Tell Me Why (14 page)

Sighing, I could see our time together was going to be
permanently interrupted. “Sure, if Anna wakes up by the time you’re back.”

“Anything special you two want to eat?”

“Surprise us,” I responded. “Hey can you shut the door behind you?”

“Yeah. See you in a few.”

Anna waited until she heard the door latch before she moved, giggling softly as she lifted her head to stare at me. “Have you ever thought of taking up acting? You almost had me believing you.”

“Remind me to shut and lock the door next time we’re alone together,” I replied with a sigh.

“Oh, trust me. I will.” She leaned over and kissed me.

Groaning, I wrapped my arms around her and dragged her over on top of me. “Any chance I can convince you to pick up where we left off?”

“With a houseful of people on the way? Not likely. Besides, I’m already nearly dead from mortification.”

I laughed, brushing her hair back away from her face. “Why? He didn’t see anything.”

“He almost saw a whole lot more than I wanted.” A blush stole across her face and I slid my hands under her shirt, grabbing the cups of her bra and hooking it back together.

“I would’ve never let that happen. I’d have fallen on you first to cover and protect you.” I squeezed her chest gently. “Such a shame to cover these up.”

“I take it you’re a “boob guy” then?” she teased.

“Baby, when it comes to you I’m an “everything guy.” I can’t wait to unwrap the rest of the package and worship it properly.”

“Me, either; but unfortunately, I’m afraid we aren’t going to have much time for any unwrapping until next weekend. Our schedules aren’t going to allow for that.”

“Well, then you
’d better keep kissing me until the others get here. I’m gonna need something to hold me over.”

Giving me a seductive smile
, she leaned closer. “Now that, I can do.” Her lips descended and connected with mine and I silently wished the rest of the world would just go away. I couldn’t get enough of this girl.

Chapter Nineteen

Caleb-

“Graduating with distinction, Annalisa Kay Vasquez. Annalisa plans to major in music at the University of Washington and continue performing songs with her band, Fringe.” Applause rose from the crowd
, and our small section cheered and whistled as Anna moved across the stage to accept her diploma.

Pride swelled in my heart. This beautiful
, accomplished girl was mine; and after tonight, there’d be no chance of going backward, only forward. My test results were back, and clean, like I told her they would be. I’d fulfilled her requirement and even managed to wait until it was more convenient. Frankly, I couldn’t wait any longer.

“I now present your graduating class. Congratulations!” the superintendent’s voice boomed from the podium several minutes later. All the students stood and tossed their caps, filling the air with
mortar boards, whoops and hollers. Family and friends whistled and applauded as they made their way down the stands and onto the field to celebrate the festive accomplishment. My eyes were pinned on Anna as I weaved my way toward her through the throng of people; Stix, Rick and Riley, followed after me.

“Caleb!” I heard her shout with joy as she ran to meet me. Throwing her arms around me, I swept her off her feet and twirled in a circle.

“You did it, babe! Congratulations!” Placing her back on the ground, I kissed her soundly on the mouth.

“Back off, man. Give us a chance at her,” Stix grumbled, elbowing his way in between us and we broke apart laughing. “Got a kiss like that for me, darlin’?” he drawled.

Anna blushed and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. Those are reserved for Caleb.”

Stix grabbed her in a big bear hug. “Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“I can,” I replied, with a fake menacing undertone. He was lucky I knew he wasn’t serious. Stix was a player to the core.

“My turn
.” Riley stepped up to take Stix’s place, only to be followed by Rick. Finally, when she was free again, I moved back beside her.

“Hold on a second, Caleb,” her dad’s voice boomed and I glanced over my shoulder to see James and Melanie approaching.

“Sorry,” I responded with a grin, waving an arm and gesturing for them to greet their daughter. “I didn’t see you there.”

More hugs and compliments ensued until we were all standing around in a giant circle together.

“So, my restaurant is having a special tonight in honor of the graduation celebration, if any of you are interested in going to eat there. Do you have plans for the evening?” Melanie said, looking around at the group.

“We’ve arranged a little graduation party
later tonight for Anna,” Rick said with a wink. “She was supposed to tell you about it.”

“That’s right. She did mention she would be out all night with the band,” James replied. “I guess it’s to be expected. No kid in their right mind wants to celebrate the end of high school with their parents.”

“We can all still go to dinner together at your restaurant, Mom.. We’re just going to eat pizza and watch movies at the loft, play some pool, things like that.”

“No. You go have fun with the guys. Maybe your dad and I will venture out for a bit of date time ourselves.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “You’re both more than welcome to come spend the evening with us.”

Melanie laughed, brushing her long dark hair over her shoulder. “We’re too old to keep up with the likes of you kids. We’re more of the
‘enjoy the quiet night’ versus the rowdy party type.”

“You aren’t old, Mom,” Anna said, giving both her parents a hug. “You two have fun together. I’ll be home sometime tomorrow. Until then
, you know how to find me.”

“Be careful, sweetheart,” her dad cautioned. “Kids often get hurt on graduation night. Don’t do anything crazy.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “Like these guys would let me do anything to jeopardize my health. It’s like sending me out with four older brothers to babysit me.”

“Not exactly that way,” James replied, glancing briefly at me. “Just be careful.”

“We will, Dad. I promise.” Slipping her arm around my waist, I draped mine over her shoulders and pulled her close.

“Shall we go catch the next ferry then?” I asked and she nodded. “It was great to see you
, both” I nodded to Melanie and James.

“You too. All of you,” Melanie said with a smile
, glancing around at each of us. “Have fun.”

***

Anna was completely surprised when she entered the loft and saw all the white helium balloons covering the ceiling, along with white Christmas lights strung around the windows. “What’s all this?” she asked in amazement, wandering through the dangling balloon strings.

“Your graduation party
.” I laughed. “You didn’t think we were lying about that, now did you?”

Her quick look at me revealed that was exactly what she’d thought. “I think this is the cleanest I’ve ever seen this place too.”

“Well, I’m glad you noticed,” Stix grumbled. “Caleb even made us mop. He said everything had to be perfect.”

“
There are only two places set at the table though.” Anna gazed around at us in question.

“That’s because this is a private party tonight. Just for two,” I said, dragging her against me. “The others will be partying elsewhere tonight.”

“Honestly, I can’t wait,” Rick said, hurrying toward his room. “This is the first Friday night we’ve had off in ages. For once, I’m going to chill with my friends and let other people entertain me.”

Riley was right behind him. “You aren’t fooling anyone. We all know you want to try to hook up with one of those twins.”

“Exactly! Twins!” Rick replied gesturing between himself and Riley. “Let’s get on with it, bro.”

“Losers,” Stix said, observing them before walking away himself. “Give us all about five minutes and you’ll have the place to yourselves.”

“No problem. Thanks, man,” I said, noticing Anna was staring off out the windows with a blush stealing steadily across her face. I didn’t want her to be nervous, so I guided her through the dimly lit room to the glass wall. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?” I asked, as we stared at the lights around the pier and the twinkling glow that came from the islands across the Sound.

“It is. I love it here, Caleb. I can’t believe this is going to be where I live too.”

“Well, believe it, because it’s real. I can’t wait to have you here every day. Have you told your parents yet?”

She shook her head. “No. I figured I’d stay their little girl until tomorrow. Then I can hit them with all the things a parent never wants to hear.”

Her response made me laugh. “You think they’ll take it that hard?”

She shrugged. “I think
they’ve prepared themselves already. They aren’t stupid. Plus, they know I’m not going to live at home forever.”

“I doubt they expected you to move in with a guy immediately after high school
though.”

“I’m sure they didn’t
; but it’s you, Caleb. They love you. That’s what will make all the difference.”

“Are you sure about that?” Stepping behind her, I rested my chin on her head and wrapped my arms around her. Her hands drifted to mine, our fingers mingling together.

“Positive. They know you’d never do anything to hurt me.”

Guilt lanced through me and I moved away, walking toward the kitchen. “So
, I have a surprise for you tonight,” I said, quickly trying to press my pangs of conscience back into the dark recesses of my mind. “This time, I’m cooking for you.”

She giggled. “Really? I have to say, I’m curious. What’s on the menu?”

“Why you, of course,” I replied with a chuckle.

“Hmmm, why does that not sound very appetizing?”

“Trust me, it will. I happen to have some excellent side dish choices for you too.” I couldn’t stop grinning as I let my gaze travel over her delicious figure, still clad in the very form fitting white dress she’d worn under her graduation gown.

“And what might those be?” she asked, licking her lips slightly.

“Me.” I reached into the fridge and removed a can of whipped cream and a jar of cherries.

Her eyes widened. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

Setting them down on the counter, I started feeling the flames inside me already jumping in anticipation. “Not even in the slightest.”

“Hold it right there,”
Stix said, as he hurried through the apartment, quickly followed by Riley and Rick. “We’re outta here, bro. You two have fun.”

“See ya,” I said, not even bothering to take my eyes off Anna, but waiting
to hear the door shut behind them. “So, you have a choice to make right now.”

Clasping her hands, she didn’t move toward me
, and it was plain to see she was nervous. “What’s that?”

“Well, I can make you dinner
first and then we can have . . . dessert; or, we can skip dinner and go straight to dessert and I’ll make you breakfast instead.”

“Am I able to make
slight deviation in plans?” she asked and suddenly I worried she had changed her mind.

“Sure. This is your party after all.” I swallowed thickly.

“I’d like dinner, dessert, and breakfast, please.” She smiled shyly. “I didn’t get a chance to eat before graduation and I’m starving.”

Laughing, relief poured through me. “I could never let you starve. Have a seat here at the counter
, and I’ll get busy.”

“What can I help with?” she asked, moving to one of the stools.

“Nothing. It’s my turn to pamper you tonight. Your job is to sit and watch.”

I p
ulled my shirt off and tied a half apron from Stix’s restaurant around my waist.

Anna placed a hand over her mouth and giggled. “That’s so not fair.”

I merely shrugged. “Just getting comfortable. You’re welcome to take your dress off while you watch too, you know.”

“And what if I did? Then what would happen?”

“I’d have to keep my word. I promised you wouldn’t starve. It might make cooking a little more difficult; and I couldn’t promise I won’t burn anything, but you will get fed.”

She laughed and the sound of it made my heart swell. I couldn’t believe thi
s was finally going to happen—if the anticipation didn’t kill me, first.

“Well, how about if you let me borrow a t-shirt? Then I can take off this dress, but
not be so distracting.”

“Don’t bet on it,” I grumbled, the thought of her in my clothing causing havoc in my lower regions. Turning away in an attempt to regain some dignity, I grabbed a frying pan from the cupboard to cook the steaks I’d bought earlier today. “I have some older t-shirts folded in my bottom drawer if you want to use one of those—in case things in here get messy later,” I continued on. “Which, I’m sure they will.”

“You’re so bad,” she said with a laugh, sliding from the stool and heading toward my room.

“You have no idea,” I replied, watching her pert bottom
swing back and forth until it was out of sight.

“Oh, I think I do,” her voice drifted back to me, sounding clearly amused.

No, she didn’t, but she would soon. Tonight I was pulling out all the stops. Nothing was too good for her; and I intended to rock her world.