Chapter 4
“You don’t understand shit.” ~ Caleb
Caleb
M y heart pounds in my chest as I limp back to my cabin. What was I thinking accepting Hudson’s invitation? Did I seriously expect Maya not to notice me?
She notices everything. Those whiskey-colored eyes of hers don’t miss a thing. I want to watch them flare with passion as I touch every inch of her curvy body. Watch her cheeks darken as I fist her honey blonde hair and expose her neck to me.
I bet her skin tastes like honey. What I wouldn’t give to taste her pussy. Drive her mad with desire with my mouth and my fingers before sinking deep into her wet warmth.
My cock hardens and lengthens as images of all the dirty things I’ve dreamed of doing to Maya over the past decade flirt through my mind.
Damnit! I didn’t want her to see me this way. Broken and injured. Hobbling like a damn fawn who hasn’t figured out how his legs work yet .
I was supposed to return to Smuggler’s Hideaway triumphant. A man who’d proven his worth. Proven I’m good enough for Maya. I snort. Some man I am.
I finally reach the cabin. My left leg is burning from the exertion but I ignore it. If I want to heal and return to the Army, it’s going to burn a shitload more before I’m back on active duty.
I enter the cabin and slam the door behind me. I don’t bother locking it since I’m in the middle of nowhere.
I collapse on the sofa and bury my face in my hands. For years I’ve dreamed of my reunion with Maya. She’d run into my arms and I’d kiss those pouty lips I’ve been fantasizing about for more than a decade. She’d wrap her legs around my waist and I would—
Someone bangs on the door and pulls me out of my fantasy.
“Go the fuck away.”
A woman giggles. “He uses the f-word as much as you do.” She sounds like Nova.
“What are you doing here?” Hudson asks her.
“I followed you.” Yep. It’s definitely Nova. Shit. I don’t want Maya’s friend here. I don’t want her seeing me this way and reporting back to Maya.
I growl before pushing to my feet. My leg gives out on me and I crumble to the floor. The door flies open and Hudson rushes in. He reaches for me but I hold up a hand.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t look fine to me,” Nova quips.
“Nova,” Hudson growls. “Now is not the time to be cute. ”
“Sorry.” She sobers. “How can I help?”
“Leave,” I grit out.
“I’m not going anywhere when you’re laying on the floor.”
Hudson grasps her hand. “Sunshine, I’ll handle this.”
She nibbles on her lip. “But—”
“Promise, Sunshine. I’ve got this.”
“Okay.” He kisses her forehead and she walks toward the door.
“Nova,” I call and she stops. “Please don’t tell Maya about this.”
Her brow wrinkles. “Tell Maya about what?”
“About…” I wave my hand toward my leg. My muscles are now shaking from pushing them too far.
“I didn’t notice a thing.” She winks before shutting the door behind her.
“Can I help you up now?” Hudson asks but doesn’t wait for an answer before wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me into a chair. “Are you sure being out here all alone is a good idea?”
I glare at him. “Don’t you start.”
He sighs. “I know. I’m a hypocrite. I hid when I returned to the island, too.”
“I’m not hiding.”
He raises an eyebrow. “And you didn’t run like your ass was on fire when Maya approached you either.”
“Fuck,” I mutter and run a hand through my hair.
He sits on the sofa across from me. “I know we don’t know each other well. ”
Nothing good can follow those words. “No.”
“Come on, Caleb. I’ve been where you are.”
“You have?” My nostrils flare as my anger bursts to life. “You know how it feels to nearly be killed loving what you do. To have to drag yourself back home with your tail tucked between your legs. To set eyes on the woman you want but can’t have because you’re not good enough for her. You know all of it, do you?”
“Yeah, Caleb, I do.”
“You know nothing,” I snarl.
He holds up his hands. “I get it. I refused to listen to anyone when I returned to Smuggler’s Hideaway, too.”
“I haven’t returned to Smuggler’s Hideaway.”
His brow wrinkles in confusion. “Um, pretty sure we’re on the island now.”
“I’m not here permanently.”
“You’re going to lick your wounds here and then leave? Harsh.”
“I’m not licking my wounds.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“I’m healing my wounds.”
He nods. “Good.”
“And then I’m returning to active duty.”
He motions to my leg. “With your injury?”
I grit my teeth as another spark of pain erupts in my leg. “Yes.”
“Don’t you want out? Aren’t you done with putting your life in danger? ”
I thought I was done. I thought I was ready to return to the island and prove to Maya that I’m the man she wants. But then the enemy showed me I was wrong. I’m not ready yet.
I grunt since I’m not explaining any of my past or present to Hudson. He’s only inside this cabin speaking to me now because I’m an idiot who didn’t lock my door behind me.
“Message received.” He stands and makes his way to the door. He opens it but glances over his shoulder at me before leaving. “The love of a good woman can cure a lot of what’s ailing you.”
I scowl at him. He doesn’t have the first clue what’s ailing me. He’s a football legend. He doesn’t know how it feels to be a nobody. To be told you’ll never amount to anything. To be denied the one thing you want in life.
He sighs again before shutting the door behind him.
His visit has taught me one thing. Lock the damn door.