Chapter 16 Savannah
SIXTEEN
SAVANNAH
Calliope’s Column
It’s Not Him, It’s You (Kind Of)
Rule Number 3: When He Leaves, Don’t Follow Him.
This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
Glancing over my shoulder, I pull my jacket tighter around my body, fighting the bitter midnight cold.
Yeah. Definitely a stupid idea. I pull out my phone and navigate to the rideshare app. Why didn’t I ask the driver to wait until I confirmed Camden was home?
Of course I’d actually have to ring the doorbell to do that. But then he’d know I’ve made this idiotic gesture. That I’m standing outside his house in the middle of the night because I can’t shake the uneasiness swirling in my chest. The fear that I did something wrong.
I’ve never felt this type of guilt before. Probably because I’ve never owed anyone an explanation for my whereabouts.
My mother never cared where I went, my father was long gone by the time I was old enough to go anywhere alone, and I’ve never had a boyfriend who cared enough to be concerned about me.
Not that Camden Snow is my boyfriend.
God. I tip my head up and silently curse at the night sky. Why is dating so confusing?
I’ve never understood Sutton as well as I do in this moment. With a sigh, I request a ride. Then I click out of the app and text her, figuring she won’t see it until morning.
Me: Current me would like to say sorry to past you for being so judgmental. This dating crap is hard.
My phone lights up with a response immediately.
Sutton: Apology accepted. And I feel you girl. BUT I took your advice and played the game last weekend, and I have a date with Royal tomorrow night!
I’m smiling down at the screen when a burst of wind hits me, the icy blast burning my cheeks and making me shudder.
When my phone buzzes again, I expect it to be Sutton. Instead, another name pops up, striking me stupid.
Daddy: Are you going to ring the doorbell, or am I going to have to warm your ass up with my palm to stop you from shivering?
A loud gasp escapes me.
Did he just…?
Also, he seriously put himself in my phone as Daddy? I don’t know how I missed that. What an egotistical asshole.
And what the fuck is wrong with me that I’m once again turned on by his attitude?
Daddy: You have five seconds to make up your mind before I make it for you.
I scoff and glare at the door, searching for the camera. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wanna bet?” The garbled words come from a speaker on a panel near the door.
Head dropped back, I huff. Asshole.
At the sound of a car turning down the street, I straighten, formulating a plan. He thinks he can order me around? Joke’s on him. He’s about to watch me leave.
“Savannah.” The bark is louder this time. The door swings open, and the man himself appears, lit from behind.
Without a word, I turn on my heel and stomp toward the road, where a dark car is approaching.
“You’re not getting in the car with a stranger at midnight,” Camden commands from behind me.
I wave my phone over my head. “His name is Ron, and he’s not a stranger; he’s on the app.”
He makes a noise that sounds like a growl. “Can we stop playing these games for a minute? It’s not safe.”
I whip around and cross my arms, once again fighting the icy wind. Games? He thinks I’m playing games?
I don’t play games. I don’t even know why the hell I’m here right now. He’s the one messing with my head. Telling me he’s not done with me, then not calling, then getting pissed when he sees me out with someone else.
“Yeah, I’m all set with whatever this is,” I say, motioning between the two of us. “I’ve gone twenty-seven years without being told what to do, and you’re not my father, so cool it with this whole fake concern. I’ll be just fine.”
I spin and continue toward the car that’s pulled up to the curb.
Before I can open the door, I’m lifted off the ground and flipped upside down. I barely have a chance to scream what the hell? before Camden’s palm makes contact with my ass. “You’re damn right I’m not your father. I’m your goddamn Daddy, and you’re being a brat.”
“Ma’am, are you okay?” the driver calls through the window. “I’m calling the police.”
Camden turns his back to the road so that I’m facing the driver. “Tell him you’re fine.”
I shove myself up, my hands splayed on Camden’s back, and sigh, the annoyance flowing through me growing stronger. Yeah, I’m irritated as shit by Camden’s ridiculous behavior, but I don’t actually want the driver to call the police.
“Just a little argument with my…” I almost say daddy. I seriously want to punch myself repeatedly in the face. “Date,” I grind out. “We’re fine. Sorry to bother you. I’ll put a hundred percent tip on the ride. Thank you!”
The guy stares me down, brows furrowed like he’s not sure I’m telling the truth.
With one hand braced on Camden’s lower back, I wave. “Seriously, I’m fine.” Though the blood rushing to my head is making my brain a little foggy. “Could you put me down?” I hiss to my captor.
“I will when we get inside.”
I bounce with every step he takes, my eyes level with his amazing ass. And yes, noticing that right now is strange, but it’s seriously incredible. Like a bubble, except he’s tall and large, so it’s perfectly proportional with the rest of his body.
I actually consider taking a bite out of it before I catch myself and curse under my breath.
I will not bite Camden Snow’s ass.
Only when we’re in his living room does he flip me back over and ease me onto the couch. Then he takes a good ten steps back, heaving a breath, like he’s just realized how absurd he’s being.
He should be embarrassed by the behavior. He’s a grown-ass man.
Honestly, I’m embarrassed. I don’t understand the effect he has on me, and I don’t know how to make it stop.
“Can I get you something to drink? Tea?” He runs his hand through his short hair and turns one way, then the other, his movements jerky, like he doesn’t know what to do with himself.
While he’s freaking out, I search for something to focus on that isn’t the gray sweats hanging low on his hips. Or his bare tattoo-covered chest. Or the eight-pack I’d like to lick again.
See? There we go with the absurdity again.
I’m borderline feral for him and I hate myself for it. Because while I’m eye-fucking every inch of the man, he can barely look me in the eye.
“No, seriously,” I say, my cheeks flaming. “I’m sorry I showed up here. I’ll see if one of my friends can pick me up.” I stand and shuffle to the door, unlocking my phone as I go.
I’m sure Addie will come get me. I feel bad waking her, but she only lives a few blocks away.
Camden groans, the sound loud enough to echo around the enormous room. “Why are you determined to piss me off?”
“What does that even mean?” I spin back to him, hands on my hips. “I apologized and offered to get out of your hair.”
He stalks toward me, fists balled at his sides, jaw clenched.
On instinct, I take a step back, then another, stopping only when I bump into the door.
“Does it look like I want you to leave?” he grits out. “I just dragged you inside.” He slaps his palm to the wall beside my head and heaves in a rough breath. “Fuck, you make me want to put you over my knee and spank some sense into you.”
As heat floods my veins, I jut my chin. “So do it.”
His attention drops to my lips, but only for a second before his eyes are locked with mine. “Baby girl, you have to stop with these games.” Slowly, he angles in and brushes his stubbled cheek with mine. When he ghosts his mouth over mine, I suck in a breath, trying to steal a taste.
It’s irrational how fiercely I need this man.
“What if I don’t know how?” I whisper.
His blue eyes flare with heat. “Then I’m going to be forced to teach you a lesson.”
I press my chest into his and nip at his lips, tugging on his bottom one until he groans. “Okay, Daddy.”