My lips parted as I felt my heart give a nervous jolt.
“Claire…” Caleb lifted his gaze. His eyes blazed with emotion.
My stomach churned with apprehension. As I studied his face, I felt a cry rising in my throat.
A muscle in Caleb’s jaw ticked as he brushed his fingertips across my cheek. “I don’t expect you to put your life on hold while I’m gone.” He swallowed, his face growing ashen. “As bad as I want you all to myself, I know it’s not fair to you if I’m not around.”
My brow creased as tears burned my eyes, the heaviness in my chest making it difficult to breathe. “What are you saying, Caleb?”
He licked his lips and let out a long breath. “I’m saying, you deserve someone who’ll be here for you. I don’t expect you to wait for me.” His voice cracked as a single tear spilled from the corner of his eye and hit the pillow. “While I’m gone, if you decide this isn’t what you want, I’ll understand.”
“Are you serious?” My heart clenched at his words. “You think this isn’t what I want? You think I could just turn off my feelings?” Water pooled in my eyes as my bottom lip quivered. “Caleb, no one has ever made me feel the way you do. No one’s ever been there for me like you. No one’s ever cared enough. But this is real. It’s something I can believe in.”
His eyes fixed on mine. “I love you, Claire,” he whispered. “I love you so damn much. But I understand this lifestyle isn’t for everyone.” He took my hand in his. “I should’ve been more upfront with you about my job, my duty. But I’ve been crazy about you since the day we met.” He blinked away another tear and squeezed my hand. “My whole life, I’ve been hoping to find someone like you. Someone kind, smart, beautiful, down to earth, real. Someone I could love.” He paused for a breath. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted, Claire. You’re everything to me.”
I raised up on my elbow and stared down at him. My heart was thudding against my chest. I took his face in my hand and brushed my lips against his. “You’re everything to me too. Don’t you know?” I let out a controlled breath and swallowed to force down the ball of emotions in my throat. “I knew what I was getting myself into from the beginning. I knew you’d have to leave. But it won’t be forever. I know you’ll be back. And guess what?” I gave him a soft smile as I fought back tears. “I’ll be right here. And you know why?” I brought his hand to my chest and pressed it against my heart. “Because you’re right here. So, why don’t you stop trying to analyze how this won’t work and start focusing on how it will.” My smile grew as I watched his eyes brighten. “I love you, Caleb Williams. You’re my Mr. Right. And I’ll always wait for you.”
Caleb pulled me over on top of him. A smile stretching his face. “Always?”
I grinned. “Always.”
“I’ll give you a lifetime to prove it.”
I lowered my lips to his. “You’re on, cowboy.”
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