Chapter 68
Caleb
Since Tiffany has obviously overstepped every single boundary by feeling up my arm like it’s real free estate, I know I need to request another Masseuse.
“Tiffany,” I say coolly, “I think it would be best if you let Miss Lian handle our massages today.”
I
Tiffany’s smirk falters for a second before she recovers. “Are you sure, darling? I know just how you like it.”
Miss Lian’s eyes dart between Tiffany and Leah, clearly sensing the tension in the room. She seems unsure of what to do. which makes me feel bad. She clearly doesn’t get paid to take care of catfights, so I take charge of the situation.
“I’m quite sure, Tiffany,” I say in a cold tone. “Miss Lian will be more than capable of providing the services we require today. Thank you.”
Tiffany’s green eyes flash with irritation at being so summarily dismissed, but she pastes on a fake smile. “Of course, darling. Whatever you wish. Enjoy your massage.”
She clearly doesn’t mean those words. Tiffany was never the kind to wish anyone well, but since she values her job, she doesn’t give us more of her attitude and leaves the room.
Miss Lian clears her throat delicately. “My apologies for that…awkward situation, Mr. Steele, Miss Foster. Please make yourselves comfortable, and I will begin your massages momentarily.”
She bustles out, presumably to gather supplies, leaving Leah and me alone. I turn to her, an apology already on my lips, but Leah beats me to it.
“An old acquaintance, huh?” she says, one eyebrow arched. “She seemed awfully familiar with your…preferences.”
1 wince. Busted. “Leah, I’m sorry about that. Tiffany and 1…we had a brief fling a very long time ago before I was married to Lana. We met each other at a frat party after a football game.”
Leah is quiet for a long moment, and I have to fight the urge not to win her over with hugs and kisses. Physical touch is my love language, but shockingly enough, I don’t have to do anything, since Leah burst out laughing.
“Wait, are you telling me Tiffany was a freaking college fling? Then why is she still holding a torch?!”
If I thought she was in a joking mood, I would be laughing, but I know my little author well. Leah is jealous, and it’s proven. when, after our massage, she heads straight for the bar across the street.
“Leah,” I say while trying to catch up with her. “Don’t. You’re pregnant and shouldn’t be drinking.”
“They have food. Caleb, and right now, I need to eat something to calm my nerves.”
When she tries to pull up the door in the snow, I let out a heavy sigh. It’s heavy, so I do it for her, but Leah doesn’t thank me. She doesn’t even look at me.
“I will take the biggest steak you have on the menu,” she says the second her eyes land on the poor, lanky young guy managing the bar.
Mr. Lanky–pants jots down her order. “Anything to drink, ma’am?”
1/3
19:04 Sat. Feb
Chapter 68
Leah chews her lip. I can practically see the wheels turning in her head as she weighs the temptation of alcohol against the health of our unborn babies. Finally, she sighs.
“Just a water, please.”
Relief courses through me at her sensible choice. The server nods and scurries away to place our order while Leah finds herself a table. There is another very loud table filled with men who don’t look like they possess a single honorable bone in their bodies.
Leah must feel the same way because I see a brief flash of fear fish across her face. It’s funny how it immediately vanishes when I sit down by her table. I have to fight the urge not to smile She is mad at me for having a past but not mad enough to not want me near her. Noted.
“Is this a preview of the next couple of years?” I ask as I pickup one of the menus, pretending as if the food choices are interesting to me even though I know there’s only one real winner here–the steak.
If looks could kill, I would be a dead man the second Leah’s eyes catch mine. “No, I’m just…” She sighs heavily, seemingly to finally realize I don’t really deserve her acting this way towards me. “Moody.”
“Because…?”
Leah glares at me but says nothing. It greatly amuses me how stubborn she is and how unwilling she is to admit that she is jealous. I won’t give up the battle, though. I love challenging her. It gives me a little kick, and the sex is always wonderful after I’ve won an argument.
Are you going to make me say it?”
A slow smile spreads over my lips. “I ain’t leaving this table before you admit I have nothing to do with your anger.”
Leah pouts. “You should have become a shrink.”
I continue to smile behind my menu, eyeing the items while responding to her. “You’ve said that before.”
Leah huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine. I’m jealous, okay? Seeing that blonde bimbo fawn all over you and make not–so–subtle references to your sexual past together…it got under my skin. Happy now?”
I set down the menu with the biggest grin. “And”
Her eyes zero in on mine, and I gulp at the fierce look on her face. This is bad. I might have gone too far in trying to make her apologize, and if I don’t tread carefully, I might be sleeping outside our shared bedroom tonight.
I swallow hard, trying to gauge Leah’s rapidly darkening mood. Her eyes are boring into me like laser beams, and I can practically see the steam coming out of her ears. Yep, I’ve definitely pushed her too far this time with my smug teasing. Time for some major damage control before I end up in the doghouse. Or worse, the couch.
“Leah, sweetheart,” I begin in my most soothing voice, reaching across the table to take her hand. She snatches it away before I can make contact. Ouch.
“Don’t sweetheart me…” She growls, but I can tell she doesn’t really mean it. Prickly pear over here wants me to win her
over…
I wet my lips. “You know you have nothing to be jealous of, right Tiffany is ancient history. A meaningless fling from forever ago. You’re the one I love, the one I’m marrying, the mother of my children.”
Leah’s scowl doesn’t budge an inch. In fact, I think it might have deepened into previously uncharted scowling territory.
19:04 Sat, Feb 1
Chapter 68
“Oh really? Then why did you look like the cat that ate the canary when she was feeling you up, huh? Admit it, you enjoyed the attention from Blondie McBimbol”
I blink at Leah, genuinely baffled. Is that really what she thinks? That I was enjoying Tiffany’s wildly inappropriate behavior? The mere thought makes me shudder in revulsion. Time to nip this in the bud
“Leah. I promise you, the only thing I felt when she touched me was the urge to puke.”
Leah’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise at my vehement declaration. “Really? Because from where I was sitting, it looked like you were basking in her slutty glory.”
I can’t help but chuckle at Leah’s colorful description. “Basking her slutty glory? Seriously, Leah, you have quite the way with words. Maybe you should write a book about a jealous pregnant woman.”
Leah gapes at me, and I sigh. “Am I sleeping on the couch?”
