“But you don’t do those things with Mason.”
“No. Like I said, we’re teammates. We get on well enough. But people want us to be best friends, so that narrative is out there on social media. Like calling us ‘Maleb’ or some stupid shit like that.”
I bite back a laugh. I’ve seen Maleb online as the official name of their so-called bromance.
“Where do you see yourself in Europe?” Caleb asks.
“London for now. It certainly helps that The Downforce Network is based there—and they’re providing me with temporary housing.” I shake my head. “It’s crazy. I still can’t believe this is real. It’s all happening so fast.”
“Does that include us?”
I stare up at him. “No. My career taking off the way it has, me moving to a new country by next week, my videos going viral on social media—that all feels very fast. Like I blink and something new is happening. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m so privileged and happy to be in the spot I’m at. But what is happening between us? No, it doesn’t feel too fast. It feelsright.”
Caleb’s eyes linger on my face for what seems like a long time. “I think so, too,” he says.
I suddenly feel warm all over, both from his words and the way he’s looking so intently at me. I shift my gaze away from Caleb and look at the landscape around us. “I can see why you like it here. It’s beautiful. And the view from here is perfect.”
“It is.”
I feel his gaze on my profile. I turn and look at him, and his eyes don’t leave my face.
“It’s perfect,” he says softly, and I know he’s not talking about Monaco.
Caleb is talking about me.
The breeze blows my hair around, and I’m about to push it back into place when Caleb reaches up and gently brushes a lockof hair away from my face, his calloused fingertips sliding ever so gently against my cheekbone. Every nerve I have singes with his touch, and my gaze falls to his lips.
Never have I wished for a kiss in the way I’m wishing for one right now. I lift my gaze to meet his, only to find he’s already staring down at me.
I hold my breath. And I swear he does, too.
Caleb’s fingertips trace my jawline, then move to my chin, tilting my face up.
I think I’m about to combust. I’m hot all over, and my heart is pounding against my ribs so hard I might actually break one.
“I was going to treat this like a proper date. I mean, as much as we can have one here in my house,” Caleb says. “Dinner. Flirting. Time in the pool. Then I was going to make my move at the end of the night.”
My pulse quickens. My gaze drops to his full mouth again. “Was?” I ask.
His thumb reaches up and traces slowly across my lower lip, and my breath hitches in response. “You’re different. The fact that I asked you on a date makes you different. The fact that I brought you to my home makes you different. And the fact that I want to kiss you right now makes you different.”
I swallow as his thumb continues to stroke my lip.
“I want,” he says, his voice low with need, “to kiss you.”
OH GOD, YES PLEASE!
Caleb dips his head. His mouth hovers right above mine. I close my eyes, but he hesitates. I feel his breath across my lips and inhale the cologne lingering on his skin. It’s hot and sensual, and I tremble in anticipation.
“Tell me I can kiss you, Isla. Tell me,” he commands.
Caleb is seeking consent.And it’s the hottest thing EVER.
“Kiss me,” I plead, sliding my hand up to the nape of his neck. “Please kiss me”
And the next thing I know, his lips are on mine.
Chapter Eighteen