Flawless Desire

We finish up, and Caleb reaches for his wallet to pay. Then he frowns, staring down at his hand.

“Need me to cover you?” I ask, teasing. “I could rustle up twenty bucks.”

He gives an absent-minded smile. “Have you seen my keychain?”

Blood rushes to my face.

The globe.

“Isn’t it right there?” I ask, trying to sound innocent.

“No, I mean, yes, but I keep a keyfob on the chain. A silver globe.” Caleb frowns. “It’s not here.”

“Oh. Maybe you dropped it,” I offer, thinking of where, exactly the globe is. Tucked in my purse, where I hid it after our shower sex.

“Maybe.” Caleb keeps frowning.

“Or, it’s probably back at the office,” I suggest, feeling even guiltier. “I’m sure it’ll turn up.”

He nods. “Probably.”

Which means I’ll be getting in bright and early to plant it there, Monday morning.

Even so, I can tell he’s tensing up again, as we hit the road, heading back into the city. With every mile we travel, his shoulders seem stiffen under my hand, and it’s like he’s already miles away.

“Earth to Caleb,” I finally speak up. He glances over. “What’s on your mind?”

“Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just stupid work things. I have a business trip this week,” he adds, “So you’ll have to hold down the office without me.”

I feel a flash of disappointment that he’s going—but also relief that I won’t have to pretend like everything’s purely professional between us at work.

I’m a terrible actress, and that? Would be an Oscar-level role.

“Going anywhere fun?” I ask.

“Just London.” He sighs, pushing a hand through his hair, and I have to giggle at the annoyance on his face.

“Just London,” I echo. “Gee, I’m sorry your fabulous international travel is such a drag.”

Caleb laughs, lightening up. “You’re right,” he says, smiling over at me. “I’m lucky. Still, it’s no fun alone. Maybe you can come along next time.”

He says it so casually, it’s like he’s inviting me out for dinner, but it takes everything I have not to squeal at the offer.

London?

He has to be kidding. Right?

I glance over, but Caleb is scanning through the Sirius stations, already distracted. “Well, have fun,” I say, hiding my feelings. “Don’t miss me too much.”

“Oh, I will.”

* * *

Back in New York City,Caleb drops me off at my apartment, and leaves me with a scorching kiss.

“Be good while I’m gone,” he says, as he’s leaving. “Otherwise, there’s be trouble when I’m back.”

I shiver, still beaming ear to ear as I let myself in my door. The kind of trouble I can’t wait to taste.