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Cherished it because I’d never felt anything like it before.
“Sleep tight. I’ll be in the room right next door if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
Turning onto her side, she closed her eyes, and within a minute, she was already breathing deep.
I brushed my fingers through her hair once more, then I reluctantly stood and crept out, pulling her door halfway shut, lingering at the threshold while I listened to her breathing.
Knowing my heart no longer belonged to me.
TWENTY
PAISLEY
I jolted in the silence where I stood outside Evelyn’s door when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I shouldn’t have been caught off guard since Caleb had texted me pretty much every two hours since the moment he’d left.
But everything about it felt different now.
The man so much more than I’d expected. And seeing his name light on the screen?
Butterflies scattered.
What was I even supposed to say to him now? Did I ask him about it? Pretend like I didn’t know there was something horribly wrong in this house? Ask him what had happened to who I was guessing was his sister? I could only surmise he was related to Evelyn’s mother since Evelyn didn’t seem to know anything about her father, but really, what did I know?
Nothing more than there was a grieving little girl sleeping in her room.
And I wanted to understand.
Fully.
I was invested. Wanting to be here for the child in a way I’d never wanted anything before. And I wanted to be there for him, too.
I tiptoed back to my room next to Evelyn’s, the room lit in a faint glow from the lamp on the nightstand.
I hopped onto the unmade bed and propped myself against the headboard and thumbed into his message.
Caleb
Update.
A grin tugged at the edge of my mouth. So stuffy and precise. Still, my spirit thrashed in the middle of it, sure there was so much more to him.
My fingers hovered over the screen, unsure of what to say. I decided to keep it superficial.
Me
It was a really good day.
Me
You?
Caleb
How my day went is of no consequence.
Irritation flash-fired, but I schooled it, remembering what I’d learned tonight.
Me
Because it’s none of my business or because you don’t want to talk about it?
So maybe I was pushing him a little. Maybe this concern had seeded itself deep and had already sprouted, growing into something I shouldn’t let it.
But it was already there. Tendrils curling through my consciousness and drawing me toward a man I shouldn’t want.
It took forever for him to respond.
Caleb
Because Evelyn is what is important.
There it was. I was sure of it. Where his commitment lay, from where every choice he made originated.
Me
I think you’re important, too, Caleb, but somehow, you don’t believe it. You can talk to me, if you want.
Caleb
I’m not looking for a friend, Ms. Dae.
I saw it for what it was. He was trying to build a wall between us. Erect a barricade around his hurt.
Me
What is it you’re looking for?
It felt like an eternity passed before he finally answered.
Caleb
I’m not a good man, Ms. Dae. You’d do well not to ask me what it is that I want.
There was something about his response that snapped through me like static electricity. Lifting the fine hairs on my nape and running down my arms. Sex painted his tone a greedy red, coded in the warning that I couldn’t seem to heed.
Me
I’m asking anyway.
Caleb
And what if I wanted something I shouldn’t have?
Me
I say we go after what we want.
Caleb
You’re asking for things you can’t handle, Ms. Dae.
Me
Oh dear, Mr. Greyson, have you even met me? I’m sure I can handle you.
I was only subtly aware of the fact I was digging myself a hole. Weaving the innuendo into the words, letting the attraction flame and flare and rise with each text that came through.
I was asking for trouble, flirting with him this way.
Dakota might not like to go after it, but apparently, I did.
Because my heart was fluttering at the exchange, my stomach lighting up in a way it hadn’t in so long.
I liked his demon.
This fallen angel who looked so damned good. I wanted to crack through the polished stone and discover what was hidden inside.
Caleb
Reckless girl.
Was that really what he thought of me?
Me
It’s only reckless if you regret it in the end.
Caleb
You’ll regret it. I can assure you that.
Me
And what if I don’t? What if I want to know exactly what you’re thinking right now?
I was pushing him. Or maybe it was just this need, this interest that was pushing me. Desperate to find out if he felt the same spark between us every time he came into the room.
Caleb
Is that what you really want? To know exactly what I’m thinking right now?
It didn’t matter if it was a text. It was coated in a warning.
Me
I do.
Caleb
So you wouldn’t mind if I told you I’m thinking I want to fuck you? That I want to trace my tongue over every inch of your body? You wouldn’t care if I told you I know your cunt is the sweetest thing, and I’ve been dreaming of tasting it? Propping you on my desk and eating you for lunch?
