Chance(54)

***

The evening had been magical and perfect save for the fact that Caleb had spent most of it talking in the corner on his cell phone. When it came time to introduce me to Noah's wife, Alexa, he had stood silent waiting for me to offer up a connection that brought me to the ballroom. I'd fallen back on my work with Corteck and she had squealed in delight at both the software contribution and the monetary gift that Clive had given tonight.

Now, we're in the back seat of the car while I stare out the window at the traffic flying past us while he makes yet another call.

"I told you that's not going to work for me." Caleb's hand balls into a firm fist on his thigh. "I didn't approve that and unless it's changed by the time I get to the office tomorrow, people are going to be fired."

It's harsh and in the corporate world that we're both a part of, it's sometimes necessary. I keep my eyes focused on the window, catching Caleb's reflection whenever he leans forward and into my view.

"I want to stay at your apartment tonight." He grabs my hand and pulls it to his lips. "I need to be with you."

"We can stay there," I whisper as I turn to look at him. His jaw is tense and his brow is fraught. "You can stay with me whenever you want."

His eyes fall to the necklace around my neck. "That's beautiful. Where did it come from?"

"My friend, Ivy, made it for me." I twist the thin chain in my fingers. "She's a jewelry designer."

"Ivy Marlow?"

"Yes," I answer excitedly. "You know her?"

He shakes his head from side-to-side. "I've heard of her. Her pieces are beautiful. That one is especially exquisite. Maybe I can buy you something for your birthday from her studio. Or she can design something just for you."

I take comfort in the promise that he's already planning my birthday gift. It's not for another two months. "Anything you get me will be perfect."

"Nothing will ever be as perfect as the gift you've given me." He rests my hand against his lips as he pulls me closer.

I curve the side of my body into his. "I don't remember the last gift I ever gave to you, Caleb."

"You gave yourself to me." He wraps his arms around me. "That's the greatest gift I'll ever receive."





Chapter 51


"Rowan, wake up." I feel the brush of a hand against my shoulder. "Wake up."

I murmur into my pillow as I bury my face deeper beneath the blankets. I'm exhausted. After we'd gotten back to the apartment, Caleb had undressed me slowly before he eaten me until I pushed his mouth away. I was so tender and swollen but when he pulled his muscular body over mine, I'd begged him to f*ck me.

He had. It was slow, delicious and achingly tender. He'd kissed me with a promise that I'd never felt before and when we both finally came again, he'd whispered something softly in my ear. The words were so vague that I strained to hear but before I could ask him to repeat it, I'd heard the sound of his breathing slowing. He'd fallen asleep instantly and here, in my room, in my bed; I'd curled my body next to his and had drifted off, wrapped snugly in his arms.

"I need you to wake up." His voice is more persistent now. There's a definite urgency woven into the tone. "Please wake up."

I roll over, my eyes fluttering open slowly. The room is still dark and as I reach to the bedside table to find my phone, something falls onto the floor. I hear the faint sound of it hitting the cork floor boards. "What time is it?"

"I don't know." He fumbles with the small lamp that is next to the bed. The bulb is so dim that the light that does fill the space is muted and calming. "It doesn't matter."

That's easy for him to say. He's the boss where he works. He runs the entire show. I, on the other hand, have to answer to Clive Parker. I know I could wander in hours late and my job would still be secure, but I don't want to take advantage of something I value so much. "I'm tired, Caleb. I need to sleep."

"I love you."

I blink twice. That's not what he said. "What did you say?"

"I love you."

As a friend, Rowan. He forgot that part.

"Caleb." I feel a shiver run through me when he sits next to me. "You know that I love you too."

He turns his head to look down at me. "Do you love me the same way I love you?"

I need to sit up. I have to gain some form of perspective in order to have this conversation. I try to scramble my legs up the bed but I falter. I kick without gaining any traction. He does nothing but sit in place and stare at my face.

"Help me." I reach for his arm for leverage and he bends it. I grab hold of his large bicep and use it to help pull me far enough up the bed that I can finally sit and look at him.

He brushes his hand over my forehead. "You're more beautiful every time I see you."

I push the hairs that have stuck to the side of my face when I was sleeping aside. "I'm must be a mess. I was fast asleep."

"I should have told Asher to bring you to quad that day." He presses his lips to my forehead. "I knew it then. I knew Tom was all wrong for you."

I don't mind being woken from a deep sleep if an actual emergency exists. Talking about a man I don't think about anymore, doesn't qualify as important enough to warrant any extra attention. "I don't want to talk about him. That's been over for so long."