Under Currents (25 page)

Caleb cried out and held her tighter.

He placed his hand behind her head and kissed her deeply. “Thank you, Jules.”

Her body protested, wanting more. She needed this as much as Caleb did. But she’d wait a little longer. “Let’s go to the tent.”

She started to slip her clothes on.

“Why bother? I’m just going to take them off you again. “

She laughed. “I hope no one stumbles on us.”

“In all the times I’ve come here, I’ve never seen another soul. They stop where the creek ends and return to the river.”

Back at the tent, Julie crawled in first and stretched out on the air mattress. The breeze coming through the screen blew across her damp skin.

Caleb joined her.

She shifted her body and rested her head on his chest with her arm draped across him. For the first few moments neither spoke. Wind blew through the trees, rustling leaves. She breathed in the comforting wooded scent of the air and the stale smell of the old canvas. It reminded her of camping-camping as a kid and camping with Jeremy.

What would Jeremy think about what she was doing? Would he be disappointed?

It surprised her that she didn’t care what Jeremy or the citizens of Faith thought. She wanted to be Caleb's-heart, body, and soul.

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her lightly. She swiped her tongue over his bottom lip, causing him to groan. She liked his reaction. He took control of the kiss and touched her in places that drove her crazy.

So awesome.

Passion consumed her, and tremors of need and desire jolted her entire body. Her nipples appeared like pearls, hard and round, ready for his lips.

Caleb kissed and licked every inch of her body, pleasing her with his mouth and tongue. His hands worked magic, stroking and touching her in ways that made her dizzy. Strange sounds escaped from her throat. She lifted her hips, attempting to angle herself for a greater impact of pleasure. Her entire body went through an orgasmic meltdown. Caleb rocked her world.

But she still had the need to feel his fullness deep inside of her.

As though reading her thoughts, he reached for his wallet and removed the foil package. “We didn’t use one at the creek.”

“I was too wrapped up in the moment to think about it. But it was only once.”

“Once is enough. We need to be careful.” He kissed her passionately. “I could do this all night.”

“I’m counting on it.” He lowered himself on her, and she parted her legs and closed her eyes. He thrust his sex into her, causing her entire body to radiate with sexual anticipation for the rapture about to come. “Oh, Caleb.”

“Jules.”

No more was said other than the release of moans and whimpers as he stroked her again and again, varying from hard fast strokes to gentle deep ones. His naked flesh seared her, engulfing her in a passionate heat, and she dug her nails into his back. Finally, they both cried out.

Caleb drifted to sleep first, then Julie.

She woke from her afternoon nap and studied the masculine lines of his face. A face she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. A man she wanted to make happy. She smirked. Why wait? Could he get it up again?

She leaned over him and kissed his stomach while her hand aroused his flaccid appendage. He moaned, coming out of sleep. After bringing him back to a full erection, she straddled him and worked her body in a rhythmic motion.

Caleb stared up at her. “God, you’re beautiful.”

“So, are you.” She leaned over and nipped his bottom lip. He rolled her over on her back and continued what she’d started, flexing his muscles as he pumped hard until they both peaked and released together.

“I think I’m going to die if we keep this up.”

Julie laughed. “With kids and then my parents stalking us, I’m not sure when we’ll be together again. Even after I tell them about us, I’m certain Mom won’t babysit so we can see each other.”

Julie and Caleb finally left the tent and swam in their hidden creek again before dinner. As evening set in, Caleb built a fire and pulled the chairs around it. But rather than sit in her own chair, she sat on his lap with her arms draped around him.

The fire popped charred bits as orange flames lapped over the dry wood. The scent of burnt wood filled the air. Smoke stung her eyes. From the creek, bullfrogs croaked loudly.

Julie smiled. “Mating season.”

“Sounds like a damn frog orgy.”

She giggled.

Around them fireflies flitted about, and a screech owl hooted in the distance. Crickets spun their music.

“It’s so wonderful here.”

“I always thought so. The day of my sentencing, I thought about skipping out and coming out here to live. But then my parents would’ve lost everything they had.”

“Were you terrified?”

“Not at first. First, I stayed at a medical facility.”

“Were you sick?”

“No. It’s procedure. You’re still uniformed and locked up. You’re checked out from head to toe—even your teeth. But it was still rough. I was away from home and devastated over the sentence I’d received. Then finally I was relocated to the Missouri State Correctional Center. That’s when it becomes all too real. First night’s the worst. I was scared shitless.”

“How long before you got over your fear?”

“Ten years.”

She thought about what he said. “That’s a long time to be scared.”

“Yep, but I was. I’d heard crying was the worst thing you could do. It singles you out as an easy target for sexual predators or just outright bullies. My first night I really wanted to cry. God, it hurt to hold back the tears, and I chewed the inside of my jaw until it bled. Whatever it took I couldn’t let myself shed a tear.”

“Did you ever have a time when you let it all out?”

“Yep, the first night I was out of prison and back at Grandpa’s house. I cried all night.” He told her about his brother disowning him. “That hit me hard. And the fact that my grandparents and parents had all died. I didn’t have anyone until Ally showed up in my yard.”

“Oh, Caleb.” She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

Julie couldn’t even start to imagine what his life had been like in prison. She wanted to ask Caleb more about his experience but didn’t. It was his past. None of it mattered.

Caleb pulled hotdogs from the ice chest and grabbed two clothes hangers he’d stretched out. He threaded the hotdogs on a wire hanger and handed one to Julie. “I haven’t done this in ages.”

“Me either. George takes Scott camping with them.”

“Did you and Jeremy camp?”

“Yes. We took the kids camping the week before he was killed. We almost changed our minds, but finally decided to go. Now I’m glad we had that time together.” Her throat tightened, bringing tears to her eyes. She twisted her hanger, so her hotdog cooked on the other side. “He was a wonderful husband and father.”

“He was lucky to have you.” Caleb removed his hotdog from the fire and blew the flames out. “Burned it.”

“Wanna trade? I like them like that.”

“Sure.” He handed her his hotdog and a bun.

Julie squeezed mustard on the burnt hotdog, then ate it. “This is living.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t like this.”

“What’s not to like. I wouldn’t trade this for the fanciest restaurant in St. Louis.” She glanced at the forest and marveled over the fireflies. “Look, there are thousands of them. Maybe millions.”

The tiny creatures blinked their glowing lights against the black canvas of the forest. Though she’d seen them like this before, the sight always enthralled her.

“That was good. Want another one?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No thanks. One is my limit.”

“Speaking of good, you’re good.”

“At what?”

“Your specialty.” He grinned. And for a moment he blushed, reminding her of how he’d looked before he’d become a convict.

It required a moment to realize what he was talking about. Then she recalled her remark about being good at screwing things. “You’re bad. That’s so unfair to bring that up.”

“Lady, you know what you’re doing.”

“I’ve had some practice. We didn’t just conceive Scott and Ally and then refrain from sex. Jeremy and I had a full, healthy sex life.”

“Silly, but I’m jealous of him. He had you for years.”

“I loved him a lot. I still do. But that won’t keep me from moving on. I know he’s never coming back.” She paused. “Caleb, I plan to show Aunt Noreen what I found. Maybe she’ll convince Connie’s parents to give us Connie's diary.”

“Why would she do that?”

“She knows.”

“Knows what?”

“That I’m in love with you. She guessed it.” She gazed at him, waiting for him to return the words of endearment or say something. Anything but sit speechless.

But he didn't.

He doesn't love me.

Though she fought showing any emotion, her face must’ve sold her out.

"Aw, Jules. Something could go wrong. I could end up back in prison. It's not that I don't care deeply for you, I do, but I'm afraid if I say it, somehow it will jinx us."

A chill ran through her. What if his feelings were all about lust not love? Was she willing to break her parents’ hearts and split up the family for a man that didn’t return her love? Now she wasn’t so sure she should break the news to them. Why should she sacrifice everything for a man who couldn't even say he loved her?

“You seem so quiet. You cold?” he asked.

“No, it’s not that.” She moved to the other chair. “I’m just exhausted.”

Silence prevailed for a short time, and her thoughts shifted to Reece Stanford. Had he and Aunt Noreen been involved before Uncle Bob came into the picture? Is that why she kept a correspondence with the convict?

During the night, Julie slept soundly, but woke when Caleb kissed light kisses down her back. He rubbed his hand gently over her bare thigh. With his mouth, he nibbled her ear lobe, letting his warm breath heat her skin. She rolled over and met his hot, lustful gaze.

Caleb kissed her gently. “Good morning.”

Though she’d intended to rise early and leave, she didn’t. Instead, she made love with Caleb once more. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“When are you moving back to your house?”

“I don’t know. I can’t take being with my mother. I love her, but she drives me insane.”

“Before you move back home, you need to buy a handgun and get your father to show you how to use it.”

“I know how to shoot, but I don’t want a gun around the kids.”

“You can buy a case that locks. You need a gun.”

“Maybe. I’ll mention it to Dad.”

Rain pinged the tent, and thunder rumbled overhead.

“Damn. This isn’t good. I have to pick the kids up at one. Now, I’m stuck here until this blows over. Lightning hit two people during the last storm.”

“Relax, first break we’ll leave, and I’ll tow you back. With the rain, I doubt anyone will be on the river.”

“How will you pack up?”

“I’ll leave everything here except the ice chest. No one will find it. I hope we get to do this again soon.”

“I doubt it. The kids are usually home. This was a rare treat.”

“Maybe one day you can skip out of work.”

She nodded. “Possibly. I wonder what time it is. With it being so stormy, it's hard to tell. It seems late.” She pulled her phone from her bag and glanced at the time. “Crap, there’s no way I’ll make it back on time.”

“Can you call?”

“There’s no reception this far out.”

“Then maybe we should make a run for it. It’s still raining, but at least it’s not thundering or lightning,” Caleb said as he slipped his clothes back on.

“Let’s go before it starts back.” Her fingers trembled as she tried to zip and button her jean shorts. It still concerned her that he couldn't express what he felt for her.

“Thanks, Jules, for last night and this morning.”

Her throat tightened and caused her eyes to burn.

It hurt that he’d thanked her in the same way he had for doing his laundry. It was so casual and unemotional. “My car is at Boats and Floats. Can you take me most of the way down?”

He nodded. “We’ll tow your canoe behind us.”

She rode in his boat until they neared her business. She motioned Caleb over. He pulled upon the deserted riverbank.

Before she climbed out, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “When can I see you again?”

“I’m not sure now that Ally and Scott are out of school. They have their swimming lessons on Tuesday afternoon.”

“Then let’s plan something for Tuesday.”

“I drop them off at two and pick them up at four.”

“Come to my house?”

“Okay.” She rose from his embrace and edged one leg into the shallow water, then the other and stood. “Tuesday a quarter after two.” She waded to her canoe.

“I’ll be waiting.”

She untied her canoe, shoved it back into the water and hopped in. She waved briefly, then paddled toward Boats and Floats.

♦♦♦

Caleb sensed something was wrong. Even when she had smiled, her face appeared sad and troubled. His gaze remained on her until she disappeared around the curve. Was she worried about what she’d done?

She’s feeling used.

Why?

Then he knew. He hadn’t said anything afterwards except thanks, as though it’d been a business transaction. Julie was the kind of woman who needed to feel loved and cherished. And the only thing he’d accomplished was sending her away feeling cheap.

He'd marry her in a heartbeat if he were off parole.

It was too late to go after her. Tuesday he wouldn’t be able to hold back his feelings for her. He’d have to admit how much he loved her and then hope his life didn’t crumble like a sandcastle.

When he climbed from his boat and tethered it, he spotted Ally and Scott with their grandmother at Julie’s backdoor. Her mother peered through the back glass. 

He ducked back behind a tree and hoped they didn’t spot him.

Poor Jules would be in a heap of trouble. It wouldn’t be hard for them to figure out she’d been with him. 

This time if her father came to talk, he’d tell him to go to hell. He wouldn’t give Julie up. He tried it, and it hadn’t worked for either of them.