“Or something. I’ll call your brother right now. He’ll take you home so you can get to your senses.”
“I don’t think so. Lucas left with Alice half an hour ago.”
“And how are you supposed to get home?”
“I can walk. Unless I get lucky. Is there anyone you can recommend?”
“Nope.”
“True. I’ll probably have to ask one of the women. They will know which of the men are good in bed.”
“Forget it, kiddo. You’re not going in there, or I’ll paddle your ass until you can’t sit straight.”
“Oh my. Spanking? I’m not into that. At all.”
“That’s the idea. Otherwise, it wouldn’t deter you from doing anything stupid.”
“Maybe I want to try after all. I might like it.”
He cursed while he turned away from her, looking as if he wanted to punch something. Bea couldn’t help enjoying his frustration. Great. Now that his back was turned, it was the perfect time to slip away from her bodyguard. The music from the party would cover the sounds of her footsteps. She slid along the wall, reaching the corner of the house. But just as she felt freedom was hers, a strong arm blocked her way.
“Where are you going?” Caleb asked.
“I’m returning to the party.”
“Grab your coat. We’re out of here. Now.”
“I want to stay. I’m sure I can find someone that can help me.”
“Oh for god’s sake. If anyone is going to teach you anything, I’ll do it myself.”
“Nope. You’re just saying that to get me out of here. I’m not buying it.”
He pulled her back and crowded her against the wall. “When I say I’ll do it, I will. But only on my terms.”
Intriguing. But Caleb was an expert in manipulating her, so he could probably find a find to wheedle his way out of his promises. Maybe he could even make her change her mind. It would be typical of how his mind worked. She’d learnt her lesson when it came to Caleb and Lucas. Believing they promised something when the result was something else than she anticipated.
“What terms?”
“You want experience. I’ll teach you what you need to know.”
“And in return?”
“Exclusivity. You come to me and no one else. And I set the pace.”
“What’s the downside?”
“No downside. Except you have to wait for it. Beg for it.”
She snorted. “Wishful thinking. I never beg.”
“We’ll see about that. But it will be a million times better than a quick fuck behind a bush or dry humping in the backseat of a car.”
“I’ve always thought a bed was preferable.”
He moved closer, forcing her to lift her chin to meet his eyes. Realising just how much taller he was. It unsettled her and intrigued her at the same time. Weren’t he going to do anything? She waited, feeling the tension build between them. Her pulse increased its pace when she imagined all the different scenarios. What would happen now? Did he think he could scare her to back off? Make her turn down his offer because she felt scared?
She wasn’t. Not this time. Not when her goal was in sight, and Caleb had agreed to help. She wasn’t going to let him escape his obligation. To let him go back on his word when he regretted his offer. She wasn’t going to let it easy for him to step back like he always did.
He slid his hand along the side of her body, sliding past her breasts and further up to her shoulder and neck. She felt his fingertips move slowly toward her throat. Goosebumps formed on her skin from the feather-light touch.
“When you’re aroused enough, you can enjoy sex anywhere.”
Bea held her breath as she waited for his next move. It didn’t come. Instead, she looked into his face to find out if he was teasing her or if this was for real. She needed to risk pushing him away. Needed him to vouch that he would pull it through this time. She would hate it if he fooled her again.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
“You need to learn to seduce before you can catch a man.”
“Is that what this is?”
“You tell me. What does it feel like?”
“A bucket of cold water.”
“I must be doing it wrong then,” he murmured against her ear as he leaned down to her.
She turned to look at him, but as she opened her lips to talk, he caught them between his. Giving her a light kiss before retreating. She followed him. Leaning toward him, watching his smile that she chased after him. He kissed her again. This one was deeper, harder. Instant flames moved through her. Gathering in her lower body and making her feel soft all over.
She tilted her head back and let him tower over her. Submitting to him in a stance that she couldn’t explain had happened. He made a groan, indicating he enjoyed her natural response to him. It made her feel more aroused to know he liked it.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said and took a step away from her. Then he held out his hand to her. “Do we have a deal?”
She didn’t need time to think. She would regret it if she didn’t grab what he offered her.
She gave him her hand. “We have a deal.”
“Are you single?” Bea blurted out.
Caleb laughed. “It took you a while before you started thinking about that. It should have been your first question,” he chastised her. “But you’ll learn, kiddo.”
“Don’t expect me to be eternally grateful for your assistance when you call me with that nickname.”
“It suits you. But no worries. I don’t need your gratitude. This solution is just the lesser of all evils.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“It’s the only reason you need to care about for now. We’re here,” Caleb said and nodded to the detached house he owned. He turned to look at her. “To answer your question. Yes, I’m single. Are you?”
“I wouldn’t have this problem if I had a boyfriend, would I?”
“Maybe that was what you should have aimed for. A boyfriend. Not a fuck partner.”
“Is there a difference?”
He got out of the car and opened the door to her, holding out his hand. She grabbed hold of it, letting him support her.
“A boyfriend will hold your hand in public. I won’t.”
“Right,” she mumbled. “A real bad boy.” She wondered if she should have turned him down when she had the chance.
“You can still change your mind. I’ll drive you home, and we don’t have to talk about this ever again.”
“I accepted the deal. I want you to help me.”
“Alright. I won’t ask again, but you can stop this any time you want. Remember that.”
“Even when we’re in the middle of the… action?”
He chuckled. “Yes. Any time.”
They walked into his house. He guided her to the living room.
“I thought we would….?” she asked.
“All in good time. My pace, remember?”
“I remember.”
“Good. What would you like to drink?”
“Mineral water.”
He handed her a glass and opened a bottle of beer before he sat down beside her on the couch. He speared his legs wider, nudging into hers. She moved away, letting him have more space.
“Come back here,” he said.
“What for?”
“Are you going to question everything we do?” He placed his arm on the top of the couch, watching as she slid closer.