“Your mother doesn’t like me. I can’t imagine she’d approve of our engagement. And if we moved in together, she will dislike me more. I”—I raised my hands in frustration—“I want her to like me,” I confessed quietly. “I know how important she is to you, Caleb. And I want her to like me because it’s important to you.”
“Red,” he murmured, reaching for me. “I love you. It makes me happy that you want to make me happy. Baby, look at me.”
He tipped my chin up so I was looking straight into his green eyes.
“You’re what’s important to me. You matter to me more than anyone in this world. More than anyone,” he repeated. “And I can’t wait to start our lives together. Nothing else matters. Move in with me.” He pulled me closer. “Please?”
I’d known this was going to happen. “Okay.” I let out a soft sigh. “But I want to give your mom some time to get used to the idea first.”
“She will love you. How can she not? We’ll get your stuff from Kar’s—”
“Caleb!”
I stepped away from him and let out a frustrated sound, tears threatening to spill. I didn’t know how I could explain what was really bothering me. I told him I wanted his mom to like me because it was important to him—and that was totally true. But deep down, it wasn’t the only reason.
His parents were getting divorced, but he still had both of them. They were still alive. He grew up with the support of his mother, his brother. When my mom died, I had…no one. Some nights I would wake up, unbearably sad and lonely, wishing for my mom. And I knew, just as sure as the sun would rise, that she would never be back. I would never hear her voice again or see her face. A heavy pain in my chest always came at the thought of her.
How could he possibly understand what it was like to be an orphan?
I knew it was irrational of me to want his mother’s love, but I did. And I just couldn’t explain it to him right now.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Please don’t cry. We’ll give her some time if that’s what you want. Whatever you need, Red. I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry.”
He opened his arms to me, waiting. I blew out a breath and stepped into them. He embraced me readily, kissing the top of my head.
“I just…miss you,” he said quietly. “So much. I can’t sleep when you’re not here…beside me. I think of the time when I almost lost you, and I know that pushes me to be unreasonable.”
I knew his techniques now—the way he charmed and cajoled—but what always got me was his sincerity. I sighed deeply, wrapping my arms around him.
“And demanding,” I said to his neck, trying not to be obvious that I was inhaling his scent.
He chuckled. “And demanding. I’m sorry, Red. Forgive me?”
I nodded, pressing a soft kiss to the base of his throat. “I really need you to drop me off at Kar’s after class.”
I knew he was frowning but felt him nod his assent.
“Caleb. I know you want me to stay the night, but you’re distracting me. I can’t concentrate on anything but you when you’re around me.” I pulled back and glared at him. “Happy now?”
His smile was wide. “Yes. You make me very happy, Red.”
It was half past two by the time we were ready to leave for class. Caleb grabbed my hand before I stepped out the door.
“Hold on.” The look he was giving me made it clear what he wanted. “You look really sexy in that top.”
“Caleb—”
“But I think you might want to put a sweater on. Or a jacket.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”
He was not telling me what I should and should not wear. He hadn’t before, and it wasn’t starting now. Just because we slept together didn’t give him the right to.
I frowned when he pointed at his neck, then his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Last night was the best night of my life.” And then his mouth twitched. Right before he bit his lip.