Page 37 of Before the Bond
Without thinking about it, I reached up and pressed my thumb against the smear on his jaw.
Caleb’s hand shot up and covered mine.
Oddly, it didn't startle me at all.
Caleb’s hand pushed my palm flat against his face. I realized the warmth I felt was coming from him. His breath stopped, so did mine.
His eyes were on mine now. Those pale green, gentle but focused eyes.
Caleb looked at me like I was the only solid thing in the room. As far as I was concerned, he was the only thing in the room as well.
There was no carpet under my feet. No light coming from the lamp in the corner or the cracks in the library window’s blinds.
A million possibilities ran through my mind, but all of them wanted — almost expected — the same thing.
I waited.
Instead… he pulled away.
Caleb turned his head and lowered his hand.
I retreated as fast as I could. My heart kicked out of rhythm. My face flushed. I lowered my arm. The room settled again.
Neither of us said anything for a moment. The fire in the hearth down the hall made a small sound.
Caleb then reached past me and picked up whatever paper was on the desk behind me, and the studied normalcy of the gesture made something in my throat tighten. He said good night, quietly, and left.
Once again, he left me alone with my own feelings. Wordless and confused.
I picked up a different library book and left. I didn’t bother to check the title.
I tried not to think too hard about what that meant.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Stella
This week is DONE. Please tell me you’re free for drinks this weekend.
I typed back:Yes!
I stared at the screen for a second, then set the phone down and pushed myself off the bed. Sleep felt like the better option than sitting there and turning the same thoughts over again.
The hallway was quiet. I passed the back window on my way to the bathroom — and stopped.
Caleb stood at the tree line.
Still.
His back was to the house, shoulders set like he was listening for something out in the dark. I caught his profile when he shifted, just slightly. And something in it didn’t match.
He was stripped of his usual calm, his usual control.
He was afraid.
Chapter 8
Olivia
