I giggle because she knows me so well and knew I was going to bring up the dare again. The guys keep looking at us, wondering what is going on, but are talking to each other, so hopefully that's a good sign.
"Oh, good grief. Just calm down, let's try to enjoy the night. I do believe we are out with the best looking men on the coast, maybe the world!" I can't help but mess with her after how crazy she's been acting.
"You have got to be kidding me! I have no interest in Caleb. I don't know whether to be nice to him in order to confuse him, or be the biggest bitch I can be!" Cash keeps looking at me, silently asking if we are done.
"Claud, please don't go all 20 different personalities on me tonight. Cash keeps looking at me and we are being rude. Just let it go for a couple or... three hours! Haha. Sorry, I shouldn't laugh..." I look at my watch. "2 hours and 54 minutes to go!"
"Oh shush it! I see where your loyalties lie!" She ends our conversation just like that. "Are we ready to order some drinks yet? Geez, who do you have to sleep with to get someone to take your order around here?" Oh geez is right. Bitchy personality number 1. I look up and notice Caleb is about to say something, but decides not to, instead Cash does.
"I already ordered, Claud. I ordered you a Cosmo. Isn't that what you had last time? I can order something else if you want."
"No, that's fine, but it's a vodka kind of night, so from now on that's what I want." Claudia drinking vodka is NOT a good idea.
"Well, what do we have here? Double date, Cash? I'm not judging, but I thought you were into the ladies." I look up and there is Mr. POS! This is like déjàvu, seeing as how this is the same place I met him along with Cash.
"Paul, this is my brother Caleb and I believe you've already met Olivia, and Claudia of course you know." I see Claudia cringe, which makes me wonder why.
"Oh yeah, Claudia's woman from the last time I saw you all." Caleb arches an eyebrow.
"Claudia's woman? First off, Olivia is a lady and if she's anyone's lady she would be Cash's." I'm shocked that she isn't saying anything and that Caleb was the first one to defend me.
"So, is this a double date? Because if it is, then I hate to tell you this Caleb, but she swings for the other team. If you know what I'm saying."
Wow! He is such an ass! The look on Caleb's face was priceless, though. I thought he was going to spit out his drink from the shocked look on his face.
"I didn't realize that... Paul, is it? Thanks for giving me the heads up. Claudia? I guess we need to catch up on what all I've missed out on after all of these years. This explains a lot!" She's no longer quiet and starts bouncing in her seat, because she's so mad.
"What exactly does that explain? And Paul? Isn't that Marissa over there impatiently waiting for you?" He looks over and there is a statuesque blonde with boobs way too big for her body, staring at all of us in a bitchy way.
"She can wait." He looks down at Claudia. "You're not having any hard feelings towards me after firing you, are you? My new lawyer can't figure out how Denise found out about my Swiss bank accounts. You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?"
She looks taken aback, but I already know the answer to that without asking her, and I feel bad that I haven't been as available to her to not have known that he had fired her.
"Of course I didn't! That would be against the law for me to have done that! Do you think I would look good in orange? I don't think so! Why would you think it was me?" Now she's batting her eyes at him and he's completely falling for her lie.
"I'm sorry, Claudia. There were only a handful of people that knew about them and after you chewed me up one side and the other over how unjustly, wasn't that what you said? How unjustly I was treating the mother of my children? I just assumed it was you. My apologies. Oh, and seeing you reminds me. I just hired a new receptionist that is absolutely gorgeous, and oh the fun I wish I could have with her! I even tried, but she's a lesbian like you. Do you want her number? I could give it to you. I'm telling you. She is H.O.T. HOT!" He pulls out his cell phone to look up the number, but Claudia stopped him.
"No thank you, Paul. I'm actually in a relationship right now, but thanks anyway. Tell Marissa I said hi."
He nods at all of us and leaves, and I look at Marissa and she has her hands on her hips and points at her watch, giving him the dirtiest look.
"What a piece of shit he is! I've never been fired by a client in my life, but the day he said he didn't like the way I was representing him and fired me, was one of the happiest days of my life! Has the waiter come to take a new drink order yet?" We are all staring at Claudia and she looks like she's about to cry. I scoot over and put my hand on her shoulder.
"Claud? Are you alright? How come you didn't tell me you got fired by that arrogant ass?" She straightens up and looks across the table.
"I thought I had told you. I'm not upset that he fired me. I'm just absolutely pissed! When he told me that Marissa finally checked out his ex's house and said that she wanted it too, and was going to try to make the mother of his children homeless and barely give her any money to live on, that did it for me! And before any of you ask, you’re damn right I anonymously got a message to her about his Swiss bank accounts after he fired me. She deserves way better than that!"
"I already knew you had when I looked at your face." Caleb raises his hand up as if he's in class, which had me cracking up. "Yes Caleb?"
"I have a question if you don't mind my asking, Claudia. Have you always been gay or is that something you just recently figured out? It sure would have saved me a lot of heartache in college and wasting so much time looking for someone as exquisite as you, since you obviously were never going to give me a chance."
I've never seen Caleb seem as serious as he is at this moment. Cash and I are waiting for Claudia to say something, but she's just sitting there speechless and not even blinking.
"Why would you be looking for someone like me, if you hate me so much?" She's staring him down and he's not flinching.
"You honestly think I hate you? I've been crazy about you since the day I met you in college! So, are you going to answer my question or not?" She finished her drink and slams the glass down.
"I'm sorry you wasted so much time Caleb, because yes, I'm into women. I hope you find the exquisite woman you're searching for, because it is definitely not going to be me.” She looks over at me, “I’m heading to the ladies room and would love it if I could have another drink sitting here for when I get back. Olivia? Didn't you say you needed to powder your nose?" I didn't, but I knew that meant girl talk time. I can't for the life of me figure out why she didn't tell Caleb the truth. Claudia glares over at Cash, silently telling him with her eyes to not tell him the truth and she walks towards the bathroom. I look over at him and shrug my shoulders and follow her. I walk into the bathroom and Claudia is staring into the mirror with tears in her eyes that haven't fallen yet.
"Claud? Why did you just lie to Caleb like that?" Here come the tears.
"Trust me. I did the best thing for both of us. I was so mean to him and took advantage of the crush he had on me, and the last thing I want is to start getting excited about some guy or him thinking he has a chance with me. You know I'm all about my career right now, O. I don't have time for dating or a social life."
"Wow! Whose turn is it to join the nunnery now? You're serious, aren't you? When was the last relationship you were in? Your last date? The last one I remember you having was in college and you never really gave me any details if I remember. You seemed all hush hush about it." She turns around and points her finger at me, which has me backing up.
"What's with all of the questions? Geez. I feel like I'm in the middle of an inquisition! Let's get back out there; I need to dance or something to blow off some steam. Surely, that live band is finished setting up by now."
I'm staring at the door that she just stormed out of, wondering what in the hell was wrong with her. She's never brushed me off like that without telling me what she was thinking.
I walk back out to the main room and Cash is sitting alone at the table and I see Caleb and Claudia on the dance floor, dancing to a slow ballad. They’re dancing as close as they can get to each other. I can immediately see their attraction for one another from across the room. Surely, Claudia feels the attraction they both seem to have for each other.
Cash stands up to pull my chair out and I sit down still watching them on the dance floor in shock at what I'm seeing, and I look over at him and he looks like the cat that swallowed the canary.
"What did you do, Cash? I can tell by the look on your face that you did something." He grabs my hand and kisses it and is still grinning.
"Let's just say that I finally gave her a taste of her own medicine. Finally! When she stormed out leaving Caleb speechless I laughed my head off. Can you believe she told him she was gay? I know that the stare down she gave me was a warning to not tell him that she was lying." Oh no. I know exactly what he did.
"You didn't! Oh, Cash! She's going to kill you! She wouldn't even give me an answer when I asked her why she lied to him."
I noticed the song has ended and the band is playing a more upbeat song and the two of them seem to be having some fun, they're even laughing.
"Yes, I did! I told Caleb flat out that she was lying and that she uses it as an excuse to not get involved with men. The look on his face when I told him was priceless! I can't believe I finally pulled one over on her!" He sounds like a little school boy who finally had his chance to stand up to the biggest bully in school.
"Cash! What is he going to do? Did you two ever get to talk about your problem with each other?" He starts drawing light circles under my palm, which is making me want to go home now and take him to bed, but it'll be hours before we head home.
"Yes, we forgave each other and he's happy I met you and is very jealous that he didn't meet you first. I think we’re on the right track again. He also said that he was glad to have his big brother back, which is all because of you my dear. I didn't realize how much I had missed him until today." He leans forward and takes my breath away with a kiss that didn't stop until we were both moaning.
"Oh, you're distracting me, but I like it. How much longer do we have to stay?" His intense stare is giving me a tingling sensation all over my body. He leans back to whisper in my ear.
"We could leave now if you want. I believe we've already taken care of what we were sent to do. All you have to do is say the word, Liv." He starts kissing me behind my ear and starts slowly trailing little butterfly kisses down to my collar bone. I open my eyes and remember that we are in a public place, which pulls me out of my dirty thoughts of what I want him to do to me next.
"Cash. We are out in public and what about Claudia and Caleb? We can't just leave them here."
I look out at the dance floor and they are heading back to the table, all out of breath from dancing and they're both laughing at something. Claudia seems to be in a better mood. Possibly because she thinks she doesn't have to worry now about Caleb having feelings for her anymore.
"Why aren't you two love birds dancing with us? The band is pretty good." They both down their drinks and ask for another one. Looks like they've kissed and made up, not literally, but dancing has definitely improved their moods.
"Liv and I were thinking about heading home, if you two didn't mind. I can have my driver come back and get you two and take you back to the house, or I'll pay for a cab to take you both home and have someone take your car to your house, Claud. It's up to you." What Claud said next shocked me.
"I'm having a blast! How about you Caleb? I can get a ride home in the cab and Cash, if you don't mind, have someone take my car to my house." After her debacle all day she wants to stay? Where did Claudia go? 20 personalities of Claudia. Meet personality 17.
"Cash, I know you two had plans. Really, Claud and I are having some fun finally, now that the cat is out of the bag. She promised to hook me up with some of her single friends from work. It's great to finally have a friend that is a girl, without having to worry about feelings getting in the mix. I'm just glad that we can finally move forward now."
I know she missed the wink he gave Cash, but I sure didn't and he saw that I saw what he did and he dropped his eyes. Now I see how Cash said he was paying her back, and I'm not too crazy about it and hope that she doesn't get hurt in the process.
Do I follow the friend code and tell her what the brothers talked about, or see if she figures out what's sitting right in front of her, who happens to be a great good looking guy that has been crazy about her for years? Knowing that she might have someone to spend some time with while I'm at Cash's, makes me feel better, but she thinks that this whole "I'm into girls" thing is going to keep her safe from getting hurt. I'm just going to have to play this one by ear.
"Okay, then Liv and I are out of here. You guys have a good time and I'll tell the front desk that everything is on me. Whatever you two want."
He pulls me up from my seat and hugs Claudia bye and even hugs his brother, but I see him whisper something in his ear and Caleb grins from ear to ear. I hug both of them and we head to the limo. When we got in, I asked Cash what he said to Caleb and he winced, realizing that I saw the exchange.
"I told him that I can't wait to hear how this all plays out between him and the ice princess."
"Cash! I know she seems cold but she does have feelings. Do you not remember her crying just this morning over me getting my hair cut? She donated her hair too! If she gets hurt, I swear I'm going to..." He shuts me up by kissing me and waits for me to calm down.
"Liv, do you know what I see happening? You don't know their history and Caleb wasn't lying when he said he has been pining for her all of these years. Every girl he's dated has always favored her in some way, but they just weren't her. She was mean to him when we were in school and he still loved her! Let him have some fun with this. I promise, he has no intention of hurting her. I think he just wants to show her what she's been missing out on. I know she's more than just your best friend and I love her too, but I would never let anyone hurt her."
"Ah. So you're playing match maker here. I hope it doesn't blow up in your face, Mr. Kingston!" I know how he loves it when I call him that.
"Oh, you're in trouble for that. You know what that does to me!" He pulls me into his lap and starts kissing me slowly all over my face, but I can't quit worrying about Claudia.
"You really don't think he's going to hurt her? Normal Ice Princess, as you call her, is one thing but Hurt and Pissed off Angry Claudia, is more vicious than you can even imagine. You realize that, don't you?" He pulled my chin up to his face.
"Sweetheart, Claudia gave me the best gift I could ever ask for and that is..." Kiss... "you"... Kiss... "My angel." "Do you honestly think I would pay her back by hurting her? I should give her all that I own, because you are worth way more than anything in the world." Deeper kiss that has me curling my toes and sighing. "Trust me on this, Liv. Do you trust me?" Oh, indeed I do.
"Yes. I trust you and I guess I will help you and Caleb in this wicked game you two are playing that looks like it might turn out in her favor. At least I pray it does."
I snuggle in closer to him, letting his embrace warm me up. I'm just going to have to let it go. Claudia is a big girl and she can take care of herself. I'm just hoping that this doesn't come back on me, if it doesn't turn out the way the guys think it will.
"Cash?"
"Yes."
"Have I told you lately that I'm absolutely crazy in love with you and that I thank God every day that Claudia got me out of bed that day I ended up meeting you?" He pulls me in even closer.
"Hmmm. No you haven't. But I can think of a few ways for you to prove it to me when we get home in a few minutes."
"Oh, I will. You can count on it."
We kissed and kissed some more for the rest of the ride home and it took a few times for the limo driver to get our attention when we arrived home.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I wake up to tangled sheets and Cash's arms and legs all over me. We couldn't seem to get enough of each other last night, and had a couple of days of making up to do after his drunken stupor Friday night and the long full day we had yesterday.
I get up to empty my bladder and go brush my teeth, thinking back to when we got home last night. We didn't even make it to either of our bedrooms, because we were naked before we made it to the staircase and we stayed there a couple of rounds and then against the hallway wall, until we finally made it to his bedroom.
I never craved or desired for Derek to touch me like I do Cash. Granted, with Derek I felt safe and secure and loved, but it was always the same way every time and lacked the passion that Cash and I share.
It's as if we are one person and our minds are connected to each other’s wants and needs and knowing what the other wants without uttering a word. We are so attuned to each other’s bodies. It's such a wondrous feeling to please him as much as he pleases me.
I have never felt so alive in my life. I still have my moments while I'm watching Gideon and Eden play outside, which causes me to flash back to watching my own children play together and dote over one another, but they’re good memories and not any of the bad memories from the accident.
I walk back into the bedroom and he must have noticed I had left the bed, because he's awake and has straightened up the bed and raises his arms out to me, which is where I want to always be.
"Good morning, Sweetheart. Did you sleep well? I know I sure did, want to go for round six? Or is it seven?" He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tight and starts running his hand up my back, which is giving me goose bumps and has me giggling.
"Oh, I lost count, because as wonderful as it was, you wore me out." Now I'm giving him the goose bumps by running my foot up and down his legs and running my fingers down his back.
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