CALEB'S POV
"I look like a fool," I said to myself, clenching my fists as I watched Selena's car disappear into the distance.
I had thought the reason she wanted to inspect the condo herself was because she wanted to see me, not because she cared about business. I even imagined she'd stay a little longer, maybe accept a drink, and maybe give me that little shy smile again.
But she left.
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, hitting the doorframe so hard the wood cracked.
"Sir, would you like to take your bath and get ready for work now?" came a voice from behind me.
I turned sharply. "Cut the crap and get out before I turn around!" I snapped.
The elderly caretaker didn't wait. His footsteps faded quickly down the hall.
I took a deep breath and stepped back into the condo. Thankfully, no one else was home to see this side of me… the angry, impatient Caleb who hated losing control.
But it wasn't supposed to go this way. I'd planned every detail perfectly. The lighting, the scent of lavender in the air, the quiet background music. I even paid extra to fly in a designer from a neighboring town just to make the place irresistible.
She was supposed to feel something. I saw that spark in her eyes when she first walked in, the way she ran her fingers over the marble counter and smiled faintly. I thought I had her right where I wanted.
But something changed. She froze up, as if her heart locked itself away.
"What was that, Selena?" I muttered to myself as I entered my room. "What are you hiding from me?"
I walked past the mirror near the entrance. My reflection looked back at me; angry, sharp, and full of frustration. I hated what I saw.
I took a deep breath and reached for my phone on the bed stand. My thumb hover for a second before I hit the call button.
It rang twice before a low voice answered. "Hello?"
"How long before you tell her?" I asked.
"Don't rush this," the voice whispered. "Let me take care of this."
I closed my eyes and nodded to myself. "So I just wait?"
"Wait until the Full Moon Hunt," the voice said, "I will ensure everything aligns by then."
And with that, the line clicked off.
I dropped the phone on the bed but was not convinced yet. I needed to make my own plans. But there was only one way to clear my head.
"Call the office," I ordered without looking back. "Tell them I won't be coming in today. I'm going for another run."
And without waiting for an answer, I bolted out of the door.
The trees welcomed me as I sprinted into the forest. The wind hit my face, sharp and cold. My muscles ached with every step, but I needed this. The full moon was coming soon and it was the perfect time to end this phase of my plan.
I could still see Selena's face in my mind, calm but cautious, soft but strong.
"If it's a game you want to play, Selena," I growled as I ran faster, "then I'm just getting started."
My bare feet sank into the earth as I titled my head into the sky.
I howled into the night air, letting the sound echo through the trees.
*******
SELENA'S POV
The sound of the city faded as I drove out onto the highway. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.
"What was I thinking, going there by myself?" I muttered and suddenly hit the brakes.
I had never gone to a client's house before, not once. I always sent my staff to handle those things. So why did I go to Caleb's condo?
Was I curious? Or was I… attracted to him?
I didn't want to admit it, but I felt something. It wasn't just attraction; it was that strange warmth in my chest, that pull I couldn't explain.
Inside his house, everything looked perfect; too perfect. The scent, the music, the quiet way he looked at me when I spoke. I should have known better. But when I caught his gaze, something inside me stirred.
And that was when I froze.
"What's wrong with me?" I whispered, resting my head on the steering wheel. "I can't be weak again."
After Darren and I broke up, I promised myself I'd never fall for anyone again. Love only made me lose focus, it made me small, dependent, and hurt.
But Caleb was different. There was danger in him, yes, but also something magnetic, something that made me want to stay even when I knew I should run.
I looked up at the highway ahead. The sun was dipping low, painting everything in gold. I wanted to forget the way Caleb looked at me, the sound of his voice, and the faint smell of pine and smoke that lingered in the air after I left.
I sighed, picked up my phone, and almost called him. My thumb hovered over his name. But I stopped myself.
"No," I said quietly. "Not today."
The phone buzzed suddenly. It was Amara.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I started the car again and headed toward the office.
When I got there, Amara was already waiting at the door, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"Well?" she said as I walked in. "You're two hours late, and your face looks like someone just broke your heart."
"It's a long story," I said with a small, tired smile.
"I bet it has something to do with that client, Caleb, right?"
I ignored her teasing and brushed past her into my office.
"Don't worry," I said as I sat down, "I'll fill you in later."
"Hmm," she said, following me inside. "You'd better. Because you look like you just saw a ghost, or fell in love with one."
I rolled my eyes and opened my laptop, trying to focus on work. I spent the next few hours buried in paperwork and meetings. But it didn't help.
Every now and then, I caught myself thinking about Caleb again; his voice, his touch, and that look in his eyes when he stepped closer to me.
Why couldn't I stop thinking about him?
"Are you okay?" Amara's voice broke my thoughts.
I looked up. The office was empty now except for the two of us. She was packing her bag.
"I'd be leaving for the day," she said. "Do you want me to finish anything before I go?"
I glanced at the time. It was well past closing hours.
Instead of answering, I stood up and walked to the cabinet. I pulled out two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.
Amara blinked. "Wait… are we celebrating something?"
"Not really," I said, pouring two drinks. "Just having one of those days."
She hesitated but smiled. "Well, no one says no to a drink with the boss." She sat down on the couch.
I handed her a glass.
"Be honest with me, Amara," I said softly. "Do you think I should give love a chance again?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Love? You?"
I gave her a look. "Just answer the question."
She took a sip, thinking. "I don't know much about love," she said finally. "But if it's worth it, maybe you should see where it leads. You can't live your whole life afraid of feeling something."
I nodded slowly, staring at the whiskey swirling in my glass.
"What if it's not love?" I asked quietly. "What if it's just… something dangerous and wild?"
She smiled faintly. "Then you'll know soon enough. But, Selena, just don't lose yourself trying to figure it out."
I didn't answer. I just looked out the window at the fading sunset, the sky painted in deep orange and gray.
Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to let go of fear.
Still, as I took another sip, I couldn't stop thinking about Caleb. The way he looked at me wasn't normal. It was intense, like he knew something I didn't.
Maybe Caleb was dangerous and wild. Maybe he was playing me.
I turned to Amara and smiled faintly. "Maybe I could give it a try."
Maybe, just maybe, I wanted to play too.