14. Read the Fine Print #2
"Please!" she begged, gripping his jacket. "Please leave-leave Caleb out of this! He has nothing to do with this!"
They both snickered as if they were in on some joke. "Not to worry, sweetheart..." Ian hummed into her ear. "No harm will come to your farmer boy ..."
Grinning, Keith fell to his knees and hooked her leg over his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Ian grabbed her chin to claim her lips as Keith's mouth ravished her pussy.
As her fingers dug into Keith's scalp and her grip tightened on Ian's hand, she was confused why this felt so damn good.
Why was her fear mixed with desire? Why did she crave them?
"Open for me, sweetheart. I need to fucking taste you," Ian groaned into her mouth, his tongue eagerly finding hers.
She could feel their hunger in the way they shamelessly grabbed at her as if she were some life force that gave them strength.
Her knees buckled at the way Keith feasted, fucking her with his tongue with such erotic aggression, as if he were punishing her for daring to leave him.
Moments later, Deja stumbled out of the breakout room, smoothing down her disheveled appearance. "Ms. Louis, are you okay?" Kim asked.
"Y-yes, just… just pregnancy hormones," Deja smiled nervously, taking her seat. The lights dimmed for the presentation. Grabbing the water bottle in front of her, Deja paused when she saw Ian and Keith take a seat across the table.
Leaning on his hand, Ian smiled, his finger grazing beneath his nose to smell her scent while Keith flirtatiously licked her arousal from the corner of his mouth. She averted her gaze to the screen as their eyes lingered on her.
Arriving home after a long day, Deja smelled the delicious aroma of food. Her eyes widened at the bountiful gifts that crowded Caleb's living room. Reading one of the tags, her heart dropped.
To our beautiful Deja. Welcome to the family.
"They were piled up outside."
Caleb stood outside the kitchen in a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt that clung sensually to his muscular physique, wiping his hands on a towel. "I saw your name on a few. Figured I'd bring them in. More baby shower gifts from your friends?"
Deja nodded nervously. "You um… You didn't see who dropped these off, did you?"
Caleb shrugged. "They were here when I got home,” he said. Deja swallowed hard, remembering the threat on Caleb's life. "I made you dinner," Caleb smiled, pulling her from her thoughts. "To celebrate your big meeting. I wanna hear all about you being the Big Boss."
Deja sharply inhaled as Caleb pulled her into his arms, affectionately kissing her. "I'm so proud of you, baby,” he beamed. Deja tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace. Caleb smiled, confused. "...you okay?"
"Yeah," she exhaled. "I um… I wanna hear about your day first."
"Well, it wasn't all that great." Leading her to the dining room, he pulled out her chair and placed a plate of food in front of her.
She smiled at the "Congratulations" balloons and roses.
He was incredibly thoughtful. She looked at him sitting across from her and caught the sad expression on his face.
"A few people I knew died recently," he finally admitted.
Deja's face fell. "Oh, my god, Caleb! I'm so sorry, baby!" Deja didn't know why she was crying, but she couldn't even hold her tears back.
Caleb's brows furrowed with concern. "Baby, are you okay?" he asked. Deja opened her mouth to speak, but only choked out a sob. Caleb rushed to console her. "Baby, talk to me. What's wrong?" he asked, kneeling in front of her.
Deja tried to collect herself. "I-I… I saw my ex's brothers at the meeting."
Caleb's face tensed as his eyes darkened. "...what?"
"My ex, he… he was an investor in my project.
That's how we met. I pitched my project to angel investors, and mine caught his interest. It was supposed to be strictly business between us.
But then, he asked me out. And then, we started dating.
And he… he was so perfect. And I should have known better.
I should have seen the red flags. But instead, I fell head over heels for him.
We even got engaged. We were going to be married.
But then, I-I found out he was a monster, Caleb.
Straight out of a horror story. He'd done so many horrible things.
And I feel so guilty. Guilty for loving him.
Guilty for not doing everything in my power to stop him.
But I felt so powerless with him. And even now.
After all this time, seeing his brothers, I was completely powerless again! "
Deja's words spilled like vomit before her sobs consumed them. Caleb hugged her, pressing her face against his shoulder. He tried to bite back his anger, trying to remain calm enough to comfort her. "I'm just so terrified," she cried, clutching him. "I'm trying to be strong, but I-I..."
Caleb rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Don't worry, baby. I'll protect you. I promise."
Tears streamed down Deja's face. She wanted to tell him that she needed to protect him . "You just lost so many people, Caleb. I'm the one who needs to be there for you ."
Gently holding her face between his hands, Caleb smiled at her with so much love. "Having you is enough.”
Deja trembled, tears dampening her face as Caleb softly kissed her, easing her anxiety.
After dinner, Caleb wouldn't let Deja's feet touch the floor.
He carried her to the bathroom, stripped her naked, and bathed her.
Deja loved this form of intimacy with him.
When he would get in the tub with her and cocoon her body in his protective embrace.
Skin-to-skin, as the water soaked them. He rested her head against his shoulder and kissed her temple.
Urging her to sleep, his hands roamed her body, scrubbing the grime and fatigue from her skin.
His hands would stop on her belly, gently tracing the stretchmarks that lined her stomach as he hummed softly in her ear. This is what love felt like. Raw. Unfiltered. Love .
Caleb was that rare, gentle soul that she felt safe enough to hide inside. And though she couldn't risk telling him everything, he still accepted her. She wanted to protect him. To keep him. His pure heart. His selfless spirit. His life.
But how? When Ian and Keith were so unhinged? Why was she not allowed this one bit of happiness? This peace? Why did her life have to be in constant chaos?
"Stop thinking..." Caleb's deep voice penetrated her thoughts. She felt his dick harden beneath her, pressing against her pussy as his hands gently massaged her breasts. "...you're so tense."
Deja slowly exhaled, tilting her head against his shoulder to meet his gaze. Licking her bottom lip, she stared at him with need. "I need you to fuck me. Now."
Caleb's throat tightened. He caressed her cheek, thumbing her bottom lip. "...are you sure? You seem a little fragi-"
"Please, Daddy," she exhaled desperately.
Caleb groaned, his dick painfully throbbing between them. He tried not to move too hastily as he repositioned her, and the water sloshed in the tub. Deja gripped the edges of the tub as Caleb grabbed her thigh. His erection eagerly penetrated her so aggressively that she squealed.
"Fuck, I'm sorry!"
"It's okay," she panted. "You feel so good..."
Every word that fell from Deja's lips made Caleb want to tear her apart.
She provoked an animalistic desire in him that he struggled to repress.
He bit down on her shoulder as his pelvis rocked into hers with such speed and control he surprised even himself.
Hearing her whimpering and moaning, he couldn't tell if she was in pain or pleasure. Feral desire clouded all his senses.
"Yes, Daddy! Just like that! Oh god!"
Caleb's fingers fell beneath her swollen stomach until he felt the mound of hair. Deja shivered as his fingers pinched her clit. "Fuck! Caleb! Daddy, I-"
"No, don't cum yet, baby. Hold it for me.
I wanna torture this pussy some more." He sounded like a different person, and it startled the hell out of her.
His voice had a grave hunger that sent a shiver down her spine.
His movements lost all tenderness. More water fell out of the tub as he fucked her like an animal in heat.
She tried to hold back her orgasm, but her body no longer felt like hers. Her head fell back against his shoulder, and her eyes rolled up as her nails dug into his skin. She opened her mouth but heard nothing over the ringing in her ears from her fierce climax.
By the time her senses had returned, gone was the insatiable beast, fucking her like he owned her.
Caleb tenderly kissed her while cleaning her off and helping her out of the tub.
Lying naked on the bed, a towel beneath her, Deja's eyes roamed over the toned curves of Caleb's naked body as he stood at the dresser.
Her eyes lingered on his firm, toned ass, and she bit her lip with the need to grab it.
"Stop staring at my ass, pervert." Caleb looked at her through the mirror, grinning mischievously.
"Shut up," she rolled her eyes. Chuckling, Caleb turned around, holding a bottle of shaving cream and a razor. Kneeling on the bed, he gently pushed her legs apart. "I told you I was going to do it," she insisted.
"And risk you cutting my favorite meal? I don't think so," he said, staring at her pussy. "Besides, you trust me, right?" Caleb looked at her fondly, and she nodded with a smile. "Good. Now, lie back. Relax. And let me take care of you."
Lying her head on the pillow, Deja stared at the ceiling while Caleb sprayed gel into his hand. Her legs widened as she felt him coat the outer layers of her labia. "Not too much," she reminded him. "Just enough to get rid of the forest."
Caleb chuckled. "I grow a beard, babe. Don't worry. I know how it works."
The sensation tickled as Caleb carefully shaved her. He was extra gentle, always checking to make sure she was okay before he cleaned her off with a towel. "How is it?" she asked when he finished.
"Honestly? Doesn't matter how much hair there is. You've got one hell of a beautiful pussy, baby. Good enough to eat," he grinned as his tongue flicked her clit.
"Caleb!" she laughed, closing her thighs.
"Wha-! I give your pussy a million-dollar shave, but I can't even get a taste?!" he pouted with a grin. "Rude."
"Shut up!" she laughed, pushing his head away. "You've worn me out already!"
Rolling his eyes, Caleb put everything down and crawled on the bed next to her. "You can sleep while I tongue-fuck you. I don't mind."
"Caleb!" she laughed before he hungrily pressed his lips to hers.
"I fucking love you, Deja..." he breathed against her lips. "With everything in me. I love you."
Deja swallowed thickly, staring into his eyes. "...I love you too, Caleb..."
"Good Morning, Ms. Louis!"
Deja casually waved as she stepped into the main office area of the building. Though she knew they weren't supposed to be there, her eyes still darted just to make sure no Donovan was present.
It had been over a week since their last encounter, yet still, they felt so near. Though Ian promised they'd leave her alone, she couldn't help being alert to her surroundings.
It had been months since Jax died. Months of him haunting her. It almost felt like he never left her.
"Can I get you a coffee?" her assistant asked.
Deja smiled. "No, thank you, Donna. I think I'm just gonna head straight to the lab to check on our forest."
Donna nodded when she noticed a book next to Deja's laptop. "What book are you reading?"
Deja looked down at Roselyn's Memoir sitting on her desk. She had grown so used to carrying it everywhere, that she didn't realize she had brought it with her to the site. "Oh, nothing," Deja said, putting it in her purse. "Do you have your latest report?"
"Yup," Donna said, handing her a clipboard.
"Thanks." Deja grabbed the clipboard and took the elevator down. The lab smelled like a fresh cool breeze as a dewy mist thickened the air. The manufactured environment was encased in a massive glass dome, illuminated by the sun.
Slipping on her lab coat and putting on her goggles, Deja closed the glass door behind her.
She felt her anxiety melt away at the sound of birds chirping among the large trees inside the dome.
Stage one of her underwater forest. It looked like heaven on earth.
Once the conditions were right, they'd submerge this entire dome in water and set the stage for Earth's healing.
Analyzing a few plants, Deja heard a thump against the glass. She quickly turned around and looked toward the office area outside the dome.
Donna was missing.
"Donna?" she called out. Her heartbeat quickened as she headed back towards the office. "You're paranoid, Deja. Just paranoid," she said to herself. "She's fine." Deja stopped at the door and tried to open it, but it was locked. "What?" she said, jiggling the handle. "Donna! Donna!"
Deja started to bang on the glass when her assistant quickly walked into the office, and her eyes widened. "Ms. Louis!"
Deja breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh god, Donna, you scared me. I'm locked in."
"That's so weird," Donna said, rushing to her desk to grab her keys. "I didn't even touch the door-... wait… My keys aren't here."
Deja looked at her, confused. "What do you mean? You let me in?"
"I know I did, but- I must have misplaced them," she said, searching her desk.
"It's fine. Just get the custodian-" Deja stopped short when she saw the office door slowly open, and the shadow of a man reflected on the wall. "...Donna..."
"One moment. I'm gonna call the custodian," Donna said, dialing.
Deja's body froze in fear as she saw a hooded figure step into the office—a hammer dangling from his grip.
"Donna!" Deja shouted. "Donna, get out of here!"
"What?" Donna asked, confused. "Ms. Louis, what's wrong?"
"Donna! Fucking run!" Deja screamed. "He's going to kill you!"
Donna looked where Deja was pointing.
…but she didn't see anything…
"Ms. Louis? There's no one th-"
"Leave her alone! Leave her the fuck alone!" Deja screamed.