Page 29 of Drive Me Wild
My mind is racing.Why do I care? What do I want him to say?
“Um. Nothing. You know what, it’s your business.”
I turn tail and take the steps two at a time, relieved to shut myself against the heat of his eyes on my back as I retreat. I find my glass of water in the kitchen and down it, then fill it back up before collapsing on the couch.
I’m super turned on and mortified all at the same time, and I worry I’ll never get over my problem so I can meet someone and settle down.
And then a genius idea pops into my head.
Chapter Fourteen: Caleb
Around lunchtime, I trudge up the stairs to the apartment to see if Zoe wants to order food, even though I know she always leaves for lunch. When I enter the room, I find her sitting at the table with her hands folded in her lap, facing the doorway.
“Everything okay?”
“Yup. Everything is great.”
“Then why do you have that weird look on your face?”
Her cheeks flush, and she pushes a hand through her hair before fixing her eyes on me.
“I need your help on something really important.”
“Okay…”
“Promise me you won’t say no.”
“I don’t even know what you want me to do. What if I can’t help you?”
“Trust me, I know you can. You are the perfect person for the job.”
It’s silly, but hearing her say that fills me with pride. I don’t even know what she wants me to do, but I like that she thinks I’mthe man for the job. I like that she sees me. I like that she trusts me.
“Zoe, I’m glad you have confidence in me, but—”
“Just hear me out. And please don’t tell anyone I’m asking you to do this. Can you promise me that?”
I pull out the chair opposite her and sit down so we’re at eye level. She looks serious and excited at the same time, and all I think is that I want to give her whatever it is.
“Do you promise?”
I realize I’ve been looking at her in silence. “Yeah, I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“Okay. Great.”
She scoots her chair a little closer to mine and then rolls her lips. I watch as she wets the pink pillows with her tongue, and I think about biting her there again. I try to shove the thought from my mind, knowing that Cole and Renée will kill me if I go near her.
“So what is it? What do you want me to do for you?”
“Um, so this is embarrassing.” She drops her eyes down to her hands as she clenches and unclenches her fists. “I’m bad in bed, and um—”
“Hang on. What?” I hook a finger under her chin so her eyes meet mine, and I marvel at the pools of green looking back at me. “Did you just say you’re bad in bed?”
“Yeah. I did. I am. And I want you to help me with that.”
“Wait. Hang on.” I stand up and back away a couple of steps. I don’t know if I’m pissed, or turned on, or both.
“First of all, why do you think that? And why do you think I can help you?” The green pools are like saucers now peering up at me above pink cheeks flush with shame. Suddenly, she opens her mouth, and the words come tumbling out.
