Chapter 88

Chapter 88
Caleb’s POV

The villa is perfect. Nashon really outdid himself this time as always. I shake my head to stop myself from thinking about past experiences with other girls in a place like this. Just thinking about it makes me hate myself. Why couldn't I just wait for Raven?

The interior glows with warm, golden light, soft white curtains flutter by the balcony, the scent of the sea drifts through open windows, and faint music hums from the speakers Everything feels calm… safe.

Raven walks ahead of me, her bare feet silent on the polished wooden floor. She runs her hand along the marble counter and lets out a small, breathy laugh. “This place is unreal,” she says, turning to face me.

Her smile, goddess, I missed that smile.

“It’s all yours,” I say softly “Consider it home for as long as you want.”

Her gaze softens, and for a brief moment, I see something pure flicker in her storm-gray eyes , peace, maybe even happiness.

She disappears down the hallway, curious, peeking into each room until she reaches the bathroom. “You’ve got to see this, Caleb!” she calls out, her voice echoing through the hallway.

I walk over and stop in the doorway, watching her marvel at the massive tub surrounded by scented candles and rose petals. “I think Nashon has been reading too many romance novels,” I joke.

She giggles, turning to look at me, strands of her maroon curls brushing her cheeks. “Then maybe we should live up to the setting.” Her eyes are mischievous.

Her tone is teasing, but the air between us thickens instantly. I take a step toward her. She doesn’t move back.

The moment stretches filled with quiet breaths and the sound of waves crashing outside.

“Shower first,” I murmur, brushing a stray curl from her face. “You’ll feel better.”

She nods slowly, and I turn to leave, but her hand catches my wrist. “You could join me,” she whispers.

I swallow hard, fighting the heat rising through me, but one look at her and I know resistance is pointless.

The water cascades over us, hot and soothing. Her back presses against my chest, her head resting beneath my chin. My hands trace lazy circles down her arms, her fingers sliding over mine. No words, no need. Just heartbeats and breath.

When she turns to face me, droplets gliding down her skin, I see everything I’ve been fighting for, everything I’ve lost and found again.

Her lips find mine, slow at first, then desperate. The steam rises, the world fades, and all that remains is the feel of her against me.

Later, after we’ve both calmed the storm inside us, I tie a towel around my waist and head to the kitchen. I need something to do, something to ground me.

I open the fridge; Nashon’s stocked it with everything. “Good man,” I mutter under my breath, pulling out eggs, vegetables, and some herbs. The familiar rhythm of chopping and sizzling fills the air.

Behind me, I hear soft footsteps.

Raven leans against the counter, wearing one of my shirts Nashon prepared, it hangs loosely off her shoulders, revealing just enough to test my control.

“You cook?” she teases, her voice playful.

I glance back at her. “I do everything.”

“Clearly,” she says, smiling in that way that makes my heart ache.

I plate the food, nothing fancy, just omelets and toast but she doesn’t seem to care. Her eyes never leave me, following every move I make. There’s a spark there, a pull I can’t escape.

When I turn to hand her the plate, she doesn’t take it. Instead, she closes the distance between us, her eyes glinting under the warm kitchen light.

“Raven…” I begin, but her hands are already on my chest. She kisses me before I can finish.

The plate clatters onto the counter as her lips move against mine, soft but hungry. I grip the edge of the counter, trying to keep control, but the way she tastes, like salt and sweetness, makes it impossible.

Her fingers trail down my chest, her breath mingling with mine. I lift her effortlessly onto the counter, her legs wrapping around me as if she’s afraid I’ll pull away.

The kiss deepens again, slower this time, less about desire and more about the ache of being apart too long.

We stay like that , lost in each other ,until the smell of the forgotten food snaps me back. She laughs against my lips, the sound pure and melodic.

“Guess we’ll have to eat later,” I say, grinning.

When the sun starts to dip, we head outside. The sea glows in shades of gold and silver, the waves gentle and inviting.

Raven looks at the water uncertainly. “I don’t know how to swim,” she admits, biting her lip.

I smirk, stepping closer. “Then I’ll teach you.”

Her eyes narrow in mock suspicion. “You just want an excuse to hold me again.”

“Always,” I reply simply.

She laughs that soft, shy laugh that still manages to shatter every wall I’ve built.

I guide her into the water slowly, holding her hands as she wades in. The water is warm, the tide calm. She’s tense at first, but when I show her how to move, how to float, she picks it up faster than I expect.

“See? You’re a natural,” I say.

She smirks, splashing water at me. “Maybe you’re just a good teacher.”

Before I can respond, she ducks underwater, emerging behind me. Her arms wrap around my neck, and her laughter echoes through the ocean breeze.

“You’re full of surprises,” I say, turning to face her.

“So are you,” she whispers, eyes glowing faintly as the moonlight catches them.

I freeze for a moment, noticing it, that strange shimmer, that power beneath her calm expression. She’s changing. Slowly, steadily. But I push the worry away.

For now, she’s here, smiling, breathing, alive. That’s all that matters.

I pull her close again, kissing her forehead as the waves rise around us.

“I promise,” I murmur, my voice low against her hair. “No one will ever hurt you again.”

She smiles faintly, her hand resting over my heart. “I know, Caleb. I believe you.”

The wind picks up, carrying the scent of salt and rain a warning of the storm that’s always just beyond the horizon. My body shivers with the thoughts of losing her again.