“It’s a complicated situation.”
Throwing my head back, I let out a long sigh. “I wish I had crushed on anyone but him.”
“Don’t regret it. You were so adorable, and he was always so good to you. Even when he was putting Leo and Nat through the wringer during his rebellious phase, he always made time for you, and he never complained when you followed him around everywhere like a lovesick puppy.”
“Gee, thanks, Mom.”
“It was super cute.”
“If you say so.”
“You’re special to him, Elisa. I know you are. He just struggles to articulate it. There was a time you received his only smiles, and when he got older, he never forgot your birthday or Christmas or Valentine’s Day. It might not be the relationship you wanted with him, but he does care about you, honey.”
“Why don’t you hate him like Dad does?”
“I’m not happy he’s hurt you, and if you discover it was intentional, I will be having words with him, but Caleb is not a bad guy. He’s just misunderstood.” She peers off into space for a while. “There was a time when Nat and I wished you two wouldget together. It has always seemed like it was written in the stars to me.”
“Go easy there on the wine, Mom.”
“I want the world for you, Elisa. Your dad does too, and he doesn’t hate Caleb. He just doesn’t want him for you.”
“Well, he doesn’t need to worry about that. It’s never going to happen.” I knock back the rest of my wine. “Even if Caleb came crawling on his hands and knees begging me to be with him.” I take Mom’s empty glass and stand. “I’m going to give my all to Seb and put Caleb out of mind. Seb loves me and wants me, and he’d never make a promise and then break it and trample all over my heart.”
Chapter Eight
Caleb
The shower door opens, and I stall the hand wrapped around my dick cursing the bitch for interrupting the fantasy playing out in my head while I was jerking off. My straining cock leaks precum, screaming for release, as Anais drapes her naked body around me from behind. “I can help with that,” she purrs in what she thinks is a seductive voice, but it has always sounded like she has a hairball stuck in her throat.
I snag her wrist as she moves her hand around my body, heading for my cock, stopping her progress. “I’ve got it covered, and you weren’t invited to shower with me.”
“Why are you being like this?” I hear the pout in her tone as I pry her arms off me and step back, creating distance between us. Overhead, water flows from my rainforest shower cascading over my shoulders and streaming down my back. “You haven’t fucked me once since I got here.”
“I’m busy,” I lie, switching off the water and grabbing a towel. I wrap it around my waist, ignoring my protesting cock as I brush past her scowling face and exit the shower.
“You’re not busy now.” She yanks the towel from behind, and it falls to the floor.
I’m struggling to rein in my anger. Truth is, I should just fuck her to shut her up, but I can’t. Her touch makes my skin crawl, and I’ve reached my breaking point. Years of tolerating her bitchy, whiny ass have taken a toll, and I’m done. Except I must continue playing the game while her dickhead husband is MIA. Anais is our best hope of finding Cruz, so I need to keep her on our side. President’s orders.
“Don’t.” I glower at her, grinding my teeth, as I grab a fresh towel and tuck it around my waist, covering my rapidly deflating erection.
“This is abouther, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, striding out of my bathroom.
“Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking to you, Caleb!” she screeches, trailing after me into my large closet.
“I’m not doing this with you now.” Or ever. I pick a black shirt, boxers, socks, and ripped jeans from my closet. I should have just showered at J’s place, but I needed clean clothes. I’ve been staying with my twin and his girl ever since Anais showed up on my doorstep, much to her chagrin. I’ve used work as the excuse, but that won’t wash for long. Case in point.
“Isshethe reason you’ve been avoiding me?” she accuses, jabbing her finger in my face. Her red nails are long and sharp and can inflict pain, as I’ve learned in the past. Anais is a spoiled bitch who lashes out and throws temper tantrums whenever she doesn’t get attention or get her own way. As much as I fucking loathe Cruz DiPietro, I can’t say I blame him for cheating on the bitch. She would drive any man to the point of insanity.
I drop the towel, swatting her hand away when she reaches for me again. Rage flares from her eyes before a more calculated look washes over her face. I watch her warily as I pull on my socks, boxers, and jeans. Leaning her naked body back against the wall, she spreads her legs and pulls her pussy lips apart, fullyexposing herself to me. “I know you want it,” she pants, sliding one finger inside her cunt. “I know what you like, and I’ll give it to you.” Spinning around, she thrusts her ass up and out and parts her cheeks, looking over her shoulder at me and licking her lips. “Take my ass, sexy. Fuck me hard, just how you like it.”
Pulling up the zipper on my jeans, I tuck my completely flaccid cock away. I feel nothing as I look at her naked body, offered to me on a silver platter for the taking. Years ago, this would have turned me on. The knowledge Cruz’s wife let me do whatever I wanted to her body always aroused me more than the sex itself, but not now. Now, I feel nothing but contempt for her. My cock will never touch any part of her body ever again.
“I’m going out. I’ll check when your apartment will be ready,” I add, shoving my arms into the sleeves of my shirt and grabbing my wallet, gun, keys, and watch.
“Caleb, please.”
