by V. Kelly
I see a spot that is slightly elevated and climb my way up. Again, no sign of Keegan. All of a sudden, I lose my footing. Leave it to me to fall in the middle of a crowded place and make a total ass of myself. Two skinned knees and one ripped dress coming up. Out of instinct, I close my eyes and yelp like a total moron. Two strong arms slide underneath me halting me from touching the ground.
“We need to stop meeting like this,” Caleb tells me. “It seems like you’re always falling for me.”
Out of all the muscled arms to fall into, I had to fall into his.
“Let me go,” I snap.
“Is that any way to thank the man who saved you? I just kept you from falling on your ass and embarrassing yourself in front of all these people. Remember Vegas? Pretty sure your brother and Dashawn don’t want the five o’clock news reporting on what panties you’re wearing underneath this sexy red dress.” He grabs my ass, feels around and then smiles evilly. “Or lack of panties. Were you expecting to run into me?” He winks.
“You really need to get that eye looked at. You look like freaking Popeye.” I’m purposely avoiding his question. My cheeks warm as people begin to stare and start to whisper. “Can you please put me down?”
“Maybe I don’t want to. At least, when you’re in my arms, I know you won’t go disappearing or running away from me.”
“Caleb, stop being such a Neanderthal and put me down.”
“Not until you admit that you like me.”
“I like puppies, caramel topped ice cream cones, winter sunsets, and dragon figurines. Like would be the last word to describe how I feel about you,” I retort. “Loathe, abhor, hate, despise, detest are more fitting vocabulary words to describe my feelings for you.”
“Can you say all those in a foreign accent?” he teases.
I repeat each word, saying each one in a different language: French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Chinese. I make sure to use the proper word for hate in each language, pronouncing each one with the proper inflections from each culture.
“Bravo, definitely another thing to add to the many things I like about you.” He makes sure to tease me with the word like. “I think giving you four months to miss me has been enough.”
“Aww, is your dick going through withdrawals? Sorry, but my pussy is out of commission, Caleb. I have a boyfriend. Or I will soon. I have my eye on someone and he definitely isn’t you.”
Caleb puts me down and frowns. “That can’t be possible.”
“Why not?” I ask, only slightly curious.
“Because you are obsessed with my dick. You practically worship it. I bet you even have a shrine and shit.”
“A what?”
“You know, a shrine? Something you erect to remember the best penis you ever had.”
I groan and elbow him in the gut. “Leave me alone, Caleb. I don’t worship your penis. I can’t even remember what it looks like.”
“Long, incredibly hard, and the spitting image of that shrine you have in your bedroom. Oh wait, I forgot. You don’t swallow or spit. You’re an amateur.”
I know he’s only saying this stuff to get a rise out of me, and of course it’s working. “I didn’t hear you complain as you blew your spooge all over my chest.”
“I’m a guy. We spooge, as you call it, a lot when pretty girls are around. Who the fuck says spooge anyway?”
“Me. Now if you would please excuse me, the ceremony is about to start and I’d rather be anywhere but with you.”
“Ah, you say that now, but when you dream, your mind says something totally different.”
“And what do you think that is?”
“If I remember correctly, it went . . . Oh geez, oh yes, oh fuck. Followed by some serious moans, a couple breathy hisses, and a whole lot of Caleb you’re a god.”
“I never called you a god!” I squeak.
“But you admit to the oh geez, oh yes, oh fuck?”
“Screw you, Caleb,” I hiss.
“Oh, that can be arranged. Find me after the ceremony. I’ll make sure to oh geez, oh yes, oh fuck you later.” He smiles widely.
The bad part is that doesn’t repulse me as much as it should. Those stupid temptations are back. My whole body quakes with lust. If I’m not careful, I may just end up falling back into Caleb’s trap. I managed to get out of it twice; I’m not sure the third time will be a charm. I throw up my middle finger and walk away from him, desperate to leave before the chemistry I feel towards him suffocates me even more. For some reason when we argue like this, I get incredibly turned on.
“See you later, Everly,” he hollers after me.
“No, you won’t,” I yell back.
To celebrate the gym opening, Dashawn and Maggie invited a large crowd of people back to their place. All the employees were allowed to bring a plus one. I didn’t see Keegan at all during the ceremony. Pretty much the only thing this red dress has been good for is attracting the wrong kind of guy. Besides Caleb feeling up my ass, I’ve had three losers ask for my phone number, twelve random bad pick-up lines run on me, and one smack to the ass. Yeah, that guy almost got his dick chopped off.
My exciting night waiting for Keegan to make an appearance has suddenly turned into a speed date of unaccented nobodies I have no interest in. I’m about to give up and go home when I round a corner and see Keegan leaning up against a wall, smoking a cigarette. He does that cute smirk thing again when he sees me.
When he doesn’t make a move to come talk to me, I take the opportunity to approach him instead. “Hey Keegan, I didn’t see you at the ceremony.”
“I was running a wee bit late. Had some stuff ta do,” he replies. God, has his accent gotten even thicker? If I were a bee, he’d be my honey, and I would start doing backstrokes all over his sweetness. Yeah, that made no sense whatsoever, but that’s the effect his accent has on me. I start talking in riddles that even I don’t understand.
“How are you enjoying the party?”
Keegan looks around the room and shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know anybody here but you, Everly.”
“Well, you’re in luck then. I just happen to be the life of the party.” I take a long drink from the alcoholic beverage in my hand. In my present mind frame, I can’t remember what it’s called, only that it has vodka in it and something that makes it sweet like strawberries.
“So tell me a little about yourself. Do you have a beau?”
“Currently, I am between . . .” I’m cut off by the most annoying voice in the world. Where is Celine and her mouthwash when you need her?
“My legs,” Caleb finishes. “She can’t get enough of me.”
“Shut up, Caleb.”
“What, it’s true. You were throwing yourself at me earlier.”
“I fell, and you just so happened to catch me.”
“Lucky me, eh man.” Caleb slaps Keegan on the shoulder and laughs.
Keegan looks incredibly turned off. Stupid Caleb.
“Well, I best be going. You two have a good night. I’ll see you around, Lass.”
“Keegan, wait. Caleb is just messing around.” When Keegan keeps walking, I twirl around and push Caleb. “What the fuck was that all about?”
Caleb grins. “You could be a fighter; you know that? You had a lot of power behind that push.”
“Caleb, this shit has to stop. I DON’T LIKE YOU. I don’t want to be with you. Every time I turn around, you’re invading my bubble. Now you’re trying to fuck up a potential relationship for me.”
“That’s because he’s not right for you. Just because he has a Scottish accent, doesn’t mean he’s the guy you should marry.”
“Irish!” I scream. “He’s Irish, not Scottish, you moron.”
“I love it when you give me cutesy pet names. Really shows how much you care for me.” His hand comes out and catches my hand as it flies at his face again. He’s gently gripping my wrist, keeping me from swinging again. “Face it, Everly. You adore me.”
“I abhor you, Caleb.”
<
br /> “I’ve seen enough chick flicks to know where all our bickering will lead. I don’t usually chase women, but you’re worth the chase! I can feel it in my bones. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on you. You’re the one, Everly. I’m not giving up on this, or us.” He’s still holding my wrist. The way he’s looking at me right now makes my heart beat a little faster. It’s ridiculous how much Caleb turns me on.
“Thanks for ruining my night, Caleb, but right now I think I’ll be leaving.” I rip my wrist out of his grasp, desperate to leave the party. I’m on the verge of giving in to Caleb. If I don’t stop myself now, I’ll just end up sleeping with him again. Caleb grips my hip and pushes his front up against my backside. His erection rubs my ass cheeks. A low, guttural moan escapes my lips when his mouth brushes across my ear.
“Let me make it up to you,” he whispers.
“No,” I whisper back, my eyes shutting as he gently rakes his teeth against my neck.
“Yes,” he breathes. Next thing I know he’s pulling me into the hallway in the direction of one of the back rooms. We shouldn’t be back here. I shouldn’t be allowing this when I have my heart set on Keegan, but right now, all coherent thoughts are disappearing as the door closes behind us. We’re in a bedroom—from the looks of it, a guest bedroom because it’s modestly decorated and looks like it hasn’t been lived in. Caleb locks the door and grabs me forcefully by the waist.
He spins me around, attacking my face with a sultry kiss. I meet his tongue thrust for thrust. Our hands are all over the place. My hands find their way to his belt buckle, his hands on the bottom hem of my dress.
Breaking free of our kiss, I sigh, “We can’t keep doing this, Caleb.”
He nuzzles my neck and chuckles, “But we’re so good at it.” Slowly, his hand traces up my thighs until he finds that in fact, I’m not wearing any underwear. “Good girl,” he compliments, pushing me backward towards the bed. “I like when you’re ready for me, like this.”
I can hear the party in the background, but when Caleb starts gently kissing up the inside of my thigh, everything muffles. All I can feel is the goosebumps left by his lips and my own labored breathing as I take in every touch he places on my body. He nuzzles my center and I feel him smiling between my legs.
“I love how responsive your body is to me. I can already tell how wet you are and I haven’t even done anything to you yet.” He runs a swift lick across my crease, and I’m instantly aroused.
“Oh geez,” I whisper.
He flicks my clit with his tongue, while thrusting a finger inside of me.
“Oh yes,” I say a little louder.
He laughs. “Next comes oh fuck.” His finger moves faster, matching each flick of his tongue in one rapid fluid motion.
“OH FUCK!” I scream.
“That’s it, Everly. Let everyone hear you.”
My hand covers my mouth to stifle the giggles and moans coming out of me. Caleb catches my lidded gaze, grinning when my cheeks warm in embarrassment.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed. When it feels good, I want you to let me know.”
“My brother is out there; I don’t need him hearing me, too.”
“Screw your brother. Everly, I need you. Please don’t make me stop.”
I’m too turned on to tell him no. I can’t keep giving him mixed signals like this, but it’s been so long . . . and Caleb feels so good. I can’t help to indulge in him once more.
Slowly he climbs on top of me. His massive abs press into my dress-covered belly. I’m not sure why I’m holding my breath, but I am and I can’t stop myself.
“Breathe, Everly,” he instructs. I let out my held in breath and he kisses me—slowly, sensually. I feel it all the way in my toes. Excited shivers rock through my body. It’s never been like this. No man has ever been able to make me feel this good, this right, just by kissing me.
“Can I have you, Everly? At least, one more time?”
“Yes,” I hiss as his tongue follows the contours of my neck, down my cleavage and rests on the fabric barely covering my nipple. I’m ready for him. I need him. One last time.
Caleb pulls a condom out of his pocket. My eyes watch every inch of the rubber as it slides up his erection. I take my lip into my mouth and nibble on the corner, patiently waiting to feel him inside me.
When he silently pleads one last time for me to say yes, I nod giving him the okay to keep going. Dear God, I hope Maggie and Dashawn don’t kill me for having sex on their guest bed. With one hard thrust, Caleb fills me completely.
“Oh geez,” I moan.
His fingers curl into my hands. His teal colored eyes hold me in a lusty gaze. When I close my eyes, he bites my tit, forcing me to keep my eyes open. “Not this time, Beautiful. This time, I want to look at you.”
Each time he thrusts our eyes connect. It’s the most intimate sex I’ve ever had and my brother just happens to be on the other side of the door. The thought almost ruins all the feelings I’m having—almost.
“I’m getting close, are you?”
I nod weakly, indeed on the cusp of a major orgasm. What is Caleb doing to me? Why do I feel so weak? How can one man dismantle every wall I have around me?
“Oh yes!” I moan, our pace quickening. Through bated breaths and uncontrolled groans, I release the orgasm raging inside of me.
“Oh fuck!” Caleb groans, his whole body shudders on top of me. I’m completely entranced by him, watching greedily as he empties inside me.
For a moment, we just lay there, forehead to forehead—our exhausted breaths in sync with each other—our hearts beating as one. He smiles and I find myself smiling back. That was amazing. There’s no other way to explain it. It was just perfect.
A knock on the door startles us both. I hear Max’s gruff voice on the other side of the door. “Everly, you better not be in there.”
“Oh crap, it’s Max,” I whisper.
Another knock on the door. “Everly, open the damn door,” Max yells.
“Get dressed. Now!” I order Caleb. “Hide in the damn closet. He’s gonna kill you if he finds you in here.”
“I’m not hiding in the closet, Everly. If we’re going to be together, your brother needs to know.”
“What are you talking about? We’re not going to be together.”
“After everything that just happened, you’re going to keep falling on that ‘you don’t want me’ crutch?”
“Caleb,” I start, while shimming on my shoes that somehow ended up wedged between the footboard and the bed. “We had sex, that’s it. Stop trying to make this something that it’s not.”
Caleb jumps up from the bed and angrily throws on his clothing. “I can’t believe you, Everly. You’re like the queen of mixed signals. I don’t get you. Why did you even let me fuck you if you hate me as much as you say you do?”
“EVERLY, OPEN THE DAMN DOOR! I CAN HEAR YOU,” Max yells.
“This isn’t the right time to discuss this. Now get in the closet.” I push Caleb’s partially clothed body towards the closet door, but he plants his feet on the ground refusing to budge.
“No, I’m not getting into the fucking closet. Unlike you, I’m not afraid of hiding what you and I have.”
“Caleb, if you know what’s good for you, get in that damn closet.”
“No,” he says forcefully.
“Ugh, this is why we would never work together. Being with you is a mistake—one that I promise will never happen again after tonight.”
I push past Caleb and throw open the door. Max is standing there glaring at me.
“What?” I snap.
“What were you doing in here with him?”
“Nothing special,” I growl, shooting Caleb a vicious glare over my shoulder. He rolls his eyes.
“Excuse me, Max. It’s time for me to go home.”
“Everly, stop. We need to talk,” Caleb shouts, taking two giant steps toward me before grabbing my wrist.
“Everything okay here, Everly?
” Max interjects. All the seething hatred I feel towards Caleb comes rushing back full force, and I wrench my wrist away from his grasp.
“Everything is fine, Max. I was just leaving. Do me a favor though and make sure this one doesn’t follow me. He has a tendency to stray from where he’s told to sit.”
Caleb laughs. “Woof, woof, Baby.” Asshole. “Don’t go Everly, we need to talk.” He goes to grab me again and Max steps between us.
“Touch my sister again and I’m breaking your damn arm,” Max says with authority. “Everly, get your ass out of here. We may be having a little talk later.”
“Sure, Max, Love you. Kiss that beautiful nephew of mine. Tell Breezy, Dashawn, and Maggie I will talk to them later, okay?”
“Aren’t you going to tell me you love me, too?” Caleb yells over Max’s shoulder.
“In your dreams, asshole,” I holler back.
“That’s where we have our best moments!” he shouts after me.
I can’t help chuckling as I make my way out the door and to my car. That’s indeed where I have my best moments with Caleb. In my dreams he’s Australian, English, or even Irish like Keegan. Every exotic accent I can muster is bestowed on him when I'm sleeping. In my dreams, Caleb is my perfect man. Too bad when I wake up he’s a walking nightmare, otherwise a future between Caleb and I might actually exist.
Chapter Eighteen
This is the third day in a row that I’ve stayed late. It’s stupid to be hanging around the gym at eleven at night, but it’s the only time I get to see Keegan—not that he’s shown very much interest in me since he started. It’s been two weeks and the only thing remotely showing me that’s he’s attracted is that slight smirk he sometimes gets when he’s amused.
My paperwork is piled high on my desk. I have so much shit to do, I’m practically pulling out my hair. When a knock raps against my door, I jump. The door opens and Keegan strolls in looking hot as hell.
“A little late for ye to be working, Everly?” he smirks.
“I just had some paperwork to finish up. What can I help you with, Keegan?”