Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals, #1)(49)

Not today, Satan.

He lies down next to me. “Didn’t think I’d ever have a girl fully dressed in my bed,” he mumbles.

I reach out blindly and stroke his cheek, curling into him. “Just a little nap.”

His chuckle is the last thing I remember before I drift off.

I wake up as he’s tugging me out of his car. I cringe, grabbing on to his wrists, and look around wildly. “What—”

“You were out,” he mutters. “And we can’t wait any longer, unless you want to be grounded for an eternity.”

I sigh. I’m suddenly on my feet, my arm looped over Caleb’s shoulder, and he leans down into me. We walk toward my house.

“Can you pretend to be more sober?”

“Aren’t I?”

“Aren’t you what?” He’s irritated.

We’re almost at the front door, I think.

“Sober,” I answer. Probably not, judging from his grunt.

“Your eyes are closed.”

“I’m just resting them.”

“How about you open them until I can get you up to your room?”

We somehow make it into the house, and I smile at Robert, who is waiting up for me without fail.

“You’re an hour late,” he says.

I cringe. “Uh-oh.”

He gets up and comes closer, and I tighten my grip in Caleb’s shirt.

“Are you drunk, Margo?” Robert asks.

“Not drunk per se,” I say. “I mean, it was just—”

“I’m going to get her upstairs,” Caleb says, pinching my side. “Sorry, Mr. Jenkins.”

Robert shakes his head. “Fine. We’ll discuss this in the morning.”

Caleb scoops me up and carries me to my room, laying me down on my bed. “You’re gonna have a hell of a hangover.”

I snort, touching his face again. “Yeah, maybe. Rescue me from the Jenkinses tomorrow. I’m gonna need it.”

“You got it.” He leans down and kisses my cheek, and then…

It’s cold in his absence. But in a matter of moments, it doesn’t really matter. I’m back asleep.





20





Caleb



Amelie is sitting on my bed when I get home.

“What are you doing here?” I raise an eyebrow. I’m all for a little excitement, but things are finally going smoother with Margo. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled to finally get her to trust me. If I wasn’t positive Margo was passed out in her bed—the bed I just put her in—I’d be more inclined to drag Amelie out by her elbow.

She pushes her shoulders back and her chest forward. “You’re not happy I’m here?”

“I was looking forward to finding an empty bed.” I cross my arms and lean against my doorframe.

Her fingers play with the buttons on her blouse. “Quite the scene you made tonight.”

“Which is why I’m particularly surprised at your visit.”

She shrugs. “Thought you might want to know someone from our past found you.”

I tilt my head. “Let’s cut to the chase, Amelie. What do you want?”

“I want…” She gets up and comes closer, touching my chest. “You.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. Even if I wasn’t all-consumed with thoughts of Margo, Amelie leaves a bad taste in my mouth. “Not gonna happen.”

Her hand winds into my hair, and she pulls me down to her. I indulge her kiss for a second, watching her closed eyes. She makes some noises in the back of her throat.

I don’t feel anything. I shove her away.

She stumbles back, falling on her butt, and bursts into tears.

I sigh and open my phone, shooting off a quick text before recrossing my arms. “Who’s found me?”

Amelie pushes to her feet, glaring at me. “Who do you think?”

I shake my head. There’s only one person who Amelie would know about… one person with whom Amelie would know I don’t want involvement.

“Get out,” I snap.

“But—”

“No buts, Amelie.” Anger floods through me. “If you don’t leave right now, you’re going to wish you never set foot in here.”

She throws her shoulders back. “Don’t worry, Caleb. I already wish that.”

She stomps past me, up the stairs, and slams the front door shut behind her.

Eli comes down a split second later, whistling. “Wow. You doing Amelie behind Margo’s back?”

I grunt. “Fuck, no.”

“Then what did she want?”

I shake out my limbs. I need to go to the gym, work off some of this sudden anxious energy. She could ruin everything.

“Caleb.” Eli waves his hand in front of my face. “What did Amelie want?”

“To warn me,” I reply dryly. “Pretty sure she was looking for any excuse to come down here.”

Eli laughs. “Yeah, man. Sure. Warn you about what?”

I heave a sigh. May as well tell him. After all, I pretty much owe him for the rest of my life. Oh, but he’s going to freak out. “If you say a word of this to anyone, I’ll kill you.”