CHAPTER SIX

      Lily

      HIS SECURITY TEAM arrived right on schedule.

      Three men carrying six large black cases grunted various forms of hello before they went to work.

      Ninety minutes later they were done and gone. The setup was state-of-the-art and discreet enough to almost blend into the decor but their presence still felt intrusive.

      “How soon do you want to head to the office?” Caleb asked after running me through the security procedures.

      I paused halfway up the stairs and turned to face him. He was right behind me, so close I could smell traces of chlorine mingling with his natural body scent, which didn’t help my desperate need to forget what happened at the pool.

      God, he’d tasted incredible—erotic, intoxicating and potentially addictive. Everything I imagined a real man tasted like. And that was with a kiss I’d surprised him with.

      Like on the plane last night, taking control had felt...wonderful. Liberating. I went to sleep craving more of it. I woke to the memory of my hand stroking his thick, hard cock. It was what drove me to the pool to cool off.

      Except I’d left it craving more of Caleb.

      He was waiting for an answer. And I was staring at his mouth like a horny idiot.

      I turned away sharply before that left brow completed its mocking ascent. “I just need to transfer data from my laptop to my office work station. So ten minutes?” I needed to be free of his distracting presence for a few hours. The man brought new meaning to the term larger than life.

      “Sounds good.”

      Five minutes later I was standing in my closet, assessing my clothes with a critical eye. The notion that I was taking extra time to dress because of him intensified my churning emotions. But the powerful thrill that came from knowing Caleb Steele was attracted to me was unstoppable. It was the kind of power that could go to a woman’s head.

      But power was corruptible. I should know. Between Chance and my stepfather, they’d used their power over me to control my every move.

      It wouldn’t be like that between Caleb and me, though. He’d given me the green light. Hell, he’d urged me to use my power.

      And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was sorely tempted.

       God, you’re losing it.

      I tugged off my leggings and replaced them with black leather pants. I kept my sweater and usual accessories of leather wrist cuffs and choker but I hesitated before reaching for my favorite red lipstick. It drew attention to my mouth, and made me feel sexy but after this morning, did I want to encourage that around Caleb?

       Yes, you do. Maybe, even a little too much...

      Frowning, I impatiently reached for the peach lip balm.

      The earlier I got to the office, the quicker I could disappear into my work and forget my stalker, and Caleb, existed.

      He was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, eyes on his phone when I reached the landing. I hated myself for half hoping he wouldn’t look up while my stomach churned in hope that he would. Both wishes were answered when halfway down the stairs his head slowly lifted. His gaze collided with mine before those unnervingly hot eyes swept down my body, all the way to the tips of my heeled boots before conducting a slower return journey.

      Hell, he wasn’t even hiding the fact that he wanted me anymore. Now he’d told me to come for him, he was granting me unfettered access.

      By the time I reached the last step, the simmering heat that hadn’t quite dissipated since our pool encounter was stoked into foot-high flames, licking their way up to my nipples and turning them into traitorous points of need that stood out against my thin sweater.

      As if he could read my thoughts as easily as he could read my body, his gaze dropped to linger on my breasts, then rose to my face again as his breathing altered.

      I’m not sure how long we stood staring at one another.

      His phone beeped with an incoming message. His gaze dropped for a second, and then he stared back at me.

      “Are you ready?” His voice was gruff.

      My head bobbed a nod.

      As he turned to open the door, I noticed he’d changed into dark jeans, a black T-shirt and a dark brown leather jacket. “We’ll take the SUV.”

      I stopped. “I usually go to work by bike but I understand that it’s no longer a viable option. So we’ll take my car.”

      “No disrespect to your car, but I prefer not to arrive with leg cramps. And before you say it, no, I won’t follow while you drive your car.”

      “But—”

      “Sorry, this is one of those nonnegotiable scenarios we talked about. The safe house is also still an option.”

      I stalked to the SUV and yanked open the door, worryingly aware this man had the ability to unbalance me with very little effort.

      I studied his profile as he started the engine and rolled the large vehicle toward the gates. After he drove through, he flashed me a smile, intensifying the heat blazing through me.

      God, had I not stood my ground last night, I would currently be ensconced in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with him.

      Mr. if-the-urge-takes-you-feel-free-to-go-with-it.

      Erotic thoughts and images bombarded me, enough to keep me silent as he drove toward SDM’s Sunnyvale offices.

      At the checkpoint, I showed my ID, confirmed that Caleb was with me and directed him to my parking spot.

      A curl of pride drifted through me as I saw him read the sign attached to my name—Junior Vice President—Programming & Coding. Despite the yoke around my neck in the form of my debt to Chance and my stepfather, I knew I’d earned this position. That I was capable of conquering even bigger mountains. It was what I intended to do the moment I was free of my twin oppressors.

      Caleb’s glance showed cool respect.

      A knot loosened in my chest. Which in turn made me madder that I’d wanted to see that respect in his eyes. Wanted him to see me through another set of lenses than those of a powerless victim needing help from a fixer.

      Throwing the door open, I jumped out.

      “Lily, wait—”

      I was