Chapter 5 Eliza
ELIZA
The whole house shakes from the door slamming downstairs. The sound echoes through the halls, and then silence. I stand in my room, deflated like a balloon, wondering what just happened.
Every inch of my body is tingling. My lips are on fire from the almost-kiss he was about to give me. I know he was. I’m sure of it. But he didn’t. He left me again, only this time I don’t feel abandoned and embarrassed. I feel angry. Hungry. Wanting more.
I can still feel his touch on my arm where he grabbed me—rough hands with such strength. All this time, I was sure he saw me as just a little girl who annoyed the hell out of him.
But now I finally understand. He didn’t leave because he didn’t want me—he left because he did. He’s putting distance between us because he can’t trust himself around me.
The realization is almost too much for me to handle. I fall back on my bed, overcome by craving. My hands run across my body on their own while I imagine they belong to him, touching me in places no man has ever touched me before.
He’ll know just what to do to me. And he’ll show me what to do to him. God, I can’t wait to learn.
Grabbing the hand mirror from my bedside table, I look at my reflection and giggle.
My cheeks are flushed like ripe tomatoes, my hair is an absolute mess, and my lips are glistening.
Caleb was this close to losing control. I wanted him to.
But somehow, he managed to hold out. Somehow, that pissed me off but also turns me on at the same time.
Placing a hand on my chest, I realize my heart is absolutely racing—like dangerous levels. I close my eyes and focus on taking deep breaths, but all I see is Caleb’s face, dangerously handsome, staring at me like he sees right through me.
I see his lips…so close…moving in on mine…
And then my phone buzzes, snapping me back to reality. I sigh. Probably Mara, pissed off at me for not checking in with her. But to my surprise, it’s actually a text from Caleb.
Family dinner. 7. Don’t dress like last night.
My body instantly reacts, an indignant urge rising up from my belly. But it’s instantly washed away as I smile at the screen. Even now, when he’s not here, he’s trying to control me. Show me he owns me.
Well, we’ll just see about that.
The next few hours pass quickly, and I’m all dressed up and downstairs waiting when Caleb arrives. Sara is in the kitchen with Dad, finishing up whatever’s left to be done for the meal as I set the table.
I hear his engine shut off and prepare myself. Seconds later, the door opens, and I feel his footsteps against my heels—the same heels I wore out last night.
There’s a pause. From where he’s standing, he can see right into the dining room where I am. And from the fact that he’s not moving, I know my plan has worked.
“What is that?” he whispers, stepping close to me, but not too close.
“What?” I ask, innocently, turning to face him. Jaw tight, he motions first to my white crop-top and then to my black skirt. “You don’t like my outfit?”
Despite the fact that it’s a skirt, it actually shows less than the dress I wore to the club. His eyes scour me. I can’t tell if he’s excited by what he sees or angry that I didn’t listen to his commands and wrap myself up in a rug or something.
“Oh, there’s my son!” Sara calls out, coming in from the kitchen, plates filled with food in both hands. I take them from her, and she wraps Caleb up in a hug that nearly strangles him. To my surprise, I actually feel a tinge of jealousy in my chest.
“Hey, Ma,” he says softly. Despite his rough and tumble side, Caleb can be gentle when he needs to.
“I’m so glad you could come.” She smiles. “Daniel? Caleb is here! Let’s eat!”
Dad comes in with the rest of the food, and we all sit down to eat. Somehow, I end up sitting next to Caleb instead of in front of him like we normally do. And he just sits there quietly, acting like I don’t even exist, while he goes to town on his chicken and rice.
What is this? I didn’t put this outfit on to be ignored. I even did my best to do my hair and makeup. It’s nothing like what Mara could do for me, but it’s not bad. At least minor-compliment worthy.
But he’s ignoring me. Why?
Formulating, I pour myself some more water, but when I bring my arm back, I intentionally brush my napkin to the floor. “Oops!” I laugh. “I’m so clumsy sometimes.”
I could reach it from where I’m sitting. Instead, I stand up and bend over at the waist, angling myself in Caleb’s direction. Maybe it’s too obvious, but I don’t care.
As I right myself, I catch him averting his eyes. Gotcha.
Sitting back down, I go back to my dinner and join in with the casual conversation—Caleb’s work, Dad’s cars, my art, Mom’s friends—the typical stuff that normally bores me to tears. But tonight, I’m feeling electric.
Just sitting next to Caleb has me on pins and needles. It’s titillating. I smile and nod at whatever it is that my folks are saying, but I’m not really listening. All my attention is on him—getting him to notice me.
Glancing in his direction, I let my leg brush against his. The single, tiny touch sends a shock through me and nearly sends me jumping from my seat. But Caleb still sits there. The only tell that he might have noticed is maybe cracking his knuckles.
“Sweetie, do you need anything else?” I look up and realize my dad has been talking to me while I’ve been completely preoccupied. “Sara and I were going to go to the kitchen to get dessert ready.”
“Oh, no,” I reply, feeling flustered as I stand. “I’m just gonna go outside and get some air. Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?”
Without waiting for an answer, I stumble over myself and head out to the porch. I still cannot get used to walking in these heels. I don’t know how Mara does it with such ease. Then again, she does everything I can’t do with ease.
I wasn’t lying when I said I was hot. The night air is like heaven on my skin and cools me down dramatically as I take deep breaths. Seconds later, Caleb steps out behind me. The hardwood shifts under his weight.
He’s gonna be pissed at me. I just know it.
But when he moves into my view and I look up at his eyes, I don’t see anger.
I see control. He looks me up and down and crosses his thick arms across his chest. His chest is nearly bursting out of the white Henley he’s wearing.
He fills it out like it was stitched for him alone.
“What’d I tell you about what to wear tonight?” he asks. My lips twist into a bratty smile, and I do a little twirl that kicks my skirt up, showing off more of my legs. I’ve never felt so liberated before.
“This is too much? Come on, Caleb, it’s just you, me, and the folks tonight. What’s the problem?”
He steps closer and places both hands on the wall behind me, framing my head between his massive, vascular forearms.
“The problem is you not doing what I tell you,” he whispers. “And toying with me while we’re eating dinner as a family.”
So he did notice, I realize with glee. His eyes move from my eyes to my lips, sending a thrill through me. I may have cooled off for a moment, but I’m even hotter now than when I came outside.
“I like what I’m wearing,” I counter, arching my back and closing the distance between us. “And I don’t mind touching you. Do you?”
His lips twist tight, and he slowly shakes his head as if I just asked him the most dangerous question in the world. “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
Unafraid, I step even closer—so close that if either of us moves, our lips will meet. “Then show me.”
I feel his heat.
I hear his breath.
I even see his heartbeat in his throat.
“You keep pushing me like this,” he murmurs. “And when I finally take you, I won’t stop.”
His words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My heart stutters. I nod emphatically. “I don’t want halfway.”
He slowly drags a finger through my hair, then looks down, indicating between his legs. I see it—he’s hard. Because of me.
And that’s when he suddenly reaches out and grabs me by the chin. I gasp at his speed but nearly collapse as his lips brush against mine.
This is it. He’s going to kiss me.
I brace myself, closing my eyes for what will be one of the most important moments of my life. But that’s when the door opens.
Caleb leaps back like a blur and stretches, pretending he and I weren’t just about to make out. I brush my hair back and look over at my mom, who’s holding a cheesecake with a big smile on her face.
“Who’s ready for dessert!?” Normally, I’d think this was just another one of Mom’s adorable little moments she always has. But now, I want to kill her.
“Sounds great.” Caleb smiles, brushing past me into the house.
Mom goes in after him, leaving me standing alone in the dark, my body steaming from what almost was.
I’m seconds away from begging.
But I’m also smiling.
He’s breaking. And when he does, I won’t be the one begging.