Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Leah
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I feel like an entirely different person when I flop down on my bed after a long day of work. My cheeks are flushed, and I’m completely out of breath. In exhausted yet…I don’t mind.
I find that weird. The old Leah would have hated how demanding her job was. She would also have hated to be bossed around by Caleb, but I honestly didn’t mind it at all.
Is it because Caleb is fucking me?
probably.
The sex must have gotten to my head because I’m looking forward to working tomorrow. Caleb’s leadership abilities took me by surprise today, and I’m honestly impressed. He was strict, harsh, and even a bit too straightforward at times, but he was never mean to me, even when I did something wrong. He is a patient man and explained things to me with a smile on his face whenever he caught me doing something wrong.
And I guess between his smiles and teasing, I just…I don’t know. He is my boss and completely out of league and yes, we will never have a relationship that goes beyond fucking, yet I can’t stop thinking about him.
I’m definitely falling for Caleb Steele.
But my growing feelings aren’t welcome since falling for Caleb is downright idiotic. He is my parents‘ age, and with his life all put together, what would he do with someone like me? I’m not a suitable partner for him.
“Leah?” I can hear my mom rushing for my door with storm steps, which means she is upset. “Is it true that Caleb Steele has offered to take you to Tokyo?!”
Before I can answer, I hear my dad crying. “I’ve worked for Mr. Steele for years and never been given such an opportunity you need to take it, Leah!”
yo
My mom gasps. “Are you out of your mind? We can’t send our child halfway across the world!”
“She isn’t a child!” my dad argues. “Leah is a grownup and she can make her own decisions, and this one is easy: she is going to Tokyo. It will secure her future!”
“Secure her future?!” my mom questions. “How???”
“By being a great assistant to Mr. Steele, of course! Do you even realize how many people will want to have Leah as their assistant after they have seen her servicing Caleb Steele?!”
1 bury my face in my pillow, trying to block out the sound of my parents arguing right outside my door. It’s not like I haven’t thought through the same things they are shouting about. Of course, going on an international business trip as Caleb Steele’s personal assistant would be huge for my career. But it’s not just the work opportunity that has my heart pounding and stomach fluttering nervously.
A whole week in Tokyo with Caleb… sharing close quarters, working long hours side by side, stealing heated glances and secret touches whenever we can. The very thought makes me shiver with anticipation and clench my thighs together. After the way he took me in his office today, roughly fucking me against the door before tenderly cleaning me up, I know our physical connection will only grow more intense.
But it’s more than lust drawing me to Caleb, as much as I try to deny it to myself. I’m captivated by his commanding
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Chapter 13
presence, his keen intelligence, the way he challenges and-
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“What about your boyfriend?” my mom suddenly yells through my door. “I know you’ve been seeing someone–what does he say about you going overseas with another man?”
My dad snorts. “You can’t be serious! Caleb is my boss and the same age as me he isn’t interested in our daughter!”
I freeze at my mom’s words. Does she honestly think I’m seeing someone?
“Leah is very beautiful!” my mom argues. “And Caleb is known for dating younger women!”
“Younger women that are models, movie stars, or actually pretty
Wait, what?
Did my dad just call me ugly?
My stomach twists painfully at the thought. It hurts to know my own father doesn’t think I’m pretty enough to catch Caleb’s
attention.
“Elias” my mom hisses. “Now you’ve gone too far!”
“What?!” my dad sounds confused. “I’m just speaking the truth! Caleb could have anyone he ever wanted, and although I love our daughter, I know for a fact that my boss wouldn’t settle for a book nerd who only leaves her room when her head is up in the skies!”
“What is that supposed to mean?!” my mom demands.
“That our daughter is a nerd without a life–why do you think she doesn’t have any friends?!”
Tears sting my eyes as I listen to my dad’s harsh assessment of me. Is that really how he sees me? An unattractive, friendless nerd with her head in the clouds? The painful words cut deep, reopening old insecurities I thought I had long buried.
dad he’s
I want to burst out of my room and scream at them to stop talking about me like I’m not even here. To tell my wrong, that Caleb does want me, has already had me – twice now That his so–called nerdy daughter is desirable and worthy of a man like him.
But since I’m not used to raising my voice at my parents, I remain silent even if I’m burning from a toxic cocktail–no, pool
-of hurt, shame, and seething anger. I don’t want to be in a bad mood, but it’s the only thing I can do to remain whole.
…fuck.
Why couldn’t I be more assertive?
Why couldn’t I be more aggressive so that my own parents would respect me?
Why everything!
I fucking hate this…
Hot tears slip down my cheeks as I curl into myself on the bed, hugging a pillow tightly to my chest.
I can still hear my parents quarreling loudly, my mom berating my dad for his cruel comments while he sputters defensive excuses. But their voices fade into the background as a new, defint thought rises above the din in my head:
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Chapter 13
I’ll show him. I’ll show them all.
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I am going to Tokyo with Caleb. And I’m going to make damn sure everyone knows just how much he wants me: nerdy, awkward Leah Foster. By the time this trip is over, there won’t be a doubt in anyone’s mind that I’m good enough for a man like Caleb Steele, and OH, I will also man damn sure he comes back with the title: “Leah’s boyfriend.”
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Chapter 14
