Page 39 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

“You want me to stay away?”

I nod, clamping my lips shut before I prove I’m a liar and reach for him.

He pulls away, diving under the water as he leaves me panting and needy. The distance grows and being parted from him hurts. It’ll break me. Or drive me insane. He was right there, within reach and willing to—

No! I get out of the water, furious. At him for being such an irresistible temptation when I don’t need any. At myself for wanting what I shouldn’t have. All of it.

“You’re a jerk,” I snap, taking my anger out on him. I grab my clothes and shoes, shoving them on before I hurry back to the B&B, not caring if he follows.

Chapter 15

Caleb

I should have just kissed her.

As soon as that stubborn idea flies into my mind, I know just as strongly that I shouldn’t have. That I was smart to hold back when she told me to.

I won’t deny it. I’m a greedy, selfish bastard. Dalton’s sister once told me that I’m an arrogant prick. I believe her. Or I believe I used to be like that. Wealthy and not tied down, why shouldn’t I live my life recklessly? My father had, and I modeled that behavior.

Something about Breckenridge challenged me to reconsider the way I acted. Something about being at the Goldfinch and wanting to make Marian happy has changed me. My publicist told me to come way out here to this remote bed-and-breakfast as a way of staying out of sight until all of my scandals blew over and weren’t such hot news. I doubted he wanted me to come here and return a reformed man. But I feel like it’s happening anyway. I’m changing and growing and learning whether I want to or not—all because of Lauren.

Before, in the city, I wouldn’t have hesitated to dive in back there in the water. I wouldn’t have thought twice about taking that kiss and tasting her sweet lips that all but begged for me. I want her. I’m lusting for Lauren. More than I have for any other woman I’ve met in my life; I’m hooked on a desperate need for Lauren. And I’m not alone in this. I can’t be. I’m not the only one feeling the pressure of this undeniable attraction that holds us together in a wicked dance of give and take.

I saw it in Lauren’s eyes before she told me that she wanted me to stay away. Even though she spoke words of rejection, I refuse to believe her. I can’t.

I’m not trying to gaslight her or manipulate this as I see fit. I backed away and respected the wishes of what she spoke out loud. Although it tore me apart to be turned down, I swam away from the temptation of tasting her lips again. Pulling away from her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I’m determined to wait for her consent. It’s just so damn difficult and frustrating to accept the fact that she’s withholding her consent and denying herself what she wants. She couldn’t stop looking at me with such heavy desire shining in her eyes. I saw the indecision there. I didn’t miss the way she slightly leaned in.

So why does she still tell me no? Why won’t she give in to what she wants?

I have never worked so hard to get a woman in my hands, and I have never wanted to invest so much work into getting a woman to surrender. Before, I would have taken my fill and proved to her that she did want me. But I can’t. Not with her. It matters—she matters—too much.

After we got back from the creek, I showered and got rid of the rest of the paint that clung to my body. Even though the water pressure soothed me, I’m still restless and antsy, left unsettled by her rejection.

Lauren is nowhere to be found, and I strike out looking for her without being too obvious about it. This is my life. My new habit. Ever since I arrived here, I got it into my mind that she will be mine. One way or another, I would either get the final rejection or her eventual and gradual sweet surrender. I’m not a quitter. There’s no chance I will give up, and that’s why I set out again, touring the place to find her.

Marian has a lot of property here, but I can’t find the spitfire of a blonde anywhere on the Goldfinch Ridge grounds. When I can’t locate her, I hold on to the hope that I’ll see her at dinner. The snacks and lunch Marian brought out to us while we painted were light. Lauren would be hungry, and that would break her stubborn streak of avoiding me.

I enter the dining room when we’re summoned. Hungry and impatient to see the woman who’s controlling my mind, I’m faced with utter disappointment.

She’s not there, and I doubt she’ll come. I waited long enough to arrive to be fashionably late. My thought was that she’d come after me and pick a chair away from me. If I showed up after her, though, I’d be able to claim the chair next to hers.

Nope.

She’s hiding.

“Caleb.” The other guest, the wife of the retired couple, claps. “It looks wonderful!”

Everyone likely tracked the progress of the house being painted. Plenty of windows would have offered a view from inside on this hot summer day. All the ladders, painting supplies, and our back-and-forth traffic was likely watched and seen by all.

“I can’t believe the whole house was really painted in one day,” her husband adds with a chuckle. “I thought it would’ve taken a whole crew, but you handled it like a pro!”

Marian beams, sucking up the praise too. “The color is just perfect!”

I sit, smiling politely. “Thank you, but it wasn’t just me.”

As one, we all glance at the empty chair Lauren should be seated in.

Silence lingers until Marian breaks it with a sigh. “I bet you two are exhausted.”

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