Page 69 of Impossible Love

“What?” I lean closer.

“I’m not sure I’ll survive two more surprises.”

Chapter 35

Victoria

It’s hard not to touch Cal. I’ve been touching him so much for the past few days that I should have had my fill by now. I haven’t.

I can’t get enough of him. I’m not sure I ever will.

We’re in the jet headed back to Nevada. Cal and I discussed it and agreed to keep what is happening between us on the down-low for the time being. Way, way down low.

As Cal explained to me this morning, his family is as subtle as a sledgehammer, and whatever is blossoming between us needs some light and space before the hammer is dropped.

I readily agreed, but for reasons I decided to keep to myself for now. I don’t know what is going on with the Sulfur Springs deal. I don’t know what motives my father has or why my sense of doom grows with each passing day. I’ve asked Millicent to help me piece it together, and she’s working on it.

As soon as I have a clearer picture, I’ll tell what I know. I’m just not there yet.

Thank goodness Declan doesn’t seem to notice something has changed in the dynamic between Cal and me. If he does notice, he’s polite enough not to comment. Maybe Declan is the brother least likely to lower the hammer on us.

So, we’re not touching. At all. We’ve gone cold turkey since meeting up with Declan at the airport. And I barely know what to do with myself.

It’s not like I haven’t had good sex before, because there have been a few experiences that might fit under that umbrella. But sex with Cal isn’t just good. It’s off-the-charts hot. Wild. Magical. Fun.

I’m learning that Cal—a protector and warrior—doesn’t do things by halves, and he sure hasn’t done me by half, either. His teasing is pure torture. When he unleashes his lust on me, it leaves me ravaged and weak. And always wanting more.

But the interesting thing is that Cal usually prioritizes my pleasure and satisfaction over his own. Chivalry is not dead with Cal. He’s all about letting the lady come first.

But now he’s not touching me and I’m not touching him. He’s sitting up front in the cockpit with Declan, though every few moments he looks back through the open door and grins.

I’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to sneak a few peeks at him while his back is to me. I’m studying his shoulders, his neck, the back of his ears.

I watch his jaw move as he speaks to Declan, and I watch how he throws his head back when his brother makes him laugh. I relax into the creamy leather seat of the private jet and enjoy the show, his every movement, his every gesture.

Mine.

That’s what the little voice in my head whispers. Cal is mine. His shoulders, his neck, the back of his ear. His smile, his hands, his mouth. His laugh and his frown.

All mine.

Our down-low approach was the only thing we discussed, however. That’s not a bad thing, necessarily. I don’t think that everything in life has to be spelled out. We’re leaving San Francisco with an unspoken understanding that we’re together. The details are yet to be defined, but the foundation is there.

And no—this isn’t some sort of romantic fantasy disconnected from reality. I’m not prone to those. This thing with Cal is very real. It’s powerful.

I’m falling in love with him. It’s a first for me. I am sure of that. Nothing has ever felt so right or so easy. No man has ever made me this happy.

If it weren’t for my obligations to my father’s company, everything would be so simple.

It’s a short flight of about ninety minutes. Declan drives us from the airpark in Sweetbriar back to the ranch. He parks in front of Jamie’s house instead of Cal’s, and Phyllis comes out to greet us.

Cal comes to stand at my side. When he speaks, his voice is hoarse. He looks straight ahead to avoid making eye contact with me. “I’ve got to help my brothers, but I’ll be back.”

I stifle a smile and look down at my shoes. “Of course,” I say, nonchalantly. “I’m sure you have a lot of work to do.”

He mutters something to me in response and then walks off with Declan to the SUV.

I look up from my shoes to see Phyllis staring at me. Maybe Cal and I aren’t so great at the down-low.

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