The party was packed, the music loud enough to make the floors hum under my feet. The air was heavy with the scent of sweat, perfume, and cheap beer, a combination that made my stomach churn. I wasn’t sure why I’d let Caleb drag me here. Maybe it was the lure of distraction, or maybe—if I was being honest with myself—it was because part of me wanted to prove I didn’t care about Logan anymore.
As soon as I stepped inside I saw Vanessa draped over Logan like a trophy His arm was slung around her shoulders, his easy smile too familiar, too painful. My chest tightened, and I forced myself to look away, but Vanessa’s voice cut through the music, sharp and saccharine.
“Look who decided to show up. I’m surprised you had the guts.”
I tried to ignore her, brushing past, but she stepped into my path, blocking my escape.
“Relax, Emma,” she said. “I just wanted to say... I’m glad you’ve moved on. Caleb seems like your type. All rebellion, no substance. Perfect for a rebound.”
The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. My pulse raced, my fingers itching to respond with more than just words, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing how much she’d gotten under my skin.
“At least I don’t have to trap someone into being with me,” I said coldly.
“Logan’s finally moved on,” she said. “Maybe it’s time you do the same.”
She turned and walked away, her laughter trailing behind her like a dagger twisting in my chest. I fought to hold back the anger and humiliation bubbling inside me. The party suddenly felt suffocating, the press of bodies and pounding music too much to bear.
I found Caleb leaning against the wall in a quieter corner of the house, a beer in hand and his usual smirk firmly in place.“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar,” he stepped closer, his smirk fading into something more serious. “Was it Vanessa? Or lover boy?”
“It doesn’t matter. They’re both toxic.” I leaned against the wall beside him. My arms crossed over my chest, a feeble attempt to shield myself from the vulnerability I hated feeling.
“Then stop letting them get to you,” Caleb reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face with surprising gentleness. “You’re better than that. Better than them.”
The simple touch sent a jolt through me.
I barely had time to process it—barely had time to breathe—before Caleb closed the space between us.
His fingers curled around my waist, his grip firm, claiming, like he already knew I wouldn’t pull away.
And maybe that was the problem.
Maybe I should have.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I met his gaze, my breath catching at the intensity in his dark eyes.
Before I could think—before I could protest—he tilted his head down, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that was hot and reckless, full of fire and defiance.
I gasped, and that was all it took.
He kissed me harder, deepening it, his hands sliding up my back, gripping me tighter, pulling me closer until there was nothing between us except the heat and tension crackling in the air.
I could feel the smirk on his lips when I didn’t stop him.
I should have stopped him.
But instead, my fingers curled into his hoodie, pulling him closer, needing something—anything—to drown out the storm in my head.
Then I felt it.
The way his lips left mine, trailing downward, skimming over my jaw, my throat.
My pulse skipped.
“Caleb—”
He didn’t stop.
Didn’t even hesitate.
His mouth latched onto my neck, hot and insistent, his breath ragged against my skin.
I shuddered, my body betraying me as a soft, involuntary sound slipped past my lips.
That only made him bite down harder.
A sharp sting before his tongue soothed the spot, his lips sucking, pressing, marking.
He was leaving something behind.
A warning. A claim.
By the time he pulled back, I could feel the throb of it, the heat spreading beneath my skin.
Caleb leaned in, his voice low and dangerous against my ear.
“Now he’ll know who you belong to.”