11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Caleb

I rush over to Laney’s after the Ford boys drop me off. I’m so excited I lift her up in the air, and she squeals. “What’s this?” She laughs.

I kiss her lips playfully, fast and loud. “I’m free. Me and the Ford boys got called to the cop station this afternoon. None of us are suspects. I can go to Scotland!”

She cups my face with her hands. “That’s wonderful news!”

Another kiss, this time holding her tight to me. “I’ve got our company jet booked. I’m meeting with da the second I get home. Can you come?”

“Well, Caleb, aye. That was the plan. I’ve got my company jet ready to take me in a couple of hours.”

We’re both thinking the same thing. I know it. “There’s no sense in us taking separate jets, Laney. Come with me.”

She nods. “Okay. I’ve spoken with Gretchen. I think I’ve got her convinced to come here. Brandy thinks I’m nuts, but once she meets her, she’ll understand completely.”

Laney’s phone rings from her pocket. I let go of her so she can see who it is. “Oh, it’s Brandy. I better pick it up. She’s known to show up if I don’t.”

“Go ahead.” I tell her. “Do you want privacy?”

She smirks. “Probably not.”

I snort a laugh, knowing that that means she told her about us.

“Brandy. What’s up?” She answers, placing her on speakerphone. “I’ve got Caleb here and I’ve got you on speakerphone.” I follow her inside the house.

“Did I interrupt anything?” Brandy teases.

“Fuckoff. Would I have answered the phone?” Laney chuckles.

“This is weird. Caleb, the last time I saw you, Laney chewed you up and spit you out at that bar that night.”

“Don’t remind me.” I tell her.

“Hey, I’m glad that you’re both there together.” A pause. “Never thought I’d say that sentence.”

“Brandy…” Laney warns, but her tone and her smile says that she’s kidding.

“Did you hear that they made an arrest in Rachel’s murder?”

Laney and I exchange a look. “How the hell do you know that?” I bark. “I literally just got back from the cop shop and they wouldn’t tell us shit.”

She chuckles, impressed with herself. “Some woman got arrested. Apparently, she was the wife of one of the guys Rachel was fucking on the side. She’d fled the country, evidently, but somebody snitched on her and got her extradited. Not sure of the details, but I guess they finally were able to match her DNA to whatever disgusting shit they found at the scene or on her whore body.”

“And how did you find all this out, may I ask?” Laney says.

She clucks her tongue. “I know people.”

“We have spies, people literally watching other people, getting paid for it, and none of them knew any of this shit.” I declare. “Everyone’s fucking fired. That’s the end of it.”

“If it helps, there was a gag order, but I did a little fucking around myself, and got me the goods.” Brandy adds.

“Who did you fuck, little miss ‘I just got divorced, so I hate men’?” Laney asks.

“Another conversation, my friend.” She says, self-righteously. “So, whatcha doin’?”

“Heading to Scotland shortly.” Laney answers.

“Are you bringing the girl and the kid back?”

“Dunno.” Laney says. “I think I’ve got her convinced to come with us, but I can’t be sure. We’ll see when we get there.”

“Does your dad know about you two yet?”

We both answer in unison. “No.” And then we laugh.

“Can I please, please be there when you tell him?” Brandy teases.

“Goodbye, Brandy.” Laney says, and then she hangs up, smiling. “Well, at least she’s not going to tear me up for this.”

“You think your da will?” I ask, levelling with her.

“Caleb, your da will be dancing in his shoes, when he finds out that we’re getting along. But mine, while mine wants nothing but happiness for me, he’s going to see a hidden agenda, no matter what.”

I see something in her eyes, and I’m not sure what it is. “Laney, you know that I’m not…you know…here, because I still want to make you marry me, right?”

“Look, I told you, Caleb. I’m not getting married. I’m not having children. I’m not doing any of that conventional stuff.” Her gaze is measured equally between both my eyes. “What we’re doing, just…being…together, that’s all I want right now. Nothing more. You can tell your da that, too. And I’ll tell my da the same. The fact that we’re together doesn’t mean more than that.”

I swallow, sliding a finger down the side of her cheek. “Then this is the first thing that my da’s going to have to accept. He’s not one to take the word no lightly, Laney, but if that’s what you want, then that’s what he’s going to have to do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure, Laney. I mean, I don’t know where this is going, of course, but I like you. I like you a lot. We’re having a great time together, and we’re not driving each other nuts, which is more than I can say for any other woman that I’ve spent more than a couple of hours with.”

She gets a quirky smirk on her face. “Were those couple of hours just fucking? Because we’ve done more than that, too.”

“Well, we have done a lot of fucking, baby.” I joke, kissing her lips. “But I hope that we mean more than that to each other, and I think that we do.”

She kisses my lips. “Let’s find out.”

Laney is off to see her family while I’m off to visit mine, and then we’re getting together to go over to see Gretchen and Peg later. Da is on a call, so I head to my office, to answer some emails and make a few calls, feeling fresher and stronger than I have in a long time. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

“Caleb.” Da greets, entering my office. “I didn’t expect to see you here. I expected you to be dancing in the streets over your newfound freedom.” He says, clapping me on the back, kissing my cheeks. It feels great for him to be warm like this. It doesn’t happen often, so I take advantage.

“Yeah, it’s great to be back. I couldn’t wait to get here. I missed Scotland.”

“I know you did, son. And how’s Laney? Is she more settled now that you’re free?”

I look down at the floor, deciding that there’s no time like the present to cut to the chase. “Da, Laney and I, we’re just friends.”

He lifts a brow. “You’ve bedded her, Caleb. You’re more than friends.”

“I know that, da. But that’s all she wants. She doesn’t want to get married.”

He waves. “Ah, Caleb, they all say that. It’s a game, son. Every Scottish woman wants to be married and have bairns.”

“Not Laney, da. She’s made it perfectly clear that she doesn’t want to marry or have any bairns.”

Da waves. “Ah, why do you think your brother Ethan had to ditch that lass he was seeing, huh?”

And just as he says this, lo and behold, Ethan walks into my office. “Da, I knew my ears were ringing for a reason.” He looks at me. “Hey, dipshit.”

“Suck my dick.” I sneer. This is our usual M.O., and da is completely immune to it.

“Having trouble with the lasses?” Ethan asks.

I guffaw. “If I did, do you think I would ask you?”

“Why not? I get as much pussy as you do.”

“We’re not just talking about getting pussy, loser.”

He interrupts me. “Yeah, I know. Da told me about his genius plan to get you hitched.”

Such a suck up. Da is glowing. His golden boy puffs his ego fuller. Meanwhile I look like a sucker that can’t do one simple thing.

“Caleb says that Laney doesn’t want to get married. I was just telling him about you and Shaylea.”

Ethan flops on the couch dramatically. Making me roll my eyes. “Yeah, I had to cut her loose. Once you and Laney get married, I’m next in line to be the most eligible bachelor.”

He’s acting like I had a choice in the matter. Like I asked to be toted as that. “And what makes you think the torch will just be passed on like that?”

Da pipes up. “You don’t think your brother will cut it?” He asks with a teasing tone in his voice. Why he’s feeling playful today is beyond me. But it normally doesn’t last so I don’t get too comfortable.

“I didn’t say that, da. I just mean that it wasn’t something I planned, and therefore, it probably shouldn’t be something that Ethan plans, either.”

Ethan ignores my comment. “So, Laney doesn’t want to marry you. Think she’ll marry me?” He taunts. My teeth grind together but I don’t dare let him see that he’s under my skin.

I close the lid on my laptop and grab my cell phone off the desk, without saying a word to da or Ethan.

“It’s probably because of the murder, Caleb. You should try again now that that’s over with.” Ethan scoffs, talking to me like I’m a complete idiot.

I ignore him. “I’ll talk to you later, da.” I say, leaving.

But, stupidly, I look back at my brother, and I see his satisfied grin, which makes my skin crawl.

Laney

I arrive at Gretchen’s house before Caleb. She’s so happy to see me, she gives me a big hug. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Peg’s just in the house napping.”

Her smile is bright, matching mine. “Did you get a job?”

“No, but I had an interview, so I hope that leads to something. I’ve got another interview tomorrow.”

“I’m glad. How’s the water heater?”

She smiles again and nods. We’re outside on the porch. There’s a small bistro table that she’s sitting at, with two chairs. Gretchen has a pot of tea, mugs, milk and a sugar bowl sitting on a small tray on the table. After pouring me a cup of tea, we sit there, sipping. “Have you given any more thought to coming to the states?” I ask her casually, not trying to pressure her, just simply gauging her.

“I’ve never been anywhere but Scotland, Laney.”

I place my hand over hers. “I promise you’ll love it. And I’ve checked; they’ve got lots of places where you can go for your meetings. I really think it would be the best thing for you, Gretchen.”

Just as I say this, I see Caleb pull up. Gretchen immediately rises. Caleb’s arms are outstretched as he approaches her. The hug he gives her is akin to one you would give someone that you haven’t seen in years and miss dearly. Like best friends or favorite siblings. He actually kisses her on the cheek. “You look great, Gretchen. Gosh, I’ve missed you.” He looks around. “Where’s the bairn?”

When he says this, the front door opens, and Peg slips out. Her face lights up like a goddamn Christmas tree when she sees Caleb. I’m almost jealous. His face matches hers as he picks her up and swings her into the air, as she squeals so happily, my heart could burst. But it’s when he pulls back and looks at her that I fall in love. With her, but also with him. It’s also the moment that I think to myself that I’d like to see that look on his face again. With his own child. Although, the look on his face tells me that he couldn’t love her any more if she was his own.

I feel a lump in my throat the scene is so powerful. Caleb loves Peg. Loves her to bits. It’s evident, in that he’s been around since she was just a wee bairn, and it looks like he’s never going to stray from her. He loves Gretchen, too, and it literally melts my heart that he can give so much and ask for absolutely nothing in return. Like she’s his prize, Caleb carries Peg around, holding her tight to him. “Why don’t you show me that little bear that you made the last time I was here?”

Gretchen looks at me. “He bought her one of those Build a Bear kits last time. They spent hours making this thing and she promised him that she’d make him another, so that he could have a matching bear to keep, sort of like a receiving blanket for her…but for him.”

Could he be any cuter? We head inside and I watch Caleb fawn over Peg. It is the most precious thing. He is completely in love with her and I can’t not look at the two of them together. “They have a special bond, Caleb and Peg.” Gretchen explains, as though an explanation is needed. “I don’t know what I’d do if she didn’t have him in her life. I don’t dare bring any other man near her.”

“Can’t say I blame you there.” I say, but not loud enough for Peg to hear. Peg sits in Caleb’s lap and he regards her like his own precious daughter. She’s smitten with him. Caleb looks at me and winks. He’s so in his element. And as sexy as hell. I chide myself for thinking of him in that way at such a time, but I can’t help it. Never knew a man fawning over a child could be so sexy. But god…damn, it is.

“Mama said something about us moving closer to you. Is that, true, Caleb?” Peg asks.

He looks at Gretchen. “Well, that’s up to your mama, sweetheart. But I sure would like it if you were closer. Then we could see each other every day.”

She smiles and looks at her mama. “Mama, I want to go to live there. I miss Caleb.”

Gretchen smiles, but her eyes are glassy. She’s afraid but wants so badly to make everyone happy. My heart hurts for her and all that she’s been through. “No matter what happens, Peg, Caleb and I will always come and visit you often.” I tell her to put her mama at ease.

“That’s right, sweetheart.” Caleb agrees. “You’re never getting rid of me.”

I look at him as he adores this child. And I decide to throw out all my preconceived notions against having kids. I want to see that look in my future husband’s eyes. I want to share that love for our child with him. And there is no two ways about it: I am head over heels in love with Caleb. I’m just not sure if his feelings for me will ever be genuine, or if it will always be about his da’s ulterior motive. That’s the part that scares me. I see it in his eyes that he loves that child unconditionally. But will he ever feel that sort of love for me? Will he ever whole heartedly feel that same love for me?

We spend the rest of the day with Gretchen and Peg, and as we each take turns reading Peg a bedtime story, I watch Gretchen’s wheels turning behind those dark eyes. As we leave the bairn to sleep, we sit at the table to play some cards, and she just blurts. “I’d like to give it a try.”

Caleb looks at her. “Give what a try?”

“Moving to the states.” She says, as if testing the words on her tongue.

“Are you sure?” I ask carefully, sensing her trepidation.

“I think it’s what’s best for Peg. I owe it to her to see that smile on her face. As long as you two promise to visit a lot.”

“Oh, I’ll be by every day, Gretchen.” Caleb says with conviction. “If I can see that bairn daily, I’m not passing that up.”

His words make me smile. I am so in love with him. And it’s so weird how I’m sure now that I see him with Peg. Never thought a thing like that would seal the deal but it does all the same. “I’ll be there, too.” I add.

We get back to his place and it’s all I can do to restrain myself. I am dying for him. It’s so difficult to hide. Just his passing glances as we drive to his mansion are enough to make my panties damp. I’ve never known myself to be this responsive to anyone before. It feels like it’s been a year since we last touched. It also feels like forever getting there, and then he pulls into traffic on the highway and I want to die. “Isn’t there a quicker way?” I ask him.

“We can take the back roads, but it may take longer.”

I give him a look.

He looks at my lips and I think he gets the message. “Your wish is my command, lass.”

We skip the formalities as he weaves through traffic and gets on a road that leads to a park area and an abandoned lot. He pulls up to a grassy spot and parks. We undo our belts, listening to the thick traffic ahead of us, behind the trees, that we would have been sitting in if we hadn’t taken this detour. Crossing my leg over, I straddle him, as he pushes his seat right back.

Lips on his, tongues entangled, I groan as I feel his hands slide up my dress, pulling my panties to the side, as I quickly undo his pants, freeing his instantly hard cock. His hands guide me onto him as he enters me, and I move fast, voracious for him. I’m starved for him, losing control fast, as he skates his hands up to my breasts, rubbing them, pushing the bra cups up and pinching them deliciously between his fingers.

“Easy, baby.” He breathes between kisses, in an effort to calm me. But as he says this in such a sultry voice, while his cock pounds into me the way I’m craving to be fucked, I come so fast, I cry out against his lips. The car shakes as he fucks me harder, thrusting faster, making our skin slap together.

My orgasm is so strong I tremble as I grasp his hair between my fingers, while he continues with his passionate assault, fucking me harder, faster, bringing me to a second orgasm fast. I lift his shirt, desperate to make him come, licking and sucking his nipples, while he slams into me fast. I recognize the soft grunt and lift off him, being careful to slide my wetness up and down his shaft as he comes, spurting his seed on his own belly, writhing at my touch, fulfilling my need to please him. The inherent rubbing on my clit with his throbbing cock helps me squeeze out a third orgasm, so we finish coming together, both spent.

We’re both breathless. The windows are completely fogged over when he says. “You. You are a fucking goddess, Laney.”

I smile, wanting so badly to tell him that I love him. But this isn’t the time or the place, and I’m certain that he doesn’t love me. At least I’m certain that he doesn’t love me the way that I love him.

So I just smile, kiss him on the mouth, and hope to God that some day soon I’ll get my chance to tell him the truth.

…and in the days to come, we’re both going to need to hear those words as our salvation.