Page 100 of In My Heart
“Cara,” he breathed warningly, though he sounded wrecked already.
“Hmm?” I couldn’t hold in my smile.
“Are you done yet?” he asked playfully.
“Not even nearly.”
He groaned softly, kissing me harder. He took back control and I allowed him to, wanting that. He needed it, and I was pretty sure I did too. His kiss became more demanding, and I pushed my hand in his hair, holding on, just trying to keep up.
All I could feel was Cal's hands on my skin, his heartbeat beneath my palm, and the way he looked at me with so much heat.
“Are you sure you feel ready for this, Cara?” he asked softly. I looked up until our eyes met.
“More than ready,” I told him confidently, wanting him to see the truth in my eyes. I wanted him.
“Tell me if you need to stop, okay? I’ll try to curb my bossy bastard side, but…”
“No!” I gasped. “I don’t want or need you to curb anything, Cal. I’m safe with you. I know that. I want to know every part of you. Show me,” I told him firmly.
“Are you sure?”
“Sure of you,” I nodded absolutely.
“Come here, beautiful.” He held his hand out to me and I took it, then stood as he helped me to my feet. Once I stood before him, he let my hand go and leaned in to plant a small kiss on my lips. “Stay right there, hands at your sides while I take off these pyjamas,” he told me gently. Therewas a note of expectation that I do as he said, but it was soft and soothing.
I stood still, just as he’d said while he slipped the baggy t-shirt I’d worn to bed over my head, leaving me naked once he tossed it aside. He glanced down my body, but also met my eyes, checking in on me, always caring for me. My sleep shorts and underwear went next, in one fell swoop, tossed aside with my t-shirt, and I found it harder to stay still before him when he just remained crouched before me, looking up at every inch of my naked, scarred, too pale skin.
“Cal?” I whispered when he still hadn’t moved after what felt like too long.
“Breathe for me. I’m right here. Just taking in every perfect inch of you,” he told me gently. I glanced down at him and felt marginally less concerned when I met his eyes and saw heat still blazed in them. He must have liked at least part of what he saw. “You’re thinking too hard. Tell me what’s on your mind right now,” he told me as he rose to his full height and moved closer. He was so close I could feel the heat from his body against my skin.
“I’m not perfect,” I whispered honestly. “I’m scarred and too thin…too pale.”
Cal caught my chin between his thumb and pointer finger and lifted it until my eyes hesitantly met his.
“I don’t like to hear you putting yourself down like this,” he told me so seriously it made me listen. It was so unlike Cal to be that serious. “You are beautiful, every inch of you.And you are perfect to me. Do you think I don’t know my own mind?”
“No,” I shook my head. “You’re pretty confident of your own mind.”
“Yes I am, and I believe you are beautiful. I’ll make it my mission to make you believe that too in time. No one is perfect, but that doesn’t mean imperfect people can’t be perfect for each other, does it?”
“I guess not,” I hedged.
I lifted my eyes and met his again. The need and heat within me had receded and I just felt nervous now, the reality of my being naked before the closest to perfect human I had ever seen, stood before me.
Cal must have read my slight hesitance and worry because in a heartbeat his arms were around me and he lifted me until I could wrap my legs around his waist again.
“Is this too much, babe?” he asked gently, his eyes never leaving my face.
“No. I just…naked…stood like that…I’m not a big fan of myself right now, Cal,” I admitted, probably making no sense.
“I wish you would see yourself the way I see you. You really are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, Cara. I’ve wanted you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. Now I know you, know how strong, and brave, and special you are, I just want you more. You’re everything I never knew I needed or wanted, in one perfect package.”
“I don’t want to stop. I want this with you, Cal,” I almost pleaded.
“Then we won’t stop, but would you feel better with some clothes back on? Believe me when I say I want you exactly as you are, but I don’t want you to feel anxious or worried,” he offered.
“Will you be stripping at some point?” I asked with a smile.
