Beautiful Mistake

by Vi Keeland

“That’s definitely not a word I’d use to describe you.”

  “Oh yeah?” He dried a tiny saucer and handed it to me to pack up. “And what word would you use?”

  “I don’t know. Enigma, maybe?”

  Caine thought about it for a moment. “Not sure I can argue with that one.”

  After we finished packing up the tea set, we heard a phone buzzing.

  “Is that mine or yours?” I asked.

  “Mine’s in my pocket. Must be yours.”

  I walked to the couch and dug for my cell in my purse, but it stopped making noise before I got to it. Reading Davis’s name on the screen, I sighed audibly.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  Caine waited for more.

  “It was Davis. He texted me earlier, and I forgot to text him back.”

  He nodded. “You make a decision on that?”

  “No.”

  “Want my help?”

  My brows lifted. “You’re going to help me decide if I should give my ex another shot?”

  “Sure. Why not? Tell me about him.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What’s he do? How old is he? Ever married? The basics.”

  “Okay. Well, he’s twenty-nine, divorced, and a regional sales manager for a nuclear medicine durable equipment company.”

  Caine deadpanned, “Sounds like a dick. You shouldn’t give it another shot.”

  “What? Why?”

  He held up three fingers on one hand and began to tick them off as he spoke. “Three reasons: One, he’s twenty-nine and divorced. Something’s wrong there. Bad track record. Two, salesman. That right there is a red flag. He sells crap for a living. It’s only a matter of time before he’s selling you a line of crap, too. And three, name’s Davis.” He shrugged. “It’s a stupid name.”

  I stared at him incredulously. Feeling the need to defend my previous choices, I reminded him how ironic his assessment was. “One, you’re thirty-two and don’t have serious relationships. That right there says more than making a mistake when you’re young and marrying your high school sweetheart. Two, you’re a musician. Everyone knows musicians are notorious playboys. I’d venture to say the cheater ratio is double for a musician over a salesperson. And three, have you read the Bible? Cain wasn’t exactly the good son.”

  Caine nodded. “Exactly. So I know the type. You should keep away from him.”

  I’d apparently misunderstood his point.

  “I think you’re a little insane. You don’t know Davis’s type just from his age and occupation. He’s a great guy. He works hard, wants to have a family some day, calls his mother every Sunday. He even has a romantic side—took me on a picnic in the park once.”

  Caine scoffed. “That’s not romantic. He sounds like a wimp.”

  My hands went to my hips. “What are you talking about? Of course that’s romantic. What’s your idea of romance, if you’re such an expert.”

  Caine walked from the kitchen to the couch where I was standing. He stepped into my personal space, and I refused to move. When he leaned down, putting us eye to eye, our noses were practically touching.

  “I don’t do romance,” he said. “I prefer fucking like animals to picnics in the park.”

  God, why was he being such a jerk?

  More importantly, why did I like it so much? Goosebumps prickled all over my skin and a shiver ran through my body, causing a tingle between my legs. Not to mention, my nipples had grown so swollen I was going to need to step back in a minute if he didn’t give me some room. And while he’d turned me on, he’d also pissed me off. I rolled with the latter.

  “Maybe that’s why you’re still single.”

  Caine’s eyes narrowed. “If everything about this guy is so great, what’s taking you so long to answer his question?”

  He had a point. It should have been a no-brainer. But if I was being honest with myself, the reason had nothing to do with how great Davis was or wasn’t. The only thing keeping me from giving the man another chance is that he wasn’t Caine.

  I felt defeated. “You’re right. There’s really no reason not to have dinner with him tomorrow night. Who knows, maybe the spark will light again. I’ll never know until I try.”

  Caine retreated with a stiff, blank mask. It didn’t matter that we had chemistry like I’d never experienced or more in common than most happily married couples. He wasn’t interested in me. The more I got to know him, the more I realized the professor-student thing was just an excuse. Caine West was not a man who’d let anything get in his way if he really wanted something.

  With a little distance back between us, my thoughts were clearer. “I should go.”

  He was silent as I tucked my cell into the side pocket of my purse and took out my keys before slinging it over my shoulder. He didn’t move when I brushed past him but then grabbed my elbow to stop me.

  “I’m the last person who should be giving relationship advice. But if it’s not there, you can’t force it. No different than when it is there and you try to make it not be.”

  Again, I wanted to read something more into his comment than he’d meant. I needed to stop doing that. “Thanks, Caine.”

  He nodded, looking sad and resigned to stay that way. “Thank you for covering my class today and coming to my rescue tonight.”

  “Of course. That seems to be our thing. We rescue each other.”

  Caine

  Fifteen years ago

  A little thing like her shouldn’t be out riding a bicycle all by herself.

  I’d waited outside the church this week, on the little bench hidden in front of the statue of Mary—most likely so people could pray in peace, not stalk ten-year-old girls. If anyone caught wind of the crazy shit I was up to on Saturdays, they’d probably think I was a goddamn child molester.

  My little friend locked up her bike on the other side of the church and looked around to see if anyone was watching before running inside. I ducked but wasn’t sure if she saw me or not. I wasn’t even sure what the hell I was looking for—but at least I knew how she got here and that she came alone.

  I waited a few minutes before going inside, figuring I’d let her settle in on her side of the booth. But when I slipped into the church, I found her kneeling in a pew near the confessional. Her head was bowed to her steepled hands.

  She must have felt someone watching her, because after a minute her head came up and she looked around. Luckily she looked the other way before turning in my direction, giving me a chance to pull my head back behind the column. What the fuck am I even doing? I was hiding from a little girl I was reasonably sure lived in some sort of an abusive home and pretending to be a priest so I could what…rescue her?

  Finding the coast was clear, the little girl got up from the pew and went to the confessional. Just like last week, she opened the priest side instead of the parishioner side. Although this time, she didn’t go in. Partially blocked by the door she was holding open, I couldn’t make out exactly what she was doing. But from the way her body folded at the waist and her arm came up and then right back down, I thought she might have tossed something inside. Then she opened the other door and disappeared inside.

  What the hell was she up to?

  Curious, I headed straight for the booth, only to find it just like each of the last six weeks I’d sat inside. There was the red velvet chair, the makeshift wooden pew with its worn-leather kneeling bench, a gold cross on the wall…and that was about it. Then I noticed a small coin sitting directly behind the front leg of the chair. I’d almost missed it. Leaning down, I picked it up. She spoke before I could even take my seat.

  “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”

  I flipped the dulled copper penny over and over between my thumb and pointer as we got started. “Tell me your sins.”

  Her mood was melancholy this week. She didn’t have any funny stories to share about Tommy, and even though she’d been on the other side for a solid twenty minu
tes, she hadn’t actually said much at all.

  “How was school this week?”

  “I didn’t go for three days.”

  “Why not? Were you sick?”

  “No.”

  “Then why didn’t you go to school?”

  “Is it a sin to skip school?”

  “Not really. But you should go. Education is really important.” Apparently today I was channeling my mother instead of a priest. “And you can get in trouble for not going. Do you know what truancy is?”

  “No.”

  “It’s when you’re absent from school illegally.”

  “So something can be illegal but not a sin?”

  What was she getting at? “Well, breaking the law set by the state of New York is different than breaking God’s law. Why were you absent from school?”

  “Because I was waiting for my sister.”

  “Where was she that you were waiting for her?”

  “I don’t know. She ran away last week. But before she left, she told me she’d come back and get me once she found a new place for us to live.”

  “So you skipped school?”

  “I pretended to go in the morning and then I came back to the house after Benny left. I didn’t want to miss her if she came back for me while I was at school.”

  “Do you know why your sister ran away?”

  She was quiet for a long time. Then she finally said, “I think it was because of Benny.”

  That sounded like the fucking understatement of the year. “Did Benny go looking for your sister?”

  “No. He yells a lot about her after he gets home from work. But then he falls asleep on the couch that smells like him.”

  “You need to go to school. Talk to a teacher. Tell them what’s going on at home.”

  “No. I don’t want to get my sister in trouble.”

  “You won’t.”

  “I don’t know…”

  I was thinking it was time I went to the police. But what would I say? Hi. I’m a fake priest, and you need to look for a guy named Benny and a skinny little girl who rides a blue bicycle?

  “What’s your name?”

  She was quiet again. “I have to go.”

  “Wait!” I’d been flipping the penny around the entire time we were talking and suddenly stopped. “Did you drop some change on the floor?”

  Her voice was low and almost melodic. “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck.” Then the door creaked open and closed behind her.

  With whatever shit was going on in this little girl’s life, she was sneaking in to drop coins on the floor for the priest to find and have good luck. Unbelievable.

  Rachel

  I agreed to have dinner with Davis in spite of the glum feeling I’d been walking around with for a few days. Or, maybe I hadn’t done it in spite of myself, but more like to spite someone else. Because I made sure that someone knew I had plans for this evening. I’d blown my naturally curly hair straight, slipped on a sexy, little summer dress, and laced-up, high-heeled sandals that tied with ribbons wrapping up my legs. The ensemble made my legs look long and the skirt look extra short. Perfect.

  The additional effort getting ready was worth the response. Caine had trouble keeping his eyes off me during the entire class. I’d chosen to sit in the front row today, an end seat, so I could casually dangle my legs. The way his eyes heated, I could feel their caress on my skin. But by the end of class, I realized I was getting hot and bothered by one man before my date with another. It was disrespectful to Davis, even if he had no idea.

  So, when class was over, I decided not to stick around and chat with Caine like I normally did. There was no rule that the TA had to stay after class unless she was teaching an extra-help session. I’d made it about three steps up toward the exit when Caine’s voice stopped me.

  “Ms. Martin, can I see you for a minute, please?”

  I couldn’t very well ignore him. Taking a deep breath, I turned around and headed back down to the front of the lecture hall. A few students were lingering to turn in papers that had been due last class. I waited dutifully off to the side. Caine spoke briefly with each student and then began to pack away the papers in his bag, ignoring me while he did so.

  Eventually, I grew impatient. “Did you want to speak to me?”

  He looked up and watched the last of the students as they exited the classroom. Once the door closed, he finally acknowledged me.

  “What are you doing?”

  I acted innocent, pretending I was oblivious. “I’m standing here waiting for you to tell me what you wanted to talk to me about. Isn’t that obvious?”

  Caine frowned. “You know what I mean, Rachel.”

  “I don’t think I do.”

  His response was not verbal. Instead, his eyes started at my feet and raked up my body. It was a slow, intense, heated gaze that made me want to squirm. But I didn’t. Somehow I managed to stand tall and even pulled my shoulders back so my breasts were more prominent. When his eyes finally made their way up to mine, I returned his stare, not giving an inch. I was pretty damn proud of myself.

  “You can’t come to class dressed like that.”

  I looked down. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “It’s distracting for the male students.”

  I arched a brow. “For the male students?”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “Is there an echo in here?”

  My hands went to my hips in full don’t screw with me mode. “There is nothing wrong with what I’m wearing. It’s a sundress and sandals. I’m not even showing any cleavage.”

  Caine’s eyes dropped to my chest. I might not have been showing any cleavage, but the dress was thin, and I felt my pebbled nipples protruding.

  “I can see the outline of your nipples.”

  “It’s cold in here.” My initial reaction was to want to cover myself, but…fuck him. I thrust my chest forward a little more. “You know what? Your pants were so snug a few weeks ago, I could see your outline. Why is that okay, but seeing my outline isn’t?”

  Caine’s eyes rose to mine. His voice was hoarse. “You were staring at the outline of my cock?”

  “It was right in front of my face. I couldn’t help but look.”

  He took a step closer, his nostrils flaring. “Did you like what you saw, Ms. Martin?”

  I have no idea where it was coming from, but I wanted to keep dangling a red cape in front of the raging bull. Rather than reply, I ran my tongue across my top lip. Slowly. His eyes followed in pursuit.

  The way his chest was heaving up and down, I thought he might blow. It made me feel fearless and empowered. You don’t want to be with me? Good. But here’s what you’re missing, Professor West.

  “Don’t ask for something you don’t want, Rachel. I’m warning you.” He took a step closer, invading my private space.

  His pupils were dilated, and he looked angry as hell, but there was something lurking just beneath his dark gaze—desire.

  I tilted my head coyly and leaned in. “Who says I don’t want it? I’ve seen the outline.”

  Caine’s jaw flexed while I waited with my heart hammering inside my chest. I held my breath as he reached for me, the blood swirling around inside my ears so loudly I couldn’t even hear my own gasp as his hand gripped my hip.

  I braced for it…waiting for a string of frustrated curses I would have sworn were coming, waiting for his mouth to crash down on mine.

  But instead, it wasn’t Caine’s voice I heard.

  “Professor West?”

  Oddly, I’d heard the door creak open at the top of the lecture hall, it just didn’t register in my brain until a few seconds later when reality smacked me in the head.

  Caine stepped back. He walked to his desk and cleared his throat. “Ginger—Professor Ashby. Can I help you with something?”

  She looked back and forth between us. “I was hoping I could speak to you in private—about a student. But if I’ve co
me at a bad time?” She pointed to the door that was now behind her. “I can come back later.”

  “No. It’s fine.” He looked at me sternly. “Ms. Martin and I are finished.”

  For a moment I was still in shock from the rapid change of events. But that didn’t take long to morph into anger. I looked at him with disgust and spoke under my breath so Professor Pink wouldn’t be able to hear me.

  “Are you serious?”

  He lifted his bag. The desire so openly on display just two minutes ago had been quickly shuttered over. He spoke under his breath. “We’re done here, Rachel.”

  The bastard had dismissed me already. Well, screw you, Caine West.

  I walked up the stairs with Caine a safe distance behind me as we made our way to Professor Pink—only today she had on an aqua suit. Apparently Ginger liked color. My guess was she liked to stand out in a sea of black-wearing New York women.

  As I reached the top of the stairs, she smiled at me. “I love your sandals. But must be tough walking through campus in those heels.”

  I offered a broad, phony smile in return. “Thank you. But I only had the one class today. I wore them for my date.” I turned to Caine, spread my lips wide, and gave him a chance to check out my teeth. “See you Friday, Professor West. I don’t want to keep Davis waiting.”

  I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a second glance before I was out the door.

  Rachel

  My mood was effectively ruined. Screw you, Caine West, I’m going to have a good time with Davis even if it physically hurts. I took a few minutes in the car to settle myself before going into the restaurant. Looking up at the sign, I realized Davis had picked a place we’d been to together during our short period as a couple. Roberto’s had incredible food and was romantic, with an olden-days type of feel. I wondered if he’d picked a spot with those memories on purpose.

  Inside, I looked around and spotted him sitting at a table in the back corner. It was exactly where we’d sat the last time we were here. If there was any doubt that Davis was trying to rekindle the mood we’d once experienced, the table he’d arrived early to secure confirmed his intentions. It was actually sort of sweet of him to put so much thought into where we had dinner. That was Davis—sweet and thoughtful. He was the polar opposite of Caine’s bitter and thoughtless.