Chapter 6
Six
Caleb
Syd listened as I told the lie I’d told many times. “I work for one of the larger tech companies and go after employees from other companies that would fill the needs in ours. My job is to recruit them by any means possible.”
“Where do you live?” he asked as we both finished our meal.
“Wherever I’m needed. I’m afraid I don’t have a permanent residence other than here. When I’m working, I’m where they need me to be.”
“How do you like moving around so much?”
“Oh, I don’t mind it,” I said, and I was once again lost in his eyes.
He made me feel emotions I’d never experienced before for any human, and I struggled with how this could happen when I’d only met him a few hours before.
He was starting to look tired again, and I knew it wouldn’t be long until he’d need to sleep. Which was fortunate for him.
“Did you say you were giving me a tour of the hotel?” he asked.
“Of course, whenever you’re ready.”
“Will they bill this to my room?” he asked and stood from where we still sat.
“This is on me. A little welcome to Iceland.”
“I can’t let you do that,” he said, and took out his wallet.
I set my hand on top of his to stop him. “Please, let me.”
“Okay, just this once. But next time is on me,” he said.
“Fair enough.” I stood and led him along the far side of the hotel. “This is where we usually serve breakfast. There’s a beautiful view of the mountains and if you look really hard over there, you can just see the glow of the volcano that keeps trying to erupt.”
“Really?” he said and stepped closer to the window. It was hard to see through the heavy snow, but I knew exactly where to look. “I can’t see it.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you see it while you’re here.
Come on, let me show you the rest.” I led him to the small gym and past it to the soaking tubs that were just outside next to the saunas.
“If you want to work out you can use the gym anytime, and for after there are a couple of hot pots and a sauna.”
“Hot pots?”
“Sorry, force of habit. In America, you call them hot tubs. All our heat is geothermal, and we’re on our own grid so no matter how bad the storm gets we won’t lose power.
” We learned long ago that power was a necessity.
Not so much to keep the business running but so our special guests didn’t panic and leave before we were ready to take care of them.
I glanced at my phone and knew time was running short and I needed to get Syd safely into his room.
“This really is an amazing operation. I’m excited to see more of the surrounding area. Hopefully there’s enough light tomorrow to see a little better than today,” Syd said. I gave him a knowing look that caused his eyes to widen. “Really?”
“Really, it’s probably not going to be much brighter tomorrow. Sorry. You could always visit the nearest village and maybe go to one of the big hot springs.”
“That does sound nice.” He yawned then, and I knew the time was right.
“Let’s get you to your room,” I said and this time he didn’t argue with me. “Get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.” We walked down the long hall to his room, and he opened his door but didn’t enter.
“Caleb?”
“Yes, Syd?”
“I really could use a hug,” he asked but his voice was so soft I barely heard him, and before I had a chance to think about it, he was in my arms, and I was holding him close. “Thank you.”
He buried his face in my neck, and I tried not to notice how perfectly he fit there and ignored the scent of him that was so mouthwatering it was hard to resist. But I would resist. “Everything will be okay,” I said.
“I hope so, because it doesn’t feel like it will.” His voice was so full of hurt and pain, and the longer I stood there the harder it was to pull away from him. But a glance over his shoulder showed one of my brothers at the end of the hall waiting for me. It was time.
“Get a good night’s sleep and tomorrow I promise I’ll keep you so busy you won’t have time to think about your ex,” I promised.
He pulled back enough to meet my eyes and kissed my cheek. “Good night, Caleb,” he said as he closed the door to his room.
I turned and met my brother’s eyes as he smiled at me. His features wavered slightly and for a moment I could see his true form, and my own skin itched with the need to shed this glamour that kept me hidden. But not yet.