Sophie Oak - Found in Bliss

She stood there in her tiny cabin—the very place where she’d been exiled—and realized that she could believe him or not. She could pull the mantle of past pain around her and be safe. She could go on as she had before. She could even keep Alexei. She didn’t need Caleb. Caleb would always have ties to a world she hated, a world that could come back to hurt her. Alexei would stay with her.

And they would all be living a half life because this weird thing between them worked. It was beautiful and odd and worth fighting for. And it was far past time to put her fear aside.

She didn’t speak. Words had always failed Caleb, but his actions spoke volumes. He’d taken care of her when she’d needed it. He was damaged, and she didn’t exactly know why. It didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if he never healed. She would take him damaged and broken. She would try to heal his hurt.

She put her hands on his face. “I love you, Caleb Burke.”

Not Sommerville. Nicky was right. This was who Caleb wanted to be.

His green eyes were solemn as he looked at her. “I love you, too. I just don’t know that it means much.”

Holly put a finger to his lips. “You don’t have to tell me anything. I don’t need to know. I love the man you are now.”

“And you would love the man he was,” Alexei said quietly. “He is very stubborn. He always has good heart.”

“I want to tell you. You need to know.” Caleb looked so miserable standing there, as though he was sure she would reject him.

She’d put that fear in his eyes by walking out. She should have yelled, fought with him. She should have stayed. She was well aware that if Alexei hadn’t been there, there was a great chance that Caleb wouldn’t have come to her.

They needed Alexei. She held out her hand.

Alexei hesitated. “ Dushka , perhaps you two should be alone.”

Caleb shook his head. “No, I want you to hear, too. You should understand. I know I said I would be happy to just be around for the sex, but that was bullshit. I want this thing to work, and you’re a part of it, Alexei.”

Caleb stepped away. He started to pace, and Holly could see how this would go. He would tell her in his clinical way, detached and outside himself. She didn’t want that. She wanted him to know that he was safe with her. She’d taken that from him when she’d walked away. He should know she wouldn’t do that again.

Holly pulled off her shirt and let it drop to the ground. Without hesitation she pulled off her bra.

“Holly, what are you doing?” Caleb asked, his eyes going straight to her breasts.

“She is getting ready to talk.” Alexei smiled warmly at her. He could read her mind. He worked the buttons on his shirt, exposing his chest.

Caleb turned between the two. “We’re going to talk naked?”

She pulled her hair out of the ponytail holder she wore. “Yes, consider it our first family tradition. When we have terrible things to talk about, we do it in bed, naked. I want to hold you, Caleb. Will you let me?”

He stilled. “I can’t do this if you’re going to walk away every time I upset you because I’ll probably upset you a lot. I know that maybe isn’t fair, but I can’t handle not knowing where I stand. I can’t play games. I’m not any good at them.”

He wasn’t. He was horrible at hiding his feelings. Alexei was good at it, but she didn’t want to play games with either of them.

There was only one way she could think of to prove that she was in. Without bothering to cover her breasts, she went to the phone. “What’s your brother’s number?”

Caleb’s head came up. “What?”

“Eli? What’s his number?” The only way to prove she could handle him was to throw herself into the fire.

“Holly,” Caleb started.

“Give her number, Caleb.” Alexei had gotten down to his underwear. She was never going to get used to that body. It was beautiful. It matched his soul.

“Do your clothes just fall off you?” Caleb asked, shaking his head.

Alexei shrugged. “It is skill. Now give Holly number. I am intrigued to see what she will do.”

Caleb rattled off a number, and within seconds the line was being answered.

“This is Sommerville. Who is this? I don’t recognize this number. This is a private line for family only.”

He sounded gruff, a man who knew his place in the world and wouldn’t appreciate it being questioned. Holly had no desire to question Eli’s place in the world, but he was going to understand hers as well.

“Eli. I’m going to call you Eli because I think we’ll be family soon enough. My name is Holly Lang. I live in Bliss, Colorado.”

There was a brief pause, and then he sounded almost amused. “I know your name, Ms. Lang. I keep tabs on my brother.”

Well, of course he did. “Then you know we’re seeing each other.”

“I know he’s interested. My brother likes to move slowly. He’s the tortoise of the dating world.”

He really was. Luckily Alexei was the hare who had pushed Caleb forward. “Well, his slow ass finally crossed the finish line. I’m going to be honest with you, Eli. I’m in love with your brother. And I’m keeping him. You can send in your spin doctors or image consultants, but it won’t make a difference. You can’t make me into some perfect political wife.”

“Well then, it’s a good thing you’re planning on marrying a doctor.” There was zero question of his amusement now. She could practically hear him smiling.

But she hadn’t told him the whole truth yet. “I don’t have a college degree. I’m divorced with a son who recently came out as gay. I live in a town known for its unconventional relationships.”

“And apparently its aliens,” Eli interrupted her.

Holly continued. “And you can’t run me off. I will have you know that my son is very good at blackmail. And Caleb and I have a very good friend who knows a thing or two about getting what he wants. A very good friend. A partner.”

There was a long pause. “Oh, fuck. Seriously? Caleb’s gone native?”

Finally she’d managed to get a rise out of him. “Yes. It’s perfectly acceptable here in Bliss. And our partner used to be involved in a crime syndicate, but he’s gone straight now. So if you want to keep this relationship of ours private, you better keep the press off us. But you can’t get rid of me. I love your brother, and I won’t be bought off or scared off or blackmailed off. Do you understand?”

Eli’s voice was warm as he spoke. “I think I do, Holly. I’m going to call you Holly since we’re going to be family soon enough. Consider me properly intimidated. Now that I know who the boss is, perhaps you can get my brother to call his family a little more often. We miss him. And Josh wants to come see him soon.”

“I think we can arrange that. Your brother says hello. He’ll call you later, but for now he has some things to do.” Before he could reply, Holly hung up. She turned to Caleb. Her heart was racing. It had gone far better than she could have imagined. It still could all go to hell, but she’d made her stand. “There, now we’ve started on the proper footing.”

Alexei smiled at her, his cock already straining at his boxers. “That was very sexy, dushka .”

Caleb’s hands came out in supplication. “He won’t try to break us up. Eli isn’t your ex. Are you sure about this, Holly? Eli can try to keep us off the radar, but I can’t guarantee that we won’t have nosy reporters sniffing around. I can promise that I’ll protect you as best I can. I can promise that no matter what anyone says, I’ll be here.”

She couldn’t ask for more. “Then take off your clothes and meet me in bed. You can tell me your story, and I can apologize for walking out. But Caleb, no more secrets.”