Page 23 of Just a Little Crush

Grinning, I resisted the urge to tell her to get used to it, that I was already starting to enjoy spoiling her. Instead, I said, “I wouldnevermistake you for being a kept woman. You’re much too stubborn and self-sufficient for that.”

Her full lips finally curved with a smile, the first one since before Alyssa had barged into my apartment and changed the course of my relationship with Stevie. For the better, I was hoping, though I sensed it was going to take more to convince her that my growing feelings for her weren’t for the sake of pretenses.

Without even thinking because it felt so natural, I tipped her head back and touched my mouth to hers. The contact started off soft and slow, and she even sighed against my lips as her hands came up and pressed lightly against my chest. But then the kiss gradually deepened, real and potent, and she didn’t hold back as our lips parted and I swept my tongue inside, swirling and tangling with hers, quickly elevating the desire smoldering between us. My dick hardened, and forcibly reminding myself that Valerie was right in the next room, I finally let us both back up for air before I pushed her down on the couch and did all the dirty, wicked things to her playing through my mind.

Stevie stared up at me, her eyes soft, all of her obstinance gone. Mostly, anyway.

“Two months,” she said breathlessly. “That’s it.”

“Agreed,” I replied with a triumphant grin, taking it as a win. “And you’re moving in today, so pack whatever you and Valerie need to get through the next few days, and we’ll come back for the rest later.”

That glimpse of a teasing sparkle in her eye, along with a sassy salute and an equally impudent “Yes, sir” told me we’d weathered the storm. That things were mostly back to normal between us and would hopefully stay that way.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Stevie

“If this isa dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.”

Valerie sighed in awe as she drank her Monday morning cup of coffee and stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River. I understood her amazement because I was still trying to wrap my own mind around the fact that my sister and I were living at The Cortland, in a luxurious and spacious two-bedroom residence with the kind of comforts and amenities far beyond our budgets. I was starting to feel as though I was living in aPretty Womanmovie.

“No, it’s not a dream, but it’s not our reality, either,” I reminded my sister as I joined her in the living room with my own mug of coffee, silently agreeing that our multi-million-dollar view was spectacular—and yes, I’d googled the cost of one of these apartments and nearly had a heart attack. “This arrangement with Caleb is temporary, as you know.”

Valerie glanced at me with a smile, looking more relaxed and, dare I say, happy than I’d seen her since her split with Mark. “Yes, I know, but damn, let me enjoy every single second of living like the other one percent.”

I laughed, unable to begrudge her that.

Last night, after Caleb got us settled into our new apartment and ordered us more groceries than I’d ever had at one time delivered to stock the cupboards and refrigerator, I’d sat down with Valerie and told her everything. From how Alyssa had deliberately arrived early to drop off Owen, to how I now held the title of Caleb’s girlfriend.

She’d found the whole arrangement amusing, while I was still finding it difficult to process how in just twenty-four hours my life had completely changed into one I didn’t recognize. It wasn’t easy accepting all this from Caleb, even for a short time, but I understood why it was important—for the sake of appearances and so Alyssa didn’t have any leverage to use over Caleb for the custody case. And for Valerie’s safety, too, for which I was grateful, because there was no way of Mark knowing where Valerie was living now, since we hadn’t left a forwarding address.

As much as I’d initially fought Caleb’s offer to move us into The Cortland because I wasn’t one to take handouts, I was relieved, mostly for my sister’s sake. I told myself living in this apartment for two months wasn’t charity. It was part of the deal I’d made with Caleb and as long as I remembered that, I’d be fine.

A knock on the door surprised us both. Even though it was mid-morning, I knew it could only be one of two people—Caleb or Cara since they both lived in the building—and I hadn’t yet had a chance to put anyone on my “approved” list of guests with the doorman.

I headed into the foyer and looked through the peephole. Seeing Caleb standing on the other side, I opened the door.

“Hi,” I said breathlessly, feeling a little hot and bothered at how gorgeous he looked in his work suit. Dark gray and fitting his body to tailored perfection, staring at him was equivalent to a woman’s version of looking at porn because that whole executive, big dick energy radiating from him was arousing as hell.

He grinned, looking genuinely happy to see me. “I brought fresh, hot donuts, which I picked up after dropping Owen off at school,” he said, lifting a box imprinted with a name of some fancy shop in the area. “I thought you two might enjoy them with your morning coffee.”

“Oh, my God, come in already,” Valerie called out from behind me. “You had me at fresh, hot donuts.”

I rolled my eyes at my sister’s enthusiasm, but I was smiling as I stepped aside to give Caleb room to enter. He walked past me, and a whiff of his expensive cologne had me weak in the knees because like Pavlov’s dog, the arousing scent immediately took me back to Saturday night, and sex with him.

Stifling a groan, I followed him into the kitchen where he put the box on the counter. Valerie didn’t waste any time diving in and selecting a chocolate cruller for herself.

“Thank you for the donuts, and not to sound ungrateful, but what are you doing here?” I asked him. It was a Monday morning. I’d expected him to be at the office.

He shrugged. “I wanted to check in with you two, see how last night was, and how you’re settling in.”

“I slept like a baby after a bath in that deep soaking tub in my bathroom,” Valerie chimed in before I could answer. “It’s so quiet here and my bed is like sleeping on a soft cloud.”

Caleb chuckled. “I’m glad you slept well,” he said, then shifted his gaze to me for an answer.

“Same,” I replied, agreeing with my sister. Without any outside noise, no weird sounds from the park next to our complex, or neighbor dogs barking interrupting my sleep, I’d crashed hard last night. “I’m very well rested, thank you.”

“Good. I also wanted to let you know that your key card gives you access to all the building’s amenities, so feel free to take advantage of the pool and sauna and yoga studio. And there’s also a rooftop terrace you can enjoy, as well.” He slid his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “So, what are you two up to today?” he asked, changing the subject.

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