Page 105 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

KIERA

I ’m allowed to look, I tell myself as I drive through the quiet country roads. Just not touch.

No matter how much I want to.

The moon is big and silvery. Marvin Gaye is on the radio, his voice low and sexy, singing that he wants to get down with me.

It’s been a while since a man touched me. Too long.

Behave yourself, Kiera.

Caleb lives forty-five minutes away. We pass a golf course and a country club on the way, and when I turn into his driveway, I brace myself for a mansion.

It’s not a small house, by any means, but it’s also not obnoxiously large. If I were to channel my inner Goldilocks, I’d say it’s just right. I don't know anything about architecture, but Caleb’s house looks old. The walls are stone, and there’s a rounded turret on one side. Magical.

Andrei, Caleb’s driver, parks to one side of the driveway. I pull up beside him, and Caleb opens my door. “Welcome.”

I smile at him, butterflies dancing in my stomach. “Thank you. Your house is lovely.” I grab my backpack, the one with my swimsuit, from the backseat, and get out of the car. You’re just here for a swim. No need to freak out.

“You haven’t seen the inside yet.” He switches his attention to his driver. “I’m done for the night. Thank you, Andrei.”

The older man smiles cheerfully. “You’re welcome, Mr. Reeves. See you on Monday.”

Nolan stretches lazily. His t-shirt rides up, exposing a sliver of his abs, and the butterflies flutter harder.

Two gorgeous guys. What the hell am I doing here?

“Come on in.” Caleb unlocks his front door before my nerves give way. “The pool’s in the back.”

The inside of Caleb’s house is beautiful as well, open and spacious. The ceilings are high, with exposed wood beams. On one wall, there’s a massive fireplace, and above it, the just-as-massive TV that Caleb promised. Shelves overflow with books, and paintings hang on the wall.

Also, there’s a half-eaten bag of chips on the coffee table.

Billionaires. They’re just like us.

Caleb follows my gaze and looks embarrassed. “Sorry about the mess. My housekeeper took the day off.”

Okay. Strike that. They’re not like us at all.

“There’s a bathroom through there.” Caleb gestures in the direction of a hallway. “If you’re spending the night, the guest bedrooms are…”

“I’m not,” I cut in. “I have to wake up early tomorrow.”

It’s a total lie, but he lets it slide. “Okay.”

Nolan ambles out of sight and returns with two beers. He hands one to Caleb. “Kiera, you want one?”

A cold beer sounds like bliss. “I probably shouldn’t, I’m a complete lightweight,” I confess. “It’s embarrassing, really. One beer and I’m giggling like a fool.”

A light sparks in his eyes. “Really? I’d like to see that.”

A gorgeous man is flirting with you, Kiera. Say something clever.

My brain goes blank. I open my mouth to reply. Instead of a witty retort, a squeak comes out. Lovely.

Caleb clears his throat, sparing me any further mortification. “So, the pool? Nolan, there’s a spare pair of swim trunks in my closet. Come on; I’ll grab it for you.”

By the time I change into my swimsuit, Nolan and Caleb are already in the water.

Ogling thwarted.

Caleb’s swimming restless laps. Nolan is too, but he pulls up to the side as I walk up. Drops of water cling to his broad chest and trail down his abs, and I fight not to stare.

He knows it. His lips quirk up, and his eyes twinkle. “There’s food if you want it,” he says, waving to a platter of bread, cheese, and fruit on the patio table. “And the water is glorious.”

I wade into the pool. The water is indeed glorious, cool and refreshing. Climbing roses trail up the back of the house, and the air is scented with their fragrance.

Caleb waves to me but doesn’t come over.

Nolan goes back to swimming. For a few minutes, I tread water and allow my mind to drift aimlessly.

Farid’s going to Spain for a week of vacation soon; he’s been saving up for the trip for two years.

He’s an architecture buff. He probably would know at a glance what kind of house this is.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

I almost jump out of my skin. I hadn’t heard Caleb approach. “Sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to startle you. What were you thinking about? You had a wistful expression on your face.”

“Farid,” I answer automatically.

Caleb’s expression shuts down. “Farid. I didn’t realize the two of you were dating.”

My brain catches up with my mouth. “We’re not.” I touch his arm; I can’t help myself. “He’s going on vacation to Barcelona. He’s a Gaudi nut.” Caleb’s incredibly fit. His suits can’t hide it completely, but half-naked, those yummy lean muscles on display, the way he feels, strong and powerful…

Oh God, I’m petting him. I snatch my hand back from his bicep, my cheeks flaming.

“Gaudi. Ah.” Caleb sounds a little hoarse. I want to look at his face to see if he has a reaction to me touching him, but I chicken out. “Barcelona is a beautiful city. Have you been?”

I shake my head. Before I can tell him I haven’t been anywhere at all, Nolan pulls himself out of the water and wraps a towel around his waist. He’s big and broad and solid, and once again, I can’t stop drooling.

“Kiera,” he calls out. “Can I get you something to drink? Water? Pop? Caleb, you want another beer?”

“Yes, please.” Caleb keeps his eyes on me. “Kiera, what would you like?”

You. Both of you.

I blame Club M.

There’s a tightness in my belly. My nipples are hard and pebbled. I haven’t had anything to drink, but I feel drunk with desire. It’s almost two in the morning. It’s as if the walls I’ve built around myself are crumbling.

“Could I have a beer too?”

If I have a drink, I won’t be able to drive back home. I’ll be spending the night. I know that. Nolan knows that. Caleb knows that.

There’s a split-second pause. “Of course.”