Page 41 of Penalty Zone

Chapter 18

Caleb

Sparks race around my skin when my fingers touch Leo. Being here with him makes it the best birthday ever.

He closes his hand around the bloodstone. “It’s cool and tingly.” He reopens his palm and traces its smooth surface with his forefinger. “Does it always feel like that?”

If someone had told me I’d be discussing my crystals with Leo-freaking-Griffin, I’d have called them a liar. There’s no scenario where I thought I’d be comfortable enough to share these with him. But he’s interested and open-minded. I pinch my leg to check I’m not dreaming.

“That means it’s drawing negative energy out of you. Maybe you should keep it for the night.” I curse myself for not filtering my words. Leo won’t keep it just because it’s important to me. Stupid. Stupid.

His hand closes around it again, and he brings his fisted hand over his heart. “I can’t take this from you, but I’ll hold it a little longer.”

Dead. I’m dead. My heart has stopped, and nothing exists but him. Leo’s right here with me—everything I want but can’t have.

“This one reminds me of you.” I hold up the tiger eye stone. “It enhances balance, focus, and reaction time. Exactly what you’re always droning on about,” I tease him and leave out the part of how the gold stripes remind me of his eyes and I spend a ridiculous amount of time with it to feel closer to him.

His amber eyes scan me from head to toe, and my body reacts as if he’s touched me, leaning in for more. Longing for a physical connection.

Leo closes his eyes, and his fist tightens on the stone in his hand.

“If only…” He breathes out, and his face softens when he opens his eyes. “It’s been hell pretending our kiss wasn’t the best one of my life. And—”

“Stop.” I rear back, and the onyx lands on the floor between us. We both bend to pick it up and bump heads. “You can’t tell me thatandtell me it was a mistake. It’s not fair.” I stand and round the bed to the window to put more space between us, breathing heavily.

“You’re right. It’s not fair. I’m sorry.”

“Stop saying that,” I snap, harsher than I intend. “I’ve had a crush on you since forever. Don’t make me your biggest mistake.” The words rush out, and my brain takes a second to register his shocked face and what I’ve confessed. Fucking dumbass.

“Tell me about your crush,” he demands and, as always, I obey.

Words tumble out before I can stop them. “At first, I aspired to be like you. As I got older and noticed guys and girls, I understood my fixation with you was about attraction. All very teenage angst with posters on my wall and scouring your social media.” I laugh at how silly I must sound to him.

“You’re better than I am.” His eyes crinkle with his smile, and my heart turns to goo, dripping out of my chest cavity. “I spent my career focused on myself and my place in history. You’re brave and selfless.”

“Not true.” Accepting compliments isn’t easy for me, and he’s avoiding the real topic by pumping me up.

“Enough,” he growls, and my spine straightens.

I’m nodding so hard my brain rattles around my skull. “Yes, sir,” I whisper, and his pupils blow. My dick thickens, and the air crackles with energy that has nothing to do with my crystals. His aura turns from orange to red, tempting me to surround myself with it.

My feet move until I’m standing between his open thighs. As I’m about to sink to my knees, he shakes his head, and the spell is broken.

I’ve screwed up. Again. He’s being nice, and I’m trying to make it sexual.

“Listen, let’s pretend this didn’t happen.” I back away as if distance can ease my embarrassment. “We can put it in a never-to-be-spoken-of-again box with the kiss and call it a night. We have an early flight, and you should find your room.” I had to ruin a perfectly great night with Leo. I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to love.

Nope. Not love. Lust and longing.

I’m a one-man wrecking ball of relationships. Not that this is an actual relationship. Just a work thing.

Leo scrubs his free hand over his face. “It’s Mason,” he says, and I slump into the nearby armchair.

He doesn’t need to explain all the ways that it would tear my best friend apart if we started a fling, thing, affair… I have no idea what it would be for him, but I’m not worth damaging his relationship with his son.

“I get it.” I wave my hand as if this is no big deal instead of it crushing my soul. I’m glad I have my stones in my hand so I don’t fall apart while he’s here. They’re my talisman to my sanity.

“I wish things were different,” he murmurs and I believe him.

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