Chapter 5
Chapter Five
MABLE
When I traveled with my mother, we stayed in a lot of really nice places. This suite, though, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I walk over to the window that stretches all along the wall to see out past the infinity pool and to the crystal-clear ocean.
I feel Caldwell come up behind me. “The view is breathtaking.”
“That it is,” he agrees. I peer up and over my shoulder at him. I swear he keeps getting hotter. I’m not the only one that has noticed.
We didn’t have to check in. When we arrived, there were people waiting for us.
They took our bags and began directing us up to our room, but as we made our way toward the private elevator, I noticed people watching, and a few pointed right at Caldwell.
Did they recognize him for some reason, or were they simply struck stupid by his hotness?
“Why don’t we freshen up?” He takes my hand, linking our fingers together. He did that when we got off the plane too. In fact, I’m noticing that he’s always touching me in one way or another. I enjoy it far more than I ever thought I would.
He leads me into the suite’s bedroom. There is a giant bed. I stare at it before peeking over at Caldwell.
“We can share a bed,” he answers my unspoken question. “Unless there is a word you’d like to use.”
“No.” I shake my head. I don’t, but I’m not sure it’s right, even if I want it to be. “Does that—”
“It doesn’t imply anything. Two people can sleep in a bed and not be intimate.” I don’t know if I should be relieved or disappointed. Yet I can’t help but feel the latter, which is absolutely crazy because I barely know this man.
I’m not trying to hold on to my virginity either.
I get the sense that Caldwell would make my first time not only memorable, but he’d also be gentle.
His care for me is evident in the way he kisses me; how he was more than happy for me to come and stay with him.
He’s one of the good ones, and I find myself really trusting him.
I’m sure that’s na?ve, but thankfully, because this trip is a wild adventure, I can blame everything on that.
I’m fresh out of college and on my first trip in a solo celebration.
It’s a rule to do stupid crap, and I’m always one for following the rules.
Just like the rule of following Caldwell’s orders.
My stomach clenches thinking of the possibility of what all the orders could end up being.
As strange as it might sound, it’s freeing.
I don’t have to skirt around a thing I might want; Caldwell is simply going to move us forward.
There is no overthinking every single decision.
It makes it all that much easier for me.
It’s perfectly real, like him, I’m finding.
“Why don’t you change for dinner? I need to make a few quick calls.”
“Sounds good.”
I dig through my bag to find a beachy dress. I’m not sure what kind of restaurant we’re going to, but this is an island resort, so this should be fine. I grab a few more items to take with me into the bathroom.
I pause when I hear Caldwell speaking. It’s not in English, which isn’t surprising. Outside of America, people speak many languages. It was one of the hard things I had to learn. I still struggle with the few I’d taken in college.
I can’t help but wonder who he is talking to. The language sounds obscure but regal. I can’t recall off the top of my head which language his home country speaks. I step back, not wanting him to think I’m listening in. Not that I could if I wanted.
It’s a small reminder that I don’t know this man. I should have sent Truly a text to give her a few details, but I find I want to hold on to this for a little longer. To have it all to myself.
I’m sure she’s going to chew me out. You don’t hop into staying in a random stranger’s hotel room. He doesn’t feel that way, though. I’m pretty shy, but he has me opening right up. That could be the drinks too.
When I step back out, he’s off the phone, and I notice he changed too. He’s now in shorts and a light linen top, displaying all the tattoos he has on his arms. Caldwell is by far one of the most intriguing people I’ve met, but I don’t get out much either.
“You’re gorgeous,” he tells me.
“Just a dress.” I try to wave it off. It’s a light yellow with purple flowers on it. It matches my sandals and the small clip I put in my hair to hold it back from my face.
I never paid too much attention to what I was wearing, but I put a little extra effort in when I went to freshen up and get out of the sweats and messy bun so that Caldwell could see me looking more put-together.
My mother would be proud. She might be part of why I don’t often put a ton of effort into getting ready.
Mom could spend hours changing from one outfit to another.
Picking out jewelry alone could take her thirty minutes.
We were always late, and I hate nothing more than being late.
If you’re early, you’re on time, but if you’re on time, you’re late. I have lived by that motto.
“I got us a table at one of the restaurants downstairs, and then if you’re up for it, we can go for a walk on the beach.”
“That sounds nice.” When he holds out his hand for me to take, I get an excited flutter. How many times have I heard other girls talk about that sensation? I was starting to think it was really a myth, but Caldwell has proven that fully wrong.
He tangles our fingers together before leading us out of our suite.
“Have you stayed here before?” I ask as the elevator descends.
“Not this one.”
“It’s very romantic.”
“It is. Probably why my brother booked it.” He gives a slight shake of his head but smiles as he does. “My brother doesn’t do anything in halves. He’s all in or out, and if he’s in on love, he’s going to go full throttle.” That sounds scary but fun too.
“How about you?” I ask, peering up at him through my lashes.
“I can ride a fence and play Switzerland when I need to, but I tend to live in the gray.”
“I live in the never get in trouble. Whatever color or line that is.”
“And now you’re doing the complete opposite?”
A small laugh leaves me. “I don’t know what I’m doing, honestly.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re doing it with me.” He leans down and brushes his mouth against mine. I let my eyes fall closed as he starts to deepen the kiss, but the stupid elevator doors slide open.
Caldwell lifts his head, and I see two ladies watching us.
He gives a polite smile, his hand going to my back to guide me off as they step on.
When I glance back over my shoulder, I see them whispering excitedly to each other.
I feel a flutter of curiosity as I wonder if they recognize him.
It makes me miss Truly, seeing those two girls together.
“Do you know them?” I ask Caldwell as the elevator doors close behind us.
He looks genuinely confused. “Who?”
“Those two women that got onto the elevator. They seemed to recognize you.”
He shrugs. “I wasn’t paying that close of attention. I’m keeping it all on you.”
That felt like more than casual recognition, but his response makes me feel special.
They were beautiful. I don’t know how he didn’t notice them.
Maybe I am being jealous. No, I can’t be jealous.
Can I? Crap, that’s not good. I need to shove that all the way down.
This is a fun trip, a fling, and I need to keep reminding myself of that.
I can’t become a stage-five clinger. We haven’t even known each other for twenty-four hours.
The hostess, a woman in an elegant black dress, spots us immediately. Her face lights up like she’s seen a celebrity. Didn’t he say he’s never been here before? This isn’t the local restaurant in town. Yet it seems as though everywhere we go, he’s recognized by someone.
“Welcome, sir.” She practically beams at him.
I suppose I did fall all over myself when I met him too.
I was a bit star-struck at how handsome he is.
At one point I had to fake needing to use the bathroom to get myself together.
Maybe the same thing is happening to all of these women.
That’s got to be it. It’s totally understandable, but that doesn’t stop the jealousy that keeps creeping in.
“We’ve been expecting you and saved the absolute best table for you this evening. There is a gorgeous view of the ocean on the terrace, and it’s completely private as requested.”
I glance at Caldwell, and he merely nods graciously. “Thank you. That does sound perfect.”
She leads us through the restaurant, and I notice heads turning as we pass. A waiter nearly drops a tray watching us walk by.
“Popular place,” I whisper, trying to make sense of the attention.
“Or popular guest,” Caldwell says, squeezing my hand.
“I have the most beautiful girl with me.” Does he really think they are staring at me, or does he not notice that all the attention is geared toward him?
I might also be paranoid that people are wondering what Mr. GQ with sexy tattoos is doing with me.
The hostess stops at a table on the open terrace, candles already lit, the ocean spread out before us. The breeze off the water makes the temperature feel perfect. It’s breathtaking and utterly romantic.
Caldwell pulls out my chair, and I sit, still processing the special treatment, but maybe they have outstanding customer service and know he’s loaded.
The server, Ricky, arrives a moment later, about my age and nervous. There is a slight shaking of his hand as he sets down our water glasses. When he reaches for the bread basket, his elbow catches the edge of the plate, making it fall.
I catch it mid-air with a small laugh, surprising myself that I had. “I have the same problem,” I say, handing it back with a smile. “Clumsy is basically my middle name.”
Ricky laughs, relaxing. “Thank you, miss.”
Caldwell watches me, something warm in his eyes. “Do you have any allergies I should know about?”
“None.”
“Would you mind if I ordered for us?”
“No,” I say quickly because that actually sounds nice. I’ll go over the menu a million times before I pick, weighing the options. I’d actually worried on our way down over not having checked out the menu first. I always feel put on the spot when they ask if you’re ready, and I never am!
“Good.” He turns to Ricky. “We’ll start with the crab cakes. Then two filets, medium rare, with roasted potatoes and asparagus.”
I stare at him. Crab cakes. Steak. Potatoes. “Those are... literally all my favorite things.”
“Lucky guess.” He winks at me and orders a bottle of wine too.
When the server disappears, Caldwell reaches across the table, taking my hand. His thumb traces small circles on my palm, sending shivers up my arm. I didn’t know I was so sensitive there, but I have a reaction when he touches me.
“Tell me about your plans now that you’ve graduated.”
I try to focus through the distraction of his touch. “I plan on becoming a librarian,” I tell him.
“Really?” He looks surprised by my chosen career path.
“Not the typical one you see at the front when you walk in. I would be more of a liaison librarian.” He leans forward, interested in what I’m going to say next, so I keep going. This would bore most people, but I suppose I enjoy being bored. “I would be managing urban planning archives.”
“Can you explain it a little more?” The server returns with our drinks, and I wait for him to go before I continue.
“Are you sure it’s not boring?”
“I asked because I’m generally curious.”
I remind myself not to ramble on forever.
“When managing research collections and teaching information literacy, you’re the person who knows where to find information people are searching for. They tell you what they are looking for, and you tell them where they can find it or retrieve it for them.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Oh.” I glance down suddenly, feeling shy. “It’s just a lot of reading.”
“It’s more than that. You’d have to do a lot of stuff off the top of your head.” This is true. “That’s a lot to remember.”
“I suppose, but when it interests you, it doesn’t feel that way. I can often get excited when I’m helping someone. My best friend Truly tells me that’s when I’m the most animated.”
“I can see that.” He smiles over at me, and I feel it down to my toes.
The crab cakes arrive, golden and crispy. Caldwell cuts a piece with his fork before bringing it to my mouth. “Try it.”
I open for him and then let out a small moan. When I do, I become highly aware of him watching me, his eyes lingering on my lips.
“My brother’s wedding,” he says casually, wiping his thumb across my lower lip where a crumb must have landed. His touch lingers. “He’s the dramatic one.”
“I can’t wait to hear more about him,” I say, meaning it. I want to know everything I can about Caldwell. We fall into easy conversation as we eat.
By the time we finish dinner, I’m on cloud nine. Caldwell hasn’t stopped touching me. My hand. My knee under the table. Brushing hair from my face when the breeze catches it. It’s been all so perfect. Unlike the other failed dates I’d gone on.
“Ready for that walk?” he asks.
I nod, already knowing I’ll follow him anywhere tonight.