Innocence (12 page)

“So why on earth did you pick the bridge?” he asked full of humor and finally feeling she was opening up to him, even relaxing, which eased his heart.

“Because it was easy. I just saw the bridge, river, and I had no idea what else to do. I saw red.”

“I know,” he said and smiled at her, cocking his head to the side, gazing at her beauty. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No, only child.”

He watched her look down to the floor scrunching up her pretty face.

“Same here. I’m the only child. My mum couldn’t have any further children after me, well she got cervical cancer, they removed the first load and then it came back and she had to have a full hysterectomy,” he told her.

Kacey looked at Calvin stunned.

“Poor woman that is terrible. Is she okay now?”

“Yes, she is fine baking glorious cream cakes and running around helping Dad, she is the grand designer, and owns a massive team beside her,” he said hitching his brows.

“Wow, that is great. And she is good at baking cakes. It would appear you are all very talented.” She smiled.

He loved the fact that for the first time she looked stress-free while rubbing her swollen tummy.

“Are you excited about her arrival?”

“At the moment, no, not looking forward to it at all.”

“Are you still thinking about adoption?”

“I’m not sure, I guess I’ll make that decision after Ross sees what he can help me with.”

“I agree, no point in jumping before you can walk, but I’m certain he can help you. Have faith,” he said when she grinned at him, looking indecisive, which he understood.

He watched her intently, looking deep in thought.

“Have you ever been in love?” She spoke out suddenly, forcing him to furrow his brows.

He tilted his head to the side, wondering where that question came from but, regardless he would answer her.

“Yes, well, kind of. I was in love with a girl many years ago, but she disappeared without trace I felt gutted. Ever since then, I…” he said, remembering the last time he saw her, looking so beautiful in his arms. He’d struggled to keep his eyes off her that night, never had he felt so weak at the knees or had his heart flutter the way he had with her. Then after they…made love, she left. Gutted at the time but went back to the party and got drunk.

“I have dated, but to be honest with you, Kacey, I make work my number one priority. I live for my job, it keeps me sane and out of trouble.”

Kacey scoffed. “Then you bumped into me.” She giggled.

“Yeah, honestly…I should have stuck to my original plan,” he mocked.

“What was that?”

He gazed at her. “Jumping on a jumbo jet and flying away.” Calvin winked at her and scrunched up his nose, when she smiled. Wow, was he sinking in deep.

“What happened to the girl?”

Calvin sunk deep in thought, thinking back to the night when he celebrated his eighteenth. He sent her an invite and prayed she would turn up and was shocked when she did, overwhelmed with excitement.

He remembered Kacey asking him a question. “What did you ask me, sorry, I drifted miles away.”

“It’s fine. I often take a trip back to when my life had been better, roof, food, money, and stability. We cannot turn the clock back unfortunately. She clearly meant something to you. What happened to her?”

“Not sure, all I heard was that she’d gone to York. It was a long time ago.”

“Sounds heart-breaking.”

“Have you felt real love?” he asked her, enjoying the fact she spoke freely, only didn’t wish to push her too far.

“Yes a long time ago, I doubt he felt the same way as I did, I hardly knew him to be honest. However, the less said the better.”

Calvin noticed her staring down to the floor.

“The things we have experienced.”

“Yes, that was the last time I felt happy. I was at home and loved what I was doing,” she said, lowering her tone he could see her thinking back.

“Do you fancy going into York now? We could go shopping,” he said longing to lighten the mood.

“That would be great.”

* * * *

Once she freshened up they took the twenty-five minute drive to York. She looked out the window checking out the scenery and the rolling hilltops, stealing her breath, how she missed the countryside. Gosh, she wished for that life back, breathe clean air, better lifestyle and the fact life always appeared to be that little bit slower. Closing her eyes her past haunted her with how she used to take walks, sit on the top of the hills peering down on the world, watching the forever changing landscape. The changing of the shadows as the clouds rolled over the colors changing during all the time during the different times of the year. She loved the way the wind blew through her hair, she closed her eyes enjoying the symbolic feeling of freedom, tranquillity and more important the freshness.

Kacey use to go for bike rides to different areas, hating when she biked up the hills but fun when she rolled down, kicking her feet out, and screaming to the thrill. She always took fresh water and something to munch on and would sit and see for miles depending on the weather, sometimes fires were lit, or cars were seen in motion down the main lanes or main roads, she often gathered her thoughts, or even not think at all, the lustres sound of the birds singing and sheep grazing, sometimes she would hear the odd tractor in the distance, either seeding or harvesting. How she craved to have that life back, only chances were very slim.

Yet, here she was in a car, with a gorgeous, caring young man who she struggled to understand. She studied him while he concentrated on the road ahead. He turned to glance at her, she quickly turned her head in the opposite way. She promptly pulled her hair forward to cover her face, not wanting him to look at her at all. She blushed with crimson, annoyed with her behaviour, unsure she had the hots for him. Only he was far too nice for her, she deserved scum

Her emotions were all over the place, expecting, hormones, and now appeared to be suffering with a terrible illness called…fancying a man, a real man, a man who cared, gave passion and consideration and not thinking with his…well his manhood. Surely Calvin was a one in a million man.

She yawned still shattered, but the fact someone was taking their time for her was the most amazing feeling in the world. She just hoped Calvin didn’t think she was taking him for granted.

Her mind strayed to what Ross had said, earlier. There was no way she wished to hurt Calvin…if anything she dreaded him leaving to go back to London. Her guts swirled fond of him, very much so. It hurt her heart to think he would soon be leaving, how would she cope without him? She gazed at him with desire, how she longed to locked in his arms, cuddled, loving his warm and filled with love.
The feeling of love! What is that?

“I sincerely appreciate everything you’re doing for me,” she had to say.

Calvin glanced in her direction. “It’s my pleasure,”

They arrived soon to the shopping area. Calvin parked the car grateful for his hand to help her out of the low vehicle, even if sparks flew.

Composing herself, needing to remain focused and not on him. Heck she had only known him a day and already her mind was filling with erotic thoughts.

She stood staring at the large complex noticing a few different shops from the last time she’d visited years ago.

“Are you coming?” Calvin voiced.

She smiled and waddled her way closer to him. He took her immediately into a baby shop and looked around the large store for maternity clothes. She riffled through looking for anything cheap, not wishing Calvin to spend too much, but enough to make her look decent. She chose some leggings, a nice white cotton blouse and a dress, all in the sale. He purchased them for her. Kacey could barely wait to get changed and feel more human and in nice new clothes, something she hadn’t owned for many years.

Once dressed in her new leggings and cotton blouse. She looked in the mirror, liking what she saw, her glow came back. She’d finished in the changing room, smiling proudly, feeling fantastic, fresh and human. She pulled back the curtain and thanked the female for allowing her to get changed. A few words were exchanged and much to her surprise found Calvin walking around the baby clothes.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Calvin turned. His eyes widened mortified she’d caught him.

“I was just…well, gosh, they come out pretty tiny?”

“I guess so.”

“So, how do I look?” Kacey said, giving him a twirl.

“Beautiful, really nice,” he said noticing the blazing stare he gave in approval. “Should we go for a coffee?”

“Sure, could I have a hot chocolate?”

“Of course. You look great,” he added and allowed her to pass through first to leave the store. Kacey felt better for being out of his clothes, let alone out of the old drabby clothes that were hers.

She waddled with Calvin walking past many shops, not remembering the last time she’d been in them, she bet almost ten years ago, before hell hit her life.

The shopping area was busy with her trying to avoid people walking into her when Calvin took a firm hold of her hand. His grip soft, firm, their fingers laced sending shockwaves erupting through her body. However, it was obvious he was protecting her.

“Everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said nervously.

He removed his hand from hers once they arrived at the coffee shop.

“If you could grab a table, I’ll get the drinks,” he winked at her.

Off she went to find a free table. The area was noisy due to being busy. She inhaled the strong aroma of coffee and looked around at the décor, being plain with brown and cream walls, some tube chairs and farm chairs dotted around the café and a few couches with large tables in a far corner with the daily newspapers. The sound of the stereo filtered through the speakers as she watched people sitting and enjoying some cakes and drinks while some children acted naughty.

“Here you go, been a while since I visited here.”

He placed her hot chocolate in front of her.

“Me too. Not changed though, since my last visit, just a few different shops,” she mentioned. She stared outside the large window overlooking the complex watching traffic merge in and out of the area.

“No, not much has changed. Did you hang out more in the city?”

Kacey turned her head to look at Calvin, his eyes gaze lights on her.

“Not really, just hung out at the local shops. Rob refused to pay for me to get a taxi or bus into the city.”

“He sounds charming. I bet you’re not missing him.”

“To be honest, I have no idea what I did see in him. When I first met him, he seemed sweet and well offered me a place to stay, wow, how that all changed,” she said, picturing Rob with a cigarette and a can in his hand or a joint, not being the most glamorous sights.

“And he wants nothing to do with his daughter?”

“No, do we have to talk about him? I mean he is nothing but a cheating, lying scumbag, and to be honest with you, I’m better off on the streets and away from his nasty lifestyle. He only cares about one person and that was himself.”

Calvin lifted his brows.

“I should say I’m shocked, but I’m not. Some men aren’t worth the breath.”

Kacey interrupted, “Why, are you Mr. Perfect?” She giggled.

He coughed, “No, but I think I could make a good lover,” he said.

“Are you kidding me? I bet the woman are queuing around the block for you.” She smiled.

“Yeah, in my dreams! I don’t have time Kacey, work comes first love will find its path to me one day.”

“And I bet you’ll sweep her off her feet.” She giggled.

He hitched his brows, possibly not agreeing with her. However, so far from what she had witnessed he was the sweetest, sincerest man she had ever come across. 

Kacey watched him take a sip of his coffee and then he cried out. She scoffed betting he had burned his mouth.

“Crap that is hot.” He instantly started blowing to cool his mouth down. Kacey was in hysterics.

“Well, that will teach you.” She belly laughed.

“Thanks.”

They sat for a few minutes in total silence, listening to the noise surrounding them.

“I thought if you fancied I could cook you something this evening at the cottage, get a movie, make a night of it.”

Kacey gaped at him.

“Only of course, if you wish?”

“Will it be like a date?” She wished to clarify with him.

“No, just me being your friend and keeping you company. I’m not tying you to anything,” he spurted out in his defence.

“I would like that.”

“Good, then that is sorted, supermarket then! Anything, in particular you like or crave?” Calvin asked wagging his brows, looking irresistibly gorgeous with his brown eyes beaming at her.

“Could I have some raspberry ripple ice cream with sauce?” She giggled and hid her face in her hands, feeling embarrassed.