Chapter 30
Caleb was awakened by his ringing phone.
Groggy and disoriented, he glanced around his large bedroom.
Seeing that daylight had barely cracked the sky outside the windows, he frowned.
His frown quickly disappeared, however, when his gaze landed on the beautiful woman fast asleep in his arms, her warm, curvy body outlined beneath the heavy covers.
She lay curled against him, her hair a tangle of thick black curls on the pillow, her breathing deep and even.
As his mind replayed the sizzling night of passion they’d spent together, he grew instantly hard.
His phone rang again, rudely intruding on his steamy recollection. Biting back an expletive, he carefully reached over Daniela and grabbed the phone before it woke her up.
“Hey, Dad,” he mumbled, keeping his voice low.
“Mornin’, son. Hope I didn’t wake you.”
Caleb pushed out a deep breath, laying back on his pillow as his erection deflated. “You did, but don’t worry about it.” He felt a prickle of alarm. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s just fine. The reason I’m calling—”
“—at the ass crack of dawn,” Caleb interjected dryly.
His father chortled. “The reason I’m calling is to let you know that I’m going out of town this weekend. I’m accompanying Ruth to San Diego to visit her daughter—the oldest one, who’s expecting her first baby. She was admitted to the hospital overnight—”
“What happened?” Caleb demanded with fresh alarm.
“Well, there’s a possibility she might be going into labor.
Given her age, and the fact that she’s only five months along, the doctors don’t want to take any chances.
Ruth’s been up half the night worrying. This morning she finally decided to fly out there, but the earliest flight she can get to San Diego won’t be until this evening.
So I offered her the private jet, and I’m going along with her to lend some moral support. ”
Caleb felt a quiet smile touch his lips. He’d always known that beneath Crandall Thorne’s tough, crusty exterior lay a softie—though it would take nothing short of torture to pry such an admission from his father.
“Anyway,” Crandall continued, “since the ranch will be virtually deserted this weekend—I gave everyone time off for Labor Day—I thought you might want to invite Miss Moreau up for some horseback riding and…whatever else you two decide to get into.”
Caleb held the phone away from his ear and stared at it in amused disbelief.
He couldn’t believe that his father—who’d always forbade Caleb from bringing girls to the house when he wasn’t home—was actually encouraging him to use the ranch for a romantic getaway with Daniela.
Granted, it had been years since Crandall imposed any sort of rules on him, and now that Caleb was a grown man, he could damn well do as he pleased.
Still…it felt weird to be invited to use his father’s home as a trysting spot.
Never mind that the idea had already occurred to him.
“You still there?”
Caleb smiled into the phone. “I’m still here, Dad. Thanks for the offer…I just might take you up on it.”
“You do that.” Crandall paused, then added almost gruffly, “I like her, son. There’s something special about her. She’s not like the others.”
By “others,” Caleb knew his father meant the other women he’d dated in the past, many of whom turned out to be after his money and the legal empire he stood to inherit someday.
Since Caleb had never been seriously interested in any of those women, he’d suffered little more than a twinge of disgust when they showed their true colors.
He knew it would be different with Daniela. She, unlike the others, had the power to hurt him. It scared him to realize just how much power she had.
Keeping his gaze trained on her face, searching for any sign that she was faking sleep in order to eavesdrop on his conversation, Caleb said to his father, “I take it, then, that you approve.”
Crandall let out a low, gravelly chuckle.
“If you’re asking whether I approve of your relationship with a student, the answer is no.
I think it’s dangerous and mighty reckless of you, son, and I hope to God you know what you’re doing.
That said, you’re a Thorne, and Thorne men have always marched to the beat of our own drum.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had adhered to the dictates of others, nor would you.
Thankfully, to balance our willful natures, the Good Lord blessed us with an abundance of sound judgment.
I think you’ve already decided that Miss Moreau is worth any risk you’re taking in being with her, and based on what I observed of the young lady, I think you’ve made the right call. ”
Caleb closed his eyes briefly. “Thanks, Dad. I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am.” A heavy pause filled the line. “There’s something else you should probably know. I debated whether to tell you since she specifically asked me not to. But I think you have a right to know what’s going on. I wouldn’t want you to be blindsided, just in case…”
Every muscle tightened in Caleb’s body. “What’re you talking about?” But he already had a pretty damn good idea.
“It’s Shara Adler, son. She reached out to me yesterday.”
Caleb swore under his breath.
“She wanted to share her concerns about your relationship with Daniela. She insisted her motives were purely altruistic, of course, but we both know better. She’s in love with you, and she wants Daniela out of the picture.
She was hoping I would talk some sense into you.
When I refused, she went scorched earth and threatened to report your affair to the dean. ”
Caleb gritted his teeth, his gut clenching with fury.
“Naturally, I was livid,” his father continued.
“But I won’t pretend that a selfish part of me didn’t consider the benefits of you losing your teaching job.
If the university terminated your contract and you found yourself blackballed from academia, you’d have no choice but to come back to the firm, which is where you belong.
” He sighed. “But I quickly shut down that line of thinking. You’re a good man, Caleb.
You haven’t hurt anyone. You haven’t repeated my mistakes or committed my sins.
If anyone deserves a scandalous downfall, it’s me, not you. ”
Caleb closed his eyes. “Dad—”
“I persuaded Shara to reconsider, or at least I tried to. But you just never know with these things. Scorned women can be unpredictable,” his father said grimly.
“Shara is a brilliant legal scholar who apparently isn’t smart enough to choose her enemies wisely. I could ruin her with one phone call—”
“No,” Caleb said sharply. “I don’t need you to fight my battles. I’ll deal with Shara.”
“Of course, son. I didn’t raise no pussy. Speaking of which,” Crandall said slyly, “I should let you get back to sleep, though I don’t suspect you’ll be doing much resting. Give Miss Moreau my warm regards. I’ll keep you posted on the status of Ruth’s daughter and the baby.”
“Thanks, you do that.” As Caleb disconnected the call and reached over Daniela to set his phone down, she stirred awake. The thick, silky fringe of her lashes fluttered upward, those big doe eyes opening and settling on his face.
When a soft, dreamy smile curled her lips, his heart slammed against his ribs, and just like that, all thoughts of brewing trouble were wiped from his mind.
“Good morning,” Daniela whispered, her voice a little husky from sleep. “You stayed this time.”
His mouth twitched as he brushed a lock of hair from her face, his fingers skimming her cheek with the tender gesture. “I didn’t have much of a choice. I live here.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right.” She smiled again, and as he gazed down at the unblemished beauty of her face, he wondered what kind of fool he’d been to skip out—twice—on the simple pleasure of having her wake up in his arms.
A running-scared fool.
“Who was on the phone?” Daniela asked, covering a yawn behind her hand.
“My father.” Caleb told her about Ruth’s daughter, marveling as her eyes softened in concern for a complete stranger.
“I hope she and the baby will be all right,” she murmured.
Caleb could tell that she wasn’t merely mouthing an empty sentiment for his benefit; she genuinely meant what she said.
“I hope so, too.” Dipping his head, he brushed a soft kiss across her temple, then leaned back and smiled at her. “Monday’s Labor Day. What’re you doing this weekend?”
She chuckled softly. “You mean after I somehow manage to drag myself out of this bed and back to my own house?”
He grinned. “Or you could just stay here with me.”
Her expression clouded for a moment, her eyes dropping away from his. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
Hearing the jealous edge to his voice, she gave him a teasing look, the sorrow he’d glimpsed in her eyes disappearing. “Because I have other plans,” she told him saucily.
“Oh, really?” As Caleb gazed down at her, he felt an indescribable wave of possessiveness wash over him.
He’d never thought of any woman as his own, had never wanted to.
He still wasn’t sure how Daniela had so easily slipped beneath his radar.
But she had. And now he couldn’t look at her without wanting her, couldn’t have her without wanting more.
And he definitely couldn’t stomach the idea of her being with another man, giving herself to him with the same passion and abandon with which she’d surrendered to Caleb.
Rolling her onto her back, he climbed over her and felt his blood fire instantly at the contact with her delectable body. Raising himself above her, he braced his weight on both arms and planted his hands on either side of her head.
“I want you to spend the weekend with me at the ranch,” he told her in a tone that made it clear the request was nonnegotiable. “We’ll have the place all to ourselves.”
She gazed up at him, the edge of her teeth digging into the soft flesh of her bottom lip. “It sounds terribly romantic—”
“It will be.” Lowering his head, he captured that enticing plump lip, nibbling and tasting her as he whispered against her mouth, “Say yes.”
“Caleb—”
He slid his body up along hers in one long, provocative caress, smiling devilishly at her sharp intake of breath. “Say yes, Daniela,” he commanded.
“No fair,” she whined. “You’re playing dirty.”
“Damn right.” He flicked his tongue over the seam of her lips, pulling away before she could kiss him back. She whimpered in frustration, making him chuckle.
“All you have to say is one simple word: yes.”
Dark eyes gleaming with sudden challenge, Daniela moved to touch him.
He caught her hand and shook his head at her. He knew just how easy it would be for her to turn the tables on him. All she had to do was slide one foot up his leg, press the silky heat of her mouth to his chest and flick her silky tongue over his nipple….
With a tortured groan, Caleb realized that was exactly what she was doing. Torn between disbelief and awe, he stared down at her, this sexy little temptress who should’ve been forbidden, this bewitching woman who had the unique power to find the most hidden corners of his heart and expose them all.
Unable to resist the sweet temptation she embodied, he lifted her and flipped her over onto her stomach.
He felt her shiver as he slowly kissed and licked his way down her spine, his tongue discovering places on her back that made her arch in surprised pleasure.
As he palmed the juicy swell of her ass in both hands, he felt like he’d died and gone to heaven.
He stroked and kneaded her bottom, his fingertips teasing the secret spot between her thighs where he could already feel the promise of dripping wet heat.
Dick throbbing painfully, he grabbed two pillows and pushed them beneath her hips to elevate her, giving himself a deeper angle of penetration as he entered her slowly from behind.
She moaned loud and long and rocked back against him, clutching fistfuls of bedding.
She was tight around him, scorching hot and luscious.
Gripping her by the waist, Caleb began thrusting high and deep inside her pussy, over and over, hitting her G-spot with every sure stroke.
Her moans became uncontrollable, the wild twisting of her hips nearly making him explode.
When he pulled out of her, leaving just the pulsing tip inside, she whimpered in protest.
“Don’t stop,” she begged. “Oh God, Caleb. Please don’t stop.”
He shuddered and groaned before driving back into her, burying himself so deep his balls slapped her bottom.
“Caleb,” she keened into her pillow.
“You’re mine, you know that?” he growled. “You fucking belong to me, Daniela.”
“Yes!” she sobbed. “Yes, yes, yesss!”
“Good girl.” He pulled her ass back toward him as he thrust hard and relentlessly, the bed bouncing with his rhythm, headboard banging against the wall. Her breathless cries and pleas sang through his veins, her drenched walls enveloping him as if she were his very own custom-made glove.
“So damn good, baby.” Slamming in and out of her, he slid his hands around her body, groaning at the delicious ripeness of her breasts, the silk of her brown skin, the slick heat of her mouth as she suckled the thumb he pressed to her lips.
He was amazed at the sense of rightness he felt, the unshakable sense of belonging inside her.
He wanted their morning sexing to last forever and then some, but he knew he couldn’t hold on much longer.
She cried out his name as her body clamped around his dick in pulsing contractions, milking an orgasm from him that tore a guttural growl from his throat. He pounded his way through it, her ass jiggling faster with the force of his thrusts.
He came deep inside her, shuddering with every hot spurt until Daniela sprawled limply beneath him.
Breathing hard, he leaned down and kissed the sweat-dampened curls at the nape of her neck.
Then he pulled slowly out of her, dripping cum, and slapped her ass cheek hard enough to leave a handprint.
She yelped and moaned at the same time, making him grin as he rubbed his warm semen into her skin, then gathered her into his arms and drew them both down to the bed.
She snuggled up against him with a sleepy sigh. “You don’t play fair.”
He chuckled. “Never said I would.” He angled his head to look down at her flushed face. “Just so we’re clear, Daniela, you’re spending the weekend with me.”
She smiled drowsily. “Yes, sir. Not like you really gave me a choice,” she mumbled, her eyelids drifting closed. Within moments, she was fast asleep.
As Caleb followed her into dreamland, three words he’d never spoken to another woman drifted through his mind.
I love you.