25. Caleb
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Caleb
The sunlight trickles in around the curtains, dangerously close to hitting my eyes.
I stretch my arms above my head, letting out a soft groan. That was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while. Maybe ever.
Memories of last night come flooding back. Red hair, roaming hands, soft kisses. The sweet sounds she made as she came undone.
Fuck. I feel myself growing hard again. Now that I’ve had a taste, it will never be enough.
I tilt my head to where Marnie should be, and blink open my eyes to find her side empty. The tousled sheets and her earrings on the nightstand are the only indication that I didn’t imagine last night.
I sit up, letting my eyes adjust to my surroundings. I catch a glimpse of Marnie’s clothes strewn across the floor and notice that Berry is missing from her dog bed by the door.
Making my way down the hall, I hear Marnie’s voice drifting up from downstairs.
I follow the sweet sound into the kitchen, surprised to find her dancing around while she washes the dishes, her body moving to a silent beat. My brain replays scenes from last night at the club—how she moved to every song so effortlessly.
That’s when I notice Berry lying at her feet. That’s also when I notice her bare legs, and my breath hitches. My eyes trail up her body and take her in. She’s wearing another one of my shirts—one I haven’t seen in a long time—the lace fabric of her panties peeking out just below.
My brain must be short circuiting, because I can’t seem to form a coherent thought. I just stand there, staring. In awe.
There’s something so domestic about the sight in front of me. I could get used to seeing her like this. Dancing in the kitchen, wearing my clothes, sleeping in my bed. The thought sends a spark of desire through me.
Even in a simple T-shirt, no makeup, and hair a mess, she’s never looked more beautiful.
I allow myself about thirty seconds of admiration before I shift my weight, accidentally causing a floorboard to creak, giving away my position.
Marnie jumps and turns around, stopping everything she was doing.
“No, please, don’t stop on my account,” I respond, folding my arms and leaning against the wall. “I’m quite enjoying this.”
A blush creeps across her face. “Did I wake you?”
“No, you didn’t wake me. I was just admiring the view.”
“Oh,” she lets out a small laugh. “You don’t mind if I borrow this for a bit?” She gestures down to my shirt. “I didn’t feel like taking a cab home in last night’s outfit,” she says with a laugh. “Morning and leather are not a good combo.”
I hum in response. “As much as I liked seeing you in last night’s attire, or the subsequent lack thereof, that shirt suits you.”
Marnie looks down at herself and grins. “I like it, too. It speaks to me.”
“I haven’t seen that thing in forever.” It’s a light gray T-shirt that reads Sex, Drugs, and Lobster Rolls with a cartoon lobster playing a guitar in the middle. Parker gave it to me for Christmas one year as a gag gift and it’s lived in the bottom of my dresser ever since. Until now.
I walk over to her, take a dish from her hand, then begin drying. We fall into a rhythm of her washing and me drying until I clear my throat.
“So, can we talk about last night?” It comes out clunky and awkward.
“Mm-hmm,” she replies, as if she had expected this conversation to happen right here, grabbing a new dish and turning to face me.
“What does this mean for us?” I ask, continuing to dry the plate in my hand.
“You mean now that we’ve crossed the point of no return?”
I nod, letting her take the lead.
“I’m not sure what it means. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m still leaving at the end of summer, but I want to keep having fun while I’m here.”
“Well then excuse me if I seem a bit forward, but when can I see you again?”
She lets out a small laugh. “You’ll see me Monday for that meeting, remember?”
My shoulders deflate when she doesn’t catch on to my implication. I have to choose my wording carefully. “I didn’t mean for work. I meant . . . I don’t know. I want to spend more time with you. Outside of work,” I clarify.
“Are you . . . asking me out on a date?” she teases, raising a brow in my direction.
“No—” I blurt. I run a hand through my hair and take a deep breath. “I mean, unless you want to. I know you’ve been clear that you don’t date people you work with, but I like you, Marnie. A lot. And I think that you like me, too, and last night changed everything and?—”
“Caleb.” She holds up her hand to stop the runaway thoughts in my head and takes a step toward me. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
“Really?” I ask. She nods in response. “Do you have any plans today?” God, I hope I don’t sound too desperate.
I’m still willing to take whatever she will give me. Even if this is fated to end when she leaves for Boston. I’ll make the most of these last few months with her as best I can.
“I can’t today, I’m meeting Linny, but I’m free tomorrow.”
I smile back at her. “Tomorrow it is.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“It’s a surprise. But wear beach clothes. I will pick you up at two.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Gravel shuffles outside, indicating a car has pulled into the driveway. Marnie takes a step to the side to peek out the window. “My ride is here.”
I watch as she gathers her purse and tugs on a pair of my sweatpants that I didn’t notice folded neatly on the counter when I came down. Then she strides over to me, lifts on her tip toes, and places a kiss on my cheek. “Thank you for last night.”
Why is she thanking me? I should be the one thanking her. Last night was one of the best nights of my life, and now there’s a promise of more to come.
I’m on cloud nine and tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
Before she lets herself out, she bends down and places a kiss atop Berry’s head. “Bye, girl.”
I am so busy staring at her that I almost miss her stealthily offering Berry a handful of something. Blueberries. My mouth tips up into a smile.
Berry comes running back over to me once the door closes. Her tongue hangs out, little specs of blue and purple splattered across it from Marnie’s parting gift.
I squat down next to Berry and scratch her ears. “We are in trouble, girl.”