Chapter Seven #2
He lifted an eyebrow. “Just because shifters don’t kill for sport doesn’t mean we don’t eat meat. I’m still the same man I was before you...” He trailed off, his expression darkening momentarily. “I’m not vegetarian.”
In the silence that followed, she took another bite of her sandwich. Cal’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Is that what I think it is?”
It took her a moment to realize he was staring at the ring on her finger. Melissa felt her face grow hot. “Yes, it is.”
His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Why do you still have it? Why are you still wearing it?”
Melissa wished the ground would open up right now and swallow her whole. It hadn’t really occurred to her that Cal might see the ring on her finger.
“I...” Her mouth went dry. She stared at the gleaming ruby. “I guess I just never really felt like taking it off.”
“But we’re not engaged,” Cal said. “We’re not together. Not anymore. You made that very clear when you took off.”
She could tell he was trying to mask his anger, and he wasn’t doing a very good job of it. “I know, Cal. I’ve made a lot of decisions in the past ten years that surprised even me.”
“Like becoming a vet?”
Melissa pondered his question for a moment. “I guess so. I sort of felt drawn to animals. I wanted to understand them better. I guess in a way, I also wanted to understand you better.”
Cal’s handsome features hardened. “Of course. That’s what you see when you look at me, isn’t it? Just an animal. That’s why you ran.”
No, it’s not like that, she wanted to say. But the words didn’t leave her mouth. Because he wasn’t exactly wrong. She’d ignored all the memories she’d created with the man, pushed them aside in a single moment, and focused on the bear. And she’d made her decision based on that.
Guilt clawed at her insides. She’d left for a reason, but she couldn’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like for him, being abandoned in an instant, and on such an important day, only for her to reappear in his life after ten years of no contact.
That was the sort of thing you read about in novels, not actually experience.
Before she knew it, she was on her feet. She gazed at him for a second, then slowly rounded the table toward him.
“I’m sorry, Cal,” she said. “I really am. For everything. I know you might not really understand why I did what I did, but—”
“Oh, I understand perfectly. I understand why you ran off on our wedding day,” he spat. His gaze burned into hers. “You were afraid. It’s a human thing. Your kind isn’t exactly tolerant of mine.”
“I know.” She searched for something else to say, but all she could come up with was, “I’m sorry.”
“Your apology’s about ten years too late. To be honest, I should’ve seen it coming. I should’ve known you’d react the way you did. It’s my fault for thinking I could trust you with my secret.”
She could see the raw anguish in his eyes as he spoke. He started to turn away from her, but she reached out, grabbing his arm.
“Cal, wait.” She wasn’t even sure why she was apologizing so much. She’d had her reasons for doing what she did. Even so, she could hardly suppress the guilt biting at her.
He turned slowly, fixing her with a cold stare.
“Look,” she said, “I’m—”
“Sorry. You’re sorry. I heard that already. But what does it matter? It’s not like you’re thinking of getting back together with me.”
At his words, she felt herself go completely rigid.
His words reverberated through her mind.
She didn’t actually want to get back with Cal.
Or did she? Ever since she laid eyes on him days ago, her emotions had been in a jumble.
Just standing before him, touching him, was sending heat coursing through her veins.
She wanted to touch more of him, feel the hardness of his body against hers. She wanted to—
“Are you?” Cal’s voice pulled her back to reality. He was still staring at her, but his expression had softened.
Melissa gulped. “I...I don’t...”
Cal’s expression tightened again. Then he moved, too quickly for her to react, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him.
Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. Or was it his?
They were so close now, his body pressed against hers, their lips a mere kiss apart.
She stared up the bridge of his nose, barely breathing, searching his face.
“Cal...” Another powerful thump filled her chest. “I—”
His lips found hers, rendering the rest of her sentence inconsequential.
Melissa’s first thought was that she was dreaming. It explained Cal being back in her life, not to mention the fact that he was kissing her. But she quickly found that to be untrue. It was very real, and she was kissing him back.
She’d always felt lighter than air whenever he kissed her, and this time was no exception.
Her eyes fluttered shut and a sigh escaped her lips as he captured them, and for a moment she could’ve sworn she felt her feet rise off the floor.
She was vaguely aware that this wasn’t quite right.
He was the last person she should be kissing.
But she hadn’t felt this amazing in years.
Cal’s arm tightened around her, pulling her closer, closer, not close enough...
Before the kiss could grow hotter, igniting her insides, he pulled away. They stared wordlessly at each other, Cal’s warm breath caressing her nose. She blinked at him, trying to gather her wits about her.
The reality of what had just happened hit her like a speeding truck. I just kissed my ex.
Cal stepped back. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Cal.”
“It was a mistake.” He shook his head. “You should probably head back to Dale’s. Thanks for your help with the foal.”
Oh.