Chapter 34
Caleb
My fat, sometimes ugly, pride is something I’ve built up over the years. When I was younger. I was less confident and always second–guessed myself. Even though I was born into money, I had no backbone and never realized when I was pushed around.
This made it easy for my ex–wife, Lana, to control me, and so, as grew older and we divorced, I learned to armor myself with a thick shell of self–assurance so that history wouldn’t repeat itself. I thought being cold and harsh were one of my strengths, but then I met Leah.
Younger, pretty little Leah–who knew she would rock my world
I never thought I would fall for a writer, an erotica one at that, but I have because that little menace has made me realize my pride is my weakness. With her by my side, I slowly let my pride crumble to dust, and by doing so, I’ve become a happier man. No longer am 1 afraid of being silly or letting my heart decidle.
I love the person that I am with Leah, but yesterday, I ruined everything by listening to my pride and then breaking up with
her…
Sure, Leah was the one who accused me of cheating on her more than once, but I’shouldn’t have ended things because of her insecurities–not when I see a future with her. Not when she is the woman I want to marry and spend the rest of my days with
Leah is young and I’m her first serious relationship–I keep forgetting this and expecting too much of her. It’s only naturalh for her to feel insecure and shit…I need to apologize and fix things between us.
1 pick up my glass of scotch, downing it in seconds. The bartender at the airport doesn’t even bat an eye. He just meets my eyes as if to ask, “Another?” to which I shake my head. More alcohol is the last thing I need.
“Can I have your number?”
I turn around when I hear a male voice, squinting, when I realize it’s one of my butlers–Jeremy–flirting with Leah. I ordered him to help her to the airport and carry her bags. I guess I forgot to tell him she was off–limits.
Jealousy bubbles up under my skin. Jeremy is lucky I’m too old to act upon it since all I want is to punch his face for flirting with who I still consider to be mine–Leah. He looms over her, making her look like a tiny porcelain doll next to him, She is wearing the blue dress I bought her a few days ago–a shade that suits her blonde hair and blue eyes. It makes her look like an angel even though I know Leah is a freak, which is one of the reasons I love her.
Gosh, why is it so painful to look at her? Leah’s hair and face, all takes is one glance, and then I’m no longer standing by the bar but fantasizing about her hair spilled out on a pillow and her doe–eyes gazing up into mine as I ravage her body.
My hands clench into fists at my sides as I watch Jeremy lean closer to Leah, his eyes roving over her delicate features with a predatory glint. The rational part of my brain knows I have no right to intervene, not after the way Leallously ended things between us. But the primal, possessive part of me wants to march over there, grab Leah by the arm, and declare to the world that she belongs to me and me alone.
I force myself to take a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. It isn’t easy. especially not when Leah marches over to where I’m standing with Jeremy following her.
“Is our plane late?” she asks. I notice that her eyes are puffy, and my heart sinks when I realize it must be because of me. I broke her heart yesterday.
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Chapter 34
regardless of our rocky yesterday, I smile. “Late? Darling, the plane is private. It waits for us.” I say, my voice smooth despite the turmoil roiling inside me.
Leah’s brow furrows adorably, and she crosses her arms. “Then why are we still standing around in this airport bar? 1 Thought you were in a rush to be rid of me.” Her words are sharp, laced with hurt, and they cut me to the core.
I swallow hard. This is my chance to make things right, to stop her from walking out of my life. I step closer, ignoring Jeremy who hovers nearby. He doesn’t matter. Only she does.
“Leah, 1-
“Caleb! Thank god you’re still here!” Lana pops up out of nowhere with her assistant following her.
The poor younger girl is dragging both of their bags behind her, while Lana is carrying only a designer purse I bought her years ago. She is also dressed in a large, black sunhat and shades even though we are about to board a plane, not hit the Miami beach.
“Lana,” I sigh inwardly. “Shouldn’t you be on your own plane by now?”
“We missed it,” Lana pouts before clapping her hands. “But that’s where you and your beautiful private plane comes in- Anna and I can fly home to the States with you
I want to tell her fuck no, but since Lana is the most important lawyer on my payroll. I know better than to turn her away. But the thought of her flying with Leah and me, especially after the tumultuous last 24 hours, makes my stomach churn.
“Guess you’re in luck. I mutter.
Lana grins widely at me while Leah’s shoulders slump–she isn’t fan of my ex–wife either, something which Jeremy immediately picks up on
“Don’t worry,” he says in a low voice meant for only Leah’s ears and smiles at her. “I will sit with you on the plane and keep you company.”
Leali’s eyes
dart to mine, a flicker of uncertainty in their blue depths. When I say nothing, she shifts uncomfortably, clearly not thrilled by Jeremy’s offer or attention. But ever polite, she masters a weak smile. “Um, thanks. That’s nice of you
Leah’s response to Jeremy’s offer only serves to stoke the flames of my jealousy higher. I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to tell my butler to back the hell off. But I know I have no right, not anymore.
“Hurry it up, Anna, Lana glances at her assistant. The plane wont come and pick up our bags by itself, she looks at Jeremy the wayl with a phony smile. “Why doesn’t Jeremy here show you
Jeremy nods at Lana’s suggestion, but his eyes linger on Leah’s breast a beat too long before he turns to help Anna with the luggage. As they walk off, Leah shifts her weight from one foot to the other, looking like she would rather be anywhere but with me and my ex–wife.
“Leah” Her name falls from my lips, soft but insistent. She meets my
gaze, her own guarded. “Can we talk? Plea
Lana scoffs, inserting herself between us. “Caleb, darling. I’m sure whatever lover’s spat you two are having can wait until we’re on the plane. We have a
her eyes behind her sungla Chedule to keep, after all.” Her smile is saccharine sweet, but I can see the calculating glint in
1 grit my teeth, frustration mounting. The last thing I want is Lam’s meddling when I’m trying to salvage what’s left of my relationship with Leah
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Chapter 34
But Leah obviously isn’t in a hurry to fix things between us. She brushes past the without a word, headling towards the gate Her blonde hair sways with each determined step, and I can’t help but admire the graceful lines of her body even as my heart sinks.
Lana loops her arm through mine with a smug smile. “Face it, Caleh. You and I belong together–I’m the only wornan. capable of quenching your… sexual thirst.”
My eyes narrow as realization dawns on me. “You… You’re the one who made Leah think I’m cheating on her?”
Lana’s lips curve into a sly smile. “Darling, I merely opened her eyes to the truth. You’re not a one–woman man, Caleb You never have been.”
I wrench my arm from her grasp, disgust roiling through me. “You really think I cheated on her?”
Lana shrugs. “All I know is that I saw you leave the hotel with a woman way prettier than Leah.”
My nostrils flare. “That woman wasn’t a love interest–she works at the jewelry store where I bought Leah’s engagement ring!” I hiss, my voice low and furious. “She was helping me pick out the perfect diamond for the woman I love. The woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Lana’s eyes widen behind her sunglasses, genuine surprise flashing over her face. “W–wait, you’re considering getting married again?”
“I was, I sigh heavily. “But I guess you ruined it.”
With that, I storm towards the gate, but when I catch up with Leah, she is talking to Jeremy. He is cracking jokes and my blood comes to a boil when I see Leah laughing at whatever nonsense he said. This is going to be a long trip, and I fear the amount of scotch I might need to survive..
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