Page 11 of Perfidious Passion

What the fuck is he going to say to that?“I'm sure if he did run into you it was an accident. I'm glad he was there to make sure you didn't fall.” And what the hell would I say?!

Nothing. I say nothing. Let them just think I'm in a mood. That's better than the fat nothing I have to give them as proof.

Lilly

FEB. 13TH - THURSDAY

The fonts and colors on my laptop blur together to make one jumbled mess. Almost a replica of my brain right now. My emotions, on the other hand, are starting to feel a little numb.

I'm tired. The weight of the guys surrounding me in bed last night was too much, making me get up in the middle of the night and move to the edge. Seeing the twins snuggled up together was a slight mood lifter, at least.

My morning has been quiet, the guys all doing their own thing. Retreating to my cozy office with my breakfast a few hours ago was the best decision for everyone. I know I bring them down when I'm in an anxious rut. It's only made worse when I can't articulate what's actually wrong.

Yes, I'm hiding. I should be getting a lot of work done, but my e-reader a few feet away from me is really trying to yank me away from my laptop. I just want to escape into a different world for a while. Even though I love my job, my portion of our business is based on creativity. And right now, I'm feeling anything but creative. My brain tumbles from one self-deprecating thought to another.

I really do hate my mind sometimes. There can be nothing wrong and suddenly I'll assume someone's mad at me. Like if someone doesn’t smile at me, then it's the end of the world.

Seeing Aaron smiling so much this weekshouldbe helping curb the anxiety I usually feel around his straight face. But it doesn't. Because now my effort is being used tokeepit there. Unfortunately, I think that means my brain is trying to blame me for what's going on with his boss.

Except, every time I try to pinpoint what is actually going on, I have no answer. None that is concrete or obvious in any way. I'm just feeling off, which is absolutelynota valid reason to ruin Aaron's first week at his dream job.

"Hey, dirty girl."

"AH!" I jump, my heart flying into my throat. My laptop thuds onto the cushions beside me. "Damnit, Caleb."

His quiet laugh makes it hard for me to be annoyed. The sugary scent of strawberry and chocolate help too. "Sorry. I knocked," he defends, coming to kneel in front of my beanbag chair.

The warm lighting around us shadows his eyes and deepens the sharp angles of his jaw. The takeout box in his hands holds my attention, though. "What's that?"

A tiny smirk curls the right side of his mouth. "Oh this? A small early Valentine’s Day gift for my girl."

My stomach swoops. "When did you get it?" I thought he had been working. Surely, if he had left, he would have come to say goodbye like Aaron did this morning. He paired his goodbye kiss with a look of concern.

Shaking my thoughts aside, I focus on the lid lifting in front of my greedy nose. "Last night," Caleb answers. My eyebrows shoot up and he explains. "I wanted to cheer you up, Lil. But you went right to bed."

I sigh but reach for my treat. "I was just tired."

He moves the box away from me with an accusing glare. The low lighting makes him look angrier than I think he really is. "Then you've been tired all week, Lilly."

I stay silent. There's nothing to say. If any of the guys struggle when I get in a mood, it's Caleb. No matter how many times we hash my issues out, the communication doesn't get us anywhere. He gets frustrated; I cry... It's a whole mess.

So I deflect. And he allows it. "May I have my treat, please?"

"Batting your pretty lashes at me won't erase my questions," he grumbles, but still hand feeds me my chocolate-covered strawberry.

Humming, I flick my tongue against his finger. I watch his eyes darken with lust and my own flutters rise to the tension when he shifts forward. All anxiety dissipates in the face of my man.

"Lilly," he rumbles, making goosebumps break out along my arms. "You're about to get an entirely different kind of treat if you don't watch that little tongue of yours."

I wiggle and open my mouth for the next bite. With narrowed eyes, Caleb holds it out for me. Like a tease who needs a distraction, I lick it, wrap my lips around it, and suck. There's no bite, just bobbing until he can't control himself any longer.

I squeal when his hand drops my gift and collars my throat. "Dirty fucking girl," he growls, getting in my face, his lips brushing mine. "You want my cock that much, Lilly?"

I huff and nod, trying to breathe around my pretty new hand necklace. I don't have a moment to prepare for the wildness in his gaze before he's yanking me forward by my neck and forcing my knees into my fluffy rug. Scrambling to keep myself upright, my hands slam onto Caleb's thighs. Like they have a mind of their own, my fingers release the button of his jeans and unzip his fly.

"Goddamn, Lilly. Eager little Lil, huh?"

Without his hand threatening my windpipe, I mumble out an incoherent agreement. His jeans and boxers hit the ground with a thud. I waste no time taking his hot length in my hand and pumping him like he loves.

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