by R. G. Angel
“The condoms are in the bag,” he exhaled, a quiet desperation in his voice. It was as if watching me come undone was undoing him too.
I shook my head, rocking my hips, chasing my pleasure. “You don’t need one,” I managed to get out, panting shamelessly. “You said you love sex bare. Willis gave me the shot. We’re good.”
“Thank fuck!” He moved my bikini bottom to the side and entered me in one powerful thrust, causing me to arch my back. I threw my head back from the pleasure of having him buried in me, every rational thought being stripped away.
I wrapped my arms around his neck as he gripped my hips to keep me in place during each powerful trust.
“Oh, Angel,” he growled. Licking a path up my neck, he nibbled on the soft skin of my jawline. “Being in you is like stepping into heaven. I never want to leave your body.”
“I’m close. Jesus, I’m so close.”
He sucked one of my nipples into his mouth, biting just hard enough to bring a zing of pleasure down my spine and into my core.
“Caleb… Caleb.” I rocked my hips faster, meeting him thrust for thrust until he let go of my hip and pressed his thumb against my bundle of nerves, sending me over the edge so deeply, I saw stars.
I buried my face in his neck as his thrusts turned erratic, his own release close. I sucked on his earlobe and he came in an earth-shattering roar.
“I never want to let you go,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around me, him still inside.
I wasn’t sure if he meant now or ever, but if I was honest, both were fine by me. Because as terrified as it made me feel, I’d never felt as happy – as safe and happy – as I was when I was in his arms.
Chapter 19 – Caleb
Come to the Council Room alone. That was one hell of a text. I had to admit that being summoned by Archibald in such a way was aggravating and only served to get on my nerves.
It didn’t matter how well my morning had started - when Esmeralda had woken me up the best way she could, with her lips around my cock. Who the hell did he think he was? I was the King.
“Why the frown?” Esmeralda asked as we walked down the corridor, her hand tightly in mine. Now that she was truly mine, I wanted to show it to the whole school, code be damned. If that made me look like a lovesick fool, just one look into her bright eyes was enough to dismiss any concern I could have had.
“I thought what we did this morning would have been enough to cheer you up for this first day back at school,” she whispered.
I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I just need a top-up?” I pointed at a broom closet down the corridor. “Are you game?”
She swatted at my chest with a startled laugh. “Absolutely not! I’m in enough trouble as it is!”
I trailed the back of my hand over her lower abdomen. “Come on. I just want to see your tattoo again.”
I’d gotten a small Iron Man mask on the left side of my chest for Theo, an homage to his favorite superhero. When she’d shown hers to me after the tattoo session, I’d felt like I had a vice constricting my heart and lungs.
She had mirrored my heart tattoo with the addition of angel wings. It was situated in a place I hoped no other man would ever see. It should only be mine to see, to touch, to kiss… If only she knew what that tattoo meant to me. The irony of it. It was an ode to her and now she was wearing it too.
She stood on her tiptoes and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “It’s scabbed and gross, and you saw it this morning. Plus -” she pointed at a door down the corridor - “I’m going to be late.”
I let go of her hand with a sigh. I didn't have to fake that. I was a sucker for this girl and it was always difficult for me to part from her. I was wondering if it was because my heart lived in her chest or because part of me still feared she would disappear again.
“See you later, Angel.” I bent down to kiss the crown of her head.
She walked backward, resting her hand on her chest with the brightest smile. She always lit up when I called her Angel.
Once she disappeared into her room, I sighed again, then made my way to the Council Room.
Archibald was leaning against the table, his arms crossed on his chest.
“You called?” I sneered, waving my phone in his face before sliding it back into my pocket. “Since when do we have clandestine meetings, you and I? I don’t remember becoming best friends…or even friends at all.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m here to talk about Esmeralda. I believe it’s the only thing we have in common - this desire to keep her safe and happy.”
I was glad he knew my desire to protect her was paramount, but I was still suspicious.
“I believe matters involving Esmeralda should be discussed with Esmeralda present.”
“Esmeralda is sometimes not the most logical when she has a decision to make involving feelings. She thinks with her heart, not her head.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Okay…” I was not committing to an answer even if I couldn’t agree more. Archibald and I were raised to be cold thinkers even if my impulses toward Esmeralda were much more directed by my heart than my brain. But she was all feelings and impulsive reactions. It was a blessing as much as a curse.
“I mean, her getting a tattoo was the stupidest thing ever and you, letting her do it…”
“Have you seen her tattoo?” I asked. Even if he was her brother, I couldn't stop the dark edge in my voice. It was no place for a brother to see.
“No, God, no!” The horror on his face was almost comical. “She was giggling about it with Taylor like an enamored schoolgirl.” He cocked his head to the side. “Which, in retrospect, is exactly what she is.”
I couldn’t deny that I was more than pleased at the idea of an enamored Esmeralda.
“I didn’t let her do anything. She's a grown woman, Archibald. If she wants a tattoo, she should be able to have a tattoo.” I didn’t need to admit that it appealed to my male ego, my inner caveman, to have my brand on her skin.
“Fine.” He threw his hands up in exasperation. “But it’s just that she was talking about coming to Brown with me.”
I tensed. “When?”
“Before New York.”
Was that why she’d asked where we were going? I hated the idea of her going to Providence, away from me. “Okay, and what happened?”
“I sent her the brochure and the application form. A formality, really. The Dean said he just needed it for a paper trail. She said she wanted to wait a bit, that she wanted to, and I quote, ‘weigh up her options’. I can't help but wonder if what she is weighing is about a hundred and sixty pounds of blond assholry.”
“One hundred and seventy-two please, and what if it is the case? We’re together.”
“For how long?”
As long as she wants me, I almost replied but sudden voices behind the door made Archibald grab my arm and pull me into the file storage room.
“What the fuck?!” I whispered, turning on the light on my phone.
“Us together in a room would be suspicious. I panicked,” he whispered back.
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, yeah, and us together in a dark storage room would be a picture of innocence by comparison.”
He shrugged with a sheepish smile.
“You know I love you, Tay, the best way I can love a woman – the deepest way, but it’s not enough,” St. Vincent said as he walked into the room.
Of course it had to be St. Vincent and Oppenheimer. Now I knew Forbes would tackle me before I even tried to open the door. He was leaning closer to the door, eager to hear this conversation.
“Why not?”
You know why, you idiot. He likes penises, I thought with irritation.
“Because you deserve better, sweetheart, and you know that.”
“Is it because of Philip?” she asked with uncertainty.
She didn’t think she was really dating him, right? No, she couldn’t be that clueless.
“No, Philip and I were never serious. I can’t ha
ve a relationship here, in this town, in this country.”
Archibald turned sharply toward me, his eyes widening in realization. 'Gay?!’ he mouthed to me.
I rolled my eyes again. Fuck, this guy could be so clueless.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Her voice was small.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I don’t want to leave you behind, but I’ve been accepted to La Sorbonne.”
“Oh, that’s amazing! Oh, Antoine, I’m so happy for you!”
He chuckled. “Yes, and I think our fake relationship won’t last the distance. Have you told Esmeralda yet?”
“About college?”
“Yes.”
“In a way. In passing.” She sighed.
“So, no.”
“I will…soon. What are you doing?”
“Texting them. I have news to share.”
It took me a second to realize what that meant, but it was a second too long as both mine and Archibald's phones pinged at the reception of the text.
We both froze, looking at each other, each hoping that maybe they hadn’t heard it, but I should have known better. When was the last time life had given me a break?
The door opened and I faced a smirking St. Vincent and a glaring Oppenheimer.
“Well, well, well. Here are two guys I never thought would come out of the closet,” Antoine challenged, his grin widening.
“Maybe we should switch places. It’s clearly where you belong,” Archibald snapped. “Isn’t that right, hypocrite?”
I frowned at him. Archibald was an asshole, but he was not a bigot. “What’s got into you?” I asked after we exited the closet.
“I hate being taken for a fool. I thought you would understand.”
Bullseye. He’d gone straight for blood, but he was right.
“It’s not about you, Archibald,” Taylor spat. “Contrary to popular belief, you are not the center of the universe.”
“Seriously guys, we need to stop that! I can’t keep getting out of class by pretending I need to pee! The teachers will start to think I have a weak bladder,” Esmeralda scowled with exasperation as she entered the room. I was grateful for the distraction.
“Or prone to a UTI with all the sex you’re having with Mr. Hotshot!” Antoine pointed at me.
I cocked my head to the side. It was not a completely crazy assumption.
“Caleb!” she exclaimed. “Don’t agree with him!”
“You’re gay?” Archibald asked Antoine. Ah, yep, we were still on that.
Esmeralda threw me a side look and I shook my head. She really didn't want to know.
Archibald looked at her and his scowl deepened. “You knew too?!”
She returned his gaze with wide eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights. I tensed immediately, my instinct to protect her overwhelming.
“You knew how miserable I was and you didn't think about sharing?”
“Archie, it wasn’t my secret to share.”
“I am your brother Esme, not him.” He pointed to Antoine. “Not her.” He pointed to Taylor. “But me. I’m your blood. Your loyalty should be to me!” he barked, taking another step closer.
I stood in front of her. “And I think you should chill the fuck out. Right now.”
Archibald’s eyes flared with anger. “Are you protecting her from me?” He gestured from his chest to mine as if it was the most ludicrous thing in the world. In retrospect, it was.
Esmeralda placed her hand on my arm, trying to push me out of the way – as if there was even the slightest chance she could make me move.
“I’m just asking you to chill out. I don’t like your threatening vibes.”
“Why? Do you think I’ll strike her?”hHe asked through gritted teeth. “Don’t mistake me for you.”
“It’s in your blood. Like father like son.” That was a cheap blow and I knew it the moment it came out.
Archie paled. It was a secret that he had shared with me when we were young, when we’d believed we would be on the same side forever. When we still thought we wouldn’t have to compete. He had admitted that he had seen his father strike his mother when he’d been a toddler, and that had stayed with him.
Before, I wouldn't have regretted saying this to him, but it seemed that Esmeralda’s goodness had tainted my soul because I regretted my words as soon as they’d passed my lips. I was not foolish enough to apologize though.
Esmeralda dodged in front of me and pushed me with all her might. She barely made me stumble a step.
“Caleb, enough!” She was a fierce kitten – defensive of her own, but as threatening as said kitten.
She turned to Archibald. “Please, Archie, you know I’m right. You know I couldn’t just do that. There’s so much history I’m not privy to. I couldn’t meddle.”
Archibald looked down at her, his lips pursed. He sighed before turning to Antoine. “So you wanted to talk?”
I felt Esmeralda’s pain as she recoiled under her brother's dismissal. It took all of my willpower not to punch him unconscious, but Esmeralda wouldn’t want me to pick that battle, that much was certain. With her already angry with me, I couldn't afford to make it worse.
Her rejection was my rejection. Her pain, my pain. Was this what love did to you?
I brushed my fingers against the back of her arm. She moved away, but I decided not to press the issue. She was hurt and angry.
Antoine looked from Archibald to Esmeralda with regret on his face. Did he regret driving a wedge between siblings who had only just found their connection? He should. Secrets and lies only served to poison anything good. There were no white lies, not really. The ultimate goal was always selfish.
He shook his head. “Yeah, we finally managed to track the number Phang called. He called it twelve times that evening. It was more difficult to track than I’d expected. It went from a pizza chain to a private investor firm to some construction company to–.”
“Can we just wrap it up? The suspense is unnecessary,” Archibald interrupted. He wanted to get away and lick his wounds in private. It was something I could understand better than anyone.
“Anyway,” Antoine shrugged. “The ultimate owner is Matracon Corp.”
Esmeralda was puzzled by the revelation. She didn't know about our businesses.
“It is my father’s company,” I clarified for her benefit. “But it makes no sense. He was genuinely worried about Esmeralda when he’d found out about the car. He hired extra security. Granted, I think he knows more than he is saying and something is on his mind, but he wouldn’t have tried to kill her.”
“He is your father, so I–” Antoine started.
“No,” I shook my head. “This is not some kind of family loyalty. He is scum and a borderline pedo. I know what he is. I have no illusions. I am sure he would have it in him to kill someone or at least have someone do it, but this is not him.”
Archibald sighed heavily. At least he believed me. “Okay, so we’re back to square one?”
I shook my head. “Not necessarily.”
“So what now?” Archibald asked.
“Now -” I turned to Esmeralda - “we get married.”
The room turned silent, but I was pleased to see that Esmeralda looked intrigued more than anything. It was not the outright rejection of the idea that she used to show me.
“Are you out of your mind?” Archibald hissed after he recovered from the initial shock. “Are you really trying to get her killed? Marriage is not the solution, especially if you’re going to divorce a week later.”
I tensed at his words because they’d hit home. Esmeralda cared about me. I couldn’t deny that, but she had run the first chance she’d gotten and that was not something I could forget even if I wanted to. And there was always that question: given the right circumstances, would she leave again? We couldn’t get married until I had certainty in my answers. I would not allow it.
“Not for real, Archibald!” I snapped at him.
“Oh, you’ll hire a fake pastor?
Like in the movies?” Antoine asked, beaming. That man really had a taste for theatrics.
“Ant?” Taylor shook her head. “Not right now.”
I threw him a look which I hoped conveyed all my annoyance. When he looked away, I knew I’d succeeded.
“We have the pre-wedding party next week. Let's go through with it. Everybody will be in the same house.” I pointed at Archibald. “It will allow you to sneak back to your place and look around in peace. Because our house will be full of people, all of the alarms will have to be disconnected, including the one linked to my mother’s quarters.”
“So I can sneak in there and try to find clues,” Esmeralda offered.
“Yes, you or someone else,” I offered. I hated the idea of putting her in danger, but she was still annoyed about my altercation with Archibald. “We’ll all be there, making it easier to monitor and keep an eye on things without looking suspicious.”
Archibald cocked his head to the side, pondering my plan. I could see he hated that it made sense, that he hadn’t thought of it before me. “It could work,” he admitted reluctantly.
“It will work,” I pressed confidently.
Archibald sneered. “It'd better work because if it doesn’t, my sister will become an Astor a week later whether she wants to or not.”
“Archie, I’m sure we–”
“Are we done here?” he asked, cutting her off.
She winced at the rebuff and looked down in frustration. Lord, did I want to end his life.
“I think so, yes,” I replied instead.
He gave us a sharp nod and turned around briskly, leaving the room with his back straight with tension.
I nudged Esmeralda. “Go after him.”
She looked up at me with confusion.
I gave her a small smile, gently brushing my knuckles on her cheek. “Trust me on this. He might not know it, but he wants you to follow him, to be there in his distress even if he mistakenly thinks you’ve got a part to play in it. He wants you to fight for him.”
I knew that because that had been me once. I’d wanted someone to care enough to keep on coming, no matter how much I’d pushed them away.