“No, shut up.” I lightly smack his chest. “How did you know whatIsaid?!” He plays with a couple of the curls framing my face, the twitch of his lips a tease as he remains completely silent. “Hablas español? Since when!”
“I don’t know, a couple of months maybe?”
“A couple of months!?” I’m screeching and Caleb is chuckling. What the fuck is happening on this day right now?
“You told me once that it made you sad that you didn’t know your culture. I wanted you to feel comfortable to talk to me however you wanted. And I also wanted to know what you were saying when you’d cuss me out.” He still won’t make eye contact with me; his cheeks are an adorable pink, and I think my heart is about to beat out of my chest. “I’ve been taking some online classes.” He shrugs and then his eyes reluctantly make their way to me.
“That’s…” Taking a breath and trying like fuck to slow down my heart rate. “You did that…for me?”
“Who else would I do that for?” he teases, sounding incredulous, and a breathy laugh leaves my lips as I take in all of him, his huge smile that knocks the wind out of me every time. His eyelids slightly lower and then his deep and intense blue-violet eyes make their way to my lips. “I’d do anything for you, Rosebud,” he whispers. I suck in a quick breath, feeling like my heart completely stops.
He looks a little shy, and maybe a little nervous, but inside I feel like my entire being is rumbling, like it might crumble. I let him pull me against him again, glad for the reprieve of not having to stare into those all-seeing eyes.
I have no idea how to handle any of this, that he’s secretly learning Spanish just so I’m comfortable to communicate with him in my own language, offering to help me fund my career so I never have to be controlled by anyone ever again?
I sit against his chest, feeling my stomach tumble like a million and one loose butterflies on speed as I bite down nervously on my lip.
Holy shit.
I think I’m falling for Caleb Smith.
CHAPTER 35
property of rosie
Caleb
Rosie tried to bail on our date. Which was hilarious that she thought I’d take her,I can’t tonight, some other time,as an answer. No, I was smiling to myself and shaking my head at her as I rode the elevator to the top floor of her father’s building. Because I wasn’t taking no for an answer. Not when I had an epic date planned that I knew she’d love.
I know we’d made a little progress from a month ago; she no longer shied away from me in public, in fact, she mostly sought me out. We barely spent a night apart, and though she hadn’t given me an answer on my offer from a few days ago, I knew things right now were…more.I just didn’t want to push the label thing with her because I knew she was gun-shy. And labels didn’t really matter, I just wanted her, and right now, it really feels like I have her.
Standing in front of the door, I knock and a person I assume is staff answers with a gentle smile.
“Hey, uh…I was just looking for Rosie.” They tilt their head slightly before gesturing for me to step inside and wait by thefoyer. I do so silently, if a little on edge. The staff leaves me standing there alone and I take the time to look around the area. Ornate and massively over the top. Seriously, who has a foyer in their apartment for people to wait? I don’t get much more time to ponder the decor though, because Miguel Jr. rounds the corner, seemingly surprised to see me but also looking rather glad, as a slimy smile spreads across his face.
Rolling my eyes, I let my body fall into a lean against the wall as he continues to stride in my direction, his hands tucking into his pockets.
“Ah, the gutter boy. Still trying to climb the wealth ladder, I see? With your grimy hooks in the Garcia heiress.” I give him an appropriate look of disgust and make a show of looking him up and down disapprovingly.
“I see you’re still overcompensating for your small cock with big words.” His smug smile flinches, just for a moment. I try my best not to be annoyed that Rosie hadn’t mentioned this familyFiestas Patriasluncheon also involved this guy, but I also know that Rosie hates the guy more than I do, so I choose to ignore it.
Miguel—or Mickey, as Rosie calls him—continues to spit bullshit as I continue my perusal of the room, wondering what is taking Rosie so long. I pick a bit of lint off my shirt and then my ears reluctantly tune back into whatever nonsense Mickey was on about. “You’re going to have to give up at some point, Mr. Smith. Rosita knows better than to spend her time with the likes of you.”
“You’re still talking?” I sigh, letting my bored stare find his and smiling when a familiar head of curly hair rounds the corner.
“Caleb?” she hisses with a look of surprise.
“The staff seemed to have let in a stray. Don’t worry, Rosita, I can take out the trash.” Mickey’s tone is scratching at the nerve in my neck that has me twitching and wanting to run himthrough a wall. When Rosie scoffs, he moves his gaze from me to her and I smother a laugh as she pokes her tongue out at him, taking a few steps until she’s right in front of me.
“What are you doing here?” she whisper-shouts, and I can tell by the size of her dark whiskey eyes that she is mad-mad, but I can’t take my eyes off her dress. It’s so…pretty. She looks like a fucking angel, all soft and petit. The dress is a little conservative for what I know of Rosie; high on the front but form-hugging in all the best places, the little T-shirt sleeves made of some white lacy material as it flares out. Secretly pleased with her outfit, knowing that it will be perfect for all the twirling and dancing I have planned for the day, but I’m lost in images of her body moving and her smile growing when her hand slaps at my chest. “Eyes up here,cabrón.I said, what are you doing here?” She crosses her arms and I smile at her.
“We have a date.” I give her a little flick of my eyebrows, biting my lip when she tries to smother a smile of her own.
“I told you I needed to cancel.”
“Nope.” I decline with a snap of my head, turning to hold open the front door and gesturing that we should leave. “C’mon, we’re going to be late.” I smile at her little look of shock that I find adorable, and my smile grows when I look over at Mickey, who is absolutely furious. When he tries to close the gap, I raise my free hand to stop him.
“Sorry, man, you’re not invited because…” I pause, and then a humorless laugh works its way up my throat. “You know, I was going to come up with a lie, but I really don’t care. I’d just rather chew off my big toe than spend another minute in your presence.” I turn back to Rosie. “We should really go.”
