Chapter 27
Standing at his office window, Caleb stared down at the courtyard bustling with students and faculty heading to and from classes.
Though he had lecture notes to review and an article to finish writing, he couldn’t seem to bring himself to concentrate on work.
Much as he tried to blame his restlessness on the coming holiday weekend, he knew better.
The source of his distraction was a certain doe-eyed ingénue who’d consumed his every waking thought ever since he drove her home, walked her to her front door and kissed her goodnight.
Although they’d spent the entire ride back to town holding hands and sharing heated looks, once they reached Daniela’s house, she’d pumped the brakes on any hopes he’d had of enjoying an erotic night cap.
Standing at the door, she’d gently asked him if they could slow things down a little.
His body—already clamoring for the feel of hers, already imagining her long legs wrapped around him as he thrust into her—balked at her request. He’d wanted nothing more than to carry her into the house, lay her down wherever they landed first, and make love to her long into the night and well into the next morning.
But through the dense fog of lust clouding his brain, he’d seen the quiet resolve in her eyes and realized she meant business.
Walking away from her was one of the hardest things he’d ever done in his life. He’d gone home, back to the furnished emptiness of his penthouse, and done something he rarely, if ever, had to resort to: he took an ice-cold shower and jerked off.
And then he’d lain awake half the night thinking about her, fantasizing about her.
Obsessing about her.
“I was hoping to find you here.”
Caleb glanced over his shoulder to see Shara standing in the open doorway with a warm, easygoing smile.
“Hey,” he greeted her quietly, remaining at the window. Though he wasn’t in the mood to make small talk with anyone, he waved Shara in.
She strolled through the door and sat in one of the visitor chairs, the same one he’d found Daniela sitting in two days ago when he’d returned from class.
As memories of their steamy office tryst intruded on his thoughts, he frowned.
He was behaving like a sex-starved, horny adolescent. Time to get himself under control.
“Caleb?”
Shara was watching him expectantly, and belatedly he realized that she’d asked him a question. “Sorry,” he murmured. “What did you say?”
She frowned, clearly none too pleased with having to repeat herself. “I asked if you had any exciting Labor Day plans.”
“Not really,” Caleb said with a dispassionate shrug. “I was thinking about heading up to the ranch and helping out where I can, maybe doing some horseback riding. I’ll probably take my laptop to get some writing done, too. What about you?”
“Devon and I are driving down to Corpus Christi. Now that he’s feeling much better, I thought he could use some fun in the sun at the beach.”
Caleb smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Well, if you happen to change your plans, you’re more than welcome to join us. You know Devon would love to see you. It’s been a while.”
Caleb didn’t miss the trace of censure in Shara’s tone. He ignored it.
“Devon has a sleepover tonight, so we’re leaving tomorrow afternoon should you decide to accompany us.” When Caleb said nothing, she took the hint and changed the subject. “How’s your article coming along?”
“Almost finished,” he replied, walking back over to his desk and dropping into the chair. “Just hammering out the conclusion.”
“That’s wonderful, Caleb. Just think how much faster you could have gotten it done if you hadn’t spent so much time daydreaming, like you were doing a minute ago.
” When his only response was a noncommittal grunt, Shara shook her head at him.
“I swear, Caleb, you haven’t been yourself since the semester began. ”
He gave her a sardonic look. “Which was all of, what, two weeks ago?”
“Don’t be a smartass,” she sniped. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve been broody and preoccupied lately. If you’re not careful, it’s going to start affecting your teaching.”
“I’ll take it under advisement,” Caleb said evenly. He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. He was fully aware of the frustrating dilemma he faced. He didn’t need Shara, or anyone else, pouring fuel on the fire.
Her amber eyes turned flinty. “I’m just looking out for you, as any good friend would.”
“So you keep reminding me,” Caleb muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Look, Shara, this really isn’t a good—”
“I saw Daniela Moreau in the library,” she told him, a vicious gleam in her eyes.
“She was sitting at a table surrounded by a group of fawning boys. She was clearly enjoying the attention; I even heard her give one of them her number and social media handles.” Shara paused, gauging Caleb’s reaction to this bit of news.
“Are you absolutely certain this young woman is worth risking your career over?”
Caleb regarded her in cool, measured silence. “This is really beneath you, Shara.”
She looked offended, nostrils flaring. “What’re you trying to say?”
“I’m saying cut the mean-girl bullshit,” he growled.
“I’m not interested in petty gossip or your pathetic attempts to make me jealous.
You’ve made it perfectly clear that you don’t like Daniela Moreau, and you’re concerned for my well-being.
While I appreciate your concern, I seriously suggest you rethink your approach moving forward.
I’m a grown fucking man, and I can take care of myself. ”
The color leached out of Shara’s face. She seemed to realize she’d made a mistake trying to bait him. “Caleb, I didn’t—”
He cut her off. “I need to get back to work. Have a nice weekend, and give my best to Devon.”
She blinked a few times, then rose stiffly from the chair.
Instead of leaving, she stood staring down at him, nostrils flaring with righteous anger.
“No one enjoys watching a trainwreck, Caleb. I think you’re making the biggest mistake of your life.
If you won’t come to your senses, maybe someone should force your hand. ”
Caleb went very still, his eyes narrowing to an ice-cold stare. “Are you threatening me, Shara?”
Her lips tightened, her chin lifting defiantly.
He leaned forward very slowly, his voice pitched low and menacing. “Think carefully before you say another word.”
Her throat bobbed in a hard swallow. She held his stare, her lips and chin now trembling.
“Leave,” Caleb snarled.
Her eyes flashed with fury. She slapped the desk impotently, then spun on her heel and marched to the door, nearly colliding with Evander, who stepped back quickly to avoid getting run over.
“Whoa, where’s the fi—”
Shara stomped out of the room without a backward glance.
Evander frowned after her, then looked at Caleb with a raised brow. “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” Caleb bit out.
“Could’ve fooled me.” Evander flashed a crooked grin as he approached. “You two have a lovers’ quarrel?”
Caleb just glared at him.
Evander laughed and perched his hip on a corner of Caleb’s desk, his arms folded across his chest. “Seriously though, man. Why was Shara so pissed?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Caleb grumbled, thinking, What the hell just happened? Did Shara just threaten to get me fired? Could she really be that spiteful?
Evander cocked his head to one side, studying him through narrowed eyes.
Caleb knew what was coming. Braced himself for it.
“Shara thinks you’re sleeping with one of your students.
A first-year named Daniela Moreau. I told her she’s mistaken, that you’re the last brotha on earth who would do something so crazy and reckless.
I told her she’s letting her jealousy get the best of her, but she insists her suspicions are legit.
” Evander paused meaningfully. “Are they?”
Caleb returned his probing gaze for a long moment. “Yes.”
“Holy shit.” Evander stared at him in disbelief. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Caleb nodded tightly.
“Damn.” Evander whistled through his teeth and shook his head in stunned amazement. “I did not see that coming. I mean, I knew it had to be a woman on your mind—I called it the other night at the gym. But a student, bro? Really?”
Caleb leaned back in his chair. He hadn’t told anyone but his father about his relationship with Daniela.
Not because he didn’t trust Evander, or because he feared being judged or condemned.
He’d always been fiercely private, and he’d never lost a night’s sleep worrying about what others thought of him.
But it was different this time. The stakes were much higher, and not just because his name and reputation were on the line.
The stakes were higher because Daniela was involved.
She brought out his most protective instincts, and he’d do anything to shelter her from salacious gossip and slander.
As if he was reading his mind, Evander said quietly, “She must be quite a woman.”
Caleb swallowed hard. Nodded. “She is.”
“Wow.” Evander shook his head again, then offered a grim smile. “No wonder Shara’s having a meltdown. You’re killing her hopes and dreams of becoming Mrs. Caleb Thorne.”
Caleb scowled at the reminder.
Evander chuckled, stroking his chin. “Remember that time you and Shara spent spring break together at her house in Saint Kitts? Devon was spending the week with his father, and she claimed she’d be lonely without him, so she asked you to keep her company. Remember?”
“Of course,” Caleb muttered.
“When you guys got back from the trip, I took one look at y’all and knew things had changed.
And I remember thinking to myself, ‘Oh, boy. This won’t end well.
’ I knew she had feelings for you, and she clearly wanted to be more than just friends and colleagues.
I warned you that sleeping with her was a mistake you’d probably come to regret someday.
But I didn’t give you a hard time because you had a lot of shit going on with your dad, and Shara helped take your mind off your troubles.
Plus you swore it was a one-time thing, that what happened in Saint Kitts would stay in Saint Kitts, and to your credit, you kept your word. ”
Caleb glared at his best friend. “Is this your long-winded way of saying ‘I told you so’? Because if it is—”
“Nah, man, that’s not the point I’m trying to make.”
“What is your point?” Caleb gritted out.
Evander chuckled at his warning tone. “Look, you’ve made it clear you’re not interested in going out with Karina. I get it. Nette doesn’t; she was hella disappointed when you backed out on the double date. But I told her we have to respect your decision.”
“Thanks,” Caleb muttered.
Evander looked amused. “Shara pointed Daniela out to me yesterday, and I can definitely see why shorty got you shook. She’s beautiful, straight up. She’s got a banging body and the face of an angel, and you already know what that brown skin does to me. Exhibit A: my wife.”
Caleb frowned. “It’s more than just—”
“—her looks. I believe you, bruh. You’ve never been a shallow asshole like our boy Stuart.
You’ve always prized substance over beauty.
Hell, even Shara grudgingly admitted that Daniela seems smarter than average.
That’s how I knew there might be some truth to her allegations about your secret relationship.
My boy ain’t risking it all for no birdbrain.
Heavy on the ‘risking it all’ part,” Evander added pointedly.
Caleb was miserably silent, staring out the window.
“Look, man, all I’m saying is that I don’t want to see you make another mistake.
You survived hooking up with Shara—so far, anyway.
But this thing with Daniela could really blow up in your face, and I don’t just mean professionally.
Because let’s be real, even if the university found out and fired you, you wouldn’t be unemployed for very long.
Before you took this job, all the ivies were breaking down your door.
Even if your phone suddenly stopped ringing, we both know your old man would welcome you back to the firm like the prodigal son.
He’d alert the media, throw you a ticker-tape parade and give you the keys to the fucking kingdom,” Evander predicted, wry humor in his tone.
He wasn’t too far off the mark. It was no secret to anyone that Caleb would always have a place at his father’s firm. While he freely acknowledged his privilege, he knew returning to criminal law would feel like selling his soul to the devil. Getting his heart broken, however, was a far worse fate.
As if he’d intercepted his thoughts, Evander warned gravely, “If you’re really into this woman and shit goes sideways, you’re gonna be in for a world of hurt.” When Caleb glowered at him, he held up his hands. “There, I’ve said my piece. My objections are now on record.”
“Duly noted, counselor.” Caleb put his head back against the chair, scrubbed a hand down his face and blew out a heavy breath.
Evander eyed him almost sympathetically. “You look like you need to blow off some steam.”
“Probably,” Caleb muttered.
Evander pushed off the desk. “It’s the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
What do you say we call it quits and hit the gym?
No sparring,” he clarified with a chuckle.
“Nette and I have plans tonight so I can’t be going home with sore ribs.
But we can get in a good workout, then I’ll buy you a drink afterward and let you unburden your soul. ”
Caleb snorted. He had zero interest in continuing this conversation, but going a few rounds with the heavy bag sounded pretty damn good right now.
“You down?” Evander prompted.
“Yeah.” Caleb closed the file he’d been working on, turned off his computer and stood. “Let’s go.”