Page 101 of Prized Possession

“No problem,” I reply, managing to keep all the sarcasm from my voice.

“Obviously, since we will be out of town, Chloe won’t be expected to attend Sunday lunch with the family, but when we return, she will be needed for a wedding planning session that is non-negotiable,” he states firmly, but I just roll my eyes.

“We can discuss it on your return.”

I hear him huff down the phone, clearly not appreciating my vague response. “I will be reachable by phone, if needed. You can always call Scott if I’m not available.”

I snort, unable to stop myself, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice Chloe trying not to laugh at the awfully undignified noise. “That won’t be happening,” I snap.

Caleb growls, “He’s joining my family, which means you’ll need to start showing him respect.”

I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “Until the day it’s official, he remains inferior to me, and any respect will need to be earned, which I can assure you, at this point, it couldn’t be further away.”

“Fine, this can be another thing we discuss on my return.”

“I look forward to it.” This time, I allow the sarcasm to drip into every word, and Caleb hangs up the phone without saying anything further.

Chloe is staring at me, her brow furrowed. “You don’t normally answer the phone at the table,” she says, a hint of disapproval seeping into her tone.

“Sorry, but I figured it was important, and I was right.”

“Is everything okay?”

I give her a nod and a smile. “Your father wanted to inform me that the stress of Jacob going into rehab has been too much for your mother to deal with, and as a result, they’re going on holiday for a couple of weeks.”

Chloe rolls her eyes. “Wow, it’s hard for her?”

I chuckle. “You’re missing the point. They won’t be here for two weeks… So, no family lunches.”

Her eyes light up, and I pointedly ignore the way my heart races at the beautiful smile that spreads across her face. She then lets out a high-pitched giggle, before leaning over and throwing her arms around my neck. “That’s amazing news.”

She pulls back a little, but I keep my arms around her, not letting her go. Although the corner of the table is in between us, making things a little uncomfortable, I don’t care.

I don’t even really know what the hell I’m doing. All I’m sure of is that I want to see Chloe smile at me like this a whole lot more.

What the fuck are you doing? This is supposed to be just about sex, and we’re getting into feelings territory here, I think to myself, before quickly pushing the thoughts from my mind. Things are confusing enough, without overthinking too.

“I like seeing you smile like this,” I admit.

Blush spreads across her cheeks as her expression turns shy, making my dick twitch once more.

“I can’t remember the last time I smiled this much, if I’m being honest.”

“I’m glad you’re happy here.” I leave off thewith mepart that I wanted to add at the end.

She nods her head, her breath fluttering over my cheek, enamouring me even more. “I’m shocked by how easy it’s been. I like it here, though I’m a little worried how hard that will make things when it all has to come to an end.”

My mood sours in an instant, and Chloe must be able to see it on my face as she pulls back, her brow furrowed. I let her move away this time, thinking a little space will make it easier for me to get my emotions under control.

The thought of her leaving, going back to that life, tohim, sends me into a fucking rage, and I don’t think logically when I’m like this. I know all the reasons why she has to return to her life.

I’m hoping that once Jake is sober, and he takes back control of his family, that he can stop her shit-show of a marriage to that dickhead, but until then, there’s very little I can do.

The bet already pushed the boundaries of the treaty further than I should have, but the rules meant they had to be honoured. Anything else would be seen as me interfering in Santoro business, and I can’t do that.

Chloe has her life that she has to go back to, and no matter how much I might not want her to leave, we both know our time together is a ticking time-bomb, and nothing we do can stop it.

“I can’t promise that our time won’t come to an end, as we know it has to, but I can do my best to make sure the life you go back to isn’t as bad as it has been. When Jake’s sober, he’ll be able to help more too,” I tell her, but the tight smile she gives me back tells me she doesn’t believe me.

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