Page 20 of Untouchable

“That was just wishful thinking on your part. I never agreed to that timetable.”

“So what’s your timetable?” He leaned forward so he was hovering over her, using his size to make her feel his presence.

Her breath quickened, so he knew she felt it. “I’m not sure yet.”

“Well, decide quickly—because there’s something about you, something about the untouched look of you, that makes me really want to touch.” The gravelly texture of his voice was genuine. He was intensely aroused now and having trouble not grabbing her and pressing himself against her.

She slowly lifted her hands until they were resting on his shoulders. He took this as an invitation and moved his face so his lips were just a breath away from hers. “So the social time is over?” he murmured.

She was breathing so fast she was almost panting, and he could feel the urgent tension in her body. She was as turned on as he was. He felt a surge of pleasure at that thought.

Suddenly she pushed him away. “I’m sorry,” she choked out, grabbing her clutch and straightening to her feet. “I can’t do this.”

Caleb froze for a moment, watching her walking away from him, stumbling slightly as she did so.

What the hell?She was leaving him like this? She looked upset. On the verge of tears.

And he’d done absolutely nothing.

When he registered the situation, he experienced a wave of annoyance and frustration. Women didn’t just walk out on him like this, certainly not without explanation.

So he followed her. He would never pressure her into doing anything—that was the refuge of a lesser man—but he would at least get an explanation.

“What are you doing?” he demanded, falling into step with her in the lobby of the hotel.

“I told you. I’m leaving.”

He reached out to grab her arm to keep her from going any farther. “But why? You can’t tell me you don’t want me too.”

“I don’t—” She shook her head roughly. “It’s too complicated. But I don’t want to be here anymore. Please let me go.”

He almost groaned in exasperation and resisted the urge to shake the truth out of her. Instead, he said mildly, “At least let me walk you to your car.”

She shot him a quick look but then nodded mutely.

They walked down the sidewalk toward her car in silence. The moon shone on her face, and he noticed long strands of hair slipping out of her loose braid.

Despite the murmuring resentment, he was once more aware of his intense attraction for her. His body stirred again as he studied her out of the corner of his eye. He noticed her supple lips, the trace of nipples through the fabric of her dress, the unconscious swing of her hips.

He waited for her to say something, explain why she’d suddenly broken the way she had—as if something was driving her that he was completely oblivious to. But she never did. She walked in complete silence, and it would be a defeat for him to break the silence himself.

Eventually they made it to her car. He’d taken note of it yesterday. Expensive. Not ostentatious. Most likely paid for by the inheritance from her wealthy parents.

“All right,” she said with an obvious conclusion in her voice. She stood next to the driver’s side door and stared at himimpatiently. “Thanks. Sorry the night didn’t turn out the way we thought.”

He pressed his lips together, fighting back annoyance at her stubbornness and at how she was blatantly trying to get rid of him when it was quite clear that she still wanted him. “Tell me what’s wrong, Kelly.” He paused for her to answer, but she didn’t. “If you need some sort of help, then tell me.”

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I don’t want your help. I don’t even know you.” She focused on his face with a strangely tired gaze. “You’re not someone I’d turn to for help.”

She didn’t know him, which meant she didn’t trust him. He didn’t know or trust her either. But he was fascinated, and he was sure now that she was in some sort of trouble, which would explain her strange reactions to him.

Caleb hated not knowing things, especially things that affected him in any way.

Kelly was still staring, waiting for him to walk away. As if he would just do what she wanted him to do without question. Finally she said, “I’m more stubborn than you are, and I don’t have anywhere I need to be tonight. I can wait you out.”

Caleb stared back at her for a minute until he was forced to admit that she wasn’t going to cave. It didn’t matter. He was flexible. He could work with her infuriating refusal to talk to him.

He could still get the answers he needed. He’d have to do it in a different way.