“That’s amazing! I guess we have something to celebrate tonight, then.”
 
 “Thanks to you, Caleb. You’re the one who got me those books. I’m as prepared as I’m ever going to be. And I’m going to the bank tomorrow to start the process.”
 
 The long shadows of the sun through trees couldn’t mask the apples in his cheeks as he drove us through the stretch of road that leads to Owl Creek. We were almost at my apartment when he spoke again.
 
 “This is nice—celebrating this with you. Being a part of this. I hope I can continue to be a part of it.”
 
 “You’re my boyfriend, aren’t you?”
 
 “Yeah. I mean, I hope I can be a bigger part of it. That’s a big house you’ll be moving into when you get the loan. There are gutters to clean and a lawn to mow, and the pergola could use a coat of paint.”
 
 “Caleb Barone, are you asking if you can nest with me?”
 
 “I’m not sure what that means, but maybe?”
 
 We pull into my driveway, and he parks next to my car, turning off the engine but not making a move to get out.
 
 “Let’s wait until I get the loan. But suffice it to say I’m not going to turn down gutter cleaning on a three-story house.”
 
 “So I’ll be your sexy maintenance man boyfriend?”
 
 I unbuckle my seatbelt and lean in to give him a kiss. “You have to promise to wear your shop coveralls. Those are yummy.”
 
 He unbuckles his seatbelt and leans into me, cupping my face in his hands. His kiss is tender but evolves quickly intosomething more needy and primal. My head starts to spin, and my center starts to warm as his tongue explores my mouth, his teeth scrape my lips, and then my neck.
 
 “Um. I’d like to amend my earlier statement about being too tired.”
 
 A groan erupts from his chest.
 
 “Upstairs?” He growls.
 
 “Upstairs.” I whimper.
 
 We race out of the truck and climb the stairs to my studio. Caleb tears at my clothes before I’ve even locked the door and gets me down to my underwear in a matter of seconds.
 
 I think he should be in Guinness for that feat.
 
 His mouth is on mine again as he walks me backward until my legs hit the bed. Then he hoists me up to a sitting position, and I open my legs to receive him.
 
 His touch is rough and needy, grunts erupting from him as he unsnaps my bra, taking my already pebbled nipple into his mouth. Electricity pulses through my hips, thighs, and belly.
 
 I reach down and unbutton his jeans, his shirt already on the floor, somehow magically appearing there during the frenzy of stripping me down. I unzip his jeans and reach my hand into his boxers to stroke him. He’s throbbing with need, and it jolts my vag into high gear. I want him buried deep inside me, but I also want to taste him like he’s done to me.
 
 I tug at his pants with some effort. His muscles are taut with desire, and he moans as I get them down and refocus my efforts on his massive cock. I don’t know how I will fit that thing in my mouth, but I’m going to try. If the Lauras of the world can do it, I can too. I have to if I’m going to prove to him that I can be what he needs.
 
 I shimmy off the bed against his protests, but when I spin him around and kneel in front of him, he lets out a sigh of contentment.
 
 Caleb weaves his fingers into my hair, then gently pulls so I’m looking up at him.
 
 “I know you’re nervous about this. I’ll guide you through it, okay?”
 
 I nod as I pull his boxers down to his ankles. He’s fully erect, the skin of his cock smooth over the giant head. The tip is glistening, and I wrap my hand around him.
 
 The more I look at him, the more I want him. The more I want to taste him in what feels like the most intimate act I’ve done. The thought of his trust, desire, and need within my control is intoxicating.
 
 With my hand wrapped around him, I pull upward once as he moans. And then he starts to instruct me.
 
 “Take your hand and rub it on yourself so it’s nice and wet.”