Page 128 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

Relief was evident in his face, the tension leaving his body as he relaxed and smiled.

“Can I hold you now? Red? Can I be gentle now?”

He opened his arms, and I stepped into them. He held me tenderly, holding me very close to him.

“I hate it when we fight,” he murmured.

“I know. But…”

Gently, he grasped my shoulders and pulled me away from him, studying my face intently.

“But what, Red?”

“Don’t do that again. Don’t manhandle me like that, dragging me and ordering me around. I don’t like it.”

He lowered his head in shame. “Did I scare you?”

I pursed my lips for a moment. “No,” I replied honestly. “You didn’t scare me. I knew you’d never hurt me. Physically, I mean.”

His head rose sharply, eyes horrified. “Never! No matter how furious I am, I would never—”

“I know, Caleb. It’s okay. I know that. You made me really mad, and you…shocked me. I couldn’t believe that you were the same person saying those things to me, behaving that way.”

His hands fell to his sides.

“Red. I…” He looked at me helplessly, uncertainly, as if he was scared to touch me again.

“I understand how one person can make you blind with anger so that you can’t see reason. I do get it, Caleb. But I don’t want you to use your strength to get what you want from me like that.”

“I won’t. I promise I won’t.”

Satisfied at the sincerity in his eyes and voice, I nodded. “Okay then.”

“I would never hurt you.” He leaned toward me and kissed my forehead, my nose, and then my lips. “Wrap your arms around my neck.”

He smiled, bending down as he scooped me in his arms. Even with the warning glint in his eyes, I squealed, wrapping my arms around him. He nudged the back door open with his foot, flicked a switch so the light flooded the room, and revealed a screen-covered porch.

I realized that we must be in a cottage on the property. It was a large square room with a magnificent view of the lake. I noted the gray and white lounge chairs facing the wide windows, fishing gear hanging on the walls, a couple of mountain bikes stored to the side, and a mini-fridge beside a rough-looking table.

I was expecting him to sit on one of the lounge chairs, but instead, he opened the porch door and carried me into the open.

“Caleb, let’s go back inside. Someone might see us here. I’m not…decent.”

His grin was quick and meaningful. “I know. Decent is the last thing on my mind right now.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. When he saw my face, he let out a soft laugh. “I bet that’s the last thing you’re thinking too. Let me guess what’s on your mind. Hmm…let’s see,” he teased mercilessly.

“No,” I squeaked

. “Don’t.”

He laughed again. My arms tightened around him as he approached a hammock I hadn’t noticed before. Carefully, he settled us in the hammock and began to sway. He relaxed into it, pulling me against him and wrapping his arms around my torso. It felt so peaceful.

I knew the outside world was just a stone’s throw away, but snuggling here with Caleb, his strong arms around me and the view of the calm lake and the dark horizon beyond, made me forget about everything else.

“I wish I could just stay here with you,” I confessed softly.

He laced our fingers together and kissed my temple. “Then we’ll stay here.”

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