Chapter Ten #2
Caine quietly moved in on her, his chest inches from her back.
She hadn’t even heard him coming. She wiggled her fingers trying to make contact to no avail.
Caine let his mask fall slightly and smiled before steeling his features.
He reached up and heard a sharp gasp. She backed into his body and turned in the small space.
He kept his eyes on the box, pulled it down, and handed it to her.
Her eyes widened, and her mouth formed the perfect O. If he had to guess, he was the last person she expected to see. Again.
“Take it.”
Keely blinked, and she narrowed her eyes, grabbing the box aggressively and hugging it to her chest.
“This is a restricted area for employees only.”
Caine resisted the urge to smile. She was showing her claws. Little did she know nothing was restricted to him.
“You’re welcome.”
Her jaw squared, and her nostrils flared. She was clearly still harboring anger over their night together. It was understandable. He’d been a dick to her.
“Need you to stop by my place tonight.”
Keely cocked her brow and scoffed.
“Sorry, Caine. You’re too late. I’ve raised the bar on one-night stands. They’re now required to talk to me .” Keely tried to walked past him, but he matched her steps.
What the fuck was she talking about? He’d engaged with Keely more that night than most people in months.
“I talked to you.”
Keely laughed without a trace of humor. “No, you didn’t. You gave one-word answers to my questions. The longest sentence you said was that I ‘felt so fucking good’ when you were inside me. But let’s give you double points for that one, because it’s also the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Fuck! She was right, and Caine couldn’t deny it. He was hard and cold by nature. It was rare for him to show any semblance of softness. Treating her the same as all the others had a small ache gnawing at his chest. What the fuck is this woman doing to me?
Keely rounded the table, and when she was three feet from the door, Caine stepped into her path.
“What?” she snapped.
“You left your bracelet at my place.”
Initially, Caine had considered she’d left it on purpose. It gave her a reason to come back to his place. He liked that idea too much. But two days without a word from her had him second-guessing the concept. The look on her face confirmed it. It hadn’t been planned.
Keely gasped, resting her hand on her chest. “Oh, thank God. Can you give it to Charley next time you see her?”
He could. It would be the easiest solution.
“No.”
She blinked, seemingly taken aback. “What? Why not?”
What the fuck am I doing?
“If you want it, you know where it is.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re going to make me come back to your place?”
Essentially, he was forcing her hand. It was another dick move. Clearly, he’d hurt her, and now he was giving her no other option. And I don’t fucking care.
“Not gonna make you do anything. You want it, come and get it. If you don’t, trash pickup is tomorrow morning.”
Her lips flattened in a straight line, and her brows knitted together. “You can’t throw it out. It was my grandmother’s.”
“Then I suggest you come and get it.”
She tightened her arms around the box. “You couldn’t get me out of your loft quick enough, and now you want me to come back?”
Touche.
“Only if you want your shit.”
“It’s not shit!” she snapped, and he watched her white knuckle the cardboard box, digging her nails in and leaving an impression.
Caine didn’t respond. By all accounts, it was shit. Nothing more than an aged piece of costume jewelry with no monetary value. But it obviously meant something to her. He’d work that angle to his advantage.
Keely sighed. “Why are you like this?”
“Like what?” He growled, knowing he wouldn’t like her answer.
“Like an asshole!”
Born and bred, Keely.
Caine ignored the insult. He’d been called worse. When he heard voices coming from the hall, he stepped back, creating space between them. The last thing he needed was anyone getting the wrong idea of their private meeting. Given he had no reason to be in their stockroom, it would be suspicious.
“When does your shift end?”
She lifted her chin, and squinted. Keely had fire in her. He’d seen it a few times, but this was the first time it was directed toward him. It was like being in combat with a kitten who just discovered she had claws. He tamped down his amusement.
“Why can’t you just…”
“Time,” he demanded, leaving no room for negotiation.
“After one.”
“I’ll see you then.” He cocked his brow. “Or not. Your choice.”
Caine turned and walked out into the hallway.
At the opposite end, he noticed Noelle standing by the back door, watching intently.
He sharpened his glare, and she immediately looked away.
She didn’t say a word as he passed and walked out the back door.
It was possible she hadn’t heard their conversation. But there was always a chance.
Ridge and Cyrus were waiting by the SUV. He’d have to cut out early tonight, but Caine would do it. For reasons unknown to even himself, he was going to make himself available to Keely.