Page 74 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

When the chef served the peanut butter caramel cake for dessert, I saw Red fangirl for the first time. It made me laugh, watching her chat with the chef so enthusiastically and with her face shining with pleasure. They clearly liked each other. When the chef left, Red slid out of her seat.

My heart jumped when her arms wrapped around my neck. “Thank you, Caleb. This is the best night ever.”

I pulled her onto my lap. “It’s not over yet.” But I could tell the excitement and the sleepless nights had taken a toll on her. She looked beautiful but sleepy. “Are you tired, baby?”

“Just a little, but I don’t care. I don’t want this night to end. Let’s stay here for a while.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “The stars are so pretty. Will you dance with me?”

One of Chopin’s nocturnes played softly in the background.

“You only need to ask.”

I sat her on the chair, her eyes lighting up in surprise as I knelt in front of her, gently removing her high heels. I didn’t want her feet to hurt. And so we danced. I pulled her close so she could lean against me, her body soft and warm against mine, the side of her face resting on my chest.

“I love you, Caleb.”

“I love you more.”

She rose on her toes and kissed my neck. My breath hitched. God, I wanted her. My hands tightened around her waist, pulling her just a little closer. Her scent was driving me crazy. But I would not have her tonight, no matter how much I wanted her. She was tired, and I planned on pampering her. Making this night all about her was my mission.

“Remember that house I told you about?”

“What house?” she asked sleepi

ly.

“The house that we’re going to get. I’m buying or building you a house, whatever you want. I’ll make it happen.”

Now she was awake. She pulled back a little, her dark eyes wide.

Before she could say anything, I plowed on. “I asked Ben to give me a list of prime real estate near the campus so you don’t have to commute far. You can have your dream kitchen, with a big stove that spits out real fire when you turn it on—where you can bake and cook whatever you like. And a big library to store all your books. And I can have my man cave.”

“Caleb—”

I knew she was going to protest. I expected it. I framed her face with my hands, looking into her eyes. “You’re still going to nag me when I don’t put the toilet seat down and get mad at me when I eat that last piece of cake you’ve been hiding from me in the fridge, and I’m going to complain when I don’t have enough space in the closet because you have too many clothes—”

“Caleb, this is too fast—”

“Let me ask you this,” I continued, stroking her arms. “Do you want to be with me?”

“That’s not fair—”

“Do you want to be with me, Red?”

“You fight dirty.”

“Answer the question.”

She didn’t answer right away. I just looked at her patiently. Waiting.

“Yes, damn it. I do. You know I do.”

I released the breath I was holding and grinned. “Then let’s get a house. Be with me, Red. I’ll make you happy.”

To me, it was as simple as that.

“Let’s make a family, Red.”

At that, her eyes teared up. “I…”

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