Page 85 of Sin with Me

When the emcee announces it’s time to take our seats so that dinner may be served, Cal leads me into the colossal dining area where we are seated with Carlos and two other men I don’t recognize.

When the server takes our drink order, it takes all my strength to order water over wine. But I manage to do it, awarding myself another glorious grin from Cal. The braised beef topped with a raspberry glaze falls apart as soon as my fork touches it. It’s a definite upgrade from protein bars, oatmeal, and my mediocre cooking. This meal is heaven in my mouth.

“It’s nice to see you eat. I was beginning to think you didn’t,” Cal says as I finish off the last of my rice pilaf.

Since school started and I decided working full time was a great idea, I have lost four pounds, on top of the twelve I’ve lost since Reid died. I’ve worked really hard to gain most of it back because I refuse to be a twenty-four-year-old woman who looks like teenager waiting to hit puberty. So here I am, finally six pounds heavier, and the one man I want to impress thinks I’m anorexic.

“Can we keep the criticism to a minimum? At least for tonight?” I ask. I like where we are now. I don’t want to go back to where we were.

Cal places his fork on his plate then turns to face me, cupping my cheek in his large hand. His thumb skims my cheekbone, and his eyes flash something that looks like regret.

“I didn’t mean to offend you,” he says, and I forget why I’m upset.

My head leans into his hand and I’ve once again fallen under his spell. My voice has left me, so I respond with a simple nod. His eyes fall to my mouth and my heart races. The people around us disappear, and the voice of the man speaking into the microphone fades in the distance. There is no one in this room other than me and Cal. My lips part as I prepare for him to kiss me, wish for him to kiss me.

“May I take your plate?” a high-pitched female voice asks, disrupting the intimate moment.

Cal lets out a quiet chuckle, then leans back so she can reach across the table.

As soon as the server has cleared the table, I scoot all the way back in my chair and cross one leg over the other. The slit in my dress causes it to fall to one side, revealing a healthy amount of upper thigh and almost a little ass. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the movement has caught Cal’s attention and I smirk at the accomplishment.

“Makenna.” His voice is a quiet warning.

Without looking directly at him I respond, “You bought the dress.”

He places an arm across the back of my chair and leans over. “I’m beginning to rethink my selection.”

I turn my head so that our faces are mere inches apart. “I can always take it off,” I say, making sure I hold his gaze as my breath dances across his lips.

“I’m not the only one watching.”

But you’re the only one I care about.

We sit there, playing the staring game, until I finally have to look away for fear I’ll slide right out of my chair. The emcee informs the guests that bidding is over and winning bidders may claim their items at the cashiers’ booth.

Cal leans over and whispers something in Carlos’s ear. Carlos nods and smiles then looks over at me. Cal passes his father an envelope then stands up, extends a hand to me, and leads me outside where we wait for the valet.

I guess we’re done here. Maybe it was the dress thing. Maybe the harsh exterior he surrounds himself with is finally starting to crack.

As expected, the dark gray Range Rover he drives is spotless inside, and it smells deliciously like him—like laundry detergent, a fresh shower and man, all man. The leather seats are cool on the bottoms of my thighs where my dress splits. But he has me so hot, I welcome the feeling. His eyes focus on the road, while mine stay locked on the way the moonlight shines in his eyes. Even though he doesn’t look at me, the corner of his mouth twitches, letting me know he feels my gaze.

“Thank you,” I tell him, and he tosses a glance in my direction.

“For?”

“Proving me wrong.” I smile to myself.

“It was just dinner.”

“No. It was more than dinner, and we both know it. It was you letting me in. It was you letting me get to know you better.”

“Some things are better left unknown.” He keeps his eyes locked on the road in front of him. Like he’s fighting some sort of battle with himself and if he looks at me, the wrong side will win.

“Why do you keep doing that?” I spot the clench in his jaw and decide to continue before he can answer. “I know what it means to push people away. I’ve gotten pretty good at it myself. Everyone but you. You always seem to find a way back in…” I take a deep breath and swallow, “Callisto.” I emphasize his full name in an attempt to get his attention.

He stops fighting to ignore me and turns his head, his blue eyes cutting through the darkness when he looks at me.

“Your mother is right,” I continue, “I googled it, and you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

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