Chapter 22 #2
Mia considered it for a moment. The music, the lights, the laughter and the pull of the man across from her.
“Maybe a slow song,” she said.
He gave her a soft smile. “Deal.”
So far, the evening had been everything Caleb had hoped for. Good food, easy conversation, a beautiful woman across from him, and the possibility of holding her in his arms. Because they were definitely dancing. Sooner rather than later.
He hadn’t been on a date in a while, but even he knew that she was interested.
The way she leaned in when he talked. The way her smile lingered just a second longer than polite.
Still, he was going to take it slow. Enjoy their drinks, the food, the music and when that slow song came on …
he’d ask. No overthinking it. No more ignoring what he wanted.
“Caleb?”
Her voice startled him. Here he was planning the rest of the night, and Mia had asked him a question.
“I’m sorry. What?”
Mia smirked. “I was wondering how you got into construction.”
“Oh.” He smiled, grateful for an easy answer. “My parents had a construction company. As I grew older, they let me help more. Weekends, summers, any excuse to put tools in my hands.”
“Around here?”
He shook his head. “No. In Vermont. My family’s still in Beaver Creek. Not full-time in construction anymore, but they love it there.”
“Brrrr. It must get chilly in the winter.”
Caleb laughed. “I forgot you’re a Florida girl. Although you did work in New York City for a while. It gets cold there, too.”
“True. I forgot how warm and sunny it is here. I love going to the lake and being outside without freezing my face off.”
“Do you miss being on your own up north?”
She frowned slightly, thinking. “Not really. I worked hard, had a great reputation, but I missed my dad and the slower pace of life Haywood Lake offers. Although”—she rolled her eyes—“sometimes I wonder if it’s slower paced. I feel like I’m running all the time here.”
“Will the event barn put more pressure on you?”
“No, it’ll allow me to cut back on outside jobs and concentrate my efforts there. I’ll have smaller groups, easier to control.”
“You’ll enjoy that.”
“Yes, I will.” She frowned slightly. “So, how did you end up in Haywood Lake? It’s a long way from home.”
“I love Beaver Creek. It has the same small-town feel that Haywood Lake has, but everyone looked at me like I was a hero.” He stopped and gathered his thoughts. “I’m not.”
He glanced back at her. “Anyway, I have military friends who knew Chase and recommended the Brotherhood. It helps to work with men who understand. Guys who don’t need everything explained.
” He shrugged. “I get to use skills I’ve learned in the service.
Protecting people who need it. And in between jobs, I’ve helped Ford at GearUp and Finn with construction. Keeps me busy.”
Mia reached for his hand.
Caleb hesitated for a second before closing her fingers around hers. The contact sent a quiet jolt through him.
“Well, however you got here, I’m really glad we’ve met.”
“Me too, Mia.” And he meant it more than he’d expected to.
Their plates had been taken away and coffee placed in front of them. The evening had slipped into an easy rhythm, and Caleb was relaxed far more than he had been in a while.
Just then, a slow song came on.
He looked at Mia and cocked his head. She smiled.
This time he didn’t hesitate. He reached for her hand, still warm from the cup.
He led her onto the dance floor, his hand at the small of her back. They were awkward at first, a little unsure of where to put hands and feet but finally settled into a comfortable sway.
The music was slow, melodious and an old tune he recognized.
Mia’s body was soft, pliant against his. She placed her palm loosely across his neck.
They moved together easily now, breathing in sync.
He looked down at her as she gazed up. Her blue eyes, bright and steady, held his without flinching.
Then he leaned in. Gently kissed her forehead, her nose and finally her lips. She moved closer, fitting herself against him. He could feel her warmth, the soft press of her body, and damn, his pulse kicked up hard as did another part of his body. If she noticed, she didn’t say anything.
They stayed like that long after the kiss, swaying to the last notes of the song. Caleb didn’t rush it, didn’t want to break the magic between them. Mia’s cheek rested against his chest, her breath warm through his shirt, her hand still loose at the back of his neck.
He hadn’t expected this. The way his body felt steady instead of wired. The way holding her felt natural, like something he’d been missing without realizing it.
The song faded. Around them, couples drifted back to tables.
Caleb didn’t let go right away.
Mia shifted slightly, just enough to look up at him. Her lips were a little pink and swollen, her eyes warm.
“We should go,” she said softly. “Dad will worry if I’m out too late. Plus, I have the market in the morning.”
He nodded, even though every instinct pushed back against that idea. “Yeah. I get that.”
Still, neither of them moved for another beat. Caleb was reluctant to let her go.
Finally, they gathered their things and stepped out into the warm night. The music spilled out behind them as he opened the truck door for her. She climbed in, glancing over at him with a small, lingering smile.
He couldn’t help himself. He stepped close and kissed her again.
The drive back was quiet but comfortable. When he pulled into her drive, he cut the engine but didn’t get out right away.
“Tonight was really nice,” she said.
“It was,” he agreed. “I’m glad we did this.”
She hesitated, then leaned in and kissed him, slowly, unhurried, like she was already missing him. When she pulled back, her hand lingered on his arm.
“I’d like to do this again,” she said.
“So would I.”
He walked her to the door, waiting while she unlocked it. Before she went inside, she turned and gave him one last smile.
“Good night, Caleb. Thank you.”
“Good night, Mia.”
He stayed there for a moment after the door closed, listening to the quiet, his heart knowing one thing for sure.
This was not going to be a one-night thing.