Page 58 of The Estate
“Strangely enough my parent’s accident was the catalyst that eventually brought Jess home. But our relationship was severely strained.”
Rachel stopped and shook her head before looking over. “Sorry. I didn’t intend to lay all that out there. Must be something about this view.”
Cal was close enough to see her cheeks stain with pink and wasn’t sure how to comfort her. Hearing what she’d gone through made him admire her even more. The grit and determination it must have taken to get through that time in her life was awe-inspiring.
Before he could offer any reassurance, she cleared her throat. “So, as you can imagine, that’s why seeing her recover and us establishing a genuine relationship is so important to me.”
“I can certainly understand that Rachel,” he said gently. “I think it’s wonderful that both of you are reaching out to each other,” he felt a stab of sadness that his relationship with James was not better. Rachel certainly had endured so much more, but she was making the effort.
The least he could do was try to be closer to James. It was just so hard to be continually compared to his older brother and found lacking. It wasn’t James’ issue. He’d never been the one to compare them. That was all his parents. Cal swore then to reach out more when things were a little less crazy. Maybe even invite James for dinner or something.
“Yes. Things have been going well and she is interested in seeing this.” She stared up at the house now that they’d stopped beside it. “I thought having her come and the two of us seeing it together for an event… it would be like.. a nice thing to do together.” She shifted her gaze back to him. The slight rise in the ground near the house had her almost eye level with him, so he could easily read the apprehension on her face.
He stepped closer and grasped her hand. “I think that’s a very thoughtful idea, Rachel.” He hadn’t consciously thought to hold her hand, but now that he had, he liked it. A lot. His eyes roved over her face, cataloging all of her little movements. Like how her pupils dilated and her breathing quickened.
The moment stretched between them. Heavy. Full of possibilities. It felt as though they were having an entire conversation without saying a word. His thumb gently caressed her hand, her skin petal soft under his rough fingertips. Holding her hand shouldn’t feel this momentous, but somehow it did.
When she nervously wet her lips, he longed to kiss her. He needed to know how she tasted. Before he could put action into that thought, she leaned over and kissed him.
It happened in the blink of an eye and in slow motion. She bridged the gap between them, and before he could think, her lips were on his. Then he didn’t want to think, because she was everything. Her delicate perfume surrounded him, making him feel dizzy. Her lips were as soft as he’d dreamed, melding perfectly with his. She tasted like no dessert he’d ever had but wanted for the remainder of his life. Caught by surprise, he stilled. Fearing any movement would break the moment as he reveled in her.
And when her hand gently cupped his jaw, he felt as though he’d been electrified. Desire shooting through him, making hisheart race and his blood heat. Just as he reached for her, she pulled away, her hand covering her mouth.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry,” she whispered. With a shake of her head, she whirled around, breaking into a run.
He reached out, but she was already around the side of the building.Why was she running from him?
“Rachel,” he called, finally getting his body to respond to commands and move. When he rounded the corner of the house, she was climbing inside her car.
“Rachel,” he yelled again. But she didn’t acknowledge she’d heard him. She didn’t even look in his direction as she drove off.
He wanted to go after her, but to what end? To ask her what the hell was with that kiss? For him to kiss her, but this time dominate her every sense like she had his? To hold her in his arms and worship her like she was his last breath?
Turning, he walked back behind the estate, not stopping until the ocean came into view. But even the sound of the waves couldn’t quiet the turmoil in his head.
Chapter Nineteen
In a Glance
She’d been an emotional mess driving home.Take a tour of the estate, they said. It will be informative, they said.Okay, Rachel could admit there was no ‘they’ in this scenario. She’d done this all to herself. Her face flushed, thinking back on what she’d done. She couldn’t believe she’d kissed Cal. One minute they were talking, the next he’d taken her hand, and then… then she’d lost her ever-loving mind and kissed him.
He was a client. Well, not a client, but he was part of a project. And she couldn’t risk any unprofessional behavior. What if Seth found out? Or worse, Cal’s parents? You know… HER CLIENTS!
Rachel dropped onto the bed, clutching her head. If she were honest, it wasn’t just about the kiss. And wasn’t that saying something?
Her thoughts were a rapid fire, never-ending circle. She felt raw and exposed from telling Cal about Jess and their parents. Hearing Cal talk about his plans for White Hall made her want to come clean about taking the plan from his office. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it, flooding her with remorse about her deceit. She desperately desired to retreat but listening to his dreams and spending time with him only strengthened her attraction.
He was like a hot stove she knew she shouldn’t touch, but every cell of her being cried out to touch him, and repercussion be damned.
And then there was that kiss. That amazing, knee quaking, swoon worthy kiss. How something so fleeting could rearrange her brain matter completely was a mystery.
Springing up from the bed, she straightened her shoulders. She had to pull herself together. She'd been obsessing about this since Tuesday.
She had to see Cal tonight at the arcade wedding. She needed to be in control. She needed her head in the game.
Besides getting her mindset right, she needed her wardrobe to match. At first she’d reached for a colorful floral wrap dress she just bought, it wasn’t her usual style and it was much too… romantic for tonight.
She grabbed one of her usual tried-and-true tailored dresses that she wore to the office. The navy blue was perfect for the evening event. Not as fun or colorful as the wrap dress, but she had to keep her focus on work. When she saw Cal, she would keep it professional. Pretend the kiss never happened. Get things back to where they needed to be.
