Chapter 23
Frustration boils inside my veins when I look down at Caleb taking up basically the entirety of my bed. Not only that, but the bastard is nonchalantly popping my last popcorn into his mouth while reading something on my laptop.
I clench my fists by my sides. “Tran’t believe this! I leave you alone for ten minutes to take a shower, and you’re already acting like you own the place!
He raises a dark brow, his eyes flickering with mirth. “I paid for your room so, technically, it makes sense for me to feel right at home, doesn’t it?”
When I have nothing to bring to the conversation, he smirks in satisfaction, and I hate how my body reacts to the curve of his sexy lips. It brings my thoughts to when he was suckling on my nipples, and I sigh inwardly when I meet his eyes. They are so blue I could drown myself in them.
Who gave him the right to be so pretty?
My eyes fall down to his lips, and I involuntarily lick mine. Caleb sees it, and his gaze follows the sweep of my tongue with keen interest. “Something dirty on your mind?”
I feel my face grow hot and avert my eyes. “I’m just wondering where I’m going to sleep.”
Caleb chuckles. “Rigly beside me, of course. That way, we can go through your chapter and fix this mess.
If I weren’t feeling defensive before, I sure as hell feel like a hedgegod night about now. “It’s not a mess”
“Calebs doesn’t even bother to sugarcoat his thoughts before they are out in the open. “The chemistry is off between your characters.”
“What do you mean by that? It is an erotica, not a romance novel–there isn’t supposed to be anything romantic in it.”
“Eh, you need some sort of spark
“Says who? You? Because last time I checked, you weren’t an award–winning author.”
“I might not be an author, but I’m a reader, and this? This is crap, Leah. I’m not gonna lie. The readers will be bored by this story sooner or later.”
know that. Mr Know–li–Aller
“And how do you
“I just do.”
“That’s not a good answer,” I growl. “I would like you to tell me WHY you think the readers will grow bored.”
Caleb sets the laptop aside and rises from the bed, his tall frame unfolding gracefully. He takes a step towards me, those piercing blue eyes capturing mine. It makes me so nervous I press my towel against my chest like a barrier, which is silly–Caleb could easily rip it away if he wanted
does het
move, “You need to build the tension and the longing in your story. Make the readers ache for
I stare up at him and hold my breath when his lips m them to finally come together.”
His voice has dropped an octave, taking on a husky quality that sends shavers down my spine. He’s so close now I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My breath hitches as he reaches out and slowly trails a finger down my bare arm.
“Teave them with lingering glances, accidental touches, stolen moments… His finger grazes my wrist before interlacing our hands. “Until the desire is so palpable, so all–consuming, that when they finally give in, it’s explosive,
I swallow hurd, my heart hammering against my ribcage. When did it get so hard to breathe? Caleb’s gaze drops to my parted lips, and he leans in closer, his breath ghosting user my skin.
Show alon’t tell. Make them feel every caress… His other hand skims up my side, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. “Every shuddering sigh. “I let out a trembling exhale, my eyes fluttering closed. “Every racing heartbeat…
Caleb’s lips hover a hair’s breadth from mine, his nose brushing against my check. I can almost taste hin, that intoxicating mix of popcom salt and something uniquely him. I would be so easy to close the distance, to sink into his embrace and let the inferno building between us engulf me
Chapter 24
Even av every fiber of my being screams in protest, I take a shaky step back to put some much–needed space between us, but unfortunately, I slip
A slirick leaves my lips, and whale Caleli sees me falling he isn’t fast enough to grali me before I hit the floor with a thunk. My towel flies open, and Iwhumper when feel the panging pain in my shoulder.
“Fuck. “Fruitter before hearing a sigh above me.
Really! I’m injured, and he is insulting mett
I wait to growl back at Caleb, but fin in too much pain. Another whimper leaves any lips, and Calch matters something under his breath before squatting down before me.
“We might need to take you to the hospital” he says as he easily lifts me up from the floor like I weigh nothing at all.
1 glare up at his face. Tran walk by myself”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that since you’re amoyingly stubborn, but I doubt walking is a good idea right about now. You would only wind up hurting yourself even more.
I wince as he carries me to the bed, my shoulder throbbing with each movement.
“You’re more hurt than I thought,” Calch’s eyebrows furrone in concern. He looks so caring at that monent that my woman parts tingle, but I’m intent on ignoring then
ry shoulder.
“You’re not “Caleb says as he gently places me on the bed before examining my
This in pain when he touches at and he withdraws his hand, those blue eyes of his flickering with an apology. “Shit, Leah. It might be dislocated. We need to get you checked out.”
Igrit my teeth, equal parts embarrassed and frustrated. Of course this would happen right when things were getting heated between us
Twill be fine.” 1 insist stubbornly. “Just give me a minute,”
Caleb looks at me like a stubborn mam would glare at their rabiculous child. Leah this isn’t something to brish off injury” His tone brooks no argument.
could have a serious
Sighing ni resignation, Inod. “Fine, But I’m not going to the ER like this I gesture to my barely covered body, the towel having slipped dangerously low.
A hint of amusement plays at the corner of Caleb’s mouth. “As much as I might enjoy the view, I doubt the hospital staff would appreciate it.” He stands and retrieves a shirt and a pair of loose shorts from my suitcue. Here, let me help you”
Before I can protest, Caleli is gingerly helping me sit up, his touch gentle as he maneuvers my injured arm into the sleeve. I bite my lip to stifle any sounds of discomfort, determined not to appear any weaker than I already feel.
Unfortunately, Caleb notices my discomfort. “You don’t have to pretend you’re not hurting.” he says.
“Easy for you to say,” I matter, “You’re my boss, and I don’t like showing weakness in front of you.
sin front of anyone,” he isn’t wrong and smiles when he notices me averting my eyes out of “Conection you don’t like showing weakness i embarrassment. “And there’s nothing wrong with that, but right now, you need to let go and let me take control.”
I swallow hard, my voice coming out shakier ilian I intended. “Isn’t that what I’ve been doing Letting you bass me around whenever we have gotten
Caleb chuckles, the sound low and smooth like honey. “That’s different. That’s bed rules. His eyes darken as they roam over my face, his fingers brushing a stray lock of damp hair from my forehead with a tenderness that makes my breath catch. “This is personal.”
“T”-personal” I whoper.
“Yeah, he smiles weakly. “I might tease and mess with you so much that my intentions are unclear, but know this I care about you, Leah”
Chapter 23
up at Calele my heart studiering at his sincere words. Care about me! My mind reek, trying to process this sadden shift. Caleb, my infuriatingly arrogant yet undeniably alluring boss, cares about me on a personal level!
“Yost care abusit me? Lrepeat dambily, searching his face for any hint of deception or mod bum seem more human, tture real.
ockery. But all I find a softness in his gazei
that makes
“More than I probably shenill, given our situation.” He admits, a rueful smile playing on his lips. “And that’s why I’m taking you to the hospital”
With that, he slides into one of the bathrobes hanging on the wall, and in the next second, he picks me up from the bed like I’m a damsel in distress. The weirdest part I really don’t nuts…..
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