Page 11 of Vow of Revenge
“No.”
“Oh…”
“I live with Champ, my Boxer pup. No need for anyone else.” His ankle lifted to his knee.
Before I moved in with the Beaumont’s, I had nothing. My mother worked all hours to provide for us and keep a roof over my head, even if it was the neighbours roof. The sacrifice of our mother daughter relationship was made easier by the neighbour’s dog. The dog used to sleep on the couch with me, like a giant fluffy teddy bear. I missed him.
I barely saw my mother in the weeks leading up to her death. It made me resent money and the hold it had on people. Of course, I was too young to understand that money was the vital key for everything in life. I was adamant that I would make my own way, earn my own income and not take the gift of my privileged upbringing for granted. Wendy and Cal were the closest thing I had to parents and they were perfect.
“Ever been to a big house, Freya?” Kaleb’s eyes flicked back into the car. His head cocked as if I should be impressed that he lived in a big house.
If I wasn’t feeling so chemically happy, I would slap his sexy face for being so self-righteous.
“You’re not the only one who lives in a large house, Mr. Big Shot.” I inhaled deeply, feeling my heart thrum with excitement.
His brow scrunched and his jaw twitched, holding my gaze like he was drinking me in. I wanted to crawl over his body and taste every inch of his salty skin.
“Interesting, the little mouse has money.” His voice was low and raspy. “A spoiled little rich girl.”
I fiddled with the string on my top, holding my cleavage in place. His eyes narrowed, and I couldn’t tell if his thoughts were indecent or virtuous. “I don’t exactly have money, my family does.”
“And they are?” His left eyebrow drifted up with indifference.
My foot wiggled. Back and forth, then up and down like I needed to move. Energy was flowing throw me like a turbulent river rapid. Sitting still was becoming a challenge. “The Beaumonts.”
Both his brows shot up in unison. “You’re a Beaumont?”
“Yeah.” I left it at that, I wasn’t interested in delivering my story to his front door. Besides, it was apparent Kaleb had enough money to buy a property on millionaires’ row, which probably meant he was a businessman too. It didn’t bother me if he knew who Calvin was. Any businessman with any sort of credence, would know who he was.
In fact, I didn’t want this guy to know anything else about me. I didn’t know much else about him, other than he was helping me, purely for his own gain. His silence made me wonder if he wanted to ask more questions or if, he didn’t give a shit. Either way, it suited me just fine. If tonight was going to go down like I imagined, there would be no need to say anything else because I’d never see him again.
The Mercedes Benz sped through the streets, drawing closer to Ballsbridge where he lived. A ripple of anticipation made me swallow loudly.Was I really ready for this, for him?Kaleb’s drugged fortitude was immensely refrained, given my uncontrollable foot tapping and persistent gum chewing since his driver handed me his own packet from the driver’s seat. The once minty fresh gum had turned to a bland rubber consistency.
Never once did his hands uncurl, they remained by his side the entire journey, his strong masculine form directed to the driver’s seat. The calmness he exuded made me doubt if he was even high, until his eyes flicked to mine. They mirrored the streetlights, like fireworks exploding over water, filled with depth and danger. A thin blue line surrounded large stormy black holes. I couldn’t help but stare. I was helplessly entranced. The guy was naturally striking, reserved in his demeanour, but something told me he was limitless. Losing my mind to thoughts of his powerful hands all over me, I mentally stumbled on my guilty desires. I wanted him to devour me, and I knew I’d enjoy every second of his torture.
“We’re here, little mouse.” His sultry dark timbre scattered chills down my arms and across the back of my neck. The sensation was heavenly, but his choice of name was maddening.
I wanted to speak. I wanted to shout at him for assuming I was a pathetic little mouse, but I couldn’t form the words. I was tumbling down a rabbit hole, unsure how to pull myself to freedom.
Warmth enveloped my hand. The stirring sensation of his touch dragged me from the depths of his sorcery and breathed air back into my needy lungs.
“I think you need some fresh air, Freya,” he growled, his lips tightened, his brows pulled together.
“Yes,” I whispered, scrambling away from his magnetic control.
“Is everything I need in there?” Kaleb moved towards Gavin and traded a wad of cash for a brown paper bag.
“Yes, sir. They were freshly made for you.”
“Thank you. Good night.”
A red brick property surrounded by iron railings hid beneath towering trees dotting the shadowy grounds. The cool night air pricked my exposed skin; I inhaled sharply, feeling the buzz course through my blood. Trying to remain calm, I focused on the fact that my emotions were on high alert, that was it. I found myself in an unusual situation – not wanting to be alone, in case something bad happened, yet I was standing outside a stranger’s house, completely at his mercy.
Kaleb’s large home was almost camouflaged in the starless sky. Only a wisp of the moon peaked through thick grey clouds, casting an eerie luminosity on the roof of the imposing structure. Towering branches morphed into spooky silhouettes of ghostly fingers, swaying in the nippy breeze.
“It looks like something Dracula would live in.” I laughed, slightly unnerved.
“It’s not your blood I want to swallow.” He winked.
