Page 17 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

Not yet.

Not without me.

When the blond leaned toward him suggestively, jealousy coursed through my veins.

Caleb hadn’t seen me yet.

My heart was pounding. I didn’t like attention and usually hid or ran away when strangers paid attention to me, but one look at Caleb and I knew there was no way I would back out of this.

Memories came drifting back to me: the day he drove us to the country and bought us soup, pizza, and ice cream, and we kissed under the moonlight. He told me how beautiful I was.

“I figured we’d be silly today, maybe pretend to be someone else.”

“Who should we be?” I asked.

“Anyone,” he had whispered. “Mine if you want.”

Yours. I want to be yours, Caleb.

A new song came on. It was “Blind Heart” by Cazzette.

I strutted to the middle of the dance floor, raised my arms sensuously, and closed my eyes. I imagined Caleb’s eyes on me.

I shut everything out and began to sway my hips. I took a breath and opened my eyes, looking directly—only—at him.

At the only boy who had ever really owned my heart.

My heart pounded against my chest as slowly…slowly…slowly…he lifted his eyes and found mine.

His eyes widened in surprise. He sat up straight, alert now, turning his seat to watch me closely.

I slid my hand down my neck, swinging my hair to one side as I moved my shoulders and hips to the rhythm of the music. I leaned back a little, running my fingers through my hair as I moved my body with all the sensuality I had.

The blond tried to catch Caleb’s attention again.

I strutted toward him, our gaze still locked. I flipped my hair over my shoulder, giving him a sassy smile.

And just like the first time we met, I came up to him, hooking my arms around his neck. His eyes—so clear and green, just like in my dream—looked at me with intensity. He was so beautiful, it hurt my heart to look at him. He stood up, snaking his arm around my hips.

For one electrifying moment, we stared at each other. I could feel his hard body against mine, smell his masculine scent.

“Hey, baby.” I said it softly, my heart thundering in my chest. “He’s with me, aren’t you?”

His eyes darkened as they studied me.

“Where have you been?” I asked, just like he had asked me when we first met.

Did he remember?

I leaned close to him, my lip almost brushing his ear. I felt him shiver. “I’ve been looking for you my whole life,” I whispered, just like he had whispered to me a long time ago.

It was his turn to answer.

I held my breath. Whatever he said now would determine if he had forgiven me or not. If he still wanted me or not.

A small smile flitted on his lips as he whispered, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

I felt like crying.

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