Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 14267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 48(@300wpm)
Her sharp eyes cut to me, her nostrils flaring, but before she can open her mouth, her new husband wraps an arm around her shoulder and addresses the guests. “Sorry for that, everyone. Now, if you please, the drinks in the bar won’t finish themselves.”
That reminder eases the tension, and he half-drags, half-carries my mother to the people they were chatting with. Still with a smile, he glances at Caroline over his shoulder and says in a voice barely above a whisper, “If you’re going to make a scene, Caroline, how about you just leave?”
The look of genuine hurt in her eyes almost sends me into another fit of rage. Caroline must sense it because she tugs on my hand and pulls me outside, where I welcome the cool air, letting it wash over me and calm me down.
Caroline turns around to check before pointing an accusing finger at me. “What was that, Callum?”
“What was what?”
“That show of possessiveness. I didn’t think you were the jealous type.”
“I wasn’t … until I met you.”
Caroline runs her fingers through her hair in frustration, but all I can think about is wrapping it around my hand again and tugging it so I can suck on her neck. She groans and lifts her face to the sky as if she can find the answers there. “What does that even mean?”
I pace the parking lot, scrubbing a hand across my face. “I don’t know, Caroline!” My voice is sharper than I intended, my own frustration boiling over. “It was supposed to be a one-time thing with you, but now I can’t keep my eyes and hands off you.”
Her lips part in a surprise, and I know this is the last thing she expects to hear from me. Still, I don’t let that deter me from pouring my heart out. Hell, if you told me months ago that one day, I’d make a confession to my stepsister in the parking lot, I would’ve laughed out loud. Now, it isn’t so funny anymore.
“Callum…” Caroline wraps her arms around herself and rubs them. I don’t even have to think about it as I take off my suit jacket and drape it over her.
“Let me finish, Caroline. Please.” I rub the back of my neck and take a deep breath. “When you’re not around, I keep thinking of you. I couldn’t concentrate at school for the past two months because my mind always strayed to you. Yes, even when you were nothing more than a virtual stranger, you already had me wrapped around your finger. But now you’re here, and it’s driving me crazy because you’re off-limits. Forbidden fruit. Someone I shouldn’t even think about this way. This” —I point to her then me— “Whatever this is between us shouldn’t be happening, but God knows I’d die if I don’t touch you, kiss you, or hold you in my arms.”
Caroline gives me a sad smile. “They won’t approve, Callum. They’ll throw both of us out into the streets.”
“Yeah?” I snort. “My mother never wanted my existence in the first place. Besides, I’m not as useless as you think. I’m twenty years old, and I can find a job. I’m not sure if you know, but I’m good with cameras. I’ve been learning photography since I was in high school.”
“But that means throwing this good life away because of me.” The disbelief is clear on her face.
“What good life, Caroline? Is it the fact that my mother constantly breathes down my neck with everything I do? Or is it her regular reminder that, without me, she would have had a massive career in Hollywood? That night at the club? That was the first time in a year I went out without bodyguards trailing my car.”
“I-I didn’t know, I’m sorry.”
“The thought of someone else kissing you or touching you … It feels like I’m about to explode.” I stop pacing and stand before her, cupping her face and surprised to find her cheeks wet with tears. “Why are you crying, Caroline? Does it make you sad that I want you as mine?”
Caroline blinks quickly, but it’s no use. Her tears are falling freely now. “Give me time, Callum. I-I need to think about this.”
The words hit me like a gut punch. Here I am, ready to risk it all, but she’s not. I try to keep my voice steady and even, though I can feel my chest splintering. “Sure, take all the time you need.” It tastes bitter on my tongue, of course, but I force them out because if she has learned anything by now, it’s that I will give her what she wants … every single time.
She nods and darts her eyes away from me, her voice shaking. “T-thank you.”
I watch her walk away, every step twisting in my gut like a hot knife. I follow her with my gaze and watch as she raises an arm to hail a taxi. A yellow cab pulls up, and she glances at me one last time, her lips curving into another sad smile.