“I had to look him in the eye.” Caleb’s breath was warm against her lips. “I had to see what kind of man we’re dealing with.”
God help her, she wanted him to kiss her.
“A pissing contest? That’s what tonight was about?” Her breathless voice betrayed her need.
“Tonight was about your life, sweetheart. Vincent won’t stop. Not until he gets what he wants from you.”
“I can’t hide here forever.” She refused to be ruled by fear. Vincent wouldn’t get what he wanted from her. Not ever. But, staying with Caleb would end up hurting her more than Vincent ever could.
She twisted out of his hold, unable to think with him so close.
How could she make him understand?
“Trust is a two way street. You expected me to cause a scene and I didn’t. I could have. I wanted to. Do you know how hard it was for me to keep my mouth shut and wait for you to notice us? Of all people, I would’ve thought you’d get it, that you’d understand what it took for me to stand down, to count on you.” She shook her head in wonder. “After everything we’ve been through, you still keep me at arms length. You share your body with me, but nothing else. I put my faith in you tonight, Caleb. Is it too much for me to ask for the same courtesy?”
His expression blanked, making it impossible to read his thoughts. His silence proved what she’d already known—he wanted something from her that he wasn’t willing to give in return.
Pain and sadness filled her chest. She loved him, but what kind of future could they have if he wouldn’t share his life with her? She wanted more than sex. She wanted the whole package, his joys, his fears. She wanted his heart. If he were unwilling, then she had no choice but to walk away.
“That’s what I thought. Good night, Caleb.” Samantha turned in the direction of the spare room. A perfectly good evening spoiled by the elephant in the room.
Trust.
She was an idiot. Caleb wasn’t capable of trusting anyone outside his own kin, and sometimes she wondered about them too.
“Trying to run away from me again?”
She jumped at his voice in her ear. His arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her flush against his chest.
He felt so good. Solid and steady. She longed to lose herself in him again. To forget the last ten minutes and pretend that maybe, in some other place and time, they’d have a future together.
“There’s nothing to run away from. I’m going to bed.”
Her eyes drifted closed as his lips brushed her shoulder. Her body came alive at his touch. The subtle hint of spice from his cologne went straight to her head. He smelled delicious. His lips continued a path along her shoulder until he reached the curve of her neck. He hesitated and, unable to resist, she tilted her head in invitation.
He was a master of seduction. Coaxing her body with his wicked lips. Lips that worked their way up her neck, until his breath was in her ear.
“Is that right? Sweetheart, my bed is the other direction. This looks like running to me.”
His voice, laden with lust, sent shivers across her skin. Her nipples puckered against the soft silk of her dress and begged for attention. His hand wrapped around her throat and tilted her head back. So gentle, as if she was made of fine china.
“I know what you’re doing,” she breathed. “It won’t work.”
He nipped her earlobe. “You’re going to deny us the perfect ending to our first date?”
Date.
The word was ice water to the flame. He should’ve quit while he was ahead.
Samantha jerked from his grip and retreated to the other side of the couch, putting as much distance between them as she could. “Date? Tonight wasn’t a date, Caleb. It was a summit meeting. A cease and desist mission. Not a date.”
A date meant the start of something. Or at least the potential for something. They had sex and an agreement that it would all end once Matteo was neutralized.
“A date means two people getting to know each other, learning about each other. I’ve answered your questions, shared the ugliest parts of my life, and what do I get? You couldn’t even tell me the truth about why we went out tonight.”
A low growl rumbled from his chest as his good humor vanished. “What the hell do you want from me?”
I want you to love me.
“Nothing, Caleb. I don’t want anything from you.”
Samantha crossed her arms and forced herself to stand firm through the most intense stare down she’d ever experienced. She’d never imagined being here with him. Standing at a crossroads as if their very future was in question.
“Damn you,” he growled. “No man likes to feel cornered.”