She broke eye contact with Hugh because she was so hot and bothered she could barely stand it. It wasn’t fair. He could make her forget her own name with one look, but she couldn’t get him to answer a simple question. And yet, Caleigh was crazy in love with him, the same as she was with Sterling.
As she gazed out over the brilliant foliage again, she thought about the questions she’d asked Blair on movie night. Were her feelings for Hugh and Sterling real or simply the result of their powers? Blair had told Caleigh she’d wondered the same thing, and had assured her that her feelings were true, but Caleigh wasn’t so sure right now. Would she ever be certain, no matter how long she stayed?
* * * *
Caleigh and Sterling were on the roof stargazing one cool October night. Hugh stood at the edge of the railing, chain-smoking, and chuckling every time he tossed a butt over the side.
“Why do you do that?” asked Caleigh. “You know it upsets Zach and Emmett.”
He grinned at her, and even in the low light, it had the desired effect. “That’s exactly why I do it.”
Caleigh hugged her elbows as a breeze sent a shiver through her. “Why do you dislike them so much?”
“Uh-oh,” muttered Sterling.
“Uh-oh what? Have I touched a nerve?”
“Yes. Don’t go there.”
Caleigh looked from one man to the other. “Too late. Now I’m intrigued. I have to know.”
Hugh stared at her for long, uncomfortable moments, almost as if he were deciding how much to tell her. Caleigh wondered if he’d ever completely trust her or if he’d ever trusted anyone for that matter. There was something almost desperate in his gaze, as if he wanted to open up but was afraid to.
Was his inability to tell her why he disliked Zach and Emmett so much really any different than her refusal to tell either man she was in love with them? She and Hugh were more alike than Caleigh had ever realized. Trust was an important part of any relationship, but Caleigh didn’t trust them enough to tell them how she felt. How could she chide them for doing the same thing?
“Okay,” he finally said. “But you won’t like what you hear.”
“Why not?” A shudder ran through her, but this time it wasn’t because of the wind.
“Because it has to do with Lilith.”
“The demon?” They hadn’t talked about Lilith or their Nephilim status since that day in the ballroom when they’d first told her the entire story. Caleigh had so many questions, but she’d been afraid to bring up the subject again. Instead she’d buried them and pretended everything could simply stay the same.
Hugh lit another cigarette. “You remember I told you we spurned her and she cast a spell?”
Caleigh nodded.
Hugh strolled toward her. “Some of us were more involved with her than others.”
“You mean one of us,” said Sterling. His voice held a note of warning, mixed with sadness. Caleigh looked from him to Hugh and back again. The look that passed between the two men was cryptic.
“Fine. One of us was more involved with her than the others were,” said Hugh. “Zach and Emmett were the first two to recognize her for what she was, but one of us didn’t want to listen. When one of us got burned badly, Zach and Emmett were less than gracious and understanding. They rubbed it in my face for years.”
Caleigh swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. It had never occurred to her that Hugh might have been in love at some point. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d let himself care that much. Lilith must have had powers of her own. Or had he been attracted to her dark side? She shivered again as she pictured the portrait hanging in the lobby. “You’ve never forgiven them,” she said. “Zach or Emmett.”
“You weren’t there. You wouldn’t have forgiven them either.”
“How can all of you work together if you hate each other?”
“The resort is business. It’s separate from my hatred of them, which is personal. We don’t mix the two.”
“Usually not, anyway,” mumbled Sterling.
“Caleigh isn’t business.” Hugh’s voice held a hard edge to it, and Caleigh’s first instinct was to rise to Sterling’s defense, but he spoke up before she could formulate a response to Hugh’s remark.
“You don’t have to remind me. She’s personal to me, too.”
Both men faced off, and again Caleigh wasn’t able to interpret the look that passed between them. She hated to see them upset with each other, and especially if it had anything to do with her. She didn’t want to drive a wedge between them.
Edgar’s voice, chiding her for having accidentally made two dates for the same night, came back to her. She closed her eyes and saw the telegram from Babs, telling her that Harold had died in battle. How was this any different? She was involved with two men, and she was stringing both along. She’d been in love with them for at least two months, and she hadn’t said a word to either one. She was afraid to, but she didn’t understand why.
It was a moot point now, at any rate. If they felt the same way they would have said something by now. The longing looks and emotion she’d imagined in their eyes were nothing but wishful thinking on her part. They cared for her, treated her well, and kept her sated in bed, but they weren’t in love with her. They had no interest in living a mortal life with her. Surely they would have told her by now if they felt that way.
And now Hugh’s revelation that he’d been in love with Lilith, and had been so badly burned that he still hated Zach and Emmett for whatever they’d done or said afterward, cemented Caleigh’s belief that Hugh would never open up to her or trust her.
Did she even deserve his trust? Look what she’d done to Harold and the other two men whose proposals she turned down by mail. She’d been using men since high school. Was she even capable of a real relationship with one, let alone two?
That night, Caleigh made love to Hugh and Sterling, believing it would be the last time she ever did. If they sensed desperation in her kiss or touch, they never said anything. She wanted to memorize every line on their skin, every nuance of their touch, and every sensation. No men could ever take their place in her bed or her heart. But she wasn’t going to hang around and hurt them the way she’d hurt so many others. She’d rather die than cause them pain.
They’d go back to seducing the guests, and perhaps one day they’d find a woman special enough to share their lives with, the way Leo and Andras had found Blair, but Caleigh wasn’t that woman.
After breakfast the next morning, Caleigh asked to see Sterling’s collection. She didn’t want to leave without doing so. Sterling’s collection was impressive. She had no idea how he’d come across such rare pieces, most of which she suspected belonged in a museum. When she pressed him on several of them, his answers were cryptic and vague. She wondered if he’d been on Earth when some of these pieces were new but didn’t want to upset her by telling her that.
“Oh, before I forget, we’ll be up quite late tonight.”
“Oh?”
“All the owners have a quarterly meeting, and they usually run until after midnight.”
She’d been wondering how she was going to sneak out of the resort without them knowing, and Sterling had just given her the perfect out. It would have to be done that afternoon. She’d gone shopping in Chicago a few times, so she could use that as an excuse. The realization that, when she drove away that afternoon, she’d be doing so for the last time filled her with profound sadness, but she knew this was the best thing for both Hugh and Sterling.
“What do you talk about during your meetings?” she asked.
“They’re strictly business meetings. Boring stuff.” He winked at her. “But at least you’ll have some time to yourself since there are no rehearsals today.”
Caleigh almost choked on her own saliva. She coughed and averted her gaze, hoping Sterling couldn't see the truth in her eyes. Why couldn’t she simply tell him she loved him—loved both of them? What if she was wrong, and they loved her, too?
The look on Hugh’s face the evening he’d told her about Lilith came back to her, and she knew she wasn’t wrong. The only way to keep from hurting them and to keep from going insane with desire for something she could never have was to leave this place.
Caleigh put her arms around Sterling and pulled him close, inhaling deeply. For the rest of her life, whenever she smelled honeysuckle or lavender, she’d think of Sterling and Hugh. Her life would never be the same again, and she’d never get over them.
Chapter Twenty
Hugh couldn’t concentrate during the meeting. That was nothing new for him, but this time he was even more distracted than usual. Something in the way Caleigh had made love last night and the long, searching looks she’d given both of them this morning nagged at him. He wished he’d kept his big mouth shut the week before about Lilith. It was ancient history, and he’d already known Lilith’s portrait bugged her. He should have simply let it go when she pushed the point.
But that fuck Sterling had pushed as well, almost as if he’d wanted Caleigh to know he’d been the one foolish enough to fall head over heels in love with a demon. It had been on the tip of his tongue to tell Caleigh he was in love with her, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to say it first. Lilith had been the only woman he’d ever let get that close, and he couldn’t explain to Caleigh how terrified he was of getting hurt again. She’d think he was a weak fool.
Caleigh wasn't a demon, but she’d bewitched him anyway, with her dark hair and eyes, so like Lilith’s. But unlike Lilith, Caleigh was kind and caring. She talked to both of them and was interested in them as people. Watching her stargaze with Sterling and the easy way she talked to him about the constellations, as though they’d known each other their entire lives, he’d been struck by how comfortable the routine between the three of them had become.
And yet, it wasn’t enough. She had to choose them. She had to tell them she loved them and wanted to spend her life with them, or the curse wouldn’t be broken. At least, that’s how Leo and Andras had explained it. Still, none of them knew for sure that, just because it had worked for Andras and Leo, it would work for the others.
Hugh wished he’d told Caleigh how many times during the past month he’d dreamed of being mortal, but he didn’t want to bring up the subject. Talking about Lilith last week was the closest any of them had come to talking about their curse since telling her what they were. She’d been so upset and so distant for weeks afterward that he and Sterling had agreed not to mention it again unless she did. What if he’d fucked it up by telling her about Lilith?
“Hugh? Do you agree?” Emmett’s sarcastic tone snapped him back to the present.
“Agree with what?” Hugh leaned back in his chair and crossed one ankle over the opposite knee.
Emmett actually rolled his eyes. “That you and Cristian continue handling the accounting.”
“What little he does,” muttered Cristian.
“Sure. Whatever makes all of you happy.” Hugh didn’t want to talk about accounting or anything else for that matter. He had a sudden overwhelming urge to find Caleigh. The feeling that something wasn’t right would not let him go. He glanced at Sterling, who had his face buried in spreadsheets with Leo. Surely if something were going on with Caleigh Sterling would sense it, too. So why did he feel like jumping out of his skin?
The meeting droned on for two more hours before Sterling finally looked up from the sheets, his face a mask of confusion. Hugh stared at him and tried to capture his thoughts, but that particular power was nearly gone. Still, he was sure Sterling sensed something, just as Hugh did. When Sterling’s glance caught his eye, Hugh shrugged, hoping to convey the fact that he felt it, too, but damned if he knew what it was.
“Can we take a break for a few minutes?” Sterling’s request was so uncharacteristic the other owners gawked at him.
“Yeah, sure,” said Emmett. “I could use a stretch. Ten minutes okay?”
Chairs pushed back, and the conversation grew loud as Hugh made his way to the other side of the room with Sterling in tow. They slipped into an empty hallway. “Something is wrong,” said Hugh. “I want to get the fuck out of here and find Caleigh.”
“I feel it, too, but we can’t leave.”
Hugh ran his hand over the stubble on his face. “Then send someone to find her. How about Molly? She’ll be discreet. Is she on the desk tonight?”
Sterling nodded. “I think so. Let’s go find out.”
* * * *
Caleigh was grateful she knew her way to Chicago so well because she would have had trouble reading the street signs through her tears. Getting out of the resort had been so easy she knew she’d made the right decision, but that didn’t stop the crushing sense of loss she felt as she drove away from the property and made her way south.
She’d packed her bags and sneaked out a side door, walking around several wings to the staff parking lot. After tossing the bags in her car, she’d gone back inside and walked through the suite she’d shared with Hugh and Sterling one last time, touching everything and inhaling their combined scents. It had taken her an hour to actually leave, and even then she’d gone back before reaching the elevators to leave each of them a note.
No way was she simply going to walk out of their lives with no explanation. They deserved better than that. Her tears dotted the ink by the time she finished, but at least they’d finally know how she felt. She’d rather have told them “I love you” in person, but she hoped her explanation would at least give them a clue how difficult a decision this had been.
She planned to drive for a while before looking for a motel. She didn’t want to stay in Chicago. It was too close. It would be too easy to drive back to the resort in the morning, and there were too many memories in the city.
Maybe she’d go to New York for a while instead of going home right away. She could enjoy the city while she figured out what to do next. She knew what would happen if she went home. She could hear the chiding remarks and cluck of her mother’s tongue as clear as if she were sitting next to her right now.
Her father would outline all the reasons why she should now pursue a “proper” degree and give up her singing career. Only Babs would understand. She should have telephoned Babs, but it was too late now. She’d call her in the morning, as soon as she found a telephone.
With one last glance at the buildings of Chicago, Caleigh turned east onto US Route 6. The night air was clear and cool, and Caleigh tried not to gaze at the stars as she drove. They reminded her of Sterling. The lingering smell of burning leaves scattered throughout the countryside reminded her of Hugh’s cigarette smoke. How long would it take her to forget them?
As soon as the thought took shape Caleigh snorted. Forget them? She’d never forget them. How could she? The best she could hope for was that their scents would fade in time, and she’d eventually stop dreaming about them.
She’d rolled down all the windows to keep fresh air in the car as she drove, not only to help stay awake, but to keep the tears at bay. She had to keep driving, and if she started to cry again she wouldn’t be able to.
* * * *
Sterling had never felt real fear until Molly slipped into the meeting room, an apologetic look on her face, and handed him a note. When he read it his stomach gave a lurch. No one had seen Caleigh since earlier in the day. What time was it? He glanced at the clock on the wall. It would be dark outside by now, and the stores in Chicago didn’t stay open this late.
What if something had happened to Caleigh on the way back here? He glanced around the table for a pen, found one, and scribbled further instructions to Molly. She took the note, scanned it, nodded once, then left the room.
Across the large table, a couple of the men gave Sterling curious looks, but Sterling forced his face into a mask of neutral calm. There was no reason to panic the entire room—not yet, anyway. Caleigh had gone shopping in Chicago before, and she’d probably just taken advantage of the fact that he’d told her their quarte
rly meetings usually lasted until midnight or longer. She’d be in the suite when they finished, waiting for them. There was no reason to assume otherwise.
Hugh’s glance caught his eye, and Sterling wished he could communicate what the note said, but they could no longer read each other’s thoughts. Instead he made his thumb and forefinger into a circle, hoping Hugh correctly interpreted the “okay” signal. He must have, because the muscles in his face and his shoulders visibly relaxed. He was worried about Caleigh as well. If everything was okay, why did they both sense something wasn’t right?
Sterling fought hard to concentrate on the meeting, but when Molly came back in, he turned all his attention to her second note. Neither the Illinois State Police nor the police in Chicago had reported an accident matching the description of Caleigh’s car. Sterling breathed a sigh of relief, but Molly still looked worried.
Knowing Emmett would be pissed but not caring, Sterling rose from his seat and followed Molly into the hallway. Once they were out of earshot, she spoke. “No one has seen her all day. I knocked on the door of the suite but she didn’t answer, so I used the passkey because I thought she might be sleeping. She wasn’t in her room, but I didn’t check the other bedrooms. Do you want me to?”
“What time is it?”
“Almost midnight.”
Sterling ran a hand through his hair and tried to keep his thoughts logical. “Maybe she stopped at a club? She must know people in the city, surely.”
Molly nodded. “You’re probably right. She knew you’d be in the meeting pretty late.”
“Thank you for checking with the police and for checking the suite, Molly.”
She gave him a warm smile. “I don’t mind at all. I’m sure she’s fine.”
* * * *
The meeting finally ended at two in the morning. Sterling and Hugh practically ran toward the bank of elevators. There was no reason to speak. Hugh knew that they both had the same thing on their minds.
Tempted by Two Angels [Notorious Nephilim 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 15