“Just on the cheek. Don’t be jealous.” He smirked at her and then asked, “So maybe, could I just kiss you on the cheek? Just as friends?”
Emily felt like her heart would beat right out of her chest. She pressed her sweating palms into the door and managed to squeak out, “On the cheek sounds okay.” Okay? They were so far past okay she was about ready to melt into a puddle of desire right here and now.
Caleb gave her an incredible smile and then slowly leaned in. He took his time and Emily’s legs were mush as she leaned into the door for support. Slowly, deliberately, and tenderly, he brushed his lips along her cheek, dangerously close to her mouth. She sucked in a breath so fast it was audible. He smiled against her cheek and then finally eased back. Even without his lips on her cheek, she could hardly catch a breath.
His blue gaze was serious and intriguing. “It’s amazing to see you again, Em.”
She nodded. “I can hardly imagine how much you’ve been missing me.” She attempted sass, but there was too much truth to the statement.
He chuckled but then sobered. “I don’t know that you can imagine it. I’ve been missing you and Krew like I lost a piece of myself,” he said.
Emily let out a sigh. She wanted to stay right here, flirting with him all day, but she was playing with fire. Even though Jeff was a jerk, she’d promised him she wouldn’t date until March. She had to somehow keep that promise. “I’d better go,” she admitted.
Caleb looked like he wanted to argue, but he gave her a short nod and stepped back. Emily retrieved her gloves and hat and stepped to the side. Caleb reached out and opened the door for her, swinging it wide. She walked onto the porch with trembling legs.
Caleb held on to the door, the beautiful muscles of his arm flexing. “Thanks for coming, Em,” he said.
“Like I had any choice with Mylee tricking me.” She smiled to show she was teasing.
“Thanks for staying for a few minutes, Em,” he said, also grinning.
“Like I had any choice with you looking so appealing.” She winked.
He chuckled. “I’m sure I’m impossible to resist.”
“That you are.” She wanted to stay on this cold porch and flirt with him all day, but she forced herself to pull her gloves and hat back on and back up to the steps. “See you about four.”
“I can’t wait.”
Emily agreed. She turned and fled down the stairs so she didn’t push him back into that house and kiss him. Bringing Krew back with her this afternoon would be a great buffer so she could control her impulses and stay out of Caleb’s arms. Two more months. She’d have to be careful not to be alone with him or let him touch her or kiss her cheek again, or there was no way she could lie to herself and claim they weren’t “dating.”