Page 21 of Untethered Heart
“What did you study?”
“Business admin and marketing.” It’s not what I imagined for myself, but I knew it was the best way to help my brother.
I don’t know what to make of the rapid-fire flutter of Caleb’s lashes, he’s gaping like a goldfish, making me laugh. “What?” I ask.
“Business, Lex?” He groans, a hand landing on my waist and pulling me closer. “A girl after my own heart.”
I want to bask in his adoration and question it all at once. Whenever I’ve been with a man, it was on purpose. I always had one foot out the door, making it easier to pull back when I needed to. Careful not to get too attached. Too dependent. I didn’t want it to hurt too much when they eventually left me. It was a way tofeel in control of my heart. I don’t know anything when it comes to Caleb. He changes all the rules.
“I’d love to spread you on my sheets.” His playful words catch me off guard, causing a cackle to burst free. I smack my palm against his chest, which he catches, holding it there against his warm chest.
“Was that a spreadsheet joke?” I ask, slapping my free hand under my nose so I don’t snort. “That was so cheesy.” I smile up at him, and he stares back at me with a lopsided grin. He opens his mouth as if to say something when Claire bounds over.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do now. The plumber has stopped the water, and they’ll finish removing the excess. Trevor’s going to stay until they’re done, and I’ve reached out to my contractor to meet me here on Monday.”
“Sorry, babe. This entire project has been a real test of love on your part.”
She nods. “Yeah, but I know it’ll be worth it. So I’ll keep pushing through.” She shrugs and turns to Caleb. “Thanks for driving us here, suit and tie.”
He chuckles. “My pleasure, Claire. Do you need a ride home now?”
I look at Claire to see what she wants to do, but she’s wearing the most confused face. Her head tilts, gaze bouncing all over Caleb’s face before her eyes widen like saucers.
“Oh my god!” she shrieks
“What?”
“You’re Caleb Heart?” It feels more like an accusation than a question as her eyes flit between me and Caleb. How the hell does she know his last name?
“Ummm.” Am I missing something? My skin feels clammy as she looks at me as if waiting for an answer I don’t know how to give. “He’s just Caleb to me,” I manage to say with my eyes fixed on the floor.
I feel a thumb run over the back of my hand, soothing back and forth. I didn’t realise Caleb was still holding my hand to his chest. I can feel his heart beating, pounding against my palm, as he searches my eyes. I only manage to look at him for the briefest of moments before my gaze darts straight back to the floor.
“The car makes much more sense now, Ritchie Rich,” Claire says, picking up my other hand with hers and giving it a squeeze. “I think we can be done with this night now. You ready?”
I nod and pull my hand slowly from Caleb’s grasp, still avoiding his eyes.
“We can get an Uber. It’s late, I’m sure you want to get home,” I say as I put some distance between us.
“I would prefer to drive you myself.” He leans down, trying to catch my eyes. I quickly flick them to him with a thin-lipped smile and a nod, then I head toward Claire, where she’s waiting at the back door.
“You okay?” she whispers.
I nod. She knows I’m lying, but she lets it go. I’m desperate to get home and grill her for information or look up his name. I feel like there’s something I’m not seeing.
When we make it to the car park, I take in the sleek, glittering charcoal body of his sports car. The black and gold Lamborghini badge sparkles under the streetlights. Both times I’ve seen Caleb, he’s been sporting his tidy vests and ties, always carrying himself with a sense of status and confidence. That doesn’t falter when he flirts and touches me. Paired with Claire’s words, I’m hit with a sense of wounding clarity.
Caleb Heart. As in the Heart family of Heart City? He’s like a gajillionaire. I’ve seen photos here and there of his family, and they’re all stunning. Heat washes over my body, and my gut sours as I realise the same thing Claire must have. I remember what I’ve seen now, in fleeting moments when I’ve flipped through magazines and social media. His brother, who owns the bar, he’s the quiet one. No one knows much about him. But Caleb, he’sthe popular one. He’s at every high-profile event with people constantly vying for his attention, especially women. But, if I remember correctly, they don’t last. He’s a playboy, which makes me just another notch on a very crowded bedpost. That feeling of not being enough starts weighing down on me. Oh my god, he must do this kind of thing all the time with women he meets.
It’s okay, Lex.We haven’t spent that much time together. We were a blip, really. Yes, he felt different, but it’s not too late to back away. To protect myself.
Chapter thirteen
It’s nearing midnight when we pull up to Lex and Claire’s house. The white weatherboards brighten under my headlights. As I take in the set of steps leading up to the front door, I’m pulled back into my memories from a few weeks ago.
Holding Lex up against the glass panels, exploring her tongue with my own. The feel of her body under my fingers. The heat of her pussy grinding against my cock. Fuck, I’m getting hard just thinking about it, and I’ve still got a slight mess in my pants from earlier in the night. I still can’t believe I came in my pants like a two-pump chump, but all sense of reason escapes me when it comes to Lex.
There's only two doors on my car, so Lex hops out quickly to pull the chair forward for Claire. I shut off the car and walk them to the door to claim a few extra moments with Lex.
