by Unknown
It didn’t help that the way she looked at me had suddenly changed drastically, as if hearing that I was someone with ambitions had changed her opinion of me. I didn’t even get the impression that had anything at all to do with money. So many of the women I met in New York were so clearly just after me for my money, and I could always recognize that a mile away. But with Skye, she had known I came from money all along. It wasn’t until she heard I might actually be leading a productive life that she looked at me as though I might have a chance, though.
No, it wasn’t about the money to her. It was about caring about something other than myself.
I suddenly wished that I was that man; the kind who would appeal to a woman like her. I had fucked around with my life so much, just playing, that it had never even occurred to me I might want to be a useful person in society one day.
A person Skye now thought I was.
I wasn’t entirely sure what my game plan was, but I knew I didn’t want her to know that I was a broke rich kid waiting for what basically amounted to his next allowance to come in. I also didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t worked in years. She had been working so hard in college, while I was spending $50,000 on one night of drinking. My father had been right all along—I really needed to get my shit together.
Regardless, I needed to change the subject. Now, “So…” I attempted. “Enough about me. Tell me more about yourself. Where are you from?”
“Um, Rhode Island?” There it was. Her looking at me like I was dense again.
“Oh yeah. Rosie’s daughter.”
She laughed. “Yes.”
“Well, what else can you tell me about yourself? I find you very intriguing.”
I could have sworn she blushed. “Umm,” she stumbled for a moment, the first break real break in her tough exterior I had seen since catching her talking to herself on the back deck. “Well, yeah, I grew up in Rhode Island. I’m sure you know everything you need to know about my mother, but my dad died when I was just a baby, so I never really knew him.”
“God, Skye, I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, it’s okay. He was never really a part of my life, at least, not that I could remember, so I’ve never really known how I was supposed to feel about it. People are always so sympathetic, but it’s hard to miss someone you didn’t get a chance to know? I always wished I had a dad, and I wished I had experienced all the things that people with dads get. But it happened so long ago that I guess it’s just always been part of who I am. I’ve never really known anything else, you know?”
“Yeah, I get that.” I didn’t say anything more, hoping she would continue. Thankfully, she did.
“My mom raised me on her own while working two jobs. She worked for your father and was also a waitress at a local diner.”
“Oh wow, I didn’t know that. It’s shocking to me, really. I know how hard your mom worked over the years. I don’t know how she could have possibly managed another job with all she did for us. I would bet my dad never even realized that.”
“Oh, he did after a while,” she smiled. “He gave my mom a raise at some point, and she quit her job at the diner. He’s a kind man.”
My father. A kind man. I realized that hearing her speak those words almost made me believe them. I was certainly feeling better in her presence than I had just before leaving the house. There was just something about this girl.
“I lost my mom when I was twelve,” I said, suddenly wanting to open up to her with something real and honest about me as well. “I know it’s not the exact same situation, but either way, it’s hard. My mother was incredible. She gave me this snow globe for Christmas when I was quite young. I still have it, but when I was kid, I used to look at it every night after she died. It’s silly, but it always made me feel close to her.”
I was lost in thought, remembering my mother’s face. God, I missed her so much. So it caught me off guard when Skye stopped walking again. I turned to her, prepared to ask why we were stopping, but then I saw a look in her eyes I recognized immediately. And so, I waited…
The seconds ticked by like hours as she removed her hand from mine, but then placed it immediately on my arm. Her other hand followed, resting on my chest, just below my heart. She arched up on her toes just slightly, and I took the cue from there, placing my own hand on the small of her back as I leaned down and met her lips.
It was one of those kisses borne of passion and understanding and feeling like nothing I had experienced in years. It was actually the perfect kiss, starting softly at first, but escalating into something so much more as her lips parted mine and we clung to each other in a moment I don’t think either of us had been expecting. Of course, it also made me think of what else I could do with her. The urge to tear off her clothes was hard to resist.
Just as that moment started to heat up, though, she pulled away and smiled. “We should probably be getting back,” she said. “I didn’t tell my mother I was leaving. She’ll be wondering where we both are.”
I nodded, surprisingly content in our moment being cut short, suddenly sure it wouldn’t be the last.
But what did that mean? Would I be staying?
Unsure of the answer to that question, I turned back to the car without saying anything more.
We drove to the house with the windows down, enjoying the summer air as day turned to evening. When we pulled up to the mansion, Rosie was walking out to meet us. Her brow furrowed as she watched us both get out of the car. It hadn’t occurred to me that she wouldn’t approve of us spending time together. I felt awkward walking up the steps to meet her, especially considering all the bullshit I had just fed her daughter. I would definitely have to clear that up, sooner rather than later.
“Caleb, I didn’t realize you had met Skye already.” Rosie said as we got closer. “Where have you two been?”
Skye spoke up, “We just went for a drive, Mom. I needed some fresh air. And Caleb was filling me in on his return to the family business. You never told me he was becoming such a success there!”
Oh shit.
Rosie turned to me, anger etched across her face. She had never looked at me like this, not even when I had broken my mother’s irreplaceable vintage vase.
“Well, darling,” there was ice in her voice. “I didn’t mention it because it’s not true. Gordon would love if it was, but Caleb here hasn’t worked a day since graduating from college and receiving his trust fund. It would seem he’s been playing some games with you, my dear.
“Rosie!” I cried out, but she just glared at me. What was worse was the look that Skye gave me. It was a mix of disgust and disbelief.
“I made up your old room, Caleb. I assume you’ll be staying. And that you’ll be apologizing to your father for how you spoke to him earlier.” Great. So she had spoken to Dad as well. That explained why she seemed extra angry with me now.
I ignored Rosie and tried to speak to Skye. “Let me explain.”
“Don’t.” She almost laughed, but I knew it wasn’t out of genuine humor. No, there were daggers in her eyes. She gave me one final look of disgust and stormed away from us, heading into the house alone. I could only imagine what she thought of me now.
I looked back at Rosie. Her anger seemed to have faded, but she just shook her head and looked at me with sadness and confusion in her eyes now. Man, day one back home, and I was already disappointing everyone. I turned back to the front door and shouted, “Skye, I’m sorry!”
My apology fell flat, however, as I got no response. I made my way up the steps, leaving Rosie behind. When I got to the top, I turned to see her watching me. “I’ll be in my room,” was all I could think to say.
Chapter Eight
Skye
I was fuming and pacing back and forth in the kitchen. For a moment there, I had almost fallen for his lines. My God, was anything he had said to me true?
I wanted to scream, but mostly at myself. I knew better. I knew what guys like Caleb were like. I had gone for that drive thinking,
sure, why not? A little summer fling. But then I had let his words seep into me and almost convince me that my initial impression of him was wrong; that he might actually be worthy of more than just a fling. And ugggg, that kiss!
When had I become that stupid girl who could be played so easily?
It was so classic, really. One more entitled rich boy, thinking he could lie to get his way. Thinking I was less than him, that I would just fall for it all and never find out. Gordon was probably the same way. The apple didn’t usually fall far from the tree.
I had a mind to get in my car and head straight to New York. Say goodbye to my mother and not worry about how hurt she might be. I couldn’t possibly stay here and deal with Caleb after what he’d done. No way. Maybe this was just a sign that I was in the wrong place. That I should be in New York pursuing my dream.
I sighed heavily, reason taking over, knowing I couldn’t leave. It would break my mother’s heart. And besides, I’d already turned down my internship. Going to New York now would just be stupid. I had to line something up before I headed there.
My mother walked into the kitchen and stood looking at me, with her eyebrows raised. I knew it was her way of asking me what the hell I had been thinking spending time alone with Caleb. She had raised me smarter than this.
“Don’t start, Mom, I’m not in the mood.”
“Skye, you have to understand. Caleb is…”
“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter.” I waved my hands, dismissing whatever she had been about to say.
“You obviously do care. He hurt you, and you’re upset about it.”
“No, I’m just upset because he turned out exactly as I expected him to. Letting you convince me to be thrust into this world for the summer was a mistake. I hate it here. I always have.”
“This world isn’t the problem, Skye.”
I turned on my mother and lashed out. “Then what is, Mom? You’re hiding something from me. I know it. And whatever it is has nothing at all to do with Caleb. So why don’t you tell me why it was so incredibly important I be here with you this summer? When you’ve never made a big deal about it before. Why did it matter so much now?”
She let out an uncomfortable laugh, which irritated me to no end. “Oh come now, Skye, you’re being silly. I think you need some rest after your trip.”
I stared at her. My mom had never been a very good liar. Her morals didn’t allow it. But here she was, so clearly keeping something from me.
“Fine, Mom, I’ll see you later then. I’m going to go to New York and grab the life I really want.”
She started wringing her hands nervously, clearly becoming agitated. “Skye, you can’t go. Please, I need you here.” It was the same desperate voice she had used when she first asked me to come; the one I hadn’t been able to say no to. She had a pleading look in her eyes now.
Why wouldn’t she let me in? What was holding her back? We had always been so close, especially once I became an adult. Why was she now keeping secrets?
I wanted to push more, but her words made me uneasy enough to halt my plans.
Sighing, I shook my head and said, “You know what? I just need to get some sleep. I’m going upstairs.”
“Okay, dear,” she replied, her voice still shaky.
I turned away from her and headed out of the kitchen, huffing towards the staircase. But when I reached my room, guilt washed over me. I hated fighting with my mom. Taking a breath, I turned around, intent on apologizing and giving her a hug before retreating.
Just as I got back to the staircase, though, I spied her—walking from the stairs herself, into Gordon’s hallway. I moved silently, following to see what she was doing. It wasn’t surprising to see her stop in front of Gordon’s door and knock before entering.
She closed the door behind her, and I quickly made my way over, leaning close in the hopes of hearing something. My mom was talking to Gordon in purposeful whispers, but I couldn’t make out what was being said. All I could get from the conversation were the words “plan,” “no time,” and a lot of shushing noises.
What the fuck?
I left the doorway before my mom could come out and catch me there. I hurried back to my room, shutting the door behind me. Left to wonder what the hell was going on.
Continued in Volume 2 of Hunt’s Desire. Click here to continue.
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