Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Leah
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Instead of driving me home, Caleb takes me to his office flat afterward. It’s a modern place with huge windows overlooking the city. I like it–especially since I’ve just found out Caleb is animal friend. A black cat is spying on me from one of the shelves. I smile at it but almost choke when I see the paintings or the wall.
Shit, are those original paintings from that French guy? I can’t recall the artist’s name, but everything they showcase on Tik Tok is outrageously expensive.
And that means Caleb is richer than I thought..shit. That means I don’t belong here after all.
Unlike Caleb, I don’t come from money. I was born and raised in what most people would call the ghetto, and even though I live in a nicer house today, I still wouldn’t consider my family well–off.
My dad works long hours to support me and my mother, and since my mother suffered from depression when I was younger, I grew up eating cheap meals from the dollar store. College is my chance to change my life and my parent’s lives for the better.
“I know we are in the States, but I would prefer if you took off your shoes,” Caleb comments before his eyes drift downward. When he sees my tennis shoes, he ducks his head to hide a smile
Is he laughing because I’m wearing shoes that are more than three years old? What a dick!
“Do you have a problem with my shoes?”
“Not at all,” he doesn’t bother to hide his chuckle this time and fall down to one knee. “I’m just amused by how bad you are at knitting your shoelaces.”
“Huh? Wh–what do you mean?”
“That someone ought to teach you how to properly knit them.”
Caleb takes my old, worn shoe in his hands, his fingers deftly untying the messy knot I had hastily made earlier. He is gentle when he reties the laces into a perfect bow, and even though this is hardly a romantic scene, I blush when his fingers brush. against my ankle.
Jesus Christ, just what is happening to me?!
“There, much better,” Caleb says, completely oblivious to my hammering heart as he rises to his feet. Once he is standing up, he gives me a playful wink that’s downright devilish. “Can’t have my new assistant tripping over her own feet, now can we?”
Heat rises to my cheeks as he teases me, but also from the surprising closeness of the moment. I didn’t expect Caleb to be this attentive or thoughtful–I actually thought all rich people were stuck–ups. And yes, I know trying tiy shoes is a small thing, but it speaks volumes about his character.
Caleb is a nice guy.
But no matter how nice or flirtatious he is, I have to remember that this arrangement between us is purely physical–I can’t let myself develop feelings for him.
“You can sleep in my bed,” Caleb strolls into one of the rooms. assume it’s the kitchen. “I will take the couch.”
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Chapter 7
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Shock seeps through my veins. I didn’t expect such chivalry from a man who just took my virginity in the backseat of his car. Just who is this guy?
1 swiftly walk inside the bright kitchen. Caleb is busy cutting apples and I swallow thickly. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose…
Caleb waves off my concern with a casual shrug. “It’s no imposition. The bed is big enough for both of us, but I thought you might appreciate some space after.. well, everything
He’s not wrong. As lovely and inspiring as it would be for my novels to feel his strong, muscular arms hold me, I know I need to maintain some boundaries. And sharing a bed is overstepping a line, especially since I would most likely fall for Caleb is he hugged me all night.
“That’s very considerate of you,” I say with a grateful smile. “But are you sure? It doesn’t seem fair for you to give up your bed for my sake.”
Caleb chuckles as he finishes slicing the apple, the sound low and warm. “Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I’ve slept in far worse places.”
“You have?”
He lets out a small snort as if recalling a memory that is unpleasant. “Yeah..”
His half–armused, half–wistful expression makes me wonder what kind of horrible place he has been forced to sleep at. There’s clearly a story here, but I don’t feel like it’s my place to py, not when I barely even know him.
“I’m all done cutting up the apples,” Caleb slides an apple plate across the counter to me. “Here, have a little snack before bed. I’m sure you worked up an appetite,” he teases with a suggestive quirk of his brow.
I accept the plate
mention it.”
with a shy smile, my cheeks heating at his playful innuendo. “Thank you. I am a bit hungry now that you
“I assumed as much,” he smirks. “Kids need proper nutrition to keep their energy up.”
My brow furrows slightly at his comment. “I’m not a kid!”
He takes a step forward and I turn stiff in response to him towering over me, unsure what he is up to. I’m actually a bit frightened… until he bops my nose.
“You’re nineteen years younger than me,” he points out. “So yes, you’re still a kid in my eyes.”
Caleb’s words sting a bit, even if they’re true, I am young compared to him, but I don’t want him to see me as just some naïve child. Not after what we shared in his car.
In an attempt to seem more mature, I square my shoulders and, despite the fluttering in my chest, I meet his haze head–on. “I might be younger than you, but I think I proved tonight that I’m not as innocent as you might think. Kids don’t have sex
in cars.”
Something flashes in Caleb’s eyes. If I didn’t know better, I would say it’s respect… mixed with unmistakable desire. He leans in close, his breath ghosting over my ear.
“You’re right, Leah. What we did was very grown–up indeed,” he purrs, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “But don’t forget, you still have a lot to learn. And I intend to teach you everything”
His words awaken something inside of me–a flame of desire and a need to feel his cock inside of me again. I want to be
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Chapter 7
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worshipped again. But at the same time, there’s also a part of me that fears losing myself entirely to this man and his magnetic pull.
Caleb must sense my inner turmoil because he pulls back, giving me some much–needed space.
“You’re more than welcome to take a shower if you’d like.” Caleb offers, gesturing down the hallway. “There are clean towels. in the linen closet, and feel free to use any of the toiletries.”
The thought of washing away the evidence of the dirty sex we had in his car is…disappointing. Part of me wants to cling to the memory to save the scent of Caleb on my skin. But the practical side knows I should freshen up before bed.
“Thank you, a shower sounds wonderful,” I reply, setting down my half–eaten apple slice.
I walk to the bathroom, amazed by its modern design. It’s totally different from the cramped bathroom in my family’s small home–showering at home will never feel the same again after being at Caleb’s place.
After stripping off my clothes, I step under the warm spray of water. It feels nice on my aching muscles that I strained when I had sex with Caleb. I’m in total delight and even hum on a song I heard on the radio…that is, until I see a bottle of shampoo with the name “Lana” scribbled on it.
Lana? Who the hell is this Lana? Does Caleb have a girlfriend? Or worse, a wife?
A sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. This is a reminder that I know next to nothing about the billionaire I just gave my virginity to. What if he is married, and I’m the dumb, naive homewrecker without even knowing it?
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Chapter 8
