Chance - Deborah Bladon Page 0,69

ask what it is but I know that if it concerned us he'd tell me. I don't want to worry over every small thing that pops up in his life. He made a promise to me that we'd take care of one another and I'm choosing to believe that he'll honor that.

"We should go back out there," I point towards the now crowded ballroom of the hotel. "Clive is going to make a presentation before dinner and I need to be there to support him."

"I understand," he says brusquely. "I'll let you lead the way."

I study his features for a minute, trying to find some clue about what he's feeling. He hadn't shared more than two words with Asher when he walked right past him on his way towards me when he first arrived. When Gabriel approached him, his hand had darted in the air to silence him.

"You're okay?" I reach up to pull a stray piece of lint from the shoulder of his jacket. "Is there something bothering you?"

"I'm good, Rowan." He leans back, his jaw tightening with the movement. "I was just in a rush to get here."

Nervousness pulls at my muscles and I instantly feel my back tense. "I'll go find Clive now. We'll talk in a few minutes, okay?"

"I'll be at the table." He skims his lips across my cheek in a gesture that mimics a kiss. "You know where you can find me."

The evening had been magical and perfect save for the fact that Caleb had spent most of it talking in the corner on his cell phone. When it came time to introduce me to Noah's wife, Alexa, he had stood silent waiting for me to offer up a connection that brought me to the ballroom. I'd fallen back on my work with Corteck and she had squealed in delight at both the software contribution and the monetary gift that Clive had given tonight.

Now, we're in the back seat of the car while I stare out the window at the traffic flying past us while he makes yet another call.

"I told you that's not going to work for me." Caleb's hand balls into a firm fist on his thigh. "I didn't approve that and unless it's changed by the time I get to the office tomorrow, people are going to be fired."

It's harsh and in the corporate world that we're both a part of, it's sometimes necessary. I keep my eyes focused on the window, catching Caleb's reflection whenever he leans forward and into my view.

"I want to stay at your apartment tonight." He grabs my hand and pulls it to his lips. "I need to be with you."

"We can stay there," I whisper as I turn to look at him. His jaw is tense and his brow is fraught. "You can stay with me whenever you want."

His eyes fall to the necklace around my neck. "That's beautiful. Where did it come from?"

"My friend, Ivy, made it for me." I twist the thin chain in my fingers. "She's a jewelry designer."

"Ivy Marlow?"

"Yes," I answer excitedly. "You know her?"

He shakes his head from side-to-side. "I've heard of her. Her pieces are beautiful. That one is especially exquisite. Maybe I can buy you something for your birthday from her studio. Or she can design something just for you."

I take comfort in the promise that he's already planning my birthday gift. It's not for another two months. "Anything you get me will be perfect."

"Nothing will ever be as perfect as the gift you've given me." He rests my hand against his lips as he pulls me closer.

I curve the side of my body into his. "I don't remember the last gift I ever gave to you, Caleb."

"You gave yourself to me." He wraps his arms around me. "That's the greatest gift I'll ever receive."

Chapter 51

"Rowan, wake up." I feel the brush of a hand against my shoulder. "Wake up."

I murmur into my pillow as I bury my face deeper beneath the blankets. I'm exhausted. After we'd gotten back to the apartment, Caleb had undressed me slowly before he eaten me until I pushed his mouth away. I was so tender and swollen but when he pulled his muscular body over mine, I'd begged him to fuck me.

He had. It was slow, delicious and achingly tender. He'd kissed me with a promise that I'd never felt before and when we both finally came again, he'd whispered something softly in my ear. The words were so vague that I