Chapter 35 Nyah #2
Gentle music drifted from hidden speakers, softer now, more private.
“What’s on the next one?” Caleb asked.
I picked up a card that was folded the wrong way, the picture tucked inside and the message written on the outside.
“‘To Caleb,’” I read, then glanced up at him with a smile.
“Dating advice, man to man—three things you must never forget.” I checked the name at the bottom.
“It’s from Paul, the guy on the terrace.
Are you sure you want me to read it? I think it ended up in the wrong pile. ”
“Keep going,” he said, grinning. “How bad could it be?”
I cleared my throat. “‘Number one: never forget to tell her how beautiful she looks. She didn’t just slip on a fresh shirt and slap on cologne like you did, my friend, so let her know it was worth the effort.’”
“I did that earlier,” Caleb said happily. “I’m one-for-one.”
“‘Number two,’” I continued, trying not to smile too hard, “‘don’t stress about the goodnight kiss. If she wants it, she’ll find a way to let you know. Trust her—and when you get the sign, let her know you wanted it too.’”
Caleb laughed and touched his lips. “I think we might have skipped ahead on that one. What’s number three?”
“‘The last thing you must never forget for a memorable first date…’” I paused. “It doesn’t say.”
“What is it?”
I unfolded the card and saw the single word printed inside—Condoms!—I yelped, slapping the card facedown on the table and clamping my hand over it.
Caleb burst out laughing and tried to pry it out from under my palm. “Can I see?”
“No, you most certainly cannot.”
“But I’m two-for-two. You can’t leave me hanging.”
Rolling my eyes, I finally let him take it.
“Oh,” he said, his ears turning pink.
Fortified by his embarrassment, I teased, “So… are you three-for-three?”
He rubbed his forehead. “There’s really no graceful way out of this, is there?”
“You wanted to see the card,” I said, suddenly enjoying myself far too much.
“Did you bring any?” I was ready for the answer either way, and intuitively, I was determined it would decide the unasked question I hadn’t been brave enough to answer myself.
Would I, or wouldn’t I? The question hovered between us, quiet and loaded.
Caleb lowered his hand and met my gaze. “Honestly,” he said, “I did not. I didn’t think you—”
“Oh.” I blinked.
I’d been certain of a yes, not this. It wouldn’t have diminished him in my eyes—I knew he’d never force or coerce me into bed, but he was a confident man who’d waited a long time for me already.
I realized, suddenly, that the emotion I was feeling wasn’t disappointment or relief, but something like grief.
Because I knew what I wanted—Caleb in my arms with nothing between us—and I couldn’t have it.
Our time would come. Just not yet.
I took the card from him and slipped it back into his billfold. “Let’s read one of yours—” I stopped short when I opened it.
There were no postcards inside.
Only two electronic hotel key cards.
I looked up at him. “What are these?”
Before he could answer, the room answered for him.
I looked around.
The pianist was gone. The ma?tre d’ and the barman—gone. The door was closed.
We were alone.
“They’re the keys to this suite,” Caleb said gently. “To our suite.” He stood and tugged lightly on my hand. “We haven’t danced. Give me one dance to cap off a perfect evening, then I’ll take you home.”
I rose with him, my heart thudding. “I’d love to dance,” I said, even though I wasn’t ready to leave yet.
With the chairs pushed back, there was enough space. I stepped into his arms, resting my head against his shoulder as we swayed together, our bound hands pressed to my chest.
“This is nice.”
“Mm-hmm.” He kissed the top of my head. “I want to say something.”
I tilted my face up to his.
“I’m sorry for what I said before your birthday,” he said. “I realize now I need you more than I need to know everything about you.”
He was contrite, and it showed in his eyes.
“I wish I could take back what I said—”
“You were right,” I said softly, wishing I could rewind the past. “It was me who was wrong. I can’t ask you to be fine knowing nothing about me, especially since I know almost everything about you,” I paused. “I just need some time.”
“And I should have respected that.” He swept a tendril of hair away from my eyes. “I’ll wait, and whenever you’re ready, I will listen to whatever you want to tell me that you haven’t told anyone... well, except for...”
“I never told Harper,” I admitted, shame creeping in. “He found out by accident.”
“I’m glad someone knows,” he said. “Just promise me you won’t hide anything else about your health.”
“I’ll keep you in the loop, I promise.” I smiled, then added lightly, “You sure you want to know everything? Even the women’s stuff?”
“I’m positive.”
“What if we fight?”
“I’ve tried staying mad at you,” he said, kissing the tip of my nose. “It doesn’t work.”
“And what if you’re out of town?”
“I’m just a message or phone call away.”
“And what if I disappear into thin air?”
He stopped dancing and cupped my face, his touch reverent. “Trust me, if you were to ever disappear... I’d find you.” He pulled me close and whispered in my ear. “I’ve finally found you. I’m never letting you go... never again.”
His lips met mine in a kiss so soft it stole my breath. My entire body tingled. Every fibre of my being woke up and danced. Caleb stopped and looked at me, just for a second. Passion surged when he kissed me again, more assertively this time, tongues dancing, fingers raking each other’s backs.
He swept me up in one arm and carried me to the bedroom, his breathing as quick and shallow as my own. Returning me gently to my feet, he carefully eased the zipper down at my back, and the dress slipped from my shoulders.
I stripped his jacket down one arm, but it caught on the other where our hands were still tied together.
“I need to—” he began.
“Don’t you dare,” I whispered, pulling him back into a kiss.
He kissed the scar on my chest next, and the tenderness in that simple gesture stole my breath. His lips lingered there as if he was honouring every part of me—every wound, every fear, every piece of my past I had once believed made me unlovable.
In his arms, I did not feel broken.
I felt treasured.
He drew me closer, his fingers tightening around mine as though he never intended to let go. When he guided me onto the bed, the world seemed to fade around us. There was only him—his warmth, his strength, the beat of his heart beneath my palm.
His touch grew more urgent, more certain, and in the haze of emotion and longing, his shirt slipped from his shoulders, followed by the rest, until the barriers between us disappeared.
And then, at the height of that overwhelming wave of emotion, his voice broke through, deep and rough with feeling.
“Nyah…”
The way he said my name made my heart swell so suddenly it almost hurt. As if speaking my name was his way of telling me I was finally home.
Held tightly in his arms, wrapped in his warmth and his love, I felt something I had never fully allowed myself to believe before.
That I was chosen.
That I was cherished.
That I was loved.
And as he pulled me closer and the lights dimmed around us, the rest of the world disappeared.
“I love you,” Caleb whispered as he held me tenderly in his arms after we made love.
The words landed softly but powerfully, like they were meant to be heard in this exact moment, in this exact stillness.
I looked up at him.
His face was relaxed, open, vulnerable in a way I rarely saw.
“You don’t have to say anything back,” he said gently. “I just wanted to let you know that I do. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be waiting to hear it.”
My chest tightened, not with fear, but with the overwhelming honesty of him. There was no pressure in his voice, no expectation—just truth.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
I met his eyes and smiled, the answer coming easily. “Perfect. I’m feeling perfect.”
And I was. With our bodies joined in the most elemental of ways, wrapped in warmth and closeness, I drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep—one of the best I’d had in a long time.
When I woke later, I was tangled in Caleb’s shirt and jacket, his scent surrounding me.
He was still asleep, relaxed and beautiful in the early hours.
Something playful stirred in me. I slipped the band off my wrist, careful not to wake him, and undressed him completely before kissing him awake and making love to him again.
When sunlight peeked through the windows the next morning, I slipped my wrist free once more and, trying not to wake him, grabbed his shirt and padded into the bathroom to freshen up.
My cheeks flushed as memories of the night replayed themselves in my mind.
I shook my head, smiling like a fool, completely undone and completely content.
While brewing hot water, my eyes landed on a duffel bag sitting neatly on the dresser.
Curious, I peeked inside and laughed softly to myself.
My pyjamas were folded there, along with a change of clothes for both of us, toiletries, and even makeup.
My pyjamas didn’t make it onto me. He didn’t plan too well, after all.
The thought made me smile even wider as I grabbed my clothes and toiletries.
The shower water trickled down my body, the heat washing away every trace of exhaustion.
A minute in, I felt hands slide around me.
I gasped softly as Caleb joined me, the water cascading over us.
The heat between us intensified instantly as our lips met again.
I wrapped myself around him, our bodies moving together effortlessly, his rhythm matching mine as if we’d always known how to find each other.
We surrendered completely, immersed in each other all over again.
Later, Caleb ordered breakfast while I tidied the bedroom, shoving last night’s clothes into the duffel bag.
“So,” I teased, glancing at him, “you really did come prepared last night, huh?”
He winked. “I didn’t expect it to go the way it did.”
We ate breakfast at the same table by the window where we’d had dinner the night before. While sipping hot water and picking at fruit, he pointed to the gift bag sitting nearby. “What’s this?”
“Oh my gosh! I completely forgot.” I picked it up, hesitating briefly before handing him the card.
I’d made it following an online tutorial, but it had ended up looking like something teenagers might exchange.
“It’s not as amazing as what you planned for me,” I admitted, biting my lip.
“I struggled to buy you something. You already have everything.”
He opened the gift first—a bottle of YSL La Nuit parfum. His eyes lit up. “You know, I actually don’t have this one. I love it. Thank you.” He kissed me before opening the card.
The card was made from white, red, and black paper, decorated with glittery gold and red hearts. Two hearts folded into each other, and when it opened, two more appeared inside. Four hearts sat at each corner of the square, holding it together, each one carrying a message:
My heart is all yours!
You take my breath away!
I hope you know how grateful I am to have you in my life.
You have no idea how sexy you are!
In the center was a square that read: Happy Valentine’s Day!
“I know it’s really cheesy and dorky—” I started.
He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, silencing every insecurity. “No one has ever made me a card before,” he said softly. “This is amazing. Thank you.”
After breakfast, we picked up Lucas and headed to the mall.
“I missed you, Mama!”
“I missed you too, my sweetheart,” I said, hugging and kissing him tightly.
Lucas excitedly told us all about his night with Martina and Taylor. Caleb and I surprised him with a movie and lunch.
Afterward, Caleb’s sister, Cat, called.
“We’re all at Nelson Park. Why don’t you guys join us?”
We accepted and headed over.
While we chatted, Sandra grabbed her laptop from the car and showed us all the New Year’s photos, emailing them around as we laughed and reminisced.
Then Cat suddenly blurted out loudly, “Okay, I need to know this—because it’s killing me. Are you guys finally together?”
Silence.
My heart pounded. Why did no one ask Caleb that question? Still, I smiled calmly and answered, “Yes, we are.”
Screams and woo-hoos erupted around us.
“Do you have any idea how long all of us—and I mean all of us—have been waiting for this to happen?” Cat exclaimed.
I hadn’t realized it was such a big deal.
Greg, who had joined us with his daughter, laughed. “You should’ve seen him at my housewarming party. His eyes followed her everywhere. I knew something had changed. He spoke differently. He acted differently.”
“All right, all right,” Caleb said, trying—and failing—to hide his embarrassment.
“He’s been in love with you for a long time,” Cat added. “My guess is it started when he complained about you to Dad. Two months later, he was singing your praises.”
Caleb and I locked eyes.
“Cat, cut it out,” Simon said with a grin. “We don’t want to scare her away. But honestly, we’re thrilled. Welcome to our crazy family—and good luck with Caleb. You’ll need it.”
Everyone laughed.
It had only been fifteen hours since Caleb and I had been together, but it already felt natural. The way everyone accepted me—especially his family, except for his mother—made it all feel like this was where I had always been meant to land. Emotion swelled in my chest.
For the first time in a long time, I realized I was truly happy.
Not cautiously hopeful.
Just happy.