105 of A Temporary Forever

“Caleb van den Linden, it’s hard for me to admit it, but I’ve been swooning all day.” I turn to face him.

The grin that lights up his face is warm, but also the one I know well by now. Full of heat and desire. “Does it mean I can pull you into the alley here?”

“Wow, who are you, and what have you done with my deviant husband? He would never stop to ask.” I feign horror, mostly to mask my excitement.

I never knew sex in public could be this thrilling. Be something I crave.

“In that case.” His long legs eat the few feet across the pavement, and he drags me with him, holding my hand.

The alleyway is narrow anddark, filled with humid air. But it’s also abandoned. A square of light leading to the street on the other side of this block is far away. It’s not a completely secluded area, but it gives us some privacy.

I think.

Or rather, I don’t think at all. Because my back hits the brick wall, and Caleb captures my mouth with such ferocity, I lose my mind.

I only feel, drowning in this man’s desire, in his need, in his willingness to please. To take and to give.

“Hike up your skirt, Celeste,” he demands.

Aw, the player is back. My gaze jumps in all directions. For a brief moment, I consider the question of safety here, but I dismiss it immediately.

I trust this man completely.

Trust? The idea sneaks up at me so suddenly, I want to bolt, hide, and deal with the implications.

Instead, I pull him in to kiss him. All in, teeth clashing, tongues dancing, biting and sucking like this is the only kiss I’ll ever give.

“Skirt. Now,” he growls.

It’s a testament to my absolute lack of common sense or self-preservation instincts when I’m around this man, because I grab the fabric and shimmy my hips to pull the tight material up my thighs.

Merde, why did I wear a pencil skirt today?

As soon as he glimpses my underwear, Caleb grabsmy wrists and looks around. “Don’t ever wear this skirt again.” Frustration laces his voice.

“I like it. What’s your problem? It’s up.” The humid air sticks between my bare thighs.

“Yeah, and you’re exposed for everyone to see.” He steps closer, covering me with his body.

“Jesus, then hurry up so I can lower it.” I’m wound up with my need for him.

He growls and yanks my skirt back down. “Not here.”

Before I can even process the situation, he drags me back to the street. The man who enjoys sex in all the weird, not discreet places, cares about my modesty?

I stop. “What just happened?”

Caleb groans. “You wore a stupid skirt.” Someone bumps into him, and he pulls me to the side.

“That’s never stopped you from wetting your dick before,” I snap.

We glare at each other, our chests heaving. It doesn’t bother me that he changed his mind about sex in the alley, but this caveman act is redundant.

“Fuck.” He shakes his head slightly, closing his eyes.

“That, we didn’t,” I quip.

He opens his eyes and studies me for what feels like an eternity.

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