The raw honesty catches me off guard. I wasn't expecting him to share something so personal, so vulnerable.
"I'm sorry about your grandfather," I say. "That must have been terrible."
"It was." He nods, then turns his attention back to the table.
Greg clears his throat loudly from behind the bar, reminding us we're not alone. I roll my eyes, and Caine's mouth quirks up in a half-smile that makes my stomach flip.
"We should probably focus on the game," I say, though it's the last thing I want to do.
"Probably," he agrees. He inches closer, lowering his voice. "But I'd rather focus on you with your hair down. You should wear it like that more often."
Heat blooms in my cheeks. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Do that." His eyes linger on my face for a moment longer before he finally takes a seat. "Your turn, Jenna."
As I line up my shot, I let my mind wander to a place where Greg isn't keeping a watchful eye on us, where Reeves isn't waiting for me at home, where the pool hall is empty except for me and Caine. In this fantasy, the air is thick with desire, the tension between us palpable.Caine's eyes are locked on mine, and when he steps closer, there's no one to interrupt us.
I imagine him setting his cue aside, reaching for me with a hunger that matches my own. My heart races as he closes the distance between us, his hands finding my hips, pulling me against him. In this dream, I don't resist. I don't think about the consequences. I let myself fall into him, into the heat of the moment.
His lips find mine in a kiss that's both a question and a demand. It's a kiss that I feel in every part of my body, a kiss that ignites a fire deep within me. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as we stumble toward the pool table.
In my mind, we're fumbling with each other's clothes, eager to feel skin against skin. He lays me back on the green felt, his body covering mine, and for a moment, the world outside these walls ceases to exist. We're lost in each other, moving together in a dance as old as time.
The sound of a ball dropping into a pocket jerks me back to reality. I blink, disoriented, my cheeks flushed with the heat of my daydream. Caine is watching me, a knowing smile playing on his lips as if he can read my thoughts. I look away, my heart pounding so loudly I'm sure he can hear it.
We finish our game in silence, each of us lost in ourown thoughts. When the last ball is pocketed, Caine straightens, his gaze never leaving mine.
He eyes the clock and knows our time is up. There's no lingering with Reeves’s watchdog just a few feet away. "Thank you for the games, Jenna," he says, his voice low and intimate.
I nod, unable to find my own voice. He steps closer, and for a wild moment, I think he might actually kiss me. Instead, he leans in, his breath warm against my ear.
"Next time, I want you to wear your hair down again," he murmurs, his fingers brushing against my arm. "And I also want you to wear a skirt."
His words send a shiver down my spine. I turn to look at him, my eyes wide.
His lips curve into a slow, seductive smile. "Something tasteful, but above the knee."
I swallow hard, my mind racing with the implications of his request. Part of me is terrified by the thought of crossing that line, of giving in to the undeniable attraction between us. But another part of me is thrilled by the idea, eager to explore the connection that crackles in the air whenever we're together.
"I'll see what I can do," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
His smile widens, and he steps back, giving me space to breathe. "I look forward to it."
As he gathers his belongings, and I watch him leave,my heart still racing, my thoughts a tangled mess. I know I'm playing with fire, but I can't seem to help myself. There's something about Caine that draws me in, something that makes me forget all the reasons why this is a bad idea.
As I walk out of the pool hall and into the cold winter air, I can't stop thinking about his request. The idea of wearing a skirt for him, of showing him a part of me that I’ve kept hidden, is both exhilarating and terrifying.
As I drive home, I make a decision. Next time, I'll wear the skirt. Next time, I'll let my hair down for him. And I'll see where this dangerous game leads us. I won't let it get too far… just a little fun until our sessions are over. I have four more hours with this beautiful man, and I want to make the most of it. What's the worst that could happen? In the pool hall, with Greg's watchful eye on us? Nothing much, I tell myself. We might as well have fun with it.
For better or for worse, I'm in too deep to turn back now. Caine has awakened something inside me that I didn't even know was there—a hunger for excitement, a craving for something more than the quiet, predictable life I've been living.
And I can't wait to see what happens next.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I'm elbow-deep in the refrigerator, tossing out a container of leftover pasta that's grown disgusting green fuzz, when my phone buzzes against the counter. The text makes my stomach drop.
Away for tournament next week. Need to cancel Thursday session. Hope we can make it up later. - C
