Page 91 of Unseen Eye
“That too,” Cal says with a grin.
I look between the three of them, utterly shocked by their selflessness in helping others, despite being ordered to stand down. One hundred and two people are alive today because of them. I love that he told me this, but I hate that it took this long and only because he had no other choice. My emotions are a jumble of admiration for their bravery and frustration at the secrecy.
Cal looks back at me, studying my face. “What are you thinking?”
Before I can respond, Izzy says, “I’m thinking we need to make preparations to go to Ardu, find Quinn, and see what we missed. Come on, Theo,” she says, grabbing him. “I have a feeling you don’t want to subject yourself to this.”
“Coming, Mother,” he says with a laugh and follows her out the door.
Cal turns back to me, raising his eyebrows, expecting an answer.
“I’m not mad,” I say quietly, “just more disappointed than anything.”
Cal raises an eyebrow with a smirk. “Oh, because that makes everything so much better,” he says, his tone dripping withsarcasm.
I recall the conversation with Theo and Izzy from the first night. Well, Theo didn’t technically lie. It feels like a lie of omission.
Cal seems to sense this. “You know, you can’t really blame them for not spilling their deepest secrets on your first night here. It’s not exactly our habit to unload everything on newcomers.” He gives a wry smile. “If anyone’s to blame, it’s me for not telling you sooner.”
“Did you ever plan on telling me?” I ask, trying to gauge his response.
Cal’s expression softens, a hint of amusement still playing at the corners of his mouth. “Yes, I did. I meant to tell you the next morning—after, you know...” He gives a slight shrug. “But we got sidetracked by unexpected company.”
I consider his words, feeling the weight of the moment settle over us. The disappointment begins to ebb away, replaced by a different kind of intensity. Without a word, he captures my lips in a kiss, deep and demanding.
I let myself get lost in the sensation, wrapping my arms around his neck. My fingers tangling in his hair. He lifts me from the chair and sets me on top of the table. His kiss growing more intense, each breath he takes a silent plea for reassurance that I’m his. A hunger begins to grow in me as he takes my bottom lip and nips on it, the same action that pushed him over the edge not too long ago.
“Way to change the subject,” I say against his lips.
“Oh darling, would I ever do something like that?” he murmurs as he leans in to kiss me again.
“Oh, definitely,” I say with a laugh.
“I must admit, I enjoy this much more.”
Another random thought pops into my head. “Are you jealous of Garet?” I blurt out.
“Yup, moment over,” Cal says, straightening up but still between my knees.
“Are you?” I press. “You looked like you wanted to say something earlier but didn’t.”
“Because every guy loves hearing the girl he’s kissing say another guy’s name.” His sarcasm evident, but then adds, “Last I checked, I got the girl.” He chuckles, but I can see a storm brewing in his eyes, like he’s fighting a battle within himself.
“Fine,” he admits with a sigh. “Maybe? Kinda? Sorta... It’s just, he’s known you for years, kept you a secret from all of us. And from what I can tell, you two were closer than I’d like to admit.”
I bite back a laugh, but there’s a flicker of something else—surprise, maybe even a little awe. I didn’t expect him to admit that.
“I never pegged you for the jealous type.”
“Because I don’t get jealous,” he corrects. “It’s just the thought of you with that bastard... It really sets me off. In all my years, I’ve never felt anything like this.”
Raising an eyebrow, I ask, “How old are you?”
He chuckles. “Three hundred and twenty-seven.”
My jaw drops slightly. “Okay, definitely way older than me.”
“Only slightly,” he jokes, before deepening the kiss. This kiss is more intense than before, more urgent, as if each breath he takes is a silent plea for reassurance that I’m his. His hands move down to the hem of my shirt, finding skin. Using his freakishly fast reflexes, he pulls my shirt over my head in one fluid motion.
