Restored (12 page)

Lexi swallowed hard but listened to Missy’s apology. Hurt feelings were one thing, but there were also work relationships that had to be maintained. Someone had to act like a grown-up, after all. “It’s okay, Missy. I get it. You were just looking out for your friend.” Lexi forced an overly wide smile.

“Yeah, that was it. Thanks for understanding.” She awkwardly nodded and left, her movements unlike her normal graceful-dancer self.

Lexi closed out her program and locked up the confidential files that still needed to be entered into the system. She packed up her roses and gift as she started down the short hall, hoping to finally see Caleb. Even his lunch hour had been tied up by a meeting, and she was feeling withdrawals from not getting her daily dose of him.

Caleb’s door was finally open, and Lexi peeked inside. Her arms were loaded, but she stopped at the doorway as she waited for him to look up. Caleb busied himself by shutting down the computer and putting away files, just as she had done minutes before.

“Where are you sneaking off to?” he asked as his gaze met hers. His eyes looked hungry, and his cologne scented the air in and just outside the office.

Excitement fluttered through her veins at the sound of his deep voice. She walked a few steps inside of his office as he stood and met her halfway. He unburdened her arms.

“I wasn’t sneaking off anywhere, or I would have rushed past your door. Which wouldn’t have been hard to do, since you’ve been so reclusive today.”

“You’re right. I’ve been a shut-in. I had a few patients with chronic conditions, and they took up a lot of my time.” He rubbed his face, clearly fatigued by his work. “Did you like the roses?” He asked as he eased into a more personal banter.

“They’re exquisite. I’ve never seen a purple rose before. And the art supplies are great too.” She smiled and felt her face flush from his nearness.

“You just have to know who to call.”

“Well, I’ve never had to know who to call.” The only time she’d ordered flowers were for her mother’s funeral service, and even then the arrangement idea had come out of the sample catalog the florist kept. Hybrid specialty flowers weren’t in her budget then, nor were they now.

With her hands freed, he pulled her closer to him, his large hands gripping her lower back. “I’ve thought about you all day,” he said as he began to nibble on her bottom lip, and then he kissed her gently on her parted mouth.

A boneless sensation weakened her stance, and she kissed him back, unable to resist him. She pushed her mouth solidly against his to enjoy the kiss for as long as it lasted. She would long for him as soon as she was out of his clutch—he always pulled away just when it turned interesting.

Missy’s erratic high heels clicked down the hall and would soon tap by Caleb’s office door. Even though they looked like a couple of teenagers sneaking around, at least Missy would witness them for herself. As always, the kiss was short lived, and Caleb pulled away.

Caleb slid on his jacket and grabbed his keys, and then he helped Lexi with her roses and gifts. “Ready?” he asked as they both headed toward the exit.

Missy was up at the reception desk, talking to Yvette, and there was no doubt she was talking about Lexi. Missy’s loud laugh traveled down the hall and was clearly heard by anyone still left in the office.

The laughing caused Lexi’s stomach to knot. “They’re talking about us, you know,” she blurted out, unable to keep it inside.

“What?” Caleb asked.

“I don’t think they can see why you’re interested in me,” Lexi said. She creased her forehead.

“Why do you care what they think?” Caleb asked. He sounded concerned but looked annoyed.

“It’s not that I really care. It’s just that I wonder to myself why you feel so compelled to be with me…” Lexi responded in a weak voice. Why did her insecurities surface now? It couldn’t be helped. He’d have to know this part of her too, the insecure part.

He walked her silently to her SUV. He finally said, “I don’t understand why you’re even asking this, Lexi. I thought I had explained my feelings to you, and I thought that you understood me. I guess I should ask you why you would want to be with me. After all, I’m the one who pursued you. What if you really don’t want to be with me?”

Tears prickled at her eyes. He did have a point, though it was one she hadn’t considered. “I guess I worry that maybe you’ll stop feeling whatever it is that you’re feeling for me now. Maybe something like this is only temporary, like anesthesia, and once it wears off, then you’ll see that I’m not who you thought I was,” Lexi admitted. What she’d confessed was a confusing babble, but what if…

“Well, it sounds like you’ve got it all figured out then. Except one thing. Don’t you remember me telling you that I haven’t felt this way about anyone else and when I look at you, I feel like I would do anything you asked? Do you think I would have done that for Corrine or that she would have done anything like that for me? I don’t like to talk about her, but it feels like she could continue to come up.” His voice was strained with anger and adrenaline.

“I’ve been let down before, Caleb. I just don’t want to be let down again. In my heart I know that I can trust you, but when I think about how it would feel if you left me…I hurt just thinking about it.” She bit her lip as she waited for his response.

Caleb put what he carried down in the cargo area of Lexi’s SUV and reached for her. Warm tears ran down her cheeks, and her vision blurred. Growing up she rarely cried, and now it seemed as if the flood gates had been opened for good. Before her mom died, she’d felt invincible, but now it was clear that the confidence she once held was all an illusion.

“Stay at my house tonight. I need you close,” Caleb whispered in her ear. “We’ll stop by your place so that you can pack a bag.”

Lexi nodded against his chest, her conscious thought temporarily fractured. She needed Caleb to fortify her.

“Don’t worry, Lexi. I’m not going to throw myself on you. I just want to be near you tonight,” Caleb said, his words calming her fears slightly. He kissed her forehead as she dried her eyes.

Lexi couldn’t help but smile to herself. And just why did he assume she didn’t want him to throw himself at her? Had he not been paying attention?

“I’ll meet you at your place,” Caleb said.

Once there, he came inside to wait as she packed a bag. Ashley was in the living room and greeted them. She hugged Caleb. “It’s good seeing you around, Caleb,” she said enthusiastically.

Ashley had told Lexi that Caleb acted different around Lexi, like he was now a free and happy man. He’d seemed dark and angrier when he was with Corrine, Ashley had said. Remembering that conversation made Lexi wonder why she couldn’t force her insecurities aside and enjoy Caleb.

“I hadn’t noticed this before, but you look more like Mike than I thought. I guess it’s your smile,” Ashley said with a laugh.

Lexi excused herself and went up to her room to get her essentials and work clothes. She packed her toothbrush, but she planned on using Caleb’s toothpaste and other bathing toiletries.

“Thanks, Ashley. Speaking of Mike, how is he treating you?” Caleb asked as he directed the conversation on her. “Do I need to get a tux?”

Ashley smiled warmly. “Well, I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything about that yet, and I would probably be in the loop if I were getting married,” she said.

“I guess you would be privy to that information.” Caleb grinned. He’d only been around Ashley a handful of times, but she was kind and easy to talk to.

Ashley’s face grew more serious. “You know that Lexi’s been through a lot. Please be careful with her,” Ashley said in a rushed whisper.

Caleb looked Ashley in the eyes, trying to convey his sincerity. “Were just learning each other right now, but I promise you I have her best interest at heart—even if she can’t seem to understand that.”

Ashley smiled and squeezed Caleb’s arm. They turned as they heard Lexi coming down the stairs.

“Let’s go,” Lexi said as she made her way to Caleb’s side. “Good night, Ashley,” Lexi said and gave her cousin a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“Good seeing you, Ashley. Good night!” Caleb said.

Ashley waved as they left.

Caleb drove them to his house. The sky was twilight, and there were only touches of daylight edging the trees. Lexi blinked as she watched a car pulling away from Caleb’s. She raised one eyebrow, and her eyes squinted toward the car in question. Caleb waved at the older burgundy Buick that passed by them. The paint had worn away on the roof, and there was rust at the bumper.

“Who was that?” Lexi asked, curiosity seeping into her voice. Though the car itself was unimpressive, it was odd that anyone would be pulling away from Caleb’s house. Corrine would likely drive something flashier, but the driver was difficult to see in the dim lighting.

“That was Gail. She’s my housekeeper,” Caleb said, as if that was a run-of-the-mill answer.

Lexi had been to his house a couple times already, but she never noticed any evidence of Gail. “You have a housekeeper?” Lexi looked over at Caleb, her eyes studying him, but his face was impassive. “I thought only rich people had those?” It seemed weird for him not to have mentioned Gail sooner, but Lexi had instantaneous relief that the older Buick wasn’t Corrine’s.

“Well, I’m a bachelor, and I work far too many hours to keep things maintained here. Besides, Gail is a sweetheart—she’s known my family since I was little. She’s made us dinner tonight.” His smile was sudden and arresting.

“Does she always do that?” Lexi asked as she blandly smiled back. It’d take her a while to adjust to the whole idea.

“Well no, but she will prepare a meal if I ask her to. Of course she didn’t have too much time tonight, so it’s a simple dish,” he said, clearly not bothered by Lexi’s apprehension.

Lexi relaxed, allowing her face to ease back into its normal composition. “Well, that doesn’t sound too ridiculous, I guess. What else does she do?”

“She cleans the house and keeps the groceries stocked. She’s usually done by noon, but sometimes she doesn’t start until the afternoon. Her schedule is flexible. It’s not like I’m home during the day anyways.” His strong hands gripped the wheel as he parked the SUV and turned off the engine.

As they entered the house, the rich aroma of Italian spices filled the living room. The table was already set, and the food was kept warm in a slow cooker, while toasted and garlic-buttered bread was in the warming oven. Lexi unloaded her belongings on the couch and eagerly made her way to the tempting scents that poured from the kitchen.

“Come on and have a seat,” Caleb said as he held the chair out for her. Caleb pushed Lexi’s seat in its proper position, as would be done in a restaurant. He poured them both drinks. “Try this wine. It complements the marinara.” He poured them each a glass of the chilled crimson Chianti.

Lexi inspected the glass of dark wine but opted to try the pasta first. “Is Gail Italian?” Lexi asked after tasting her first bite of the spaghetti and meatballs. Lexi’s attempts at spaghetti never tasted like this. The marinara that Gail used wasn’t out of a jar, or at least it didn’t taste like processed sauce.

“No, but she knows how to cook a little bit of everything.” He grinned as he brought the wineglass to his lips.

“This is so good,” Lexi said. She took a small sip of the Chianti while holding her breath to block any overly harsh tang. Surprisingly, the wine seemed to merge with the savory meal and really brought out the more subtle flavors of the sauce. The beverage wasn’t as good as diet Pepsi on its own, but it was more agreeable with the meal and suited the dish perfectly. “Okay, you were right. The wine definitely works with this.” Lexi sipped more Chianti than was necessary to clear her throat.

Caleb smiled widely without hiding his amusement. He looked as though he’d won a battle. After dinner Caleb cleaned up, and Lexi loaded the dishwasher.

“You really don’t have to do this, you know,” he said.

“I don’t mind. It’s not my first time around a dishwasher.” She’d always done the dishes when she lived with her mom, and now it felt weird when she wasn’t doing something to help out around the house. Even with Ashley, they tackled the house work jointly.

“I just want you to relax and enjoy being here,” Caleb said as he leaned against the counter. Did he think that sexy pose would distract her from wiping off the kitchen table? She paused in her task.

She still faced the table when he grabbed her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “You smell amazing.” His rough whiskers tickled her neck. She rubbed where his face had been.

“I like being around you, even if it’s just doing housework,” Lexi said. Somehow his presence was enough.

“That’s what I’ve been telling you,” Caleb said as he held her gaze. He sensed that Lexi enjoyed being with him, but for some reason she couldn’t understand why he also felt that way about her in return. “Could I interest you in a bath?” Part of him wanted to get lost in bubbly water with her, but as skittish as she was, he’d play it by ear…

“That sounds good,” she said with a slight tremor. Was that tremor in her voice, or was her whole body quivering? He wanted her bad. She didn’t know what she did to him or the trouble she put herself in. Her wet, soapy body would drive the most devout monk to madness. There’d be a part of him that would have to keep himself grounded. If there was too much intensity, he’d scare her away. She was so skittish… He couldn’t let that happen.

Where was the restraint when he offered to give her a bath? Was he really going to test himself that unfairly?

He took her hand and led her to the master bathroom. He stroked her soft blond hair and nibbled her ear before he kissed her mouth. He deepened the kiss. Her body shuddered. He had to stop now, or there’d be no bath tonight. He held her close and kissed her forehead. He took a deep breath, but the scent of her shampoo lingered in his nose. He swept her floral-scented hair away from her face and handed her, with shaking hands, an Egyptian cotton towel.

He turned to start the water in the oversized soaker tub. Its depth took several minutes to fill. He peeked over his shoulder to make sure she hadn’t left. She stood there with an innocent look in her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, redness blotched her lips from his kiss, but she stood her ground. She wanted him, but there was also fear. He’d do his best not to scare her. He stood and spun. She didn’t back away. Good.