Without warning, I reached down and gave her ass a hard smack.
"That's for spray painting my car," I said.
Her breath hitched, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. "You're such a caveman."
"Caveman? How about this?" I said, smacking her...
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Esmeralda's POV
The adrenaline from the confrontation with the kidnapper had faded, leaving behind a hollow pit of fear in my stomach. I felt shaky, vulnerable, and far too aware of how close I had come to losing everything. As Caleb led me away from the alley, his presence was both comforting and intimidating. I needed him now more than ever.
"Can I... can I stay with you tonight?" I blurted out as we reached his apartment, my voice trembling slightly. The fear was still gripping me, and I didn't want to be alone. I didn't want to be left to my thoughts in the dark.
Caleb paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "You sure about that? You know how I am." His voice was low, teasing, but I could see the concern in his eyes.
"Please, Caleb. I don't want to be alone," I pleaded, my heart racing as I met his gaze. I needed his strength, his protection.
After a moment's hesitation, he sighed. "Alright, fine. Just for tonight."
Relief flooded through me as I stepped inside his apartment, the warmth enveloping me like a comforting blanket. It felt so different from the cold, damp alley where I had almost lost everything.
"First things first, let's get you something to eat," Caleb said, moving to the kitchen. He opened the fridge, rummaging through it as I watched him, my heart softening at the sight of him. He was so effortlessly handsome, even when he was just making a meal.
As he began to pull out ingredients, I couldn't help but chuckle softly. "You cook?"
"Yeah, don't sound so surprised, I cooked last time remember?" he shot back, a smirk dancing on his lips. "I can't live on takeout forever."
I watched him, mesmerized, as he deftly chopped vegetables, the knife gliding through the air with precision. "What are you making?" I asked, leaning against the counter, trying to shake off the tension in my body.
"Something gourmet," he replied, throwing me a playful glance. "Or at least, as gourmet as a college kid can manage."
As the aroma of sautéing vegetables filled the air, I felt a sense of normalcy return, if only for a moment. But it didn't last long. My mind drifted back to the alley, and I shivered involuntarily.
"You cold?" Caleb asked, glancing over his shoulder, concern lacing his tone.
"A little," I admitted, rubbing my arms.
"Here," he said, setting the knife down and crossing the kitchen in a few strides. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, and I relished the warmth radiating from him. "Just lean on me while I finish up."
"Thanks," I murmured, closing my eyes for a moment. It felt good to be held like this, to forget the horrors of the night, if only temporarily.
After a few minutes, he finished cooking and served us both a generous helping. We sat on the couch, eating in comfortable silence. But then Caleb looked at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "So, princess, you remember what you said in front of Trevor? How you chose me?"
I swallowed hard, heat flooding my cheeks. "I didn't mean it like that," I protested, but the teasing grin on his face told me he wasn't going to let it go.
"Sure you didn't. But now that you're here, you can show me how much you really choose me," he taunted, his voice low and sultry.
I rolled my eyes, but a smile crept onto my lips. "You wish."
"Actually, I don't need to wish," he replied, leaning closer, his tone dropping to a whisper. "I've got you right here."
My heart raced at the implication, and before I could respond, he suddenly stood up. "Let's get you cleaned up. You said you sprained your hand, right?"
"I'm fine," I insisted, but he shot me a look that brooked no argument.
"No arguments, Esme. I'm not letting you walk around with a sore hand. And you definitely need a bath. You look like you've been through hell," he said, his voice teasing but laced with genuine concern.
"Okay, okay! Fine," I relented, unable to suppress a laugh.
He led me to the bathroom and filled the tub with warm water, adding bubbles that smelled like lavender. The steam wafted around us, creating a cozy atmosphere.
As I settled into the warm bath, my heart raced—not just from the warmth of the water but from the charged atmosphere between us. Caleb knelt beside the tub, the steam swirling around us like a veil, and I felt his gaze on me, drinking me in.
"Just let me take care of you," he murmured, his voice a low, sultry whisper that sent shivers down my spine.
I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. The tension between us was palpable, and I could feel the heat radiating off him as he watched me. Slowly, I peeled off my clothes, each piece falling away until I was completely bare before him. Caleb's eyes darkened with desire, and I could see the lust pooling in his gaze as he took in every inch of my body.
"Damn, you're beautiful," he said, his voice thick with need.
