Page 52 of The Ring Thief
I consider his proposition. It’d been my plan to find someone to help me forget Declan, and I haven’t thought of him since Caleb sat down. But after what happened earlier, I can’t just pretend that it’s over between us.
"I can see the answer on your face," Caleb murmurs, bringing my attention back to him. He leans closer, his mouth settling next to my ear, his breath hot and making me shiver. "If I ask for your number, will you at least give it to me?"
I inhale shakily, but I hide it behind a breezy laugh, saying, "I don't see why not." I eye him sternly. "You don't have a cat, do you?"
He leans back, lifting his palm up. "No pussies here," he jokes, then gestures for me to hand my phone over. "Tell you what, I'll give you my number and then the power is in your hands." I grab it out of my clutch, and hand it over. He deliberately slides his fingers over mine when he takes it, giving me a wickedsmile.
"There," he says when he gives it back, watching as I put it away. "Now, you can call me when you've unentangled yourself from whatever complicated situation you're in."
"How did you?—"
He lifts a shoulder. "I'm a lawyer.” The corner of his mouth kicks up. “It's the nature of the trade to be observant." He eyes me again. "You could also just call me if you want to meet up. I could always use more friends."
I eye him dubiously. "Something tells me that's a lie," I say dryly, and he doesn't deny it. "Thank you for making my night a little better."
He takes on an offended look, but the playfulness in his stare gives him away. "Only a little better? Man, I need to up my game."
I laugh, unable to help myself and his eyes soften. "I'm happy to give you pointers."
He leans towards me again, his fingers stroking my cheek. "I hope you'll call, Lily."
I smile, but don't make any promises, standing up and pulling on my jacket. "Thank you for keeping me company, Caleb."
"My night was bound to be dull without our chance meeting, so thankyou." He stands up and smoothly presses a kiss to my cheek, murmuring in my ear, "You have my number. I hope you'll use it."
My cheek tingling and feeling flustered, I stammer out one last goodbye and then rush out. It's not until the cool breeze blows the haze of alcohol away that I realize I haven't ordered a ride yet. I shuffle backwards, getting out of the flow of the foot traffic, and pull my phone back out.
"You need to take better care of yourself."
CHAPTER 24
Declan
My hoodie acts as a barrier between me and the chilly brick, watching all the foot traffic leaving the hotel on the way out for the evening. I cross my arms over my chest, my stress levels rising the longer it takes for Lily to appear.
Watching mywifeflirt with that slick-looking motherfucker has been a new level of hell. It’d taken everything I had not to march over and force myself between them, knowing Lily wouldn’t appreciate the move. As it is, letting her know I’m even here in the first place is risky, but the incessant need in me to make sure she’s safe won’t let me just duck out.
She comes out then, cheeks flushed and eyes twinkling. She looks… happy, and I hate that I’m about to ruin it. She glances at the street and then shuffles backwards towards me, dipping her hand into her bag and pulling out her phone. She’s staring down at the thing, completely unaware of her surroundings, and I scowl.
“You need to take better care of yourself.”
She jumps and whirls around, her expression already hard and icy when her eyes land on mine. “What the hell are you doing here, Declan?” she snaps out. “Are you taking up stalking now?”
My lips tip up, but the smile slips away almost immediately. “I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” It seems like she might soften, but then her shoulders go up and her lips press together.
“That’s not your place anymore.” It’s a stern reminder, acting like an arrow straight to the chest. I rub my palm against my sternum, feeling the press of metal dragging against my skin.
I shake my head. “It doesn’t work like that.”
“That’s exactly how it works.” Her brow furrows. “And why is it I’ve now seen you twice in one day, when I haven’t seen you in two weeks?”
“I was trying to give you space, Lily. It’s what you asked for, right?” I ask, and her face goes red and tight. Something flashes through her eyes before she shuts it down, leaving me wondering what her reaction is about. “You got my gifts, right?”
She smiles, but it’s not a friendly one. “Oh, you mean the pink roses? Yeah, I got them—a perfect reminder of the wedding that should never have happened.”
I breathe out a quietfuck. “I didn’t think…I just knew they’re your favorite.”
“Were,” she corrects, her mouth pinched tight. “They were my favorite. I guess it’s just something else you’ve ruined for me.”
