Page 66 of Playing Pretend

THE PENTHOUSE WASdark, and quiet when I arrived after work. It had been a tiring day, and I was more than ready for a hot bath, and bed. I walked through the atrium, and into the living room, and that’s when I heard it. Music coming from the terrace. I followed the sound, and when I peered around the terrace doors, I saw Caleb standing in front of the grill, singing along to Adele’s ‘Set Fire to The Rain’. My gaze fell onto the table a few steps away from him, decked out with candles and fancy dinnerware. It took a minute for me to realize it was set for two, and with that my stomach rolled.

Caleb was on a date?

My chest ached thinking about him having dinner with someone else. It was a reasonable assumption, followed by a mental slap reminding me that it was none of my business. I knew Caleb was a charmer, and he would say anything to get a woman into his bed, so I tried not to read anything into our earlier interaction in his office. Caleb turned, and before he could catch me, I slipped off my shoes, and tiptoed in the direction of my bedroom. With a bit of luck, he wouldn’t even have realized I was there. I snuck into the nursery, and found Braelynn sleeping, her little lips pouted and her tiny brows furrowed by whatever she was dreaming about. It became evident then that I was not only in love with her father, but with her too, and that made the reality of what Caleb was doing tonight an even more bitter pill to swallow. After kissing her forehead, and touching her little hand, I disappeared into my bedroom. I unbuttoned my shirt, and moved my hands to the zipper of my skirt when I felt eyes on the back of my neck. I looked back, and found Caleb leaning against the open doors leading onto the terrace.

“Don’t stop on my account,” he said. His mouth curled into a relaxed smile, aimed at me, and it only added to my discontent.

“I won’t,” I replied, turning away. I slid my skirt down my legs, not caring that I was standing in my white lace bra, and matching panties. Caleb had seen me naked so I figured having him see me in my underwear was no longer something special.

“I didn’t know you were home.”

“Don’t worry,” – I unclipped my bra, and padded into the bathroom – “I won’t bother you and your date.”

I’d just removed my underwear and wrapped a towel around myself when Caleb walked in behind me.

Great.

He wanted to watch me shower and then have dinner with someone else?

I don’t think so, buddy.

“My date?” asked Caleb. “What are you talking about?”

I rolled my eyes because Caleb sucked at playing stupid. For all his faults, I knew he was a smart man, and felt slightly insulted that he thought I was so naïve as to believe he was having a dinner alone at a table set for two.

“I saw you outside,” I replied, “And I saw the table. Now would you mind leaving so I can shower?”

“You think I’m on a date?” A beat passed, and I grew hopeful that he would finally just admit it, and leave.me.alone. Caleb’s frown disappeared, replaced by a satisfied grin. “You’re jealous.”

I shook my head, and let out a derisive laugh. “Of course you’d think that, because like always, it’s about the mighty Caleb Callahan and his vast powers of seduction.”

My words were a little harsh, and thick with sarcasm, but I didn’t really care.

“I think you’ve misread the situation,” said Caleb, taking a few steps closer.

“Yeah, because what I saw was definitely easy to misread. You have me take a cab home, and then I find -” I stopped myself. I sounded like a jealous girlfriend. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. Who you bring home has nothing to do with me. I’m not only your employee, but also just a guest.”

I turned away from him, trying to quell the burn in my eyes. “Enjoy your date. I’m going to get ready for bed.”

Caleb reached for my arm, but I still didn’t want to look at him. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to keep what I was feeling to myself.

“Kadence.” Caleb rubbed the skin just above my wrist, something I found both sensual and evocative. My skin prickled, alive with a rush of blood to where he was touching me. My reaction was infuriating, and perplexing.

After I was sure I could look Caleb in the eye, I lifted my head. When he spoke again, it was soft. Coaxing. “Get dressed, and come outside. Please.”

I didn’t want to. I knew I was only setting myself up for more disappointment and heartache in the long run.

“That’s not a good idea,” I replied, barely above a whisper. “You have company.”

“You’re right.” Caleb exhaled. “I do have company,” he paused. “You.”

I reared back in disbelief. “You think I’m going to have dinner with you and your date? Are you fucking -”

“NO!” laughed Caleb. He laughed. “You are my company, my only company. I made dinner, and set everything up outside for you. To surprise you.”

He what?

“You mean…” I trailed off, expecting him to laugh again and tell me he was kidding.