Chapter 36
I’d never be safe with you? He’s falling for me. At least that’s how I’m choosing to interpret his words since he refuses to elaborate. And I’m going to prove it. Right now.
“Why were you following me yesterday?” I ask. He never answered me when we were in the interrogation room, but I need to know if he’s on my side or not. Or if it’s only a job to him.
He was about back to the desk, but my words stop him. His jaw works, but no words escape.
I step closer to him. “Were you following me to protect me, or were you suspicious of me?”
“It’s my job to be suspicious of everyone,” he says easily.
That answer isn’t good enough for me. I need to know. “Do you think I killed Justin?” I ask. I hate how desperate I sound. How hopeful that he’ll immediately say no. I know I ramble and joke when I should be serious, but I need him to know I had nothing to do with this.
He rubs his forehead. “I’ll admit. When I saw the jewelry box and heard the old man call you Darla, I considered you a suspect for a moment.”
I can’t decide whether that hurts or not. One part of me wants to be upset, but the other part of me is laughing at the thought that he thinks I could do something like this.
“The jewelry box was my grandmother’s. I found it a couple of weeks ago in my parents” safety deposit box. I didn’t want to part with the last thing I got from my parents. That”s why I was acting weird.”
He nods. There are still questions in his eyes, but he doesn’t voice them.
“And Gary has early-onset dementia. I befriended him when I moved in,” I continue. “So, now that I’ve confessed my secrets, do you believe I’m innocent?” I step closer to him.
He hesitates for long enough that I back away. “I know you”re innocent…of this,” he says, dragging a hand through his hair and stepping around me to shut the laptop. He scoops it up like he’s preparing to leave. But I’m not done with him yet. This time, I’m getting answers.
“What am I guilty of?”
He turns slowly, his eyes meeting mine beneath hooded lids. A warm sensation grows in my stomach. I wait, but he says nothing. I can feel the weight of the words begging to escape his lips and I silently plead with him to do it, let it all out for once. But then he clears his throat and the moment is gone.
“There’s something I didn’t tell you.” He shoves a hand in his pocket.
Dread sinks into my stomach. “What?”
“Liam is missing.”
I blink. “You lost him?”
“Not me, technically. But yes. Yesterday before the museum was hit, he ditched the team following him. I”ve suspected that he’s been following you, so I trailed you to find out.”
“He’s been following me?” I screech.
He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m not certain, it was just a hunch, but it makes sense how he knew where you lived.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I smack his chest.
“I didn”t want to worry you.”
“Is that why you brought me to this hotel? Is this a trap? Are you trying to lure him in to kill me?” I hit him again, what an awful despicable man.
He grabs my hand before I can hit him for the third time. “Staying at a hotel was your idea, remember?”
“What do I know? I’m going to die, he’s going to kill me.” That’s it, I’m running away. Where’s my bag?
Caleb traps both of my hands and plants them on his firm chest. “He won’t hurt you, Amelia, I promise. I’ll never let him. Because I’m going to protect you.” His thumbs press into my wrists. “But I need your help. If he messages you, tell me. If you want to leave this room, tell me.”
My heart beats harder in my chest.
“Don’t go anywhere without me.” His voice is deep and full of meaning that I’m one hundred percent reading into.
I lean into his protection, waiting for him to meet my eyes. When he does I draw even closer. I tiptoe my fingers up his chest and he stiffens under my touch. “You said you can’t do this. But I think you want to. You’re afraid of admitting the truth to me, but mostly yourself.” My fingers stop on his collarbone and he shudders, his gaze is ravenous.
Am I an awful person for wanting him to give in to this?
“You’re wrong.” He recaptures my hand and I catch my breath.
“Pleased to hear it.”
His gaze drops to my lips. I lean into him. His eyes are a growing storm of frustration and hope, annoyance and desperation. But I’m a storm chaser, ready to get sucked into the turbulent whirlwind.
His head dips until his lips are a mere inch from mine. My body erupts in a rush of fire. I want this. His heart beats strong beneath my fingertips and I flatten my palm to feel the muscle underneath.
“I’m not afraid.” His breath brushes my lips and they part of their own volition. My eyes drift closed and I wait, my pulse thrumming faster and faster. “I’m terrified.”
His lips land on mine in a rush of intensity so strong my bones melt under the weight of his touch.
He slips his hands behind my head, pulling me closer like he’ll never get enough of me, and I hold him as tight. Because I know that at any moment he’s going to step away from me. He hasn’t let his walls down for me yet. He’s only allowed me in the back entrance. And the second this kiss is over he’ll shove me out the door again.
I drag my hand through his hair and he groans, angling his mouth over mine to deepen the kiss.
He scoops me up, crushing me into his chest and bracing my legs on both sides of his torso. He nips at my bottom lip and my already pounding heart explodes. Every kiss with him has been heart-stopping, but this one is world-ending because I’m getting a taste of the real him. The version of him that yearns for a relationship.
He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, tasting and teasing and I melt in his very strong hands. My moans of appreciation are swallowed up by him.
There’s a threat on my life, but I couldn’t care less. This is where I want to be forever. Right here in his arms, where I feel not only accepted but treasured. His gentleness contradicts his strength as he slows the kiss, one hand running up and down my spine, the other still cradling me close.
His fingers slide beneath the hem of my shirt, pressing into my bare skin.
He tenses. Then walks forward and…drops me onto the bed, effectively popping my balloon, and unfortunately my world a little. My hairbrush digs into my spine but I welcome the physical pain instead of the heart kind.
“I’m sorry.” Caleb backs away even further. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
I try to convey with my eyes, words I can”t say with my mouth. That it”s okay. That I want him to do it again.
I can see him warring with himself. Stay. Go. Stay...
“What scares you more,” I whisper, “me, or this version of yourself?”
The storm is in his eyes again, consuming him. “All of the above.”
He’s out of my room so fast I can still feel the air circulating from his escape.