by Nana Malone
She reached one hand into his hair while the other slid down her body to join his. Together, fingers intertwined, they stroked her. He controlled the pace, but she controlled how they touched. Working in tandem, they brought her closer and closer to orgasm, but never quite taking her over the edge. Dancing up to it and retreating. Dancing up to it again and retreating. It was agonizing. She wanted to come. But she wanted to stay. She never wanted to leave.
Even as the thought filtered through, it didn’t alarm her. Didn’t scare her. Caleb made her feel safe and desired and lo—Caleb bit her ear lobe and kicked up the pace of his penetration.
She tugged harder on his hair, and he hissed into her ear. “Shit, woman, you know that drives me insane.”
“Why the hell do you think I do it? I want to drive you insane for once.”
His hips drove home again. “You’ve been driving me insane since I first laid eyes on you.”
Caleb pumped into her, and she met him thrust for thrust, him nipping her ear as they stroked her clit faster and faster. Their combined orgasms imploded like a flash bomb. There wasn’t much warning, merely an additional twitch of his cock deep inside her, and him nipping her shoulder hard, and Micha careened off the cliff in pure bliss with Caleb right behind her.
***
Micha wasn’t sure how long she slept. But when she woke with Caleb’s leg and arm thrown over her protectively, she smiled. Was this what it felt like to really connect with someone? Shit, if she was being honest with herself, then she’d been missing out with Simon. While they’d been good together and she’d loved him, it had never been like this. Easy and hot at the same time. It was like Caleb knew how to touch her instinctively. She moved right, he moved left. Like they were choreographed in a dance.
Gingerly, she lifted her arm away. She really had to pee. And if she so much as brushed any soft parts against him, she’d be flat on her back with him inside her again. Not that there was anything wrong with that. Her body agreed as it immediately started to hum and soften again. Micha rolled her eyes at the tell-tale flutter low in her belly. There was simply no way she could be horny...again...after the last time. Or really after any of the times in the middle of the night. But sure enough, she wanted him. Yet again.
Before she could give into her hormonal urge to jump his bones, she hustled to the bathroom. That man was dangerous to her health and wellbeing.
After she finished in the bathroom, using the time to wash her face and brush her teeth, she quickly checked her appearance. Her hair was ravaged, but nothing a quick spritz with some water wouldn’t solve. She didn’t want to go full make up, but she did add some lip gloss and separated her lashes. They were so curly and long, they tended to get in her eyes if she didn’t make an attempt to control them.
“Oh no, you are not in here primping for that man.” Oh yes, she was, and it felt nice. She usually never had the opportunity. She was so busy kicking someone out, trying to make sure she never saw them again.
When the floor texture under her bare feet changed from cold tile, to heated hardwood, to plush carpet, she snatched up his discarded sweater from the floor and threw it on. Left to Caleb, he’d keep her in bed for the rest of the day. But she needed to eat. “A girl’s gotta eat,” she whispered and kissed his forehead.
She padded out into the living room area, sidestepping her shoes and stepping over her discarded bra. Note to self—make sure to locate underwear later, before his cleaning woman found it. Her stomach grumbled as she neared the kitchen. Maybe she’d make him her world-famous French toast. She hoped he had oranges. When was the last time she’d made breakfast for a man? Hell, when was the last time she’d cooked for someone else period and enjoyed it? She could work up a masterpiece in the kitchen, but since she was on her own most of the time, she only ever made large meals and froze them, but after several days she was so sick to death of whatever it was she couldn’t finish it.
Excited to do something for him, Micha picked up her pace. When she rounded the corner into the kitchen, she froze. A dark haired woman stood with the fridge wide open, rummaging through it.
Holy fuck. She immediately assessed her environment and estimated the distance to her purse and her gun. Her heart thudded. Lightheadedness threatened to overtake her. No. She would not have a panic attack. Caleb was asleep in the other room. Whoever this was wasn’t going to hurt her. And she certainly wasn’t going to kill Caleb.
Micha decided on the only course of action she knew. Bold confrontation. “Who the fuck are you? And what the fuck are you doing in Caleb’s apartment?”
The brunette didn’t even whip around. Didn’t seem surprised in the least. She looked up slowly and smiled at Micha. “I’m Caleb’s wife. Now who the fuck are you?”
Chapter 19
Caleb woke to the scent of strawberries and a stiff erection. He scratched his hair and groaned as he rolled over. God, what had that woman done to him? Rather, what did you do to her?
A slow smile tugged at his lips at the thought of Micha and all her softness wrapped around him. Instinctively, he reached for her, but instead of warm, satiny skin, all that met him was cool sheets. Her side of the bed was empty.
He cranked open an eyelid and searched his bedroom. “Micha?” Shit.
Springing out of bed, Caleb dragged on his jeans, leaving the top unbuttoned. After last night and this morning, would she actually leave him? Worse, would she ignore all the danger and go out on her own?
Caleb yanked open his bedroom door and stormed into the living room, but drew up short. A slim brunette draped on his couch with the remote in hand. Sabine.
“If you’re looking for little miss potty mouth, you just missed her. Apparently she didn’t take well to the fact that you were married.”
Caleb had never hit a woman in his life. He’d spent his whole life trying to protect women, innocents. But in that moment, as rage coalesced in his blood, he considered throttling Sabine. Wrapping his hands around her neck and squeezing until her eyes went dead. He forced his trembling hands into his pockets. “What the fuck did you say to her?”
Sabine grinned. “What? No, hey lover. It’s nice to see you? Have to say, Caleb, it’s nice to see you too. And I do mean all of you.” Her eyes roved all over his bare chest and paused at his jeans. “I didn’t say anything, I swear. Although, I might have asked her if you still did that thing where you stick your tongue into all sorts of naughty places. Then she ran. Poor thing. I hope it wasn’t something I said.”
Caleb’s stomach rolled, and white-hot fury gnawed at his gut. He scooped up the T-shirt he’d tossed on the couch last night and dragged it on. “Which way did she go?”
“Tsk tsk, lover. That’s not the way this works. You already asked a question. Now it’s my turn. Where’s the girl?”
“Go fuck yourself, Sabine.”
Her responding smile was more a baring of teeth. “I’d rather you fucked me.”
He cast her a derisive glare before searching the living room for his shoes. Fuck it, he’d go after her barefoot. His guys wouldn’t let her leave the complex without his say so. “Satan and his minions will be doing triple loops before that happens, Sabine.”
“Come on, Caleb, for old time’s sake. And after you do those dirty things I like so much, you can tell me where you stashed the girl. I don’t usually take my pleasure before work, but in your case, I’ll make an exception. You’re already half naked, and the thought of you fucking all night is getting me hot.”
Caleb narrowed his eyes. “I’d rather cut off my own dick than touch you again.”
“That’s a real shame. Lately I’ve been given a fantastic view of what I used to work with, and it’s made me all nostalgic.”
Lately? “Were you the one who sent Micha the video?”
Sabine smirked. “Sex tapes, Caleb. So tawdry. I never would have imagined I’d see you in porn, but I gotta say. Your little peep show was hot.”
“I want the original. Or you’re going to be very
unhappy.”
“I want the girl. We could both get what we want, or you could just get used to disappointment.”
Caleb yanked open his front door. “I’m not giving you the girl until you come clean about what you really want with her.” As he jogged down the hallway to Micha’s, he called out. “I also want you out of my place.”
“Where the fuck are you going? We’re not done.”
“Yes, we are. You know the way out.” He’d have to up his security. There was no way she should have been able to get in. He’d have to ask the guys how the hell that happened.
When he arrived at Micha’s he nodded at Tom. “She in there?”
Tom inclined his head. “Yeah. She came tearing over about ten minutes ago. Didn’t say a word. I think she’s packing.”
Fuck. “Yeah. Thanks.” Letting himself in, he called her name. “Micha? Can we talk about it?” She came out of the bedroom with a carry-on bag and brandishing a knife. “Without a weapon.”
“Fuck you, Caleb. You think I can do as much damage to you as you just did to me? You’re fucking married?”
“Micha, you have to listen to me.” He took a step toward her. “Sabine isn’t my wife. We used to work together.”
“Funny, she seemed to know a lot about your sexual proclivities for someone who isn’t your wife.” Micha waved the knife in the air before sliding it into its sheath and stuffing into her carry-on.
Caleb breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn’t be aiming for anything vital on him. “She was my cover when I worked for the State Department. We were married once for a mission, then immediately divorced once we got back.”
“Whatever, I don’t care. Not my business.” She grabbed two folders and tossed them into her bag. “Can you get the fuck out of my apartment now? I need to finish packing.”
“Where the hell are you going? Have you forgotten there’s a stalker after you? I’ve been hired by Adele to keep you safe, and I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Should have thought of that before you lied to me. And you can relax, I’m not a total moron. I’m moving into the Westhorpe. You can have one of your goons watch me there. That’s more than enough security.”
He strode toward her. “Micha, you have to listen to me. Yes, Sabine and I used to have a relationship, but that’s been over for years.”
Micha turned her back and stalked into the second bathroom. “Like I said, Caleb. I don’t give a shit.”
“Yes, you do, Micha. You wouldn’t have run out on me if you didn’t care.”
She whirled around, nearly running right into him. “I left because I don’t want to spend another minute with someone who was lying to me. You know how I feel about liars, Caleb.”
“No, you ran because I made you feel something last night. Deep down you know this isn’t about her. You’re scared, and you’re running. You know I’m not married. And you know that neither Jaya or Alec would let me sniff around you if I was. Alec loves you like family. You were looking for a reason to run.”
“Fuck you,” she spat.
Caleb’s temper simmered to life. “There now, you’re too smart a woman to only limit yourself to one phrase.”
She opened her mouth again and then snapped it shut.
“Micha. I know you’re scared, but don’t run from me. Don’t go looking for a reason to bolt. We can be good together if you’d let it happen.”
“Caleb, how am I supposed to believe you? She was in your house. Came in with a freaking key. She took one look at me and asked if you were still doing that thing with your tongue in all sorts of hidden places. Why the fuck does she know that?”
He would kill Sabine. He would actually kill her. Body disposal might be a bitch, but he’d find a way. “We used to sleep together. She might have guessed. I don’t know. Micha, don’t do this.”
“It’s done. I want nothing to do with you, Caleb. Get out.”
“Damn it, Micha, I love you!” Oh shit. The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them. Had he really fucking said that? The words were premature, but they were true. She sure as hell wasn’t ready to hear them yet though.
Her head snapped back like he’d slapped her. Her eyes widened, and she staggered back. She voice was soft when she said, “You do not love me.”
Well the words were already out, no way to recall them. He doubled down. “I do love you, and you love me too. You just need to let go and let it happen. You can run all you want, but I’m not going anywhere. As long as it takes, I’m not going to let you run far.”
Micha shoved past him and into her bedroom, locking the door behind her.
***
Micha sat behind her bedroom door, shaking. Pain sliced through her. How the hell had her life become so screwed up? He was right. She was running. But she wasn’t a fool—that woman was something to him. She’d completely let go and let herself be vulnerable. And she’d woken up to some woman in his apartment.
Unable to move, she wrapped her arms around herself and rocked.
After fifteen minutes or so, there was a soft knock at her door, and she quickly palmed the gun she had sitting beside her. “Caleb, I swear before God, if you do not leave, I will fucking shoot you.”
“Honey, it’s Ricca. Jaya and I come in peace.”
Ricca? How the hell had the two of them known to come? She certainly hadn’t called. Stupid moron probably called Alec, who sent the cavalry. “I’m fine. You guys don’t have to stay. Go away. I’ll call you later.”
Jaya snorted. At least Micha thought it was Jaya. Ricca was too ladylike to snort. “You really think we’re going to leave you now?”
Micha sniffled. “Yeah, I was kind of hoping.”
“When are you ever going to learn, Micha? When one of us is down, we’re all down,” Ricca said. “You want me to make something to eat? Never too early for Caliloo.”
Micha couldn’t help the small smile that broke free. Ricca’s Trinidadian dish was one of her favorites. But even food couldn’t coax her out now. “Thanks, Ree, but I’m not in the mood.”
“It’s five o’clock somewhere. You want me to make you a mojito?” Jaya offered.
“No, I want to be left alone.”
“That’s the thing, we can’t really leave you alone, babe. We’re family, so you might as well open the door, let us in, and tell us what the problem is, My,” Jaya said.
Micha was not opening the damn door. Those two thought they could swoop in and solve all her problems. “You want to know what the problem is? Caleb fucking telling me he’s in love with me. Oh, and he is also under the delusion that I’m in love with him too.”
She was met with silence. They thought it was nuts too. That proved it—he was a moron. A lying, cheating, I-already-have-a-wife asshole. That’s what he was.
Finally there were hushed whispers that sounded like arguing. Then Ricca spoke. “Well, he’s not too far off, is he, My?”
Micha stood and yanked the door open. “Are you out of your mind? I am not in love with the lying idiot. I hate him. After what he’s done, I really hate him.”
Ricca and Jaya stood to face her. Rica breathed a sigh of relief. “Glad to see you open the door.”
“I wouldn’t be happy, if I were you. What makes you think I’m in love with him? He’s insufferable, and stubborn, and so sure of himself, and too good-looking for his own good, and he’s fucking married.”
Jaya’s brows snapped down. “Say what?”
Ricca’s eyes bugged. “No, he’s not.”
“Oh, yes he is. After I woke up this morning. You know, after we spent all night screwing our brains out and he had me all onto that whole intimacy train, deep gazes into the eyes accompanied by really dirty sex, I woke up this morning to find his wife rummaging through his fridge. The bitch had a key.”
Ricca didn’t speak. She merely turned on her heel and headed out the door.
Micha and Jaya stared after her. “Where the hell is she going?” Micha asked.
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Jaya folded her arms and took up post at the window seat. “If I know Ricca, she’s on her way to give Caleb a piece of her mind.”
Micha smirked. “Sometimes I swear she’s even scarier than me.”
Jaya raised an eyebrow. “We all know you’re soft in the middle. Only the shell is a little hard. Mostly your head.” Jaya tugged her down onto the window seat so they could stare into Caleb’s apartment together.
“Well, honey, it’s no secret that that man’s been into you for years. You’re too stubborn to see it.”
“Who the hell are you calling stubborn, Pot?”
“No one, Kettle.” Jaya smirked. “I’m just wondering. Did you actually run out on him because of some crazy woman in his apartment? Not that that isn’t a valid reason for running out on a man.”
“Yes, how many times do I have to tell you that? There she was in all her beautiful glory like she belonged there.”
“If he was married, don’t you think we’d actually know about it? None of us have ever met her. Even Alec doesn’t know about her. And he tells Alec everything. The two of them are closer than Alec is to his own brother.”
“So you’re taking his side?”
Jaya rolled her eyes. “Look. All I’m saying is the Micha I know would have cussed out the crazy bitch and run her off. The Micha I know wouldn’t have run like a dog with her tail between her legs. Especially not after finally sleeping with Caleb. You would have stayed to stake your claim, if anything. You gave up another round of orgasms to some woman? Who the hell are you, and what did you do with my best friend?”
Micha chewed her lip. Sure a couple of weeks ago, she would have laughed that skinny bitch out of Caleb’s apartment. At the very least caused a ruckus large enough to summon the police. So what was so different about this morning? “I couldn’t stand there. After everything with Caleb, and this stalker, and my job, and then Caleb was so sweet to me last night, I…” Micha paused.
“Go on. You what?”
“I let go. I gave up control to him. I just went with it. I enjoyed it. It was the closest I’ve felt to anyone, maybe ever, and it scares me.”
