Ava
After the whirlwind that was our airport experience, neither of us had the energy to go out. The crowds, delays, and general chaos had worn us down, leaving Caleb and me with one shared goal: a quiet night in. The idea of leaving the cozy suite seemed laughable, especially when room service was just a phone call away.
I sprawled out on the bed, phone in hand as I scrolled through the room service menu, trying to make sense of all the decadent options. Caleb, lounging beside me, ran his fingertips lightly up and down my leg, his casual touch sending warm shivers through me.
"You're not even looking at the menu," he teased, his voice deep and playful. "How are we going to decide on food if you can't focus?"
I glanced over at him, trying—and failing—to keep a straight face.
"You're the one distracting me with all this… hovering. How am I supposed to pick between steak or pasta when you're practically draped all over me?"
He chuckled, his hand now resting casually on my hip, his thumb brushing soft circles just beneath the hem of my shirt. The gentle touch sent my pulse racing, and I had to fight the urge to give in to the way his nearness was affecting me.
"Practically?" His voice dropped a little, warm and teasing. "Say the word, and I can fix that into an actually draped all over you."
I shot him a look, holding back a smile.
"Let's start with dinner. You're not getting out of that decision so easily."
"Steak," Caleb replied, grinning as he trailed his fingers along my side. "And something with chocolate for dessert. I'm sure they've got something fancy on here."
"You just want an excuse to order champagne," I teased, even though I wasn't opposed to the idea. Caleb always knew how to make a moment feel special.
He leaned closer, the heat of his breath brushing my ear as he whispered,
"Can you blame me? We're on vacation, and I plan on spoiling you."
My face flushed at his words, but I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool.
"Fine, steak and champagne it is. But we're getting two dessert *and* something sweet for me tomarrow too."
Once the order was placed—steak for the both of us, a spread of desserts, and a bottle of champagne—we settled in to watch a Marvel movie while we waited for the food to arrive. Caleb had picked The Avengers, of course, and I couldn't help but grin as the opening credits rolled.
"You know this is going to lead to another debate," I said, glancing over at him as I nestled into the pillows. He smirked, draping an arm casually around my shoulders.
"Oh, I know. I'm ready."
The movie played on, and for a while, we simply enjoyed the familiar sights and sounds of superheroes saving the world. The warmth of Caleb's arm around me, his steady presence at my side, made the chaotic day melt away. I didn't realize how much I needed this—a night in, just the two of us, laughing and teasing each other. No pressure. No worries.
Of course, it wasn't long before the debate started.
"I still don't get how you can think Thor is the strongest Avenger," I said, unable to hide my smirk as I glanced over at him.
"I mean, he's a god, sure, but the Hulk jumped on a spaceship and destroyed it with his bare hands." Caleb chuckled, his hand moving to rest on my waist.
"Because Thor isn't just strong—he's a warrior. He's got thousands of years of battle experience."
"He doesn't even have Mjolnir half the time," I shot back, playfully nudging him. "And Hulk doesn't need a magic hammer to kick ass."
"He doesn't need a hammer, huh?" Caleb murmured, leaning in closer. His fingers brushed the small of my back, his touch sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. "But he's no Thor."
I rolled my eyes, laughing softly.
"We're never going to agree on this, are we?"
"Probably not," he admitted with a grin. "But I'm okay with that."
When room service arrived, we temporarily set aside our superhero debate in favor of the food. Our steak was cooked to perfection, and my pasta was creamy and decadent. But the desserts? Absolute heaven. We'd ordered way too much, but somehow managed to taste all the tiny cakes and chocolates that came on our platter.
"To a relaxing vacation," Caleb said, holding up his champagne glass, the bubbles sparkling in the light.
"To not dealing with the airport again for a long, long time," I added, clinking my glass against his.
The champagne was light and sweet, and with every sip, I felt the tension of the day slipping away. We laughed, teased each other, and I found myself leaning into Caleb more, loving the way he made even the simplest moments feel... special. Every so often, our playful debate would reignite, with Caleb doubling down on Thor's strength and me passionately defending Captain Marvel.
By the time we finished dessert and polished off the champagne, a pleasant warmth had settled over me. The movie continued to play in the background, but neither of us was really watching. I was too focused on the way Caleb's hand rested comfortably on my waist, his fingers tracing light patterns on my skin, and the easy conversation that flowed between us.
Later, as we cleaned up the remnants of dinner and dessert, the exhaustion from the long day started to settle in. Caleb stretched, his movements slow and deliberate, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"It's getting late," he said, his voice quieter now. "You should get some sleep." I nodded, feeling the same pull of exhaustion.
"Yeah. I think I'll crash." Caleb glanced at the bed, then back at me, his expression softening.
"You take the bed," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I'll take the couch." I frowned, sitting up straighter.
"Caleb, it's a huge bed. You don't have to—"
"I know," he interrupted, walking over to the couch. "But I don't want you to feel uncomfortable, and after the day we've had... you deserve the best night's sleep." I opened my mouth to argue, but the sincerity in his eyes stopped me. Caleb always knew when to push and when to hold back. And tonight, he was giving me space—even though a part of me wanted to invite him to stay. But I was too nervous to say anything.
"Okay," I said softly, offering him a small smile. "Thank you." He returned my smile, his eyes lingering on mine as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. "Good night, Ava." As he walked over to the couch, I settled into bed, feeling the plush blankets wrap around me like a comforting embrace. For a moment, I watched him from across the room, the quiet hum of the city outside filling the silence between us.
I laid in the bed, the soft weight of the blankets pulling me deeper into relaxation, my mind couldn't help but wander to Caleb. The way he had insisted on taking the couch, making sure I was comfortable and well-rested, was just another sign of how different he was from Lucas.
Lucas.....
The name alone left a bitter taste in my mouth. I hadn't thought about him in a while, not like this. But tonight, as I watched Caleb go out of his way to put my needs before his own, I couldn't help but compare the two. Lucas had always been about himself—his wants, his needs. He had been charming in the beginning, sure, but I had always attributed it to him working hard to become the next alpha. Everything had always been on his terms. And when I needed him? When I was vulnerable or unsure? He had been nowhere to be found, said he couldn't be seen helping the weak.
Caleb was the complete opposite. With him, there was no pretense. He didn't really say he cared—he showed it. He gave without expectation, without making me feel like I owed him something in return. Tonight was a perfect example. He could've easily stayed in the bed with me, but he chose to give me space, to make sure I was comfortable first.
That's what a real mate does.
The thought hit me like a gentle wave, settling deep in my chest. Lucas had never been a good mate—not really. He had never made me feel valued or safe the way Caleb did. Looking back, I realized how much I had sacrificed, how much of myself I'd given up just to try to make things work with Lucas. And for what? A relationship that had been built on shallow promises and broken trust?
But with Caleb, everything felt... different. I didn't have to fight for his affection. He gave it freely, openly. He made me feel seen, appreciated, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I didn't have to hide who I was or what I needed.
As I lay there, my thoughts swirling, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over me. Maybe, just maybe, this was what it was supposed to feel like. This sense of calm. Of being cared for. Of being loved in a way that didn't come with strings attached. I closed my eyes, a soft smile playing at my lips.
"Good night, trouble, stop thinking so loud." Caleb called softly teasing me from the couch.
I smiled, my eyes still closed as I whispered back
"Good night Caleb."