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That same evening, I was moved into Caleb’s private villa.
He came into my room after his shower, wearing a white, V-neck silk pajama top that left a wide expanse of
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his chest bare. His dark hair was still damp, and droplets of water traced paths down his tanned skin, disap- pearing beneath the hem of his shirt.
I pressed myself against the wall, my lips pursed nervously.
“What’s this? Standing in the corner for punishment?” he scoffed, grabbing a towel from his shoulder to dry his hair. “If you’re not comfortable sleeping in my bed, you can pick another room. There are sixteen of them. Take your pick.”
My eyes lit up instantly. I couldn’t believe how considerate he was.
As I was about to nod, a playful smirk curled his lips. “Of course, the other fifteen are all snake habitats. Each with anywhere from five to twenty of them. So, you might want to think carefully about your choice.”
froze, the words catching in my throat. “N-no, that’s okay. This room… this room is just fine.”
He closed the door, leaving the two of us alone in our pajamas.
Even though Caleb was undeniably attractive, and I knew what was expected of a girl in my position, I was till terrified. My entire knowledge of sex came from romance novels; I had zero real-world experience.
Caleb pulled back the covers and slid into bed, patting the empty space beside him. “You coming over here on your own, or do I have to carry you?”
hesitated for a moment before slowly inching my way to the edge of the bed. The rumors all said that the nfamous Caleb Hawthorne only loved his snakes and had no interest in women. I didn’t exactly look like a nake, so he probably wouldn’t be interested in me, right?
Vith that thought, I cautiously slipped under the covers, leaving enough space between us for three more eople.
Caleb shot me a look loaded with meaning. Then, as if suddenly feeling warm, he lifted the hem of his shirt o fan himself, revealing a perfectly sculpted set of eight-pack abs.
glanced away immediately, my heart hammering. “Is the AC too high?” I asked, my voice small. “I can turn it lown if you want.”
Caleb didn’t answer. He just stared at me, his throat working as he swallowed, as if he were thirsty.
tried again, trying to be helpful. “Do you need me to get you some water?”
His expression was a complex mix of emotions. Suddenly, he wasn’t thirsty anymore. He reached over, swit- ched off the lamp, and turned his back to me to sleep.
breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the rumors were true. He really wasn’t interested in women. He probab- y only took me in because he felt sorry for me, seeing my own father sell me off.
I silently congratulated myself for landing with a good person who was just cold on the outside, and let myself drift off to sleep.
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Just as I was slipping into a deep slumber, a body pressed against me from behind. It was scorching hot. His voice was husky, but his words were sharp and to the point.
“You want to do this?”
