Free Haunted by Cheryl Douglas Page A

nothing. Social media was both a blessing and a curse. “They’re fans of
my music, that’s all.”
    “You can’t deny men proposition you every
day.”
    Caleb looked annoyed, though she couldn’t
understand why. “You have nothing to worry about. I like you. I’m here with
you. That’s all that matters.”
    “If some reporter asks you about the new
man you’ve been seen with, what will you say?”
    “I’ll tell them the truth—that we’re seeing
each other.” Elle thought that would be pretty obvious, since that was their
game plan all along, but she didn’t mind putting his fears to rest. When he
didn’t seem satisfied with that response, she said, “Unless you’d rather I
not?”
    “I want you to say whatever feels right.”
He tightened his hands into fists before loosening them.
    She shifted to lift herself off his lap. “I
don’t know what’s going on here. I feel like I’ve done or said something wrong,
but I can’t figure out what it is.”
    Caleb leaned forward, propping his elbows
on his knees as he ran a hand over his hair. “This isn’t your problem, it’s
mine.”
    “What is?” she asked, touching his
shoulder. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
    “I’m not used to feeling this way.” He took
a deep breath. “I’m used to being sure of myself, and with you, I feel so…
uncertain and confused.”
    Elle wanted to put his mind at ease, but
she didn’t know how.
    “I hate that I feel the need to hold on so
tight, like you’re going to slip away or something.”
    She tried to put herself in his position,
imaging how she would feel if he was on the road all the time with groupies
clamoring for his attention. “I wrote a song about you.”
    “You mentioned that.”
    “Would you like to hear it?” Elle was
cognizant of the fact there wasn’t a lot of distance between Caleb’s house and
his neighbors’, but she would chance someone hearing her pour her heart out to
him if it meant she could make him feel secure in what they had.
    “I’d love to.”
     
    ***
     
    Caleb listened while Elle’s sweet voice
enveloped him. The only thing running through his mind was, I’m falling in
love with this woman, and when she leaves, it’ll destroy me. He listened to
her words about their connection, knowing in his heart she felt his passion. He
could never convey it as easily because he wasn’t born with her gift. He could
only think of one way to show her…
    “Come inside with me,” he said, reaching
for her hand when she finished the song.
    “Did you like it?” She sounded uncertain,
but she let him lead her through the patio doors into the great room.
    “Did I like it?” He closed the door before
pressing a button to close the shades. “I loved it.” Backing her against the
wall, he pushed the straps of her dress off her shoulders as he kissed her neck.
    “Hmmm…” She tipped her head back against
the wall as she gripped his shoulders. “I love when you kiss me there.”
    He continued to nip and lick her sensitive
skin, basking in her subtle moans and labored breathing. He slid the dress down
her body to reveal a lacy black thong and strapless black bra. Stepping back,
he struggled to find reason in the face of lust. How had he fallen for a woman
who could, and probably would, break his heart?
    “Is something wrong?”
    “No,” he said, choosing to ignore his fear.
Lowering his head to take her mouth, he fixed both hands above her head.
“Everything’s right. You’re so perfect… I love seeing you like this.”
    Elle wrapped her arms around him, pulling
his mouth down to hers. Scooping her up in his arms, he made his way up the
stairs, barely stopping to catch his breath at the top step.
    Elle laughed. “You didn’t have to carry
me.”
    “I didn’t want to let you go.” He knew that
figuring out how to let her go when the time came for her to hit the road would
be the hardest part. A quick intake of breath preceded another kiss, and Caleb
questioned whether