13. Caleb
Caleb
“Is Poppy home?” Amara steps into my house, her voice tinged with anxiety.
“She's in a private dance lesson. Took my car so she’ll not be home for two hours,” I reply, locking the door behind her.
Amara fidgets, her fingers brushing against the fabric of her dress.
“And she’s going to her aunt’s around six. Can you come back here at seven?”
Concern creases her brow as she shakes her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” I ask, trying to keep the mood light despite the tension radiating off her.
“Caleb, we have to end this,” she states, biting her lip, and it sends a sharp pang through my chest.
“Why? What’s changed?” My heart races, anticipating the worst.
“Dom knows about us.” Her gaze drops to the floor, shame flickering in those beautiful ocean-colored eyes. “About what happened in his dining room.” She swallows. “He knows, and he said he’ll kill you.” Her voice wobbles as panic spills into her words.
A wave of anger washes over me, but I suppress it. “He wouldn’t—”
“He will.”
I take a step closer, refusing to back down. “No, he’ll just warn me off.” My voice is steady, because I can’t lose her.
My stomach knots painfully, acid churning beneath my ribs. Dom’s reputation isn’t just talk—I’ve seen firsthand what happens to people who cross him. My palms dampen with cold sweat, but I clench my fists to hide the tremor starting in my fingers.
“You don’t know him like I do,” I say, forcing confidence into my voice despite the dryness in my throat.
Amara’s eyes search mine, looking for reassurance I’m not sure I can honestly give. The truth is my heart is hammering against my chest like it wants to escape. Every instinct screams danger, and so it should.
“He told me what he’d do to you,” she whispers. “In detail.”
A chill races down my spine, settling like ice in my veins. The muscles in my shoulders tighten painfully. I’ve watched Dom break men for far less than touching his stepdaughter. But I can’t let Amara see my fear—she needs me to be strong right now.
“I’m not afraid of him,” I lie, stepping closer to her, ignoring the tremor in my legs. “Dom and I have history. He won’t—”
“He already knows, Caleb. He asked me if I’d let you touch me.”
My breath catches, lungs seizing. The room suddenly feels too small, the walls closing in. I struggle to maintain my composure while my mind races through scenarios, each ending worse than the last. The metallic taste of fear floods my mouth.
“What did you tell him?” I ask, surprised at how level my voice sounds despite the panic flooding my system.
“I didn’t have to. He saw us.” Amara paces in front of me like a caged animal. “If we don’t end this, he’ll kill you! He means it!”
“Then let him come at me,” I insist. Each word feels heavy with determination as I reach out to touch her arm. “I’m not losing you again.”
She shakes her head as sadness seeps into her eyes. “I can’t come back to this house anymore.”
Her words hang between us like a thick fog, suffocating any hope I have left. My hands ache to pull her close and erase the distance that keeps growing between us.
“Please,” I murmur softly as I lean in again, trying to bridge that gap between us with another kiss.
But she pulls away just before our lips touch. “No! You don’t get it! I can’t let him hurt you.”
I swallow hard as my heart sinks further into my stomach. The weight of our situation crashes over me like a tidal wave. Her fear is genuine; I see it etched on every feature of her face.
“But Amara—”
“No!” she cries out as she stops pacing and turns on me with wild eyes.
The intensity in those icy depths nearly takes my breath away.
I want to convince her we can figure this out together, but she’s already slipping away from me again.
“I’m not afraid of him, Amara,” I say, frustration creeping into my tone rather than fear.
She paces like a lioness, her beauty heightened by her protectiveness of me.
“You should be!” she snaps back, her voice trembling. “He’s dangerous, Caleb!”
I take a step closer, closing the distance between us. “We can make this work.”
She softens, her shoulders sagging in defeat.
“How can we?” She runs a hand through her hair, eyes softening now as she waits for an answer.
“It will blow over,” I insist, gripping her shoulders gently to steady her.
She shakes me off and spins away, exasperation radiating from every pore. “You’re so cavalier about this! How can you be so calm when I’m terrified that he will kill you?”
I pull her to me, cupping her face in my hands. My heart races as our lips collide in a passionate kiss. The world outside fades; it’s just us wrapped in this moment of reckless abandon.
But then I pull away, breathing heavily. “I’m not giving you up.”
She smiles softly, though concern still lingers in her eyes. “What are we supposed to do, then?”
“Dom won’t be around for too much longer.” I let the words slip out before I can catch them.
“Why did you say that?” Her gaze sharpens, scanning my face for answers.
“I’m his best friend, but I’m not stupid,” I drawl. “He’s mafia, Amara. They don’t have long lives—none of them do.”
Her brow furrows as she absorbs my words. “How long, though? How long do we pretend? We can’t wait until his life...” She can’t finish what she wants to say.
I exhale. “Give me six months. When Poppy leaves for America... Like I told you, I’ll take you away from here.”
“Six months,” she murmurs thoughtfully, as if rolling the idea around in her mind. “We might not have six months.”
“We will, and I’m not letting you go. You know that?” With courage surging through me, I lift her effortlessly into my arms. The fear in her eyes has ignited something primal in me—a need to claim what feels like mine, to create something real amid all the danger.
As I carry her into my bedroom, I kiss her again, savoring every moment, pushing away thoughts of Dom and his threats.
“I’ll look after you,” I promise as I lay her gently on the bed.
“I have to tell you something,” she says suddenly, breaking the spell that surrounds us.
I watch her face, the way the light catches in her eyes, and the soft glow of her skin beneath the dim lamps.
The quiet of the room envelops us, a sanctuary from the chaos outside.
“Caleb,” she whispers, breaking the silence. Her voice trembles slightly as if she’s revealing a secret.
“What is it?” My pulse quickens with anticipation.
“I’m still a virgin.” She bites her lip, eyes darting away like she’s bracing for impact.
I blink in shock, my body freezing momentarily as I process her words.
“You’re on that website and you’ve never...
?” Confusion churns in my gut, mixed with an unexpected surge of tenderness.
This beautiful woman with all that allure and fire hasn’t gone further than brief kisses—and she’s chosen me.
“Apart from you, I stick to the website,” she admits softly, as if sharing a precious treasure.
A rush of warmth floods my chest. I lean back slightly, teasing her to lighten the mood. “You’ve saved yourself for me?”
Her cheeks flush as she meets my gaze. “I kissed a couple of frogs to get my prince.”
I laugh hard; the sound echoing off the walls, but it quickly morphs into something deeper—an intense need that grips me. The realization that she’s chosen me above all others fills me with a primal possessiveness I’ve never experienced before.
“Come here,” I whisper, pulling her into my arms.
Her body melts against mine, soft and warm. I cradle her face in my hands, tracing her cheekbones with my thumbs before capturing her lips with mine. The kiss starts tender but quickly deepens as she responds, and her body arches toward mine.
I trail kisses down her neck, breathing in her scent as my hands slide down her sides, memorizing every curve as if committing her to memory. Each touch makes her tremble beneath me. And a small gasp slips from her lips when I kiss a sensitive spot behind her ear.
Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as if afraid I might disappear. I kiss her lips once more before trailing my mouth down her body.
At this moment, nothing exists beyond the two of us. Not Dom’s threats, and not the dangerous world waiting outside these walls.
“Hopefully, I can live up to being your prince,” I say, shifting my focus back to her as I drag down her panties, savoring every moment as they glide over her soft skin.
When the fabric slips off her legs, I tuck them into my pocket. “These are mine. I need them,” I murmur because it’s true—I want to keep something of hers with me.
Her smile is radiant yet uncertain as I widen her legs gently until I’m staring at what I crave most. The sight sends heat coursing through my veins.
I lean in closer, inhaling her sweet scent—like sun-warmed vanilla and something uniquely hers.
“Amara…” My voice drops low.
Her body, so close to mine, ignites a fire deep in my core. I lean closer. She’s drawing me in, wrapping around me like a blanket.
My fingers trace along her smooth legs, exploring every inch of her softness. She watches me, eyes wide and sparkling with anticipation.
“You’re beautiful, Amara.” I press a kiss on her lips and shuffle off the bed.
I shuck off my clothes, each piece falling away until I stand before her, bare and exposed. Her gaze locks onto my cock as it springs free.
She licks her lips and a jolt of heat courses through my veins at the sight of how much she wants me.
Kneeling on the bed, I crawl toward her slowly, deliberately. I want to savor this moment.
As I lower myself between her thighs, I feel a primal hunger well up inside me—a desperate need to taste what’s mine.
I press my mouth against her clit, sucking gently at first. Her body jolts beneath me, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips.
“Relax,” I murmur against her skin. “Enjoy it.”
Her breath hitches as she bites down on her lip. “I’m not on the pill.”
“Good,” I reply, heat pooling in my gut as the thought ignites something wild inside me. “I’m going to fuck my babies into you.”
My tongue swirls inside her, tasting the sweetness of her.
Her hips buck involuntarily, pressing closer to me.
“Caleb…” Her voice is a breathy whisper, laced with desire.
Her legs tremble, her fingernails dig into my shoulders as her scent and taste fill my senses.
As I lick her, I watch her, mesmerized. Her eyes, wide and luminous, reflect the flickering lamplight.
“Fuck Amara…” I groan, pressing a finger inside her, feeling how tight she is.
Her moan echoes through the room, raw and urgent.
“I love the taste of you,” I murmur, sliding my tongue along her center.
Her hands fist in my hair, pulling me closer. Her breaths come fast, ragged gasps. She’s on the verge. I can feel it.
She’s so beautiful, so passionate, and I’m falling for her, falling hard.
Her hips thrust up, meeting my rhythm.
“Caleb…” Her voice breaks.
“Come for me, Amara. Come for me…” I groan, curling my finger.
Just as I flick my tongue over her sensitive flesh again, a car door slams outside. Panic surges through me like ice water.
“It’s Poppy.” I scramble off the bed and rush to the window, peering out. My heart races when I see her slight frame silhouetted against the fading light—she’s home early and she’s crying.
“Fuck!”
I whirl back to Amara. “Hide for a while!”
She glances at me, sadness flashing in those beautiful blue eyes. “It’s okay. I’ll sneak out the back.”
“Sorry.”
She shakes her head as anxiety sets in again. “It’s fine.”
“You parked your car on the side street?”
She nods. “Of course. Dom might just happen to drive past.”
“Clever girl.” My voice lowers to a whisper as desperation tugs at my insides. “Video call me later. I want to watch you come apart for me again.”
“I’m supposed to come back at seven,” she replies hesitantly.
My face flushes with embarrassment as reality settles back over us like a heavy blanket. “Let me find out what’s wrong with Poppy first.”
“Okay,” Amara says.
Poppy’s voice pierces through the air as she calls out, “Dad!”
I lean down and press a soft kiss against Amara’s lips, an apology woven into every touch. But somehow, the way she is looking at me, I don’t think it’s enough.