Page 38 of In His Veins

My dick is painfully hard as I force myself to walk away, imagining a soft body and pretty scars when I jerk myself off that night.

With renewed clarity, I begin to plan.

24

AVA

Cal promises to take me to work in the morning after making a quick stop at my apartment for a change of clothes. We leave my car at his house, even though it’s impractical. I think he likes it when I need him, so I don’t argue as he ushers me into his car.

He follows me into my apartment, and it feels like I’m bringing him home for the first time. It’s strange having him in my house now. I suppose it was strange before when I only knew him as my stalker, but this is Callum Drake. Cal. My head hurts.

He studies my bookshelf as I run into my bathroom. I scrub my face and drag my brush through my tangled hair. He’s still by my bookshelf when I run into my room, throwing on a t-shirt and jeans before pulling my hair into a bun. When I walk out, he’s holding a miniature bust of a cat wearing a suit.

“Where on earth did you get this?” He asks, not taking his eyes from the knickknack. I laugh and take it from him.

“Some weird thrift store a few years ago. Isn’t he cute?” I turn it toward Cal again and he shakes his head. He puts it back on my shelf, looking back to me. I feel warm as his gaze travels down my body.

“We don’t have time for this,” I say, breaking some of the tension. His smile is absolutely wicked as he takes a step toward me. He tilts my chin up and leans down, his lips brushing mine.

“There’s always time for this,” he breathes. I didn’t realize I had been gripping the front of his shirt until my fingers touch his skin. The contact breaks whatever spell he had put on me and I lean away, heading towards the door.

“I’m going to be late to work, and you promised you’d get me there on time.”

“Technically, I promised I’d get you there. I never said anything about what time you’d arrive,” he counters, but follows me anyway. He comes around the side and opens my door. I roll my eyes at him, even as the gesture makes me feel warm.

“Do you need a boost or can you manage?” The asshole shatters the sweet gesture in a moment.

“Fuck you,” I spit, and he laughs as he closes my door. I fight a smile as he walks to the driver’s side. As I settle into my seat, I’m surprised by how comfortable I feel. Cal’s hand settles on my thigh as he drives. The warmth of his palm settles through my jeans, and I nearly call off work again.

“Why Cal?” I ask, the thought coming to me suddenly. “Why not Callum?” He looks confused at first, then smiles at me.

“I went by Callum most of my life. My mother and father both called me Callum, too. I was Callum Alexander when I was in trouble.” His face looks relaxed and open as he continues.

“It was your brothers that started calling me Cal. Too fucking lazy to use my whole name, I guess.”

I snort. “That sounds about right. They have a way of making a nickname stick. I’ve gone by Ava my whole life because of them.” Cal whips his head to me, expression bewildered.

“What do you mean? Are you saying your name isn’t Ava?” A startled laugh bubbles out of my chest.

“My first name is Savannah. But the boys started calling me Ava before my mom even went into labor. How did you not know this? Aren’t you supposed to be a stalker?” Cal faces the road again, shaking his head.

“Not a very good one apparently.” I laugh again and a moment later he joins in.

“Savannah,” he looks at me, trying it out. His mouth twists. “I’m with your brothers on this one.”

I shrug. “I like it enough, but it doesn’t feel like me.”

He squeezes his hand on my thigh as he pulls the car into The Sable House. Josh’s car is in the parking lot too, and I dread the lies I’m about to tell. I unbuckle my seatbelt and freeze as Cal does the same.

“What are you doing?” I ask, even though it’s obvious.

“Unbuckling my seatbelt.” He looks amused.

“Okay, but why?” I’m still clutching the strap of my belt as he leans into me.

“I’m going to get some coffee from the pretty girl who works in the cafe.” I lean away from him.

“No, you’re not. This is a public place and people who know me will see us together and have questions.” He gets out of the car and walks around to open my door.

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