Page 12 of Tides of Redemption
He pulled off, and a little sound of protest escaped me. But he was just getting started. He kissed my dick, blew on the wet tip, nuzzled my balls, and adored my cock before taking me in his mouth again. I was caught in a whirlwind of pleasure.
When he added his hand at the base and stroked with a twist, he held my gaze. I saw lust. Longing. Love.
A second chance.
Lightning sizzled down my spine. I tapped his shoulder in warning, but he doubled down. I couldn’t help my primal reaction—I thrust into his mouth and fell over the edge, my toes curling, his name on my lips. He swallowed everything I had to give. When I was spent, I slumped into the couch cushions and lazily combed through his hair as he pulled off. “What can I do for you?”
He shook his head, rose to his feet, and reclaimed his spot beside me, his skin flushed. “I wanted to worship you as you deserved.” His voice carried a tenderness that made my chest ache.
“But…” I started, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
“No buts.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine with gentle reverence. “That was about giving you pleasure, and that’s whatIgot out of it.”
I met his eyes, searching their warm brown depths, and found only sincerity there—a truth so pure it stole my breath. I nodded; my throat was tight with emotion. Caleb had always been a giving lover, considering my needs above his own. I had no doubt he meant every word, and my heart swelled with a feeling I hadn’t allowed myself in eleven years.
With trembling fingers, I quickly redressed, then pulled my mother’s afghan over us both. I snuggled into his side with acontented sigh, feeling for the first time in years that I might be exactly where I belonged.
“Can you forgive me?” he asked, his voice barely audible above the TV.
The storm outside seemed distant now, unimportant. “I was hurt,” I admitted. I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “But yes, I forgive you. Just…when you leave again, promise you’ll stay in touch this time.”
A shadow crossed his face, but he nodded. “I promise.”
We settled back to watch the rest of the series, now fully entwined beneath my mother’s blanket. My heartbeat was steady, and his fingers absently stroked my arm. The storm continued, but it couldn’t touch me.
And if a small voice inside whispered that Caleb would take my heart with him when he left, even if we stayed in touch… Well, I chose not to listen. The warmth of him beside me, the afterglow of his passion, and the familiar afghan wrapped around us both were enough.
For the moment.
CHAPTER TEN
Mason
The bookstore felt different when it was closed—quieter, more intimate, as if the books themselves were resting. Morning sunlight cast golden rectangles across the hardwood floors. Though it was my second day off, I’d come in early to catch up on paperwork and inventory I’d neglected during the preparations for the art reception.
But I was finding it difficult to concentrate. My mind kept drifting back to yesterday—to Caleb’s unexpected appearance during the storm, the weight of my mother’s afghan over us both, the taste of perfectly made macaroni and cheese, and most of all, the kiss and intimacy that had changed everything. My fingers absently touched my lips as I remembered the kiss. Gentle. Tentative. Like coming home after a long absence. And the?—
A tap on the door pulled me from my thoughts, and my memories screeched to a halt.
Todd waited on the doorstep, his arms straining around the bulk of bubble wrap, cardboard, and packing tape.
I rushed across the hardwood floor and fumbled with the stubborn lock.
“Morning,” he called cheerfully. “Hope I’m not interrupting. I wanted to get those sold pieces packed up for delivery.”
“I could use a break.” I relieved him of some of the packing materials, tucking cardboard under my arm.
We moved to the events room, where three empty spaces on the walls marked the paintings that had sold. I helped Todd lay out bubble wrap and cardboard.
“That reception was incredible,” Todd said as we carefully wrapped the first painting. “I’ve never sold three originals in one night.”
“The prints did great too,” I added. “People have been coming in specifically to look at them.”
Todd beamed. “I’m already planning a new series. Especially since I heard Mary Anne’s thinking of retiring at the end of the summer.”
My hands froze on the bubble wrap. “Retiring? Really?”
“That’s the rumor. Said something about wanting to travel with her husband while they’re still young enough to enjoy it.” Todd secured a corner with tape. “Timing works out well for me to have a new collection ready for whoever takes over.”
