Page 13 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

I force a smile. “A simple misunderstanding.”

“We apologize for any concern.” Lucian nods.

Then, as if he has every right to do so, he slides his hand to the small of my back, and he guides me toward the waiting SUV.

Caleb falls in on my other side, close enough that his arm brushes mine, making the night air feel thinner.

I hate how aware I am of them, the faint scent of Lucian’s cologne—dark nights and controlled intent—mixing with Caleb’s more lethal edge. My skin prickles everywhere they almost touch, traitorous warmth pooling despite the fury still hammering through my veins.

The SUV’s leather is butter soft and cool against the backs of my thighs as I slide across the seat.

The door closes with a heavy, startling thunk, sealing us in together.

Caleb settles beside me, thigh pressing against mine with deliberate possession, while Lucian takes the opposite side, his knee brushing my gown. The driver pulls smoothly into traffic without a word, as if this is routine.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Home.”

Panic threatens to choke me.

“Your place,” Caleb clarifies.

How has he read me so easily?

“But…” I look from one to the other. “I didn’t give you my address.”

“We know everything about you.”

I’d thought Lucian was the scarier of the two. But Caleb is damn well terrifying.

“We’ll be providing you with a driver from here on out,” Lucian says, his voice low and matter-of-fact, as if discussing the weather.

Anger flaring, I look at him. “I’ve managed just fine for twenty-eight years without⁠—”

Caleb settles his hand on my knee. The contact sends an unwelcome jolt straight up my thigh, and I stiffen.

“You won’t need to manage anymore.” The rough edge of his voice vibrates through me. There’s no argument. No negotiation. Just cold certainty.

I want to shove his hand away, but I don’t want him to know he’s unnerved me. So I stare straight ahead, jaw clenched, while the city slips past in streaks of neon and shadow.

Silence pulses between us until Lucian speaks. “Give me your phone.”

“What?” I frown. “No.”

“You’ll need a way to reach me.”

I set my chin. I’m so over his dictatorial ways. “Actually I won’t.”

Caleb glances pointedly at my small purse. “Would you like me to get it?”

The audacity of these men.

Once I do as Lucian instructed, he programs in his information. Then I drop the device back in my bag, refusing to look at him.

When the SUV finally glides to a stop outside my modest downtown building, relief floods me.

I reach for the door handle, but Caleb has already exited, and he offers his hand.