“Stop this,” I hiss, aware we are starting to garner looks. I spy Leo making his way toward us wearing a frown.
“Five minutes, Lili. That’s all I’m asking for. Just five minutes and I’ll leave you alone. I promise.”
I look up at Seb’s seething face, and I should walk off with him, but I know Caleb. He’s stubborn when he wants something, and he’ll make this night hell for both of us if I don’t let him have his say. I stretch up and press my mouth to Seb’s ear. “I’ll talk to him and set him straight once and for all.”
Seb’s anger transforms as he moves his lips to my ear. “You have three minutes and not a second longer. Make it clear, Elisa. He needs to quit this shit.”
Three minutes will not be enough, but I’m not splitting hairs. I nod, moving to ease out of his arms when a look of wicked intent passes over his face. Grabbing my ass and pulling me into him, he dips me down low and slams his lips over mine before I can voice my protest.
Chapter Eighteen
Caleb
“Not here,” Dad says, pulling me back as I see red.
“He’s fucking mauling her in public, in full view of her family,” I growl, clenching and unclenching my hands at my sides as I watch that fucking preppy dickhead shove his disgusting tongue in Lili’s mouth and squeeze her ass.
“It’s not fun being on the other side, is it?” Cristian asks, materializing beside me. He must have just arrived. Over his head, I spot his girl making her way toward the bar. She’s linking arms with Zumo’s girl, but there’s no sign of our other buddy.
It’s not fun. It’s hell on earth, and I want to pump preppy boy full of bullets and bathe in his blood. The dick straightens up, and I make my move. “You’ve made your point,” I snap, yanking Lili out of his arms and into mine—where she belongs. “Make yourself useful. Go buy drinks.” I stuff a hundred-dollar bill in the top pocket of his blazer.
Taking the money, he literally throws it back in my face. “I don’t need or want your money.”
Lili squirms, attempting to wriggle out of my embrace, but I hold her closer, careful not to hurt her like that prick was doing.
The dick jabs his finger in my face. He’s got balls. I’ll give him that. “Keep your grabby hands to yourself.”
“Or what?” I’m tempted to run my hands all over Elisa’s body to wind him up, but I won’t objectify her like this douche just did.
“Or maybe I’ll be the one pulling a gun next time.”
Cristian stiffens. Leo narrows his eyes. Mom glares, and I laugh. “I’d pay good money to see you try.” I push up into his face, letting my true darkness rise to the surface. “I guarantee one of us would die, and it wouldn’t fucking be me.”
“Seb, just go to the bar. Please.” I can’t see Elisa’s face, but whatever she’s showcasing is enough to have him spinning on his heels and striding away.
“You cannot be serious about this guy,” I say as Lili whirls around, shooting daggers at me with her eyes.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you, Caleb? You can’t let me be happy. You have to try and ruin it before it’s even begun.”
Leo pulls Mom into his arms, and they move away to dance even though I can tell Mom is dying to say something. I know she’d love me with Elisa, but she’s got to butt out. When I reclaim Elisa’s heart, I want it to be for all the right reasons. Not because our moms want it and pushed us together.
I glance at Cristian’s retreating back before taking Lili’s much smaller hand in mind. Steering her off the dance floor, I guide us over to one of the alcoves. I shield Elisa with my body as her spine presses into the wall. “I don’t want to talk about him,” I say, looking longingly at her tempting lips.
“My eyes are up here, Caleb,” she says, timidly placing her hands on my chest and giving me a little shove. “And you need to back up. You’re crowding me.”
Reluctantly, I push off the wall and take a step back. Her hands drop to her sides. I keep my gaze trained on her eyes instead of the lush lips I really want to taste. I know I won’t havelong, so there isn’t time to mince my words. “I love you, Lili. I love you so fucking much.” Her eyes pop wide in shock, and I press on. “I have loved you for years but denied it for a whole heap of reasons. I messed up the last time we spoke, and I didn’t explain myself clearly. I was struggling to decipher my feelings, but I’m not struggling anymore.”
Taking her hand, I place it on my chest, right over the spot where my heart is pounding. “I know what I feel in here is true. I love you, and I want to be with you. I understand it’s not as simple as that. I know I have hurt you, and I wish there was a way to take it all back, but I can’t. I’m just asking you to give me a chance. Let me prove to you I’m serious. Let me prove to both of us whatyouhave always known—we are meant to be together.”
Tears well in her eyes. “You only want me because someone else does.”
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” She ducks out from the alcove. “You need to let this go, Caleb. It’s too late, and honestly, I, I…I don’t believe you.”
“I’m not giving up, Lili.” I take her hand and link our fingers. Delicious warmth inches up my arm, and my skin is tingling all over. “Tell me you don’t feel that.” She gulps, and I move my hands to cup her beautiful, beautiful face. “Tell me he makes you feel the same things I do, and I’ll walk away. I’ll concede defeat and leave you alone.”
Her mouth opens and closes. She wants to lie, but Lili doesn’t have it in her. “It doesn’t matter.” She removes my hands from her face. “I don’t want the same things I wanted before.”
