chapter 18: you're different

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Esme's POV

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Esme's POV

The aftershocks of our wild night together buzzed through me like static electricity. I lay tangled up in Caleb's arms, my skin still tingling from his touch. Part of me couldn't believe what had just happened—I had lost my virginity to him, and it felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

Caleb's fingers traced lazy circles on my arm, sending shivers down my spine. I turned to look at him, wanting to read his expression. His eyes were dark and full of heat, and I could sense that he was still very much in the moment. The way he looked at me made me feel alive and desired, but I couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that crept in.

"Are you okay, Cherry?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly, filled with that familiar hint of mischief.

"Yeah, I'm good," I said, trying to sound casual even though my heart raced. "I just didn't expect it to be like that."

"Did you like it?" He smirked, that playful grin tugging at his lips.

"More than I thought I would," I admitted, a shy smile creeping onto my face. There was no denying that I had loved every second of it.

"Good," he said, his gaze intensifying. "But just so you know, I'm not the relationship type."

Those words hung in the air like a heavy weight. My heart sank a little. I knew Caleb's reputation as a player, a guy who used girls for his pleasure and then moved on. The thought of being just another notch on his bedpost made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

"Yeah, I get that," I replied, trying to keep my tone light, but a part of me felt a pang of disappointment.

"But you're different," he added, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned in closer. "You're a challenge, Cherry. You're not like the others."

"Different how?" I asked, genuinely curious but also a bit nervous.

"Because you make me want more," he said, his eyes locking onto mine, full of that unmistakable hunger. "I can't get enough of you."

His words sent a thrill through me, but I was still cautious. "What does that mean for us?"

He shrugged, a cocky smile dancing on his lips. "For now, it means we keep having fun. No strings attached. Just the way I like it."

Part of me wanted to dive in headfirst, to enjoy every moment with him without overthinking it. But the other part was still scared of getting hurt. I had seen how easily he moved on from girls, and I didn't want to be just another fling.

"Okay," I finally said, trying to sound confident. "Let's just see where this goes."

"Good," he said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "But just so you know, I'm going to keep pushing your limits, Cherry. I want to see just how far we can go."

I bit my lip, a mix of excitement and fear flooding through me. I had crossed a line I could never go back from, but with Caleb, I felt alive in a way I hadn't before. Whatever was happening between us was a wild ride, and I was ready to buckle up.

Caleb leaned in and kissed me again, his lips moving against mine with a slow, teasing intensity that made my heart race. I melted into him, losing myself in the heat of the moment, the doubts and fears fading away as I gave in to the passion between us. In this moment, nothing else mattered except him and the way he made me feel.

𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑺𝒊𝒏 18+ | Standalone | The Kensington SeriesWhere stories live. Discover now