Page 27 of Just a Little Crush

Caleb had the nerve to grin at me, and it so wasn’t fair that he looked so sexy in a pair of dark wash jeans and a lightweight sweater that showcased his wide shoulders and chest. While I knew I looked like a hot mess with strands of hair falling out of my ponytail and splotches on my T-shirt from spilled drinks, and I probably smelled like greasy burgers and French fries.

“I didn’t order a rideshare,” I said, squaring my shoulders and looking Caleb in the eye.

He shrugged. “I was in the neighborhood and figured I might as well offer you a ride back to the apartment since I was heading in that direction anyway.”

A blatant lie at this hour, clearly, and I almost laughed at how believable he made it sound. “Oh, now you’reoffering?” I asked, arching a brow. “Not demanding?”

His expression turned serious, when I’d expected him to make light of the situation. “The tone of your last text came through loud and clear, so yes, this is me offering, and not demanding.”

“Remy! Can you help me with this keg of beer?” Raven called out from the liquor room in the back.

“Coming,” he said, heading in that direction and leaving me alone with Caleb.

Once Remy was gone, Caleb strolled toward me. “There is something I do want to say, so listen up, sweetheart,” he said, coming to a stop in front of me. Touching his warm fingers beneath my chin, he tipped my head back so I was looking into his gorgeous blue eyes. “Two months is going to be a long time if we keep butting heads, which is the last thing I want to do. But if something happened to you on my watch, I’d never forgive myself. So, as stubborn and self-reliant as you are, which I definitely admire, try and cut me a little slack for wanting to make sure you get home safely, okay?”

The last of my annoyance deflated out of me. For one thing, I was too tired to be upset. And another, I couldn’t deny that there was something sweet about Caleb’s insistence when I’d never had anyone so concerned about my welfare. But I also hated disrupting his evening, especially when I knew it was his week with Owen…which made me wonder where his son was.

“Where is Owen?” I asked curiously.

“At home. In bed,” Caleb said, gently brushing back a stray strand of my hair from my face. “Cara is there right now. She’s mostly a night owl and I told her I wouldn’t be long.”

I offered him a smile as a truce. “Well, then let’s get going.”

I followed him out back to where his car was parked. Once we were buckled inside, he navigated his way through the city while I let my weary body sink into the plush leather seat. Begrudgingly, I had to admit that his car was much more comfortable, and safer, than the subway, and I relaxed and let myself enjoy the ride.

After a short while, I turned my head to look at Caleb, his handsome profile illuminated by the city lights outside his window. “You’ll be happy to know that tonight is my last night at The Back Door until our arrangement is over, but I would appreciate you not making any assumptions on my behalf going forward.”

He was quiet for a moment, then gave a nod and glanced my way. “You’re right. And I’m sorry.”

Well…that was easy. No excuses, but an apology. Which went a long way in soothing my pride. Caleb might have overprotective, caveman tendencies, but as Raven had stated earlier, he was a man with good intentions.

He parked his car in his designated spot in the underground garage, then walked with me to the elevators. I swiped my key card and pressed the number for my floor. As we headed upward, I realized that this particular elevator didn’t have access to the penthouse level, so I was surprised when we arrived on my floor and Caleb didn’t step out of the lift with me.

I stopped and glanced back at him, and he merely smiled at me.

“Have a good day at work tomorrow,” he said.

I nodded. “You, too.”

And that was it. The doors closed and I walked toward my apartment, realizing that he’d taken the time to really make sure I’d gotten home safely, out of respect and kindness. There were no expectations other than that, despite the money he was paying me, and the luxurious apartment he’d set me and Valerie up in for the next two months.

I couldn’t deny the light fluttering sensation in my chest, or the realization thatnotfalling for Caleb Kane was going to be more difficult than I’d imagined.

CHAPTER TEN

Caleb

Iglanced atmy watch as my good friend and business partner, Beck Daniels, talked about the commercial property in Hudson Yards he’d sold to a developer that was now being turned into a retail space with high-end shops, flagship stores, and at least two new fine dining establishments. I was listening and even interjecting comments and questions where appropriate, but clearly I was distracted by tonight’s plans with Stevie.

It wasn’t anything elaborate or fancy, but the thought of spending time with her, in any capacity, had me anticipating the night ahead.

“Why do you keep checking your watch?” Beck asked, sounding more amused than annoyed as he sat across his desk from where I was seated. “Am I boring you, or do you have a hot date with your new girlfriend?”

Other than Raven, Beck was the only person I’d told about what had happened with Alyssa and my arrangement with Stevie, only because he was well aware that I’d had no love life to speak of for the past two years, and to go from zero to sixty in the span of a weekend with any woman was suspect, and unrealistic.

“I invited her to my place to have dinner with Owen and me,” I said, shifting in my seat. “I told her seven, so I need to head out soon.”

“Sounds very domestic,” Beck said humorously. “Kind of like my life.”

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