Chapter Nineteen
Kaleb pulled into his driveway, parked, and walked around to lift her down, then took her hand and led her into his house.
“Do you want to do something or go to bed?”
She set her purse down. “I just want to go to bed.”
“All right. Go on in, and I’ll be right there. I want to make sure everything is locked up.”
Myla walked into the master bathroom and stripped. She pulled her hair up and then jumped into the shower.
When he walked in, she was sitting on the side of the bed in her robe, putting lotion on her legs. It was such a simple thing, but when he watched her do it, it looked erotic and always got him hard.
“I’m going to shower quickly.”
“Okay.” Myla looked up and smiled.
Kaleb came out and saw her in bed facing him. The sweet look on her face continually did something to his heart because it felt like it would jerk out of his chest. He dropped the towel he had wrapped around his waist to the floor, slid into bed, and then turned off the light.
He gathered her against him. “Now, let’s talk.”
He felt her stiffen in his arms.
She tilted her head up to look at his face. There was just enough light coming into the window for her to see his expressions. “What do you want to talk about?” she asked.
“About you moving in here.”
“I already told you I think it’s too soon,” she said.
“When is your lease up?”
Myla paused. “Next month.”
“Then it’s a perfect time. Just don’t sign another lease.”
“What if we find in a few months that it won’t work? What happens then?”
“Baby, I can’t see that happening. We enjoy each other’s company. We like the same things. We’re compatible.”
She stayed quiet for a moment, making him sweat.
She sighed. “Kaleb, compatibility is good, but I eventually want to make a life with someone who loves me.”
He jerked as if she had hit him. He rolled her to her back and loomed over her.
“What does that mean?”
“If you think being compatible is a good reason to be together, I’d have to disagree. I want more out of a relationship.”
“Are you talking about marriage?” He tensed, hoping she’d say yes. It had been something he’d thought about since they got back together.
“God, no. It’s too early to even think like that.”
“Then what?” he snapped.
She jerked at the abrupt way he asked, and it made him feel like an ass.
“Kaleb, we’ve never talked about the future. I’m not the type of person who flies by the seat of my pants. I have to think things out. All we know right now is we’re great in bed, have similar interests, enjoy being together, and are compatible.”
He could feel his frustration rise. “What the hell does that mean? You don’t think we’re good together?”
She cupped his face. “Very much so, but I feel like I’m into the relationship deeper than you, and maybe I expect more.”
His frustration was starting to turn into panic. “I don’t know what else I can give you, Baby.”
She smiled sadly. “I know, and that’s what we need to figure out.”
She started to pull away from him and move to the side of the bed. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, preventing her from moving away from him. “Where are you going?”
“I just need a minute.”
He hated that she wouldn’t look at him. “Okay.” He released her, saw her slip her robe on, and walk out of the room. If she thought they were done with the conversation, she was wrong. He lay down and stared at the ceiling.
What was she trying to get through to him? He felt like he was missing something, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what. He didn’t know how long he had waited, but he’d had enough. He slipped out of bed, pulled on some boxers, and went to find her.
He looked through every room and started to freak when he couldn’t find her. He went to the French doors, looked out into the backyard, and saw her on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket.
Kaleb opened the door and walked to her. “Baby, it’s too cold out here. Come in so I can warm you up.” His stomach twisted in pain at the tears she was trying to hide. He picked her up and walked her back into the house. He locked the door and then carried her into the bedroom.
“Honey, you’re freezing.” He tossed the blanket and her robe to the floor and then tucked her against him and pulled the blankets up to her ears.
She tried to get closer because his body temperature was always higher, due to his size and muscle mass.
He rubbed up and down her back and curled his body around hers. It was only when he knew she had stopped chattering and shivering, that he moved away enough to be able to see her face.
“Please tell me what I’m doing wrong? Why are you crying?”
“Kaleb, you’re not doing anything wrong. I promise. I’m conflicted about how to deal with us.”
His heart dived, and real terror started to build in him. “You’re not talking about breaking up, are you?”
“Oh, God, no. I want this to work. I love you, and I can’t see myself with anyone else.”
He exhaled. “That’s good because you’ll have a hell of a time getting rid of me.”
She smiled. “I know.”
“I know it’s early in our relationship, but what will you need to decide to move in?”
“I guess I’d like to know how you feel and what you see our future like, but I don’t think you’re ready for that, and I don’t want to push you at all...”
“Wait, what do you mean you don’t know how I feel?”
“Daddy, you’ve never said anything about the way you feel.”
“Yes, I have. I say it all the time.”
“What do you say?” she challenged him.
“That I...” He stopped and looked down at her, confused. “I know I tell you I love you all the time.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’ve never told me that.”
“I hear it being said.”
“Yes, by me. Every time I’ve told you how I feel, you look happy, and then you’re usually kissing me within a minute.”
“Jesus, Baby, I’m confused here. I feel like I’ve told you so many times.”
“Not once.”
“That’s why you don’t want to move in?” he asked.
“It’s one of the reasons. I can’t be one of those women who live with a man for years on end. I want a family someday, and I won’t bring a child into the world without being married to the father.”
He flopped back down on the pillow and pressed his hand over his eyes. “I can’t believe I’ve fucked up this much.”
She pressed a hand to his chest. “No, Daddy, don’t think that way. You’re not making a mistake.”
He rolled over on her, making a place for himself between her thighs, and braced his weight on his elbows.
“I feel like I’ve said it a thousand times, and I have in my head. I love you, Baby. I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone, and we are getting married. Sooner rather than later. Now, is there anything else I screwed up I need to fix?”
Remorse filled his heart at the tears that fell from her eyes. He used his thumbs to wipe the moisture away. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t cry.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “I’m crying because I’m happy, Daddy.”
He grunted. He’d never understood that kind of shit. “I don’t like seeing them on your face. I don’t care what caused them.”
“Too bad.”
He grinned. “Will you forgive me for being so stupid?”
Her smile widened. “I already have, Daddy.”
Kaleb tightened his grip. “What did I do to deserve you, my sweet little?”
Myla shrugged. “I don’t know, but I feel the same way.”
He bent and pressed his lips against hers. “I love you, Baby, and you will marry me soon.”
She snorted out a laugh. “You might want to ask.”
He snorted. “Oh, hell, no. If I did that, you’d be able to say no, and I’m not taking that chance.”
She laughed out loud. “I would say yes.”
He tilted her head up and grinned. “I’m still not taking the chance.”
She rolled her eyes. “As long as I get to be with you, Daddy, I don’t care.”