“Lilith, can I talk to you for a second?” Her fingers wrap around my arm as she flashes a fake smile in Caleb’s direction.
“Sure.” I glance at Caleb. “I’ll be right back.”
He just nods, and I let my mom drag me all the way to the end of the room.
“Who’s that?” she hisses.
“Caleb,” I say. “My new boyfriend.”
My mom rolls her eyes. “Did you really have to bring him with you? Mark’s going to be here!”
“Mom, in case you didn’t notice, Mark and I broke up, and he’s bringing a date too.”
“I know you’ve had your differences, but he’ll come round when he sees you. Men like to have fun until they find the right woman. He’s just not ready for you yet, but he will be.”
I pick up a glass of champagne from the nearby table because I’m not sure I can listen to this without alcohol. “What are you talking about? I’m not in love with Mark anymore. We’ll never get back together.”
She pats my shoulder. “You’re still so young. After you both have your fun, you’ll find a way to each other. I’m sure of it.” What she’s actually trying to say is that if Mark and I get married, his father’s and my father’s company will possibly merge one day. That would be a whole lot of money and a very secure future.
Maybe I should tell my mom exactly why Mark and I broke up. I was too embarrassed to talk about it to anyone at first, so when she asked, I told her Mark and I had a huge fight. Mark’s always been nice around my mother and she got to really like him, so I doubt she’d believe me if I told her the truth now.
“I think you’ve had too much champagne.” I take a big gulp of my own drink. “Caleb is much better than Mark will ever be.”
“Really? And where did you meet that boy?” She eyes Caleb across the room, her lip curling. “I haven’t seen him before. He looks dodgy. Are you sure he isn’t with you just because you’re rich?”
I nearly choke on my drink. She couldn’t be more right, just not in the way she thinks. “He’s a law student,” I say.
My mom scoffs. “Get rid of him before Mark comes.”
I shake my head, put the empty glass back on the table, and walk away. My mom’s intentions might not be bad, but I don’t want Mark anywhere near me ever again. And if my mom knew the truth about Caleb, she’d probably freak out and be relieved at the same time. I could partly understand my mom’s paranoia about me ending up with the wrong guy.
She came from a wealthy family too and was lucky enough to find my father, but her sister didn’t find such happiness. My aunt fell in love with a drug addict who used her money to pay off his debts and get more of his fix. He even got her hooked too. I doubt he ever loved her, because he sure as hell didn’t bother to get her to the hospital in time when she overdosed. I suppose what my mom likes most about Mark is that he doesn’t smoke or do drugs, as if that somehow magically makes him a good person.
“Are you okay?” Caleb asks, concern written all over his face.
“Yeah, it’s just my mom. She still wants to hook me up with my ex.” I sigh and look for another glass of champagne, but Caleb takes my hand.
“Would you like to dance?” he asks, and I gape at him. Sure, the music is nice and slow, and the guests are gushing around my father and eating, and I don’t really want to get involved with that, especially because someone could ask about Caleb, but dancing on an empty dance floor? The corners of Caleb’s lips are tilted upward, and I can see the challenge in his eyes.
“Okay.” I take his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. Putting my arms around his neck, I feel warmth rushing through me as he wraps his arms around my waist. I don’t know how long we’ve been dancing when I notice someone staring at me, and I lift my eyes. Mark is standing not far from us, holding his date’s hand, his face deadly serious. My whole body tenses, and I’m glad my moves are automatic or I’d have stopped on the spot.
“Your ex is here, I presume,” Caleb whispers into my ear.
“Yeah.” I keep staring at Mark over Caleb’s shoulder. Mark’s date is excitedly chatting about something to him, but it doesn’t look like he’s listening. Finally, he gives her a quick kiss on the check and sends her to take a seat at one of the tables, which she obediently does. As he starts toward us, my heart skips a beat, and I suddenly want to run. What will Mark come up with now?
“Do you want to talk to him or not?” Caleb asks.
“No.” Caleb’s grip is the only thing holding me up.
“Then follow my lead and just relax.”
Before I can figure out what he wants me to do, his lips close over mine, and we stop dancing. I know Mark now has the perfect view of our kiss, so when Caleb parts my lips with his tongue, I let him. His hands lower down my back, cupping my bottom.
“Come.” He briefly breaks off the kiss and tugs at my hand. We go behind one of the columns, hidden from everyone’s view except Mark’s, who’s still coming in my direction, but his steps are much slower. Caleb nips on my earlobe and then pushes me until my back collides with the column. His hand ends up on my bare thigh and he lifts my leg up, his fingers inching under my dress.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he whispers, and I throw my head back, a moan escaping my lips as he licks my collarbone, his hand sliding under my dress. I can feel Mark’s burning gaze on me, but I don’t care. I just run my hand over Caleb’s back and pull him to me for another kiss. In the corner of my eye, I can see Katherine has joined Mark, and he’s glaring at her as she laughs. They finally both turn around and walk away. I should probably tell Caleb that our show is over, but I don’t want him to stop.
The music dies down and I hear my father’s voice. Shit. I have to come out and be there for his speech. “Stop,” I say, and Caleb immediately pulls back, his mouth red from my lipstick. I put my hand over my chest, trying to catch my breath. “How do I look? I can’t go out there like this!” I try to straighten my dress as best as I can, my stomach doing a nervous flip.
Caleb pulls out a handkerchief from the pocket of his suit jacket and lifts it toward me, dabbing around my mouth. When he’s done, he helps me fix my hair.
“You’re good to go,” he says after giving me a once-over. “I’ll be right there with you.”
I nod and head toward the main table where my father is still speaking, his glass raised. Warmth fills my cheeks when Katherine winks at me from one of the tables, her glass tipped toward me. I don’t see Mark anywhere as I take my seat at the table. After my father finishes his speech, Caleb emerges from behind the column and confidently strides toward me, a ghost of a smile tracing his lips that are still slightly red from my lipstick. The room seems to stop for a moment, and I can see people glancing curiously at him, but he doesn’t seem to notice or care. He slides into the chair next to me and leans forward, his lips brushing my cheek.
I finally spot Mark across the room, his jaw set, his eyes hard. Picking up my glass, I raise it toward him, then turn back to Caleb, my smile broader than ever.
I don’t remember how Caleb and I got back to my apartment, but somehow we did. Maybe I’ve taken a bit too much champagne to celebrate my little victory over Mark, because I sway on my feet and have to lean against the wall.
“Caleb?” I turn to him, kicking off my shoes, as he closes the door.
“Yes, princess?”
“Thank you for everything.” I pad over to him and place my arms around his neck, hugging him to me. “You were absolutely wonderful tonight.”
“I hope that jerk never bothers you again.” He clenches his jaw a little, his eyes serious, and I want to put a smile back on his face.
“Do you want some ice cream?” I let go of him and start toward the kitchen, the tiled floor cold under my feet, but I don’t care. “I really want some.” My father’s dinner was delicious, but the dessert was some weird pie, and I didn’t like that one little bit.
“Sure.”
“Okay, I’ll go get it. Wait for me i
n the living room.” I nod in the direction of the living room and head to the kitchen. I squint my eyes as I turn on the light in my now too brightly white kitchen. After I grab a box of ice cream from the fridge and two spoons, I head toward the living room. I’m not sure what Caleb expects from me.
I know Alessandra told me he’d be willing to spend the night with me, but this is different from our first time. Now I know Mark was wrong about me, so there’s no need for me to have sex with Caleb again, and yet... As I see him sitting there, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, his suit jacket casually draped over the arm of the couch, I wonder if I should just send him home and say goodbye to him forever or not. He’s not a potential boyfriend, and he can never be, so I’m not exactly sure why I don’t want to let him go.
I plop onto the couch next to him, handing him one of the spoons, then place the box between us. “Do you do this often?” I ask as I open the box. “I mean, pretend to be someone’s boyfriend.” My dress has hitched up, exposing more of my legs than I’m usually comfortable with, but I’m not bothered by it.
“Not really.” He shrugs.
“Then why did you agree to escort me?” I tilt my head, licking a bit of chocolate ice cream off my spoon. Deep, deep inside of me, I want him to tell me that I’m somehow special; that I intrigue him more than his average client, but I push that silly thought away.
“And why wouldn’t I?” His eyes bore into mine, and then his gaze briefly travels down my body. Oh God. Letting him go will be more difficult than I could have ever imagined.
I chuckle, taking another spoonful of ice cream. “So, why exactly do you do this? For money?”
“Because I’m good at it.” He rolls his tongue around his spoon, his eyes fixed on me, and I bite the inside of my cheek. The thought of him tracing his tongue across my heated flesh makes my whole body tingle.
“I’m sure you’re good at many other things,” I say, my voice quivering slightly.
“Doesn’t matter.” He leans forward, holding a spoonful of ice cream. I open my mouth to ask him what he’s doing, but he gives me a mischievous smile and turns over the spoon. The cold ice cream hits my exposed thigh, making me yelp.
“Let me help you with that.” He moves until he’s kneeling on the floor in front of me, his hand reaching up my thigh, his eyes never leaving mine. I gasp as he parts my legs, lowers his head, and licks up the melting ice cream in slow, torturous circles. A soft moan escapes my lips while I squirm as his tongue continues upward.
“You’re distracting me,” I whisper. “If you don’t want to talk about yourself, just tell me. You don’t have to...” He slides my panties aside, tasting me.
“Tell me you aren’t enjoying this.” He briefly looks up at me, licking his lips, and I can’t. I can’t tell him that, so I just bite on my lip, which puts a big, satisfied smirk on his face. “That’s what I thought.”
I lean against the couch as he slips off my panties, leaving soft kisses on my inner thigh. He lifts my legs up so my thighs are resting on his shoulders, then plunges his hot tongue inside me, flicking and probing until I’m barely able to keep still. I throw my head back and close my eyes, enjoying the sensations. Suddenly his mouth leaves me, and something cold hits my skin. My whole body shudders and I would clench my legs together if it weren’t for Caleb’s strong grip on my legs. The coldness is spreading through me and I look down at Caleb, who only observes me with a wicked grin on his face.
The ice cream is melting on my skin and Caleb licks it off before it drips onto the couch. His tongue parts my folds, the pleasure building and building until I can take it no longer. I press Caleb’s head closer to me, my hips lifting off the couch, until pleasure overtakes me and I cry out Caleb’s name. I’m panting, my whole body pulsing and tingling.
“What do you want me to do now, princess?”
“Fuck me,” I say, surprising myself. “In my room.” Before I can move or do anything else, Caleb picks me up and carries me toward my room. I want him inside me. I want to make him as happy as he’s making me.
As he lays me on the silky sheets of my bed, I run my hand through his hair, tugging gently until he lowers his head and I can capture his lips with mine. His skin is so soft and smooth as I run my hands down his chest. I can still taste chocolate in his mouth. He climbs on top of me, reaching behind my back to unzip my dress. I lift off the bed to help him, but he has somehow already managed to unfasten it and is pulling it down my body.
“You’re overdressed,” I say, reaching for the buttons of his shirt and popping them open. He lifts himself up and shrugs out of his shirt, then throws it onto the floor while I unhook my bra and slide it off. I watch him as he takes off his pants and underwear, then quickly rolls a condom onto his erect cock. Just the sight of him makes me wet. I want him. I need him.
As he climbs on top of me again, I wind my fingers into his hair, pulling him closer toward me. His shoulders tense for an instant and I loosen my grip just a little. His lips part, as in surprise, but then he kisses me. All of my thoughts scatter and I let Caleb leave a scorching path of kisses down my neck. He sucks on my collarbone, cupping my breast, his other hand trailing up and down my leg.
“I want you inside me.” A soft moan escapes my lips.
He flashes me a smile, then just lowers his mouth to my hardened nipple. His finger slips into my folds, quickly moving in and out, and I writhe on the bed, my hands roaming his back.
“Please,” I whisper.
He pulls out his fingers and licks them off, smirking.
“Please,” I repeat, a little louder this time, but then I lose my patience and just wrap my hand around his hard cock, guiding it toward my entrance. A wave of pleasure consumes me as he fills me and starts rocking his hips.
I’ve never thought I could enjoy this so much. Caleb’s lips are on mine again, and I hold onto him as he pounds into me deep and fast. I dig my nails into his back as we both cry out, his cock throbbing inside of me.
I don’t want to let go of him. Not ever. I want to get to know him. I want more.
Caleb stares at the ceiling, feeling the heavy, hot weight of Lilith’s arm draped across his chest. There’s enough light coming through the windows that he can see his suit jacket, which he brought from the kitchen after a shower and left draped over a chair. He glances at Lilith, whose eyes are closed, her breathing regular. She’s asleep, her lips stretching into a smile.
His first thought is that she doesn’t know anything about Raphael or him. She’s different. The way she looked at him earlier tonight was not the lusty look clients usually give him. For the money she paid for him, she could have expected and gotten whatever she wanted, but still, she didn’t make the first move. He can’t remember if there has ever been anyone who wanted to talk first or do anything non-sexual with him.
But he knows what he has to do. The sole thought of having to film her like this, naked in his embrace, disgusts him for some reason, but if he doesn’t do it, Raphael will be disappointed. And when Raphael is in a bad mood, terrible things happen to those Caleb cares about most.
Taking a shaky breath, he gently moves Lilith’s arm away from his chest. He freezes as she mumbles something, her eyelids fluttering but not opening. Then she rolls over to the other side of the bed, pushing the covers down her lean body. Caleb’s legs feel like heavy rocks as he gets to his feet and pads over to the chair, tapping his suit jacket for the phone. When he finds it, he flips through the only options Raphael hasn’t blocked and finds the camera.
He closes his eyes, then skulks back to bed. Lilith is lying on her back, her breasts exposed, her legs tangled in the covers. Caleb carefully lies down next to her, then turns the phone’s camera toward himself and then toward her.
When he’s done, he bites down on his lip so hard that he can taste blood. He shouldn’t be doing this. It feels wrong, and yet, he doesn’t have a choice. But one part of him doesn’t want Raphael to see Lilith like this and violate her privacy. She’s too beautif
ul and innocent.
Locking the phone, he carries it back and slips it into the pocket of his suit jacket. When he returns to bed, Lilith rolls toward him, her leg hiking over his. His hand hovers right above her face, but he doesn’t dare touch her. He just hopes that she’ll forgive him when she finds out about the video, and he doesn’t even know why he feels that way.
For all he knows, Lilith’s innocent facade could be just an act or a part of her fantasy, because why else would she let someone like him touch her? And yet, he can’t convince himself that she is just like the rest of his clients.
When I open my eyes, I can see the sunlight coming through the window and leaving a yellow streak on my floor. It’s so warm and some unusual weight is pressing down on me. I don’t remember when I fell asleep, but as I shift and try to throw off the covers, I notice Caleb’s arm is wrapped around my waist. He’s snuggled so close to me, almost like a blanket.
One peek at the clock nearly makes me jump out of the bed. “Oh God,” I mutter. It’s 7 a.m. I’m going to be late for class. Well, there’s still plenty of time, but considering how slow I usually am and now that Caleb is here... Yep, I better hurry. I try to carefully disentangle myself from Caleb so I don’t wake him, but I fail, because he opens his eyes as soon as I let go of him.
“I have to get ready for class.” I get up and rush to my closet. Unwilling to spend any precious time I have left on finding something to wear, I grab the first pair of jeans and a shirt I can get my hands on.
“What are you studying?” he asks, pushing himself up. He’s so incredibly hot, with his hair tousled and his eyes dreamy from sleep. I can’t believe he always looks so gorgeous, no matter what. I don’t even want to think how I look.
“Economics. There wasn’t any other choice, considering what kind of business my father has.” I clutch the clothes to my chest.
“Are you really going to follow in his footsteps?” he asks.
“Well, I don’t know yet. My mom wants me to marry someone who knows what he’s doing and who can take care of the company instead of me, but I... That’s not what I want. Actually, I don’t want to think about it just yet.” I head for the door. “I’m going to take a shower. If you need anything, just help yourself.”
Hold Me Page 4
