Chapter 24
Calle
“This is so embarrassing-“Leali muners when we return to the hotel’s parking lot.
“Why?” I ask, although I already know the answer Leah doesn’t like the fact that she came to Tokyo to be my assistant, yet here she is, cared for by her boss after she broke the bones in her foot.
“Because it just is.” She mutters, which causes me to chuckle.
My lips twitch. “It is what it is
Leah says nothing to that. Instead, she adopts a grumpy expression, and I try my hardest not to laugh as I bend down to lift her out of the rental
s with the injured foot doesn’t want to be spoiled and uses her arms to wave me off. “I don’t need your help! Just just roll the
But the princess: wheelchair over here. Please
I study her in silence since this is the first time I’ve heard her speak in such a vulnerable, fussy tone. She reminds me of a small adorable animal.. wait, adorable!
Shit, if that isn’t a dangerous thought, then I don’t know what is. I’m way too old to be falling for my nineteen years younger assistant and need to get a fucking grip. Our relationship is sex and me relentlessly teasing her only.
1 shake my head to clear my mind. “Erali, don’t be stubborn. Let me help you”
She purses her lips like a stubborn child. “I can manage on my own. Caleb. I’m not helpless.”
Here we go again with Leals trying to prove she is independent. It should make me annoyed. Instead I’m smiling since she is so much like my younger self–the Caleb who had yet to make a name for himself. I suppose that’s why I have such a deep understanding of her bratty personality.
“I know you’re not,” I say patiently. “But there’s no shame in accepting assistance when you need it
Leah sighs heavily. At first, I don’t think she is going to give in and be a grown–up, but she surprises me by doing just that, slumped shoulders and
-Fine. But only because I don’t want to risk making my foot worse.
I fight back a smile as I carefully scoop her delicate form into my arms. As an introverted writer, she hardly weighs anything. It awakens a sense possessiveness within me, and before I know it, I’m cradling her against my chest.
What the hell is wrong with me?
of
After I divorced Lana I wore off love, yes, as I carry Leah towards the hotel entrance, I feel weak. Everything from her doe–eyes to her faint scent of hotel shampoo and the rebellious pout on her glossy lips makes me want to keep her close. Forever
“Uh, Calebi?” Lrah’s voice brings me back to reality, and when I meet her eyes, I find her looking at me suspiciously. “Are you going to lower me into the wheelchair today or tomorrow?”
My lips curve into a smile. “Sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t know we were following a schedule.”
Leah huffs in annoyance, but there’s a hint of a smile on her lips. “We aren’t following a schedule, but I would like to be in bed as soon as possible. So chop chop, Calch”
I raise an eyebrow. “This is a first”
A look of confusion crosses her face. “First, what?”
“It’s not every day I get bossed around by my own employers”
She smirks, and my heart flutters in response. Leah is usually shy and quiet, but I know that deep inside hides a sassy linle firecracker. I’ve seen it in her stories—glimpses of who she is and every time she offers me a window into her soul. I get goosebumps.
“Then you’re in luck,” she says, not without blushing, but I’m still impressed. “Because today, you’re MY assistant, and guess what? I need you to start rolling me forward We haven’t got all night”
Chapter 21
I chuckle and gently lower her into the wheelchair. Once she is sitting there like a queen on her throne, I lean down close to her ear. “As you wish, princess. Your chariot awaits.”
Leah rolls her eyes, but there’s no mistaking the red color spreading over her face. She is amused. “You’re ridiculous, you know that!”
“I’ve been called worse” I wink at her before speeding up our pace.
As we make our way into the hotel lobby, I immediately notice the stares and whispers from the guests who know who I am. In their eyes, Leah and 1 must look like a scandal waiting to happen–the tall, imposing CEO pushing the wheelchair of his young pretty assistant. They probably know we slept with cachrother already.
But I don’t care what they think. All that matters is getting Leah back to her room safe and sound. And if I happen to enjoy her company and sassy personality, well, then that’s my dirty little secret.
“So, I draw as we enter the elevator. “After the summer is over, you’re going to college, right?”
“That’s the plan —“
Wow, holding a conversation with her is harder than I thought it would be. She is definitely working against me by being short, but I won’t stop with the annoying questions.
“Have you decided on what college you wa
college you want to attend yet?
Leah shifts in her wheelchair and averts her gaze. “Um, not really. I mean, I’ve been looking at a few places, but I’m still lost when it comes to deciding
“Well
- if you need any advice or want to discuss options, I’m here. I know a thing or two about navigating the college landscape.”
She snors. “Sorry, but I won’t be asking the billionaire for advice.”
My eyebrows shoot up into my hairline. Is she mad? Any other person would be thrilled if I offered them my advice. I am, after all, one of the wealthiest men in the country.
I actually have to clear my throat to not sound as shocked as I feel when I speak again, “And why is that?”
“Well How do I even explain thi9” She inhales dramatically. “You’re successful and filthy rich–there’s no denying that, but your advice would probably be the same as my parents have given me.”
my brain and study something practical”
“Uh–huh,” she laughs, but the sound is sad, and her eyes are cast on the floor. “They want me to use my
1 frown at her words. “And what do you want. Leah!”
She hesitates, blushing slightly. “I want to study creative writing. I know you think my erotic story is ridiculous, but telling stories is what I love more than anything-
My expression softens. “Then that’s what you should do.
Leah looks at me in surprise. “Really? You don’t think it’s a waste of time and money?”
“Not at all. Life is too short to spend it doing something you don’t love. Trust me, I know from experience.” Images of my own journey, clawing my way to the top of the business world at the expense of my personal life, flash through my mind.
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that from you, Mr. Caleb Steele, the hotshot CEO,” she says with a little smirk.
I chuckle. “Well, I’m full of surprises. The elevator dings, and the doors slide open on her floor. I wheel her out and down the hallway to her room.
When we reach her door, Leah fumbles for her key card. I gemily take it from her trembling fingers and open the door, pushing her inside.
She looks around the room and sighs. “Home sweet t
temporary home. Maybe this time you won’t distract me so much that I hurt myself
I release a snort. “It’s hardly my fault that you stumbled”
Leah shoots me a glare over her shoulder as I wheel her further into the room. “Well, you certainly didn’t help matters with your constant leasing and smoldering looks”
Chapter 21
I raise an eyebrow, fighting back a grin “Smoldering looks! I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She scoffs. “Please. You know exactly what effect you have on women. Expecially naive young assistants”
I know what it means too well: Leah is falling for me. It’s a shame since the only
There’s a liter edge to her voice that makes me pause because I kn thing I can give her is a summer filled with sex, not a future.
I position Leah’s wheelchair next to the bed and sit down on the mattress facing her, our knees nearly touching. She avoids my gaze, staring intently at her hands clasped in her lap.
“Leah,” I say gently, waiting until she finally meets my eyes. “You’re an incredible young woman with a bright future ahead of you, but this thing between us is only about-
“I know what this is, Calebë“She interrupts me in a loud voice before taking a deep breath and falling silent. There’s a distant look on her face now. “I’m not stupid. I know this is temporary and just sex. That you and I could never really work long–term or romantically. But my heart…” She shakes her head. “It dorm’t seem to want to listen to reason.”
Even though touching her is probably a bad idea, I take her smaller hand in mine. “Trust me, I understand the battle between head and heart better than most. But falling for me isn’t a good idea.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” She laughs, but the sound is, once again, bitter. “If I had a choice, Caleb, then must me, 1 wouldn’t be falling for you. There are too many red flags. You’re older than me, you’re my dad’s boss and your emotional baggage? It’s too much. Not only that, but all you do is tease me. Your mouth speaks cruel words sometimes, but, but when you kiss me, you’re gentle and so goddamn perfect I can’t seem to help myself around you. Her voice breaks on the last word.
My chest tightens at the vulnerability and pain in her expression. I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms and soothe her worries, but I know that would only make things worse in the long run.
Instead, I squeeze her hand gently. “Tm sorry”
Tears drip down from her eyes. “No, don’t give me your pity!” She almost screams. “The last thing I want is for you to feel sorry for me. It only makes things worse! And stop looking at me like that!”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re holding yourself back!”
A silent gasp leaves my lips because it hits me that holding myself back is exactly what I’m doing. I know being with Leah is wrong, but isn’t it what I
“And these moments with you being kind to me has to stop because it’s confusing the shit-
Leah’s words are cut off as I surge forward, capturing her lips with mine in a kiss. I can’t bear to see her cry or hear the anguish in her voice a moment longer. Her soft gasp of surprise is swallowed by my mouth as I pour every ounce of the complicated emotions swirling inside me into the
This is wrong, bur fuck it–I don’t care
My lundi come up to cradle Leah’s face, my thumbs brushing away the tears on her cheeks. Her eyes widen in return, and then she melts into me, her own hands fisting in the bathrobe I’m still wearing as I deepen our kiss.
Dear God, her lips tease like heaven and while I know this can’t lead to a lasting relationship for obvious reasons, 1 for sure know this will be a summer I won’t ever forget.
