Adriel
I’d spoken the words and there was no taking them back.
Instantly, Caleb’s expression changed. It softened, and the bitterness and confusion faded away.
“But… What are you afraid of?” he asked quietly.
I shut my eyes, blocking everything out for just a moment. I needed time to compose myself. This wasn’t like me. I was supposed to be collected and articulate, not a babbling emotional mess.
“I’m afraid of the intensity of my feelings,” I finally said. “And you are the source of that conflict.”
Caleb glanced over his shoulder. “Uh… You’re talking to me, right? Not to some invisible person around here?”
I didn’t even have the heart to tease him right now. “No. I’m talking to you, Caleb Foster.”
“Oh.” He stared at the floor. “I, um, don’t know how to respond to that.”
“You don’t have to,” I said. “It just needed to be said.”
The words settled heavily in the air. Part of me regretted spilling them, but knowing they were off my chest was admittedly a relief. The lingering uncertainty was the worst part about this whole situation. The urge to flee nagged at me like an animal gnawing my ankles, but that would only make everything worse.
No, I couldn’t run anymore. The damage had been done and I had to live with the consequences.
“I’m sorry if I made things uncomfortable,” I said stiffly.
“No, it’s fine,” Caleb replied. “I’m glad I know.”
My legs itched to leave. I stared at my bedroom door, just a few strides away. So close to safety, and to avoiding this conversation.
To my surprise, Caleb grabbed my arm.
“No,” he said. “Don’t leave. Don’t even think about it.”
I raised my brows. “You’re giving me orders now?”
A small grin tugged at his lips. “Yeah. Since you keep trying to run away from me, I’m gonna keep you under control.”
I laughed. “I see. What is your plan, omega? To keep me here by force?”
I wriggled my wrist in his grasp to tease him, but not enough to break it free.
“No,” Caleb said. “But I have another way to make sure you won’t leave.”
Caleb’s hand left my wrist and found my hip. It trailed lower and towards the center until he was palming my cock through my pants.
“Caleb,” I said.
He hesitated and lifted his hand. “If you don’t want me to, I’ll stop.”
“It’s not that,” I admitted.
“Then what?” he asked gently.
I put my hands on his shoulders. “I don’t want to run away from this anymore. From you.”
Caleb blinked, then said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, “Then don’t.”
“I’m afraid of losing you,” I murmured.
