Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“In the moment? Yes. But two years later, that’s cold-hearted revenge, Caleb.”
“Justified, though.”
“I’m not your daughter. You don’t even know me.”
He’s not persuaded by my logic. Clearly, he thinks what he did was totally in the right. But after a bit, when I maintain stern eye contact and don’t back down, his gleeful smile slowly fades. “He won’t come after me. But your point is well taken. I’ll be much more careful next time, in light of the hearing.”
“There can’t be a next time! That’s my entire point!”
Caleb shakes his head. “Sorry not sorry, Aubrey. If I find out a guy has laid hands on one of mine, then there’s gonna be a next time.”
One of mine. Not gonna lie, his word choice makes my ovaries vibrate with lust. Nevertheless, I still manage a stern facial expression when I say, “That’s all well and good under normal circumstances. But not when you’re in the middle of a custody dispute for Raine. Prioritize and channel your anger, for her sake. Please. You’re not some random guy. You’re a celebrity with deep pockets. You attract attention, Caleb.”
“No need to beat a fucking dead horse, Aubrey. I heard you. I get it.”
“Do you?” My amusement vanishes. “We won’t get a second chance to convince the judge you’re worthy of Raine, and I can’t beat Ralph on my own. I can’t let you fuck this up for me. Fuck it up for yourself, all you want, since that’s your brand. But don’t fuck it up for me.”
We stare at each other, both of our chests heaving.
“I won’t fuck this up,” Caleb grits out, his green eyes flashing. “Like I said, Trent won’t come after me, ‘cause he won’t want to admit he slapped the shit out of you. Why would he ever want to admit he assaulted the sweetest, hottest girl in the entire fucking world? It’s not gonna happen, Aubrey. I’d bet my life on it. So, give it a fucking rest.”
My heart stops. Sweetest? Hottest? Entire world?
I should be pissed about his certainty. His grouchiness. His loose-cannon behavior. But I’m suddenly feeling nothing but electrified.
“You saw the way he skittered away like a cockroach, rather than staying to fight back?” Caleb says, apparently unaware he’s unleashed a torrent of energy coursing through my veins. “In my vast experience with this sort of thing, that’s a dead giveaway he knew he had it coming.”
I feel the urge to exit the car, bridge the gap between our bodies, and smash my mouth and body against Caleb’s—and then drag him to the closest hotel and get him to groan out my name again, this time with that big dick of his inside me. Somehow, however, through sheer force of will, and also because I’ve never done anything that wild and crazy in my life, I keep my butt in my seat and calmly say, “I appreciate you wanting to avenge me when the opportunity fell into your lap. But, please, promise me, it won’t happen again, at least not before the custody hearing.”
“I can’t promise you that, because I don’t know what the next dickhead might do to deserve whatever I’m going to do.” Smiling wickedly, he leans farther into the doorway, bringing his face, and his lips, mere inches from mine. I could be wrong, since I’ve only ever dated Trent. But it sure feels like he’s non-verbally asking for permission to kiss me.
Goddammit. My body wants to give him the green light, but my brain knows it’s a terrible idea. And so, I lean back, abruptly, causing Caleb to straighten up and clear his throat.
“So, uh, which do we want to do first,” he asks. “Order the lumber for the deck or buy a drum kit?” It’s an unnecessary question. We’ve already talked about ordering the lumber first, and then crossing the street to go to the music store.
“Lumber.”
He opens the car door wide for me, inviting me to step out. “Did you get that list of materials from your dad?”
“I did.” I already told him that. I pile out of the truck, averting my eyes, in case I’m visibly blushing. “I also made a list of all the errands we talked about, so we won’t forget anything.”
“I’d expect nothing less from you.” Caleb shuts the car door behind me and gestures to the home improvement store. “Come on, babysitter. Let’s have some fun boosting the local economy of Billings.”
Chapter 14
Aubrey
Caleb and I are back at the lake house now, after a long, decadent—and, yes, incredibly fun—day in Billings of shopping, hanging out, and goofing off. For the past few minutes, we’ve been going back and forth between the loaded truck and the house, hauling in today’s massive haul. Once we’re finished setting up here, the plan is to drive to my parents’ house to pick up Raine and bring her back; so, of course, we’re both eager to make everything perfect and inviting for Raine’s imminent arrival.