Caleb by Cindy Stark Page B

such a personal way without her responding. She swayed with the pressure of his hands, relaxing into a state of heated bliss.
    “Mmm….” she moaned. “That is so good.”
    His hands paused on her back, ripping her from her enchanted state. If she didn’t know better, she’d say she’d sounded like she was well on her way to an orgasm.
    She coughed and straightened. The time had come to leave before things got out of hand. “Thank you, Caleb. That was wonderful.”
    “Are you done, already? I could go longer. It’s free, remember?”
    She stood and faced him, slipping her straps up her shoulders and crossing her arms over her breasts when something there snagged his gaze. “I feel tons better. I think I’ll just call it a night.”
    “You sure?” He lifted a nonchalant brow. “You could stay down here and sit by the fire for a while. I noticed a couple of bottles of wine in the pantry. That might help relax you, too. It’s all part of staying balanced like we talked about.”
    That was the kind of balance she shouldn’t add to her life right now. “Thanks. That’s a lovely offer, but too much of a good thing might make it worse.” Meaning him, not necessarily the knots in her muscles that were semi-relaxed for now.
    He hesitated and then dipped his head in concession. “All right. Wish I could change your mind, but I understand.” Eyes the color of summer grass teased and tempted her.
    A powerful long second ticked by when she almost surrendered. Dammit . She inhaled a breath that helped clear the haze from her mind. “Thanks. Maybe another night.”
    He moved in for the nightly hug and kiss on the cheek. This time, however, his lips caught the corner of her mouth, and it took every ounce of will she had not to move the slightest to capture his full kiss.
    “Goodnight, my love.”
    She rolled her eyes but grinned. “Goodnight, Caleb.” She hurried for the stairs trying to escape the raging wildfire that chased after her.
    Maybe another night ? She shut her bedroom door behind her. Was she crazy? She’d all but invited him to ask again. She knew better than anybody that she couldn’t hold out forever, so why keep putting herself in a precarious position?
    Because, what if ? That’s why. What if he was the man meant for her? Crazy. Silly. Absolutely insane…possibly. Still, knowing that wouldn’t keep her heart from wondering.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    “ What do you mean I have to prove it ?” Rachel clenched her jaw as she gripped the phone, taken off guard by the sudden demand from her uncle’s lawyer.
    “It’s required, Rachel, but that doesn’t mean you need to allow Franklin to attend your marriage. I told him his presence wasn’t required for you to meet the demands of the will, that your marriage certificate signed by you, Caleb and your witnesses would be enough proof.”
    Fierce panic strangled her. Was there a way to forge a marriage certificate? “That’s ridiculous. My word should be enough.”
    Conway grunted his agreement. “That may be, but Franklin was correct when he stated that the will stipulates you have to have the signed document in hand before I can process your claim. Otherwise, you leave yourself open to attack from Franklin. And honestly, the sooner you do the deed, the better.”
    She peeked out the kitchen window and watched Caleb as he leaned over the fence, feeding a colt from his hand.
    Dammit . She’d called her attorney in the hopes he’d help her find a way out of the increasingly difficult situation she’d found herself in. Caleb constantly flirted with her, drawing her ever closer to giving in. His touches might have been innocent along with the kisses and hugs he gave, but they generated the same response from her.
    Instead of Conway helping, he’d made things worse. “We’re going to get married, but it’s impossible to pull one off overnight,” she lied. “It takes time.” She’d been sorely mistaken when she’d thought she could get away