as the realization seemed to hit her. “The world is now yours.”
She sat back in her chair, sipping her wine. “That’s an overwhelming freedom.”
“Where’s the first place you’re going to go?”
She shrugged, taking the final bite of her dinner. “Any suggestions?”
I scooped my bread through the remainder of the sauce and finished swallowing. “Take me into my office, and I’ll show you.”
Giving me her wine to hold, she rolled me toward the other side of the condo, where the guest rooms and my home office were located. I flicked on the light from the doorway, the far wall showing a collage of framed photos.
“Those are the best trips I’ve ever taken.”
“Damn, Caleb, you’ve been everywhere.”
She moved us closer, and I started on the right side, pointing. “That’s in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Cairo,” I told her and aimed for one lower. “That’s the Western Wall in Jerusalem.” Some of the photos were with friends, some I stood solo, and others were only of the locations. “Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera,” I said, shifting again. “The water is a blue I’ve never witnessed before. You would love it there.”
“How about that one?”
“St. Petersburg, Russia. That was a hell of a place too.” I nodded toward the left of it. “So was Moscow.” I went on to describe the pictures of Amsterdam and Bangkok, Caracas and Montreal. When we finally reached the end, I added, “I’ve probably been to thirty of the states, but those pictures aren’t up here.”
There was amazement in her eyes as she studied the photo of Smith and me skiing in the Swiss Alps and asked, “Do you always travel with friends?”
“More often than not, I go by myself.”
“You don’t mind the quiet?”
I’d never considered that question. “I actually prefer it.”
“That surprises me.”
I turned my chair to face her, the slight action reminding me that there was still so much pain. “I’m an only child, Whitney. I’m used to silence.”
She shrugged. “I would just think it’s easier, maybe more rewarding, to experience it with someone else.”
“When you’re alone, it no longer becomes a trip about compromise.” I glanced at the picture of Japan, remembering the challenges that had presented itself and the language barrier. “When you can’t rely on someone else to steer you, a confidence builds from within, and you learn to use your senses more. That’s when you really find yourself.”
She took a drink of her wine. “Caleb, I’ve never even eaten at a restaurant by myself.”
“You should try it. You don’t need chatter to keep yourself occupied. Just listen to what the room is trying to tell you. The experience will really surprise you.”
She leaned into the edge of my desk. “Your adventurous side is so inspiring.”
I glanced down at my legs, a view I still wasn’t used to. “You have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. That’s the only way you’re going to grow. You know that, Whitney; you even taught me that.” As I stared into those dark pools of hope, the words began to come out on their own. “For example, if I wasn’t in this wheelchair, I would lift you onto that desk, place my hands on your cheeks, and ravish your lips. It’s a risk—something or someone could intervene—but one I’d be more than willing to take.” A heat spread across her face as I continued, “That’s how you have to treat life. Book that trip; take that adventure. Reach for that kiss—”
She pushed off the wood, setting down her wine, and closed the space between us. Her hands immediately surrounded my scruff, her lips pressing against mine. I growled as I took in her tender mouth, tasting the coconut scent as it mixed with the wine on her tongue. A sensual and savory combination, making me crave more of her. So, I circled her waist, pulling her as close as I could get her.
She felt like a fucking dream, and I breathed, “Whitney,” as my cock hardened even more, throbbing in my shorts.
“My God, you’re a good kisser.” Her mouth was on mine again, more softly this time. Her grip tightening on my skin, her tongue sliding in, teasing.
I moved in deeper after each inhale, feeling where her hips dipped and the arch of her back, the muscles in her legs as she stood between mine. I wanted to shred these clothes off her and cover every spot with my tongue. That urge grew, the longer her mouth was on mine.
When she finally separated