Mickey continues to say a bunch of words I couldn’t care less about as I watch the slow and sure strut of Caleb on his way over to me. I let my mind wander to all the things I’m going to let him do to me tonight. After he takes the edge off on the drive home, of course. But while Mickey continues his endless drivel of absolute verbal bullshit, all I see is my favorite set of violet-blue eyes and sex grin, and all I hear is the rushing of my blood as it fights between heading south and keeping my heart pumping.
“I saidlookat me!” Mickey grows a set of balls out of nowhere, growling the words at me as his grip wraps painfully around my jaw and yanks my face in his direction. It’s rage that floods my system at the sheer audacity of him, but before I can do or say anything, a hand wraps around Mickey’s wrist, pulling at it while shoving at his chest.
“You’re done here,” Caleb growls. He’s taller than Mickey as he gets right up in his face, ensuring there is space between us. “Touch her again, and watch what fucking happens,” Caleb spits through a clenched jaw. I can see the anger vibrate through him, his knuckles pale from how hard he clenches his fists to contain his anger. “Go on.” His whisper is menacing, and my panties are just getting wetter.Did I mention he still hasn’t turned the vibrator off!?“I dare you.” Caleb’s voice is gravel, low, and so goddamn hot I nearly tumble over that edge he has me sitting on. I don’t like to be the damsel in distress, and I’m perfectlycapable of taking care of myself. If there wasn’t a panty vibrator sending me to Candy Mountain right now, I’d have leaped on Mickey and laid a stinging open-palm slap to his stupid smug face. But it is awfully nice for someone else to have my back for once. To not need to be the one protecting myself, there is finally someone to step in when I needed them to.
Like now. Because I swear I am going to have a standing orgasm in this room if Caleb doesn’t turn off that goddamn vibrator.
“Caleb,” I whisper, or whimper, or moan—I don’t know, but I grip the edge of the table. Caleb seems happy with his stare-down with Mickey, who stands and walks away like a scolded child, tossing a chair on his way. I haven’t a clue what kind of scene we’ve caused, because my vision seems to be a little hazy at the moment.
When Caleb seems to deem him far enough away that we’re safe, he spins and links his fingers gently with mine.
“You good, Rosebud?” he asks gently, and I realize he is referring to any possible injuries or hurt feelings because his other hand is tipping up my chin to assess all angles of my face. But my heart is pounding, I know he can see the rapid rise and fall of my chest, and I can barely catch my breath.
“Caleb,” I whisper again, my grip moving to his forearms as I dig in my nails and fight to stay standing.
“What is it, pretty girl?”Oh God!The sweet words.
“I’m…” I pant.The look in his eyes! Pretty girl?!
I’m a goner.
“I’m cominggg.”The words leave me in a whimper as the vibrator continues on, pushing me over the edge and keeping me there as I topple over into Caleb’s arms and bite down on his shoulder to muffle the groan climbing my throat. He catches me, stunned for a bit before he murmurs a curse, like he completely forgot. He reaches into his pocket and the vibrations suddenlydie. I slump, boneless, and he takes my weight, an arm under my thighs as he places me on the stool and cages me in.
His smile is devastating as he looks me over.
“God.That was so fucking hot,” he breathes, and his thumbs swipe my cheeks and he places a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry. I saw him grab you…I forgot about anything else. I didn’t realize you were over here having a euphoric experience while I was tossing up murder charges.” His tone hints at sarcasm but I also think maybe a little truth. A breathy laugh leaves my throat, but I laugh even harder when I realize what just happened.
“I just came. Standing up. In a casino.” The laugh keeps coming, and then I’m tumbling forward. With my forehead on Caleb’s shoulder. It’s like all sense of reason and control disappears and I laugh into his chest. Feeling his shoulders relax and start to shake as he joins in, I can’t help but lean into the feeling. It’s probably just the effects of the orgasm, and not at all because I’m enjoying Caleb’s company…but I laugh. I laugh like I haven’t laughed in a long time. “I was on the brink of an orgasm, and Mickey…” I hoot louder, sitting up and trying to regain some control of myself. “He looked like a scorned child because I wouldn’t pay attention to him!” I wipe under my eyes, my cheeks feeling sore, and I hear the low chuckle of Caleb, feel his warm palms on my thighs as he stands in front of where I sit. “Oh, you just can’t make this shit up. I can’t wait to tell the girls.” My laughing slows and I start to catch my breath. When I’ve finally come back to my senses, I start to get a steady flow back into my legs, feeling the slow, warm circles of Caleb’s thumbs on the inside of my knees. I let my head drop forward and my eyes find his. He looks at utter peace despite the rage he had experienced, and the weird air between us before that.
His eyes won’t move from mine, and I wriggle, a little uncomfortable.
“What?” I ask him, clearing my throat and trying to sit up straighter.
“You’re going to tell the girls?” he asks quietly.
“Well, not everything. Obviously. But I’ll give them pieces, it’s too good not to.” I smile at him through the laugh coming back up my chest, but it stops short at the deflated look that briefly passes over him.
“Right.” His hands drop from my legs. “Obviously.” He shakes his head, blinking before running a hand down his face. “Well, you’ve lost already, considering…” He looks at his watch, then back at me. The shimmer of excitement that’s usually present is gone as he continues, “It isn’t anywhere near midnight. Should we head out early?”
“We just got here. Plus, you just got our drinks and Opal has moved on to victim number two. Let’s just hang for a bit longer?” I electively ignore that this is the very first time I’ve voluntarily stayed at one of my father’s mandated events, and I refuse to bring the reason why to the front of my mind.
The reasonisin front of you.
Shhh, no it’s not.
“Sure.” Caleb sighs and reclaims his seat. He drapes an arm around the back of my chair, but his body stays at a platonic distance. “Are you sure you’re…okay?” His expression gives away a serious concern under the soft words.
I give him my most practiced fake smile and respond, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
I think.
CHAPTER 24
i do love to be his good girl
Rosie
“Rosie?” Caleb’s voice is soft and soothing. He runs a thumb under my eye, and the fuzzy white edges begin to fade, a blurry image of Caleb’s face becoming clearer.
