Chapter 4
Cal West
There’s nothing about the way our conversation ended that should’ve turned me on, but every time I’m around that woman, my blood hums with excitement.
I’m still half-hard from the sight of her in that yellow slip.
She’s a total vixen, and I’m the lucky bastard who made her smile this morning.
That smile could light up the whole damn world.
I have things to get done today, but I plan on stopping by to check on her again soon.
She probably needs some space first.
My phone rings later that afternoon, and Samantha’s name flashes across the screen. She lives on the other side of Sloane.
“Samantha, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Will you leave that poor woman alone?”
I pause and lean back against my kitchen island. “I would if she wanted me to.”
“Cal, she’s gone through enough without having to put up with all your problems.”
“And what problems are you referring to?”
“Your dick. That problem.”
I laugh.
She’s never been one to beat around the bush.
“Samantha, don’t tell me you two talked about my dick.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line that makes me grin.
So they did?
Interesting.
“Look, Sam, I’m just trying to be there for her. I’m not going to be anything but a gentleman with Sloane. I know she’s been through hell.”
“Okay. I’m trusting you, Cal.”
I roll my eyes.
Stop warning me, woman.
“Thanks for checking in.”
“Have a nice night, Cal.”
I hang up and stare through the window.
I wonder what my lovely neighbor is doing tonight.
I should’ve gotten her number.
I won’t make that mistake again.
???
I grab a beer from the fridge and settle beneath the gazebo on my front porch. I might as well catch up on some work emails so I’m not overloaded tomorrow.
The weather app says a thunderstorm is moving in.
There’s something about sitting outside and watching one roll through.
I get lost in my work, and by the time I finally look up, the storm is in full force.
Lightning flashes across the sky, followed by a crack of thunder in the distance. The next boom is deafening, rattling through the neighborhood.
The rain has slowed for now, but it keeps coming down in waves. Heavy one minute, barely there the next.
One of the best things about North Carolina is how warm the nights stay, even with a storm raging overhead.
I scan the houses surrounding the cul-de-sac beneath the soft glow of the streetlamps. Most of the lights are off, and the curtains have been drawn.
Just when I think I’m the only one awake and enjoying the storm, my gaze catches on a bundled-up figure across the court.
Sloane.
She’s curled beneath a small blanket with a light sweater wrapped around her. Her sock-covered feet stick out from the end, and she looks comfortable sitting there.
Like she belongs in that house.
I wonder if she’s noticed me.
Another boom of thunder rolls down the block. When I look toward the sky, a sharp bolt of lightning tears through the darkness.
For one bright second, the entire neighborhood lights up.
When I look back across the court, Sloane’s eyes are locked on mine.
Energy pulses through me despite the late hour.
Her hazel eyes look almost golden beneath the porch light.
God, she’s beautiful.
My body reacts before I can stop it. The charge running through my veins heads straight to my cock.
I’ve never been this aroused without being touched.
There’s something in the way she’s looking at me. It makes my heart beat harder against my ribs and leaves every part of me on edge.
I see the same hunger flash across her face.
There’s something between us.
I know she feels it too.
I want to cross the street, pull that blanket from her body, and find out exactly what she’s wearing beneath it.
I want to make her forget every man who came before me.
Especially him.
I’ve waited years for a chance with Sloane. Now that she’s here, I have to keep myself from moving too fast and ruining it before it begins.
Because when she lets me in, I’m giving her everything.
I don’t know how to do this halfway.
The moment holds us both still until Sloane finally rises from her chair.
She gives me one last lingering look before disappearing inside her house.
Maybe she’s ready to be chased.
Either way, I’m willing to wait until she is.
Then I’ll show her exactly how sweet I can be.