“Of the fact that Marina got a whole three months of my attention.”He adjusts his stool closer to me, and his knee brushes against mine.“That’s longer than any woman has managed before or since.”
The casual arrogance in his voice makes my blood boil.“Congratulations.I’m sure she feels very special being your longest failed relationship.”
“She does, actually.”His lips curve in that infuriating smile.“Called me the best mistake she ever made.”
“How romantic.”I drain the rest of my whiskey, the burn matching the warmth building in my chest.“Let me guess—you’ve never met a woman worth changing for?”
“Exactly.”He studies me with those piercing blue eyes.“Haven’t found one who could make me want to try.”There’s something in the way he says it, in the way his gaze lingers on my face, that makes my pulse quicken.But before I can analyze it too closely, his expression shifts into something playful and dangerous.
“Though...”He tilts his head, pretending to consider.“Are you volunteering for the position, Princess?”
The suggestion hits me like a lightning bolt, sending electricity racing through my veins.For a split second, I imagine it—imagine being the woman who could tame Caleb Wilder, who could make him want to stay.The thought is both thrilling and terrifying.
“Absolutely not.”I force a laugh, hoping it sounds more convincing than it feels.“I’m not a rehabilitation center for emotionally unavailable men.”
“Pity.”His voice drops to that low, rough tone that does things to my nervous system.“Could’ve been fun.”
“You need therapy, not a girlfriend.”I pour another glass for myself, which finishes off the bottle, trying to steady my hands by giving them something to do.“Professional help for your commitment phobia.”
“Maybe.”He’s watching me with an intensity that makes my skin tingle.“Or maybe I just haven’t met the right woman yet.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”But my voice comes out unintentionally breathy.
“You know what I think?”He leans closer, close enough that I can feel his breath against my ear.“I think you find me attractive.”
The words have me freezing.“I think you’re deluded.”
“Am I?”His hand moves to the bar beside my hip, not quite touching but close enough that I can feel the heat of his skin through my blouse.
I pat Caleb’s cheek.“We’re both drunk.I’m leaving.This bar is a ten minute drive to my place.”
“Not yet,” he says, forcing me back into my seat with a grin and signaling the bartender.“One more drink.”
Two hours later, we stumble out of the bar into the cold night air, both of us considerably more intoxicated than before.The whiskey has hit us harder than I realized.The cool March wind cuts through my coat, sobering me up just enough to realize how drunk I actually am.
“I’ll get a taxi,” I mutter, looking around for one of the yellow cars.The street is mostly empty, just a few late-night stragglers and the occasional car passing by.
“Come on, let’s walk,” Caleb says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders before I can protest.“Fresh air will do us both good.”
“Stop touching me,” I snap automatically.
“I’m not touching you,” he argues, his words slurred.
“You are!I can feel you touching me!”
“Where?”he demands, looking genuinely offended.“Show me where I’m touching you.”
I wave my hand vaguely in his direction, trying to point but missing completely.“There!You’re...You’re doing the thing!”
“What thing?”He looks down at himself, then at me, completely baffled.“I don’t see any ‘thing.’”
“The touchy thing!”I insist, swaying slightly as I try to focus on his face.“With your...your arm parts!”
“My arm parts?”He lifts both hands in the air, wiggling his fingers.“These arm parts?”Then he promptly puts his arm right back around my shoulders.
“No, the other ones!”
“I only have two sets of arm parts, Eve!”he says, getting hysterical now.“Two!Just these two!What do you want from me?”
