Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
What is this? I didn’t put this outfit on to be ignored. I even did my best to do my hair and makeup. It’s nothing like what Mara could do for me, but it’s not bad. At least minor-compliment worthy.
But he’s ignoring me. Why?
Formulating, I pour myself some more water, but when I bring my arm back, I intentionally brush my napkin to the floor. “Oops!” I laugh. “I’m so clumsy sometimes.”
I could reach it from where I’m sitting. Instead, I stand up and bend over at the waist, angling myself in Caleb’s direction. Maybe it’s too obvious, but I don’t care.
As I right myself, I catch him averting his eyes. Gotcha.
Sitting back down, I go back to my dinner and join in with the casual conversation—Caleb’s work, Dad’s cars, my art, Mom’s friends—the typical stuff that normally bores me to tears. But tonight, I’m feeling electric.
Just sitting next to Caleb has me on pins and needles. It’s titillating. I smile and nod at whatever it is that my folks are saying, but I’m not really listening. All my attention is on him—getting him to notice me.
Glancing in his direction, I let my leg brush against his. The single, tiny touch sends a shock through me and nearly sends me jumping from my seat. But Caleb still sits there. The only tell that he might have noticed is maybe cracking his knuckles.
“Sweetie, do you need anything else?” I look up and realize my dad has been talking to me while I’ve been completely preoccupied. “Sara and I were going to go to the kitchen to get dessert ready.”
“Oh, no,” I reply, feeling flustered as I stand. “I’m just gonna go outside and get some air. Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?”
Without waiting for an answer, I stumble over myself and head out to the porch. I still cannot get used to walking in these heels. I don’t know how Mara does it with such ease. Then again, she does everything I can’t do with ease.
I wasn’t lying when I said I was hot. The night air is like heaven on my skin and cools me down dramatically as I take deep breaths. Seconds later, Caleb steps out behind me. The hardwood shifts under his weight.
He’s gonna be pissed at me. I just know it. But when he moves into my view and I look up at his eyes, I don’t see anger. I see control. He looks me up and down and crosses his thick arms across his chest. His chest is nearly bursting out of the white Henley he’s wearing. He fills it out like it was stitched for him alone.
“What’d I tell you about what to wear tonight?” he asks. My lips twist into a bratty smile, and I do a little twirl that kicks my skirt up, showing off more of my legs. I’ve never felt so liberated before.
“This is too much? Come on, Caleb, it’s just you, me, and the folks tonight. What’s the problem?”
He steps closer and places both hands on the wall behind me, framing my head between his massive, vascular forearms.
“The problem is you not doing what I tell you,” he whispers. “And toying with me while we’re eating dinner as a family.”
So he did notice, I realize with glee. His eyes move from my eyes to my lips, sending a thrill through me. I may have cooled off for a moment, but I’m even hotter now than when I came outside.
“I like what I’m wearing,” I counter, arching my back and closing the distance between us. “And I don’t mind touching you. Do you?”
His lips twist tight, and he slowly shakes his head as if I just asked him the most dangerous question in the world. “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
Unafraid, I step even closer—so close that if either of us moves, our lips will meet. “Then show me.”
I feel his heat.
I hear his breath.
I even see his heartbeat in his throat.
“You keep pushing me like this,” he murmurs. “And when I finally take you, I won’t stop.”
His words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My heart stutters. I nod emphatically. “I don’t want halfway.”
He slowly drags a finger through my hair, then looks down, indicating between his legs. I see it—he’s hard. Because of me.
And that’s when he suddenly reaches out and grabs me by the chin. I gasp at his speed but nearly collapse as his lips brush against mine.
This is it. He’s going to kiss me.
I brace myself, closing my eyes for what will be one of the most important moments of my life. But that’s when the door opens.
Caleb leaps back like a blur and stretches, pretending he and I weren’t just about to make out. I brush my hair back and look over at my mom, who’s holding a cheesecake with a big smile on her face.