her, in scrubs and fresh out of surgery that had saved Mark’s life, he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The first time she touched his arm in the hallway of the hospital had been like getting hit by lightening. The zap that went from her hand to his arm had scared him. And despite spending hours at the hospital at Mark’s side, he had watched her and dreamed about her and wondered if there was a chance she was doing the same.
The instant she kissed him, Caleb’s life imploded. He couldn’t breathe without her already. He had given up control for the first time in his life. She was intelligent and beautiful and seemed so innocent. And he knew he needed to proceed with caution. She was not accustomed to the lifestyle he preferred.
“I’ve been standing here about five minutes and I’m not sure you’ve moved. What is so fascinating out that window, Allen?” Mark’s voice startled Caleb back to reality.
“Sorry. Just lost in thought. What’s up?” Caleb stood to shake his hand.
Mark took a seat across from him and rubbed his eyes. “Came to take Sophie to lunch but she’s busy. Her boss is a real prick.”
Caleb laughed and shook his head. “I get that a lot.”
“We’re having a last minute get together at the house tomorrow afternoon. Three o’clock. Bring Andi. I got a bunch of steaks to throw on the grill. Just bring some beer or something. Sorry about the late notice but there is an announcement.”
“Another one, Moretti?” Caleb laughed as Mark scrunched up his face.
“It’s not my announcement asshole. See you tomorrow.”
~~~
Jena stood at the front door, hands shaking and heart pounding. She wanted to go inside. She wanted to get lost in Caleb. Her brain told her that she needed to walk away. Her schedule was too packed and her career too important. He wasn’t offering a relationship. But wasn’t that what she wanted as well? No strings and some fun with the ability to walk away if things got out of control?
Who was she kidding? When Mark was injured, Caleb spent every day by his side. And that meant that she saw him every shift. They had talked then, and afterward while Mark was healing at home. But mostly, she had watched him. His sandy blond hair and green eyes had captivated her. The sprinkling of freckles on his cheeks made him boyish, while his tall and muscled body screamed man.
“You OK?” Caleb leaned out of the front door, pulling her from her thoughts. He smiled his crooked smile with the dimple that made her weak kneed.
She met his eyes and immediately knew the answer. She would give this a go. Whatever this was, she would enjoy it for the time they had left. “Yes. I’m fine. Thanks.”
Caleb opened the door wider to let her in. When she stopped in the foyer and looked down the hallway toward the bedroom, he took her hand. “I have a surprise for you.” Leading her out the back door, he smiled at the warmth he felt having Jena by his side.
They stopped in front of a large boat in the first slip at the marina. She gasped. “I’ve always wanted a boat. Is it yours?” She ran her hand across the leather of the captain’s chairs. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s my neighbor’s. But it’s ours for the night. Want to take it out?”
Jena nodded her head, all the tension easing from her body. As they pulled out of the marina and picked up speed, the wind picked up. She opened her arms and threw her head back. Freedom. The stars lit the sky, the wind was warm as it hit her face, and just as she thought it couldn’t get any better, a feeling of peace washed through her body. She smiled and shut her eyes. She took a deep breath. “It’s heaven.”
Caleb couldn’t help but stare. He had seen Jena in scrubs, in dresses, in all kinds of social