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“When do you think you’ll break ground?” His question comes out of left field, but I’m happy about the subject change.

“As soon as demolition finishes and the site is cleared,” I say. “Planning and the board both signed off on Jaxson’s plans, and with the building being deemed unsafe after the fire, they wanted something done about it.”

“The fire was accidental, then?”

“There’s going to be an independent investigation. They’re looking into the landlord.”

My thoughts go to April. Her vitality, her sassiness, her kindness. One selfish landlord, and I could have lost her. If she hadn’t been able to get out. Thank God, Samuel had theforesight to ensure her office window opened, something April explained during dinner one night. A shiver runs down my spine when I think about what could have happened, if she hadn’t woken up when she did. Smoke inhalation is worse than the fire itself.

“I better go,” I say, not one hundred per cent sure why I even came here this morning.

Gabriel gets up and walks me to the elevator, not his usual MO.

“Caleb,” he says, drawing my attention to him. “Don’t overthink things. We’ve grown up protecting ourselves. We’ve had to. After Elijah. Remember, sometimes we risk missing what is right in front of us. Look at me.”

I stare at my brother as he shrugs. “I’m not saying April isthe onebut having seen you around her. You’ve let your guard down.” He turns towards me and places a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve never let anyone into your home, certainly not women.”

It’s my turn to shrug. I decide to stay silent. There’s nothing I can say. Gabriel knows why I never invite women back to my home. The Penthouse is off limits. It’s my space. Hookups and dates are for the hotels or their apartments. A safe space I can control. I wonder what April would think if she found out she’s the first woman I’ve had sex with, in my bed?

“Caleb, you need to go with the flow. You can’t force anything that isn’t meant to be. You, of all people, know and understand that.”

I huff, knowing that what he’s saying is true. But after last night, it didn’t come close to scratching the itch, or helping to get her out of my head. I hoped it would. Instead, it bloody fed it. I crave her. I want her wrapped around my cock, to lose myself in her sassy mouth or gorgeous pussy—preferablyboth. The fact I like her in my space, want her there. It’s beginning to scare the crap out of me.

The elevator arrives, and I slap Gabriel on the back. “Give Leah and Callum my love.”

My brother’s eyes soften. They always do when anyone mentions Leah and their baby. The workaholic is a sap when it comes to his wife and child.

CHAPTER 41

APRIL

I’m not sure whether to be pleased or disappointed when I arrive at the apartment and find Caleb is MIA. No message or note. Just silence.

My mind is racing with possibilities.

Where is he?

Has he met up with one of his lady friends?

Is he doing to them what he did to me… only last night? It’s not like we made each other any promises.

I want to scream as my mind torments me. I have no rights to Cal, I told him last night was a onetime thing. Me and my big mouth.

How could I have said such a thing?

The man is a sex god, and my pussy has been throbbing all day, wanting more.

The door clicks, and I step out of the kitchen.

Caleb looks up as I step into his line of sight. His eyes darken, if that is even possible.

“I went to see Tristan,” he admits without prompting.

I take a step towards him and before I know it, my back is pressed up against the wall, Caleb’s mouth devouring mine.Hell, yes. I can taste the wine on his lips, and I suck his bottom lip into my mouth, eliciting a groan from the man whose body is pressing me into the wall.

His hands are everywhere, sending shards of desire straight to my needy core.

I strip his shirt from his shoulders, my mouth trailing down his neck. He tips his head, giving me access. His hands pulling and stripping my clothes. He makes light work of my top and bra, pressing his now naked chest against mine. Soft against hard. I bite down on his shoulder, as his hand makes its way into my trousers and discovers my dripping pussy.