Page 38 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

Caleb lost his grin and began to fidget.

“What’s the matter?”

“Just, um, thinking about us returning to the firehouse tomorrow.”

“And?”

“Should I go back to calling you Captain there? Or what?” He plucked at a thread in his T-shirt, not meeting my gaze.

“At the firehouse, I’m Captain Smack. But when we’re outside of work, I’m still Sean.”

“Right. We can keep it quiet.”

I swore. “Never mind. That’s stupid. We don’t need to keep anything quiet.” My mother’s optimism replayed in my head. Why was I hesitating? Pulling up to a red light, I cupped the side of Caleb’s face. “I’m not ashamed of this. Of us. Okay? Caleb, we’re together. And I’m so fucking glad.”

“Me too.” Caleb sighed. “So, if we’re together, then instead of dropping me off, we could just go to your place when we get back?”

“Is that a question?”

He waited a beat, grinned. “A wish?”

“Hell, call me a genie, then. Granting wishes.” I leaned in and kissed him. Desire flooded me. I wanted this so badly. His kisses were like water, and I’d been so thirsty all these years. I could gulp him down, but I wanted to go home with him and savor each drop.

The light turned green, and I had to look forward and not at Caleb. I was tempted to put on a siren and speed all the way home.

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

SMACK

I really did speed a few times on the way to town, but after we reached my driveway, I wasn’t sure what to do or say. Caleb looked uncertain as well.

“So.” He peeked at me shyly.

“So. Are you hungry? I’m low on food, but we could have pasta or something?”

“No, I’m good.” His pretty brown eyes met mine, slid away.

I took a breath. “Okay, me either.”

God, I wanted this.I wanted Caleb, right now, right here. There had been so many stops and starts to even imagining I’d have a chance with Caleb. I ached for this.

I shook off my nerves and gestured for him to come with me into the house. His gaze took in all the details as if he had been waiting to come inside. I winced a little at the piles of clutter. The pile of mail, the shoes near the door, the throw pillows that never made it to the couch.

“It’s clean but not super neat,” I apologized, scooping up some of Erin’s scuffed sandals and tossing them into the closet.

Caleb looked up at me with a sweet smile. “It’s fine.”

“I should probably have asked you how you felt about kids,” I asked, my whole body clenched as I waited on his answer. Did Caleb see himself as a parent one day? I was a package deal. Erin was first always. It had to be that way.

Caleb chuckled. “Imagine me a dad? I love my sister’s kids, but I let them get away with so freaking much.”

“You are a pushover.” I forced a smile.

This was the moment I should have questioned him more about Erin specifically. How did he see himself in her life if not as a potential parent? And if not as a parent, then what were we even doing?

But I didn’t say anything. I let the moment pass. I wanted it to pass.

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