Page 88 of Bittersweet Revenge

“Why, don’t you want to be alone with me?”

I rolledmy eyes. I'd spent every night in Caleb’s room since that day. My bed was comfortable, but his was heaven. However, I was not certain if that was due to the custom-made mattress or the man that held me tightly in his arms.

“I've booked us a suite at the hotel with a private jacuzzi and a view of the city. I hope you don’t mind.”

I blushed at the thoughts this suite brought to my mind. Caleb and I had had sex a few more times since I’d shared his bed. I’d been enjoying it more and more, getting bolder. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like in a jacuzzi... Practice makes perfect, they say. And I enjoyed practicing with him.

“I’m not sure what’s going on in that head of yours, but that blush says I’ll be down with the plan.”

I grunted, looked out the window. I was not going there now.

“What do you want to do in New York?” he asked as he finally started the car.

“Can we do anything?” I asked, getting even more excited.

“Of course! We have dinner at Phang’s restaurant and I have another thing, but the rest of the time belongs to you.”

“Oh!” There were so many things I wanted to do. Too many, in fact, to cram into a weekend.

“Hey, don’t stress out.” He reached over and gently stroked my cheek. “Whatever we can’t do now, we can do another time, just the two of us. We can hop in my car and be there in under two hours.”

I leaned into his touch. “Okay... But -” I frowned - “what's your secret appointment in New York?”

“It’s no secret. There is a famous tattoo artist I’ve booked an appointment with. I want to add one for Theo.”

My heart squeezed in my chest at the thought of Theo. “I miss him,” I admitted.

“Me too, so much.” All joviality had left Caleb’s face.

“Can I come with you?”

He threw me a startled look. “Of course you can. You don’t need to ask. You’re always welcome wherever I go.”

Warmth spread into me and I regretted not telling him everything before. It would have made our relationship so much easier.

However, the conversation had to stop when we picked up Archie in front of the gates.

“Why are you waiting there?” I asked when he set his duffle bag in the trunk.

“Because father would have harassed you both. I don't think he’s happy that his attempt to create a divide between all of us failed miserably.” He sighed. “At least I don’t have to fake it anymore. He knows I’m on your side.”

I turned in my seat. “But you’re okay, right? He is not making your life too hard, is he? I mean if it’s too difficult, you can always move in with us, right Caleb?”

“Sure.”

Archie laughed. “Lord no! No offense, sister, but I think both Astor and I would rather get our nails ripped out than share a living space.” He leaned back on his seat with a sigh. “And to be fair, there isn’t much he can do. He needs his heir.”

“Yeah, you might want to rethink that,” Caleb started. “You know the rehab camp’s an option.”

I straightened in my seat. “What’s rehab camp?”

Caleb shook his head as he stopped in front of the Oppenheimer House, honking twice. “Nothing good, but it won’t happen to Archibald.” He looked in the mirror, meeting my brother’s eyes. “We will fix it before that.”

“Yeah….” I turned to see Taylor and Antoine walking out, her holding one suitcase and him holding two. “See, she only has one.”

“You just wait,” Caleb chuckled, popping the trunk open.” Are we good to go?” he asked when Taylor settled in the backseat.

“No, wait, Antoine needs to get his suitcase and my extra one.”

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