Page 49 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

“Caleb, don’t!”

He grabbed my wrists, pulling them above my head. He held them in place with one hand—he was so strong—so he could continue to torture me with his fingers.

“Don’t what? Unless you give me the answer I want—”

My sides hurt from laughing. “Caleb, no!”

“I’m going to keep doing—”

I kissed him. There was no other way to stop him unless I gave in and told him he was the master. But I was in a playful and defiant mood, and I didn’t want to give in.

“You play dirty,” he breathed.

“Who’s the master now?” I fired back.

His shoulders shook as he laughed quietly. His eyes were shining and happy. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he rolled on his back and took me with him so I was lying on top of him.

“You are,” he answered softly. “Now what would you like me to do for you? I have many talents, master. For example, my tongue can—”

I covered his mouth to keep him from finishing his sentence. I knew it was going to be something dirty.

His eyes danced with laughter as I shook my head at him. And then he opened his mouth and bit my palm. I pulled my hand back, a strong current of electricity zinging up my arm.

He chuckled, lifting his head to kiss me again. His lips were soft, smooth, and warm as he caught my bottom lip and sucked.

I felt that kiss all the way to my toes.

When I pulled away, his eyes were glinting naughtily as if to say We both know who the real master is.

I was still tingling, so I didn’t say anything. I just rested my head on his chest, my arm going around his torso. He wrapped one arm around me, while the other stroked my back gently. We stayed like that for a few minutes. Peaceful. Relaxed. Happy.

He stretched a hand up above us, making a cup shape with his palm. I looked up to see him closing one eye and staring at the sky with the other.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Holding the moon in the palm of my hand,” he answered quietly.

I moved until I could see what he was seeing—exactly that, the moon in the palm of his hand. I relaxed against him, smiling. But he wasn’t. There was a somber expression on his handsome face and a hint of sadness in his eyes.

“You’re like the moon, Red,” he murmured. “I can only pretend that I’m holding you in my hands.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. My voice was hoarse.

His eyes were serious. “I feel like you’re going to slip away again.”

My chest tightened. “I won’t.”

I reached for his hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. And then I kissed his palm, placing it on my cheek.

“What am I going to do with you?” he asked, a small frown marring his forehead.

Love me. Just love me.

As if he saw the pleading in my eyes, he nodded. “If you are the moon, I am the stars. There are millions across the sky. I surround you.” He smiled.

Oh, Caleb.

I let out a deep breath, trying to relieve the heaviness in my chest. My heart felt full.

---