Page 132 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

“Beatrice-Rose was the one who told me she saw you in the gazebo with Damon. That he had his arms around you. She implied you were cheating on me.”

I gritted my teeth.

“Of course I knew she was lying. I never believed her for a second, even if that assho—Damon,” he corrected, clearing his throat, “had his arms around you. I knew it wasn’t because you were cheating on me.” He looked at me sheepishly. “I’m sorry, Red. I can’t seem to stop apologizing. I feel like a major ass.”

I smiled. “You were, but it’s okay. Apologizing helps.”

He chuckled. With quick, agile movements, he pulled me close and, without warning, stood up, carrying me. My arms curled around his neck as he walked us back inside the cottage.

“You were absolutely beautiful tonight,” he said. “Thank you for putting up with this farce.”

“How are we getting back to the party? I can’t wear my dress. You ruined it.”

He looked at me sheepishly. “I’ll hide you inside my jacket?”

“Caleb!” I laughed, but then I remembered the affluent partygoers and the opulent world he lived in, and my stomach dropped.

“You’re absolutely wealthy.”

His eyes widened at the unexpected comment.

“My mom. Not me,” he corrected me again.

“There are a lot of rich people at your party.”

He looked contemplative. “I’m definitely not leaving you alone at a party ever again.” He laid me down on the bed, stretching out on top of me as he spread my hair over the pillow.

“There are a lot of beautiful women,” I added.

His finger traced my cheek, his breath fanning warmly on my skin. “Not as beautiful as you.”

“I don’t belong in your world, Caleb.”

He reached for my hand and kissed it before he placed it on his cheek. He stared into my eyes and whispered, “How can you not belong in my world? You are my world.”

Chapter Thirty-three

Veronica

“You should have seen her do the walk of shame this morning.”

I narrowed my eyes at the cheery sadism in Kara’s voice. She stood at the counter, stirring a spoon in a fat pitcher of rum and Coke she was mixing…or experimenting with, depending on your point of view.

Lime wedges were scattered on the counter, along with a half-empty bottle of rum and various cans of Coke, three open bags of chips, a bowl of Oreos, a plate of pierogis and sour cream, and french fries that Beth was eyeing with lust.

“I was not doing the walk of shame,” I argued, but I felt the heat searing my cheeks. Lowering my face so Kara wouldn’t see my blush, I walked to the cupboard and grabbed three glasses.

“Yeah?” Beth finally gave up and fished out one french fry, then nibbled on it. “I’ve seen your man, Ver. He’s hot. How’s he in the wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am department?”

“Well, let me just tell you to bleach the hell out of your counters if she and Caleb spend a night at your place,” Kara interjected.

“Kar!”

She winked. “Beth is part of our friendship bubble. She has a right to know.”

I face-palmed. Kara wasn’t even supposed to know about the…counter incident. It had just slipped out that one time.

Beth rolled her shoulders and fanned her face with her hands. “Holy cow.” She shivered. “Wait!” Pitcher in hand, Kara froze just before she poured her concoction into Beth’s cup.

---