Acting The Part

Chapter 4: Caleb

I stared at the woman in front of me, confusion and something darker twisting in my gut. What the hell was she doing? Was she really offering herself to me like that?

I'd seen women throw themselves at me plenty of times—hell, I was used to it. But there was something different about this one. Something that made my body react before my mind could catch up.

She giggled, her red lips curling into a smile that was both seductive and sad. The kind of smile that made a man think twice, but also made him want to dive headfirst into whatever she was offering. Her eyes—deep, dark pools—held a glimmer of something that didn't match the way she was acting.

Desperation, maybe? Pain? I wasn't sure, but it was there, just beneath the surface.

I licked my lips, trying to shake off the fog of lust clouding my brain. She was beautiful, no doubt about it. A body made for sin, wrapped up in that tight red dress that barely covered her curves. She smelled like vanilla and something sweeter, something intoxicating. And those lips... Jesus, those lips would look perfect wrapped around—

Stop it, Drake.

I leaned back slightly, trying to create some distance between us, but it was like fighting gravity. The way she was looking at me, like I was the only thing in the room, was doing things to me. Things I wasn't used to feeling.

My body was on fire, and I couldn't tell if I wanted to fuck her senseless or walk away before I did something I'd regret.

"I'm not into hookers," I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

Her lips formed a soft "o," and for a second, I thought she might be offended. But then she giggled again, the sound light and almost... out of place. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against my neck. "You don't need to pay," she whispered, her voice dripping with seduction. "You can have me for free."

I should have been disgusted. Offended. What kind of woman just offers herself like that? But instead, all I could think about was how badly I wanted her.

My cock twitched in response, my body reacting to her in a way that was completely out of my control. I hadn't felt this kind of primal need in... ever. My balls ached just looking at her.

But there was something wrong here. Something off.

I frowned, my eyes scanning her face more closely. She was gorgeous, no doubt about it, but there was something in her eyes. Something that didn't match the confident, sultry woman standing in front of me.

Those eyes—they were too sad. Too broken.

"You're drunk," I said, my voice softening.

Her smile faltered for a split second, but then she shrugged, that playful glint returning to her eyes. "Maybe a little," she said, swaying slightly on her heels. "But I know what I'm saying."

I shook my head, trying to clear it. This wasn't right. She wasn't in her right state of mind, and no matter how much I wanted to take her up on her offer, I couldn't. I wasn't that kind of guy. At least, I didn't think I was.

"I think you need to go home," I said, forcing myself to take a step back. "Let me call you a cab."

Her eyes widened slightly, like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She blinked at me, confusion crossing her face. "You're... you're offering me a ride home?"

I cursed under my breath, wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I didn't even know this woman, and yet here I was, offering to make sure she got home safe. I wasn't some knight in shining armor. I didn't do this kind of thing. But something about her... something made me want to protect her.

Even from herself.

"Yeah," I said, running a hand through my hair. "I'll get you home. You shouldn't be here like this."

She stared at me for a long moment, and then, to my surprise, she smiled. Not the seductive smile she'd been wearing earlier, but a real one. A genuine smile that lit up her face in a way that made my chest tighten.

"You're such a gentleman," she said softly.

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "Trust me, I'm not."

And I wasn't. Because the longer we stood here, the more I wanted to drag her out of this bar and into the nearest room. Her body, her scent, the way she looked at me—all of it was driving me crazy.

I hadn't felt this kind of raw, animalistic desire in... well, maybe ever. But I couldn't act on it. I wouldn't.

She tilted her head, her eyes searching mine. "Should I just go home?" she asked, her voice small, almost... hopeful.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. God, this woman was dangerous. She could probably charm a monk out of his vows with just one look.

And here I was, trying to be the good guy, when all I wanted to do was take her up on her offer. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, trying to keep myself in check.

"Yeah," I said, my voice hoarse. "You should."

Before I could say anything else, the music in the bar shifted. An upbeat song blasted through the speakers, the kind of song that made people want to dance. Her face lit up, her eyes sparkling as she turned toward the dance floor.

"Oh my God, I love this song!" she exclaimed, her earlier sadness forgotten in an instant.

Without warning, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the dance floor, her laughter ringing in my ears. I stumbled after her, my protests dying on my lips as she dragged me into the middle of the crowd.

The music pounded around us, the beat vibrating through the floor as people swayed and moved in time with the rhythm.

I wasn't a dancer. Never had been. But this woman—she moved like she was born to dance, her body swaying and grinding against mine in a way that made my head spin. Every time her hips brushed against me, I felt another jolt of desire shoot through me, my control slipping with every second.

I watched her, completely mesmerized. She was all curves and heat, her body moving in time with the music, her eyes half-closed as she lost herself in the moment. And then she turned, pressing her back against my chest, her ass grinding against me in a way that made me groan out loud.

Fuck my life.

My hands found her waist, gripping her tightly as she moved against me. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. All I could do was react, my body taking over as I pulled her closer, my cock hard and aching against her.

We danced like that for what felt like hours, but it was probably only a few minutes. Three songs, maybe four. I wasn't counting. All I knew was that I couldn't take it anymore. I needed her.

I leaned down, my lips brushing against her ear. "My place?" I whispered, my voice thick with want.

She turned to look at me, her eyes hazy with alcohol and something else. Lust. Desire. The same thing I was feeling. She bit her lip, and for a second, I thought she might say no.

But then she nodded, her breath hitching in her throat. "Yes."

That was all I needed to hear.

Without another word, I grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor, my heart pounding in my chest. The bar, the music, the people around us—it all faded into the background. All that mattered was this woman. This woman who had somehow gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever had.

We stepped out into the cool night air, and for a brief moment, I hesitated. What the hell was I doing? I didn't even know her name. But then she looked up at me, her eyes wide and trusting, and all my doubts disappeared.

I wanted her.

And tonight, I was going to have her.