“I tried to warn you.”
She chews her bottom lip, clearly weighing her options.“I suppose you could...use my shower.Just to warm up.”
“Really?”
“Don’t make me regret this,” she warns, her tone sharp again.
“Much appreciated.”I grin at her, pushing my wet hair back from my forehead.
“Five minutes, Caleb.I mean it.”
I head toward the hallway, then pause at the doorway to look back at her.She’s leaning against the counter, wine glass in hand, still looking wary despite everything.“For what it’s worth,” I say, “I really am sorry about today.”
Something flickers across her face.“I know you are.”
“Good.”I pause.“Try not to drink all the wine while I’m gone.”
She takes a deliberate sip, her dark eyes challenging.“No promises.”
But as I head down the hallway toward her bathroom, I catch her reflection in the window—and she’s not frowning anymore.
Of all the things I expected, for Caleb to show up at my doorstep with wine and flowers wasn’t one of them.And even that, apology flowers.
I sip the wine, my gaze lingering on the empty hallway.
I was pissed.Once my body had stopped thrumming in the staircase, it occurred to me that if anybody had stepped in, my reputation would be in shreds.As I had fixed my hair, running my fingers through it, I had to sneak out to the washroom to clean up.It took me a good amount of time, including borrowing a brush from a random woman.
I’m known to hold a grudge.I let my anger simmer and marinate for weeks on end till I either find a way to get my revenge or just let it go.So why was I swayed so easily by a bouquet of roses and a simple apology?I don’t like Caleb Wilder, which is all the more reason to stay mad.Surely I can’t be softening towards him.
I shudder, disgusted with myself for even thinking that.He’s annoying and cocky, and I hate that about him.
Except when he’s got me under him in bed…
My thought process is interrupted by the door’s buzzer.
I collect my pizza and slam the door, my chest tight with irritation.The delivery guy probably thinks I’m crazy, but I don’t care.I just want to eat my pizza, drink my wine, and forget about Caleb Wilder’s existence.
I set the box on my coffee table and grab the remote, scrolling aimlessly through Netflix.I’m not actually watching anything—just waiting for him to finish his shower so he can leave and I can eat my pizza in peace.The sooner he’s gone, the sooner I can forget about those blue eyes and the way his hands felt?—
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head.I’m not doing this.
I keep scrolling, not settling on anything, when I hear the bathroom door open.Steam billows out, and then Caleb emerges, his hair dark and wet, water droplets still clinging to his shoulders.
He’s only wearing his pants.
“What the hell?”I bolt upright, nearly spilling wine on myself.“Put a shirt on!”
He runs a hand through his damp hair, completely unbothered by my outrage.“My shirt’s still wet.I threw it in your dryer.”
“I don’t care if it’s soaking wet.Put.Something.On.”I gesture wildly at his bare chest, trying not to notice the way water trails down his abs.
“I’m fine the way I am.”He shrugs and makes a beeline for my pizza box.
“Don’t even think about it.”I lunge forward, snatching the box away from him.“This is my dinner.”
“Come on, Eve.Share a little.”He reaches for it again, and I twist away, clutching the box to my chest like it’s made of gold.
“You just came from dinner!Why do you need my food?”
