Page 17 of Celestes Forever Marquess
“Come back,” he requested.
She took a deep breath before turning back to him. “I think it is better if you don’t stay all night.”
He stood and walked to her, brushing a kiss across her lips, but instead of giving in to their connection, she stepped back. “I’m tired, Caleb.”
Alarmed filled him; he was being dismissed. He dressed, silently watching her. Celeste wrapped her arms around her waist while she looked back at him nervously. When he was clothed again, he said, “We need to talk.”
She shook her head. “I said it would only be one night.”
He lifted a brow, skeptical. “Celeste, you can’t deny that there is something between us. Something special.”
“I told you I don’t involve myself with lords. I have no interest in being your mistress.”
“I’m not looking for a mistress,” he snapped back.
He wanted her as his bride. Caleb had hinted at it at Derry’s house party as well, but she’d ignored his words. Shock flitted across her face. “You can’t think we will enter into some type of courtship. I’m not someone society will accept you marrying.”
“I don’t really care what London thinks. What I care about is you.”
Caleb meant the words he spoke. He’d never been one to do something based on the opinions of others. He went with his gut, heart, and mind—nothing else. Right now, his heart was telling him this independent woman was his match in every way.
“No. My world is so drastically different than yours. You haven’t even spent time in London to understand what that means. You can’t marry the owner of a gentlemen’s club.”
His heart pounded because he realized that Celeste wasn’t his and didn’t seem inclined to be. “I don’t care what others think.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I have other responsibilities.”
Did she think she would have to give up her club for him? He wouldn’t do that to her. Celeste’s gaze darted around the room, frantic. Softly, he said, “Nothing will convince me that you and I aren’t meant to be.”
She swallowed and said, “I’m not unattached. I have a permanent partner.”
Confusion coursed through him. He looked at her in shock. She met his gaze, not looking away. Caleb harshly said, “You lie.”
“No. I’m telling you the truth.”
He walked to her, staring down at her and looking for any hint of deception. “And this man who has your heart let’s you fuck other men?”
She flinched at his harsh tone, swallowing. “We have a very open relationship, but he is the only man I’m committed to.”
Caleb stalked to where the brandy was and poured himself a glass before downing it in one gulp. He allowed it toburn his being, hoping it would take away from the pain he was feeling right now.
Was he truly wrong about what he sensed was between him and this woman? He smirked. “I’m assuming he isn’t a lord.”
“Certainly not,” she said, her voice revealing her disgust at such a thought.
He moved back to her and stroked her cheek. She sucked in a breath. Celeste may not want Caleb as much as this other man, but she wasn’t immune to him. “What is his name?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
He grasped her chin. “I’m not leaving, sweetheart, until I know.”
“Will you go if I tell you?” she asked softly.
Pain pierced his heart. “Yes, and never come back.”
She seemed at a loss for words for a moment, but finally said, “Heathcliff Fitzsimmons, the Second. He is a businessman who travels a good deal.”
The revelation of the man’s name was a punch to Caleb’s gut. He hated him even though he didn’t know Fitzsimmons.
