Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Her heart pounded against her chest. Excitement and nerves warred with the desire pooling in her belly.
“Make yourself at home. Here’s the queso, if you don’t mind heating it up, and I’ll go clean up,” he said, handing her a glass jar of liquid yumminess.
Carolina did her best not to be too nosy around his place while he showered. It was a concentrated effort. Either her mind would continue spinning images of Kaleb, wet and naked in the shower, or she could peek around his warm and inviting home as she pieced together the man he’d become.
After setting the cheese to cook in the microwave, she found an unfinished drawing next to a box of crayons at the dining table. Two stick figures, a tree, and a seesaw were all labeled in an adult’s handwriting. She lightly brushed her fingers along the wax and smiled.
Once the cheese was done, she wandered further into the living room. Her gaze swept over framed pictures of Kaleb with Milo, his family, and one of Kaleb’s wedding day. Unable to resist, Carolina lifted the photo in the back and brought it closer.
Kaleb wore black slacks, a white button-down shirt, and tie, and his wife a cream-colored cocktail dress as she held a bouquet of roses in her hands. Simple but elegant.
“I’d gotten orders overseas, and we had to cancel the big wedding she’d wanted,” Kaleb said.
Carolina gasped, her hand flying to her chest and her cheeks flaming at being caught red-handed with the picture. Her heart squeezed at the solemn expression gracing his face.
Frozen in place, she wanted to hug him badly but wasn’t sure if the gesture would be welcomed.
“You guys looked happy,” she whispered.
Kaleb nodded as he set the picture back. “We were.” A drop of water slid from his wet hair as he faced her. “It was a lifetime ago.”
“May I ask what happened?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Accidental overdose after she became addicted to Percocet after her C-section.”
Her arms wrapped around his waist before she could stop herself. “I’m so sorry, Kaleb.”
His warmth cocooned her, and she no longer knew if she was giving or receiving comfort. It had been a bit since a man other than her father or brother-in-law had hugged her, especially a man as firm as Kaleb.
Pulling from him, she met his gaze and froze.
“It was a long time ago, but thank you.” His thumb swiped along her cheek. “I’m glad to see you never stopped being sweet and big hearted.”
Her heart thundered in her chest, and her stomach did somersaults. “The cheese might need to be reheated.”
His lips lifted in a face-splitting grin before he moved around her. “Cold cheese won’t do.”
Carolina sucked in a deep breath before following him back to the kitchen. After his shower, he’d put on a snug T-shirt and a pair of shorts that fit his hips and butt better than she could have imagined.
Once they had their snacks, he guided her to the couch, where they sat a few inches apart. They talked about countries he’d been to and what made Carolina choose a career in education. If she ignored the desire pooling low in her belly, she was rather comfortable in his presence.
Years of experiences had separated them from the kids they’d been. She didn’t know if he was still grieving his dead wife or if he even felt anything past nostalgia in her presence, but Kaleb Perez was still waving his magical wand over her.
“Would you like a throw? I know I keep the house cold,” he said when she shivered.
“Oh, I don’t know. Your couch is already really comfy; I may fall asleep.”
Kaleb chuckled. “If you do, you do.”
Carolina didn’t know how she fell asleep with the remote under her, but when she swiped it away it wouldn’t budge. It wasn’t until the second time she tried to dislodge it did she realize by the simultaneous hiss and a squeeze to her side that it was no remote.
“It’s attached, carino…” Kaleb’s sleepy rough voice announced.
Pushing up, she looked around the room before meeting Kaleb’s amused face. “I fell asleep.”
With his answering chuckle, his erection pressed into her once more. Biting her lower lip, she dropped her weight back onto him and buried her face.
He rubbed soothing circles on her back. “If it’s any consolation, I fell asleep soon after you cuddled into me.”
Carolina groaned with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry!”
“I’m not.”
At his sincere confession she raised her face. “No?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well,” he said, cupping her cheek.
“Really?” she asked, staring at his mouth.
“Really… Lena?”
“Yeah?”
“I always regretted not kissing you…”
His lips were soft and hesitant, giving her the opportunity to object. A moment passed and he increased the pressure. He tasted salty from the chips they’d snacked on. When she moaned in pleasure, Kaleb deepened their kiss.
Tongue, lips, and little nips made up what was easily the best kiss she’d ever received in her life. Kaleb shifted her over his hips, his erection trapped between them. Carolina took ahold of his face in her hands, losing herself in Kaleb.
She may not have been with many men, but she’d kissed her share of frogs in her lifetime.
No one kissed like Kaleb Perez. Maybe he’d learned along the way, or maybe he’d always kissed like his life depended on it.
Carolina didn’t know, but what she did know was if he’d kissed her all those years ago, he’d have broken her for all men.
There wasn’t a man alive who could live up to that hell of a kiss.
Wanting—no, needing more, Carolina’s hips found a rhythm. Her clit pressed against her jeans as her sex begged for him to fill her. She’d never behaved so wantonly with a man.
Kaleb’s hands roamed over her thighs, hips, and sides. The closer they moved to her breasts, the heavier they felt. Her body came alive at his touch.
“Kaleb,” she whimpered against his mouth.
His hazel eyes bore into hers. “Qué? What’s wrong?”
Swiveling her hips, she pressed down on him. “You’re making me nuts.”
In a lightning-fast move, he flipped them so she cradled his hips between her thighs. Bringing his mouth to her ear, he whispered to her in Spanish before kissing along the tender flesh of her neck.
Before she could ask him what he said, Kaleb found and plucked one nipple. Carolina arched into his hand and slid a hand into his shorts. Taking him in hand, she squeezed gently. At his answering groan, she stroked his thick length.
Within minutes he pulled himself free and sat back on his haunches. “Keep that up and I’m going to come.”
Emboldened by his words, she tugged her shirt over her head and tossed it aside. “So?” she asked as she freed her breasts from her bra.
Kaleb ran a hand down his face.
After a moment of lying bare, she whispered, “Kiss me.”