I almost laughed because she wasn’t entirely wrong.
But right now, this wasn’t about being right. It was about not sending her into a full spiral mode. Growing up with four younger sisters had also taught me some damage control skills
“Can you just call me Cal?” I said, wincing as my full name echoed again in my head. “Hearing the whole thing every time is… a lot.”
That did it.
Her pacing stopped, then reversed.
“Oh,” she said, her tone shifting sharply as she stalked toward me. “Thatbothers you?”
Each step brought her closer, her finger lifting as she jabbed it toward my chest.
“Youfeel weird when I sayCalix Winstale? It makes you uncomfortable,Calix Winstale?” She kept moving forward, poking my chest with each repetition.
Somewhere in the middle of it, I noticed the shirt she had thrown on was mine. Seeing it hang off her frame, the way the hem brushed just past her thighs every time she moved, did something for me.
My thoughts derailed immediately, fingers twitched at my sides before I forced them still.
“I mean…” I stepped forward, closing the small gap she’d created, my voice dropping just enough to cut through her spiral. “Calix Winstale isn’t who you met last night.”
Her chin immediately lifted in defiance even though I was towering over her. Her eyes locked onto mine like she was daring me to prove it.
“That was Cal,” I continued, slower now, watching her reaction.
My fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the shirt, just enough to make her suck in a sharp breath.
“He’s the one you spent the night with.” I let a small smirk pull at my mouth. “And, for the record, you look better in that shirt than I do.”
Her cheeks flushed instantly. Her mouth opened, closed, and opened again, like her brain couldn’t quite catch up.
I could’ve pushed it, could’ve closed the distance and pulled her back into bed, but with the way her gaze kept darting around to anywhere but me, I knew it wasn’t the right move.
I stepped back instead, giving her space.
“I’m going to go downstairs,” I said, tone lighter now, shifting gears. “See if I can figure out something edible.”
I pointed toward the closed door near the bed.
“You take a shower. Process the fact that you hooked up with a guy named Cal last night.” I chuckled as her eyes narrowed on me. “Then come down when you’re ready,” I finished. “Sound fair?”
She hesitated. Her teeth caught her bottom lip and her shoulders drew in, but finally, she gave me a small nod.
“A shower… sounds nice.”
“Perfect!” I clapped my hands… and she jumped back like I’d fired a gun.
Right. Baby steps.
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to dial it down. Let her adjust, let her calm down… then maybe—maybe—we could revisit round two after food.
I’d need blood first, though.
She’d been way too tempting last night, and that was clearly off-limits for her. Better to handle that so I didn’t lose control.
“Towels are in there,” I said, gesturing again, this time slower. “Shampoo, soap, whatever else you need. Use whatever.”
Another quiet nod.
