Page 57 of Untethered Heart
I roll my neck, trying to act nonchalant while I spy on what they’re doing. Oh, what a surprise, sucking each other’s face off. I jump up onto the kitchen bench and check the message.
CALEB:
Hi friend. What are you up to?
ME:
Cooking dinner with Lee. Claire’s decided to distract him with a makeout session while everything simmers, so I thought I’d say hi. What are you up to?
I’m not prepared for the photo that comes through a few moments later. I guess that explains how he stays in shape. There’s a selfie of Caleb and his brother in a gym. Gage is flipping off the camera while he drinks from a water bottle. Caleb is smiling, big and cheesy. Sweat makes the waves in his hair turn more into curls, and he is shirtless. I repeat, shirtless. I can see beads of sweat as they drip down his chest, and a silver chain rests against his glistening skin.
CALEB:
Just working out with Gage. Sorry about the finger, that’s just his immediate response when anyone asks him to smile. Did you manage to make it to a yoga class earlier like you planned?
I see the question, but I drag my finger on the screen to bring the photo back into view for a little longer. Seeing his naked chest, slick with sweat, takes me back to the first time we were together. Him lying on top of me and thrusting so deep and hard. Tingles erupt over my thighs, and I find myself squirming on the spot. A new message pops up, sending the photo back up in the chat.
CALEB:
I saw Tristan sent through some plans for the distillery. Have you had a chance to look at them? What did you think?
I think my brain has short-circuited, that’s what I think.
CALEB:
You know I can see my messages are being read, right… Siren?
CALEB:
Are you looking at the photo I sent?
Shit.How do I handle this now? I look up at Claire, who’s back to sassing Lee as he pulls plates from the cupboard to serve up dinner. Hmm, what would Claire do?
ME:
In my defence, you have your shirt off.
Dots dance on my screen, then stop. Yeah, that’ll teach him. I’m feeling smug and proud of my response when Lee hands me my plate.
“Thanks. I’m gonna eat in my room. You two enjoy your movie. Just remember, the living room is a communal space. No banging on the couch,” I say as I hop off the counter.
Lee’s eyes widen and dart over to Claire, but she shakes her head. “It’s okay, baby, she means when she’s home and likely to walk in on it.”
“Yep. That!” I say, then head down the hall to my bedroom.
I close the door and put my plate and phone on the bedside table while I prop up my pillows. I scoot back against the headboard, then grab my headphones so I can listen to an audiobook while I eat. I’m searching through the titles when another message comes through, with another picture attached.
Never mind the tingles in my legs, now it’s my whole body. Caleb stands in front of a mirror, his waistband pulled low onhis hips, showing off prominent V muscles that lead down to a noticeable bulge thanks to the grey sweatpants. He’s smirking at his reflection in the mirror, as if he knows I’m going to be looking long and hard at this. The muscles in his arms are full and pronounced, his six-pack could cut glass.
ME:
That’s really not fair.
CALEB:
You could even the scale. Send me a picture, Siren.
ME:
