Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
T aylor knew exactly what she wanted. Caleb.
Since they had told Liam the truth, she had watched Caleb step into his role as a father with a dedication that both surprised and moved her. She’d seen sides of him she hadn’t known existed—gentle, patient, fiercely protective. He made Liam laugh in ways that filled their home with a warmth she hadn’t realized was missing.
But it wasn’t just how he cared for Liam that pulled at her. It was how he looked at her and spoke to her as if she mattered in ways no one else ever had.
It terrified her, the way her heart was tangling itself with his again. But the fear wasn’t enough to stop her. All she knew was that she wanted him—wanted to feel his touch, his warmth, the way he made her feel alive in a way she hadn’t in years.
She wanted to experience being with him again, and whatever came next, she was ready to take that leap.
The last week had been all about bonding with Liam, and while that had brought her immense joy, tonight was going to be about something different. Tonight, it was about her and Caleb. About rediscovering the connection that had sparked between them all those years ago and reignited the moment he walked back into her life.
She wanted him—badly. The thought of him had consumed her for days; now, she was done waiting. It was her turn to take a chance.
Tonight, Taylor was going to surprise Caleb.
Her heart raced just thinking about it, but she was determined. This was the most daring thing she’d ever done—stepping so far out of her comfort zone that she could barely see it anymore.
She prayed that Caleb would see the effort and vulnerability in what she was about to do. That he’d be excited by her boldness, by the fact that she was willing to take this leap for him, for them.
Because tonight wasn’t just about the surprise—it was about showing him a part of herself she’d kept hidden for too long.
Dressed in a long overcoat, Taylor glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks flushed with anticipation, and her pulse raced as she adjusted the coat’s belt. Beneath it, she was bare, her skin tingling with the thrill of what she was about to do.
An overnight bag sat by the door, a quiet reminder that she wasn’t just dipping her toes in tonight—she was diving headfirst. Her mother had agreed to watch Liam for the night, allowing Taylor to focus entirely on Caleb.
It wasn’t just about the physical desire that coursed through her—it was about reconnecting, about showing Caleb that she trusted him enough to let go of the walls she’d kept up for so long.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and headed for the door, the cool night air hitting her skin as she stepped outside. Tonight was going to be about them. About her and Caleb and the leap she was finally ready to take.
Taylor’s heart pounded as she approached Caleb’s hotel room. The adrenaline coursing through her made her hands tremble slightly. With every step closer, anticipation built, and a mix of nervousness and excitement filled her.
She paused before the door, taking a deep breath to steady herself. You can do this, she told herself. You want this.
Raising her hand, she knocked softly. Almost immediately, she heard footsteps on the other side, and her pulse quickened. The door swung open, and there he was—Caleb, standing in the doorway, his brow furrowed in surprise. His eyes scanned her, lingering for a moment on the overcoat tied loosely at her waist before meeting her gaze.
“Taylor?” he said, his voice low and tinged with curiosity. “Everything okay?”
She stepped forward, the weight of her overnight bag shifting in her hand. Her voice came out softer than she expected, almost a whisper. “I needed to see you. Can I come in?”
Caleb hesitated for a fraction of a second, his confusion giving way to something warmer, something that made the air between them feel electric. He stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. “Of course. Come in.”
Taylor walked past him into the room, her coat brushing against his arm as she did. The faint scent of his cologne, earthy and warm, made her head spin. She turned to face him, the door clicking shut behind them.
“You seem... different,” he said, his voice soft but full of concern.
Taylor bit her bottom lip, her fingers toying with the belt of her coat. “I am different, Caleb. At least, I feel different. These last few weeks have been... a lot. For both of us. And I’ve been thinking about everything—about you, me, and Liam.”
His expression softened, the tension in his shoulders easing as he stepped closer. “I’ve been thinking about us too,” he admitted, his voice steady.
Her breath caught, the sincerity in his tone grounding her in this moment. She let her overnight bag slide to the floor and took a step closer, her hands trembling slightly as they rested on the lapels of her coat.
“I want to take a chance, Caleb,” she said, her voice trembling but firm. “On us.”
His gaze dropped to her hands, then back up to her face. Something flickered in his eyes—desire, curiosity, and something deeper, something that made her heart stutter.
“Taylor,” he said, his voice a low rumble, “are you sure?”
She nodded, the weight of the moment pressing down on her but filling her with exhilaration. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
As the space between them disappeared, Taylor felt the world outside fade away, leaving only them in the soft glow of the room.
Taylor's fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the belt of her coat.
As the coat fell open, revealing her naked form beneath, Caleb's breath caught. His gaze roamed over her body, desire evident in his eyes. "Taylor," he breathed, reaching for her.
Standing before Caleb, Taylor had never felt more vulnerable or alive. Her heart thundered in her chest as she held his gaze, and the weight of anticipation made her breath hitch.
This was it. She took a huge chance, putting herself out there in a way she never had before. But tonight wasn’t about fear or second-guessing. Tonight was about her and Caleb.
No Liam to interrupt. No lingering ghosts of the past to pull them apart. Just the two of them stripped of distractions, finally free to explore what had always simmered between them.
Her pulse quickened as she waited for his reaction, her emotions a mix of exhilaration and uncertainty. Whatever happened next, she was all in.
She let the coat slip from her shoulders, falling to the floor as Caleb pulled her into his arms. His lips crashed against hers, hungry and passionate. Taylor melted into the kiss, all her doubts evaporating as Caleb's strong arms enveloped her. His hands roamed her bare skin, igniting sparks everywhere they touched. She pressed herself against him, craving more contact.
Caleb broke the kiss, his eyes dark with desire as he took in her flushed face. "Last chance to back out," he said, his voice husky.
Taylor shook her head, her fingers already working at the buttons of his shirt. "I've never wanted anything more," she whispered.
In one swift motion, Caleb lifted Taylor into his arms and carried her to the bed. He gently laid her down and then stood back to quickly shed his clothes. Taylor's breath caught as she admired his toned body, remembering how it had felt against hers.
Caleb joined her on the bed, hovering over her with an intensity that made Taylor's heart race even faster. His eyes roamed her body appreciatively before meeting her gaze.
"You're even more beautiful than I remembered," he murmured, tracing a finger along her collarbone.
It had been only a few weeks since the night they shared at the convention—just a handful of days—but it felt like a lifetime ago.
So much had happened since then, so many emotions stirred up, and pieces of the past unearthed. It was as if that brief encounter had set off a chain reaction that had shaken her carefully constructed world and left her standing on unsteady ground.
And Caleb was at the center of it all, the man who had once been everything to her and was now so much more than just a memory.
Taylor shivered at his touch, her skin tingling with anticipation. She reached up to run her hands over his smooth skin relishing the feel of his taut muscles. "I've thought about this moment.”
It was hard to believe it had been a month since they had last been together. The month was filled with new and familiar moments as if they were rediscovering the pieces of themselves they had left behind.
A month of learning—about each other, Liam, and the lives they had built apart: there had been challenges, awkward conversations, and tentative steps, but through it all, there had been passion. The kind that simmered just beneath the surface, igniting with every touch, every stolen glance, every unspoken promise.
Amid the heat, there had been revelations—secrets uncovered, fears confronted, and a growing understanding that what they had wasn’t just about the past—it was about the future they might have together.
Caleb lowered his head, trailing kisses along her neck. "So have I," he breathed against her skin. His hand slid down her side, caressing her curves.
Taylor arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips. She tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as their lips met in a passionate kiss. The years of longing and unspoken desire poured out as their tongues danced and explored. Taylor wrapped her legs around Caleb's waist, pulling him flush against her body.
Caleb groaned at the contact, his hands roaming every inch of her soft skin. He kissed a trail down her neck to her breasts, lavishing attention on each. Taylor gasped and writhed beneath him, lost in the sensations he created.
"Caleb, please," she whimpered, her hips rocking against his.
He looked up at her, his eyes dark with need. "Are you sure?" he asked one last time.
"Yes," Taylor breathed. "I want you. All of you."
With a low growl, Caleb grabbed a condom from the nightstand and then positioned himself as he slowly pushed inside her. They both moaned at the exquisite feeling of finally being joined again. As he moved, Taylor clung to Caleb’s shoulders, setting a slow, sensual rhythm.
"You feel amazing," Caleb murmured against her neck, his breath hot.
Taylor could only whimper in response, overwhelmed by the pleasure coursing through her body. She matched his movements, rolling her hips to meet each thrust. Their bodies moved together in perfect synchronicity as if no time had passed since they were last intimate.
As the tension built, their pace increased. Caleb's movements became more urgent, driving Taylor closer and closer to the edge. She raked her nails down his back, urging him on.
"Caleb, I'm so close," she gasped.
"Let go, baby. I've got you," he encouraged, reaching between them to stroke her most sensitive spot.
With a cry of ecstasy, Taylor shattered, waves of intense pleasure washing over her. The feeling of her climax pulsing around him pushed Caleb over the edge as well. He buried his face in her neck, groaning her name as he found his release.
They clung to each other as they came down from their high, both breathing heavily. Caleb rolled to the side, pulling Taylor with him so she was draped across his chest. He stroked her hair gently as their heartbeats slowly returned to normal.
"That was..." Taylor trailed off, unable to find the right words.
"Incredible," Caleb finished for her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Taylor propped herself on an elbow to look at him, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "What happens now?" she asked quietly.
Caleb cupped her cheek, his eyes sincere as they met hers. "Now, we figure this out together. I don't want this to be a one-time thing, Taylor. I want you in my life - you and Liam."
Taylor's heart swelled at his words. "Really? You mean that?"
"With all my heart," Caleb replied, pulling her in for a tender kiss. "I've missed out on so much time with both of you. I don't want to waste another moment."
Taylor's breath caught at his declaration. She kissed him deeply, pouring all her emotions into it. When they finally broke apart, she rested her forehead against his, overwhelmed with happiness.
They lay there for a while, basking in the afterglow and the newfound depth of their relationship. Taylor traced lazy patterns on Caleb's chest, relishing the moment’s intimacy.
"How do we make this work?"
Caleb pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. "We take it one day at a time," he said.
Taylor's heart soared at his willingness to make changes for them. "We'll figure it out together," she agreed, snuggling closer to him. "For now, let's just enjoy this moment."
Caleb hummed in agreement, his fingers trailing up and down her spine. "Speaking of enjoying the moment," he murmured, a mischievous glint in his eye, "how long did you say your mom was watching Liam?"
Taylor grinned, catching his meaning. "All night," she replied, her voice low and sultry.
"Perfect," Caleb growled, rolling them over so he was on top again. "Because I'm nowhere near done with you yet."