Novel Square
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Carnal Desires
“Mmmm,” Scarlett moaned. She took a whiff of that spicy scent, resembling that of a man’s aftershave. Her head nestled on a more solid pillow and her arm stretched to embrace … what it felt like to her… was a man’s body
Panic struck her. She abruptly opened her eyes, only to find Kaleb’s godly face inching closer to her,
The thuds against her ribcage grew louder in her head, all while feeling her throat become paper dry of embarrassment. She gulped, screaming in her head, ‘Oh, my god! So much for a little while!’
“If you wanted to sleep with me so badly, you should have just said so,” Kaleb said in a raspy yet sexy voice. “I knew you wanted my body, but I didn‘t think you‘d act so fast on your carnal desires.”
Scarlett’s mouth fell open, repeating his words silently, ‘Carnal desires?
She frantically slid out of bed, her eyes searching for Liam and after seeing the boy was still fast asleep, she claimed, “I–1.” She gulped and resumed, “I sometimes sleepwalk.”
Kaleb’s eyes narrowed, and a sly grin formed on his face. He meant to tease her that morning, but Liam awoke, saying, “What is sleepwalking?”
Kaleb, Scarlett, and Liam had breakfast at the penthouse. The hotel brought up several choices of delectable dishes for their meal and it was at the dining area where Kaleb swiftly covered his plans for Scarlett. “Let‘s make it clear, Scarlett. I need your help and you need mine, too. There is no shame in accepting my help, considering you are also helping me with Liam.”
“I hope you will accept whatever it is I have to offer,” he added before taking a sip of his coffee.
“I‘m all ears,” she said. She was done refusing his support. Besides, she was out of options.
“I can connect you with the Longhills and Hogans Associates if you want to work while studying for the board exams,” Kaleb began. “If you want to simply.” This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“I want to work. It‘s faster to relearn everything while applying it as well, but.” She paused before resuming, “I already tried applying for that Law Firm. Luca, he.”
“Luca is nothing compared to me. Longhills and Hogans Associates have been our legal representation for a decade. We are their number one client. They will give you the job, trust me,“ Kaleb said. His hand could not help but clenched against his fork, seeing how scared Scarlett was about Luca James finding out.
“Okay,” Scarlett nodded. “Thank you, Kaleb.”
“As for your accommodation, you have two options,” Kaleb suggested. “One, you can stay in one of the hotel’s studio units we have on the thirty–eighth floor. There will be one available next week. The rent is three thousand dollars per month plus monthly dues. It‘s an employee rate, so it’s lower than the usual. By going with the first option, you will only be two floors away from Liam.”
“If you get accepted as a paralegal at the law firm, you‘ll earn six thousand dollars. So, more or less, you are covered.”
He then braced himself, his eyes looking straight at her and he revealed, “The second option and which 1 think is the best solution for you, includes free food and accommodation, plus! A touch of TLC.” 1
Scarlett, ‘TLC?
“This is the best option. The greatest, magnificent, and brilliant opportunity to take. Nothing beats this
choice, ” Kaleb asserted. “F-R-E-E with TLC.”
“The second option is to stay with us, Kaleb pointed at Liam and the boy unknowingly smiled. “Stay with me and Liam here at the penthouse. We have more than enough room for you here and Liam would love for you to stay.”
He turned to Liam and asked, “Right, buddy?”
“Scarlett will stay with us forever?” Liam asked, his eyes gleaming at the news.
“Forever!” Kaleb suggested.
“Um... Do I have a say in this?” Scarlett asked, her eyes widening.
“So what will it be, Scarlett? The first option or the best and greatest option?” Kaleb sought, his arms crossing against his chest. His smile was from ear to ear, confident that Scarlett would choose the latter.
After seconds of giving it much thought, Scarlett answered, “I want to have my own private space. So I‘ll g o with option one.”
Dead air fell upon them, and Scarlett saw the frown on Kaleb’s face. He asked, “The first one or the second option? The second one is the better choice. Let me define the benefits for you.”
Kaleb once again narrated the highlights of both opportunities, but clearly favored the second. He returned to waiting for Scarlett‘s reply.
Truth be told, Scarlett easily became comfortable in Kaleb‘s home, but because she had lived alone for a year, she appreciated having a place to call her own. Despite understanding which option Kaleb wanted her to choose, she weakly replied, “Sorry, Kaleb. I really want a place for myself.”
“In any case, I won‘t live that far, right? Two floors?” She pointed out.
Scarlett saw how Liam frowned, and she also heard Kaleb hiss. The man cautiously moved closer to Scarlett. He cleared his throat and added, “By going for option two, there is an added complimentary
benefit?”
“Complimentary benefit?” She repeated, bemused, yet her heart, at that point, was fluttering with their closeness.
“Yes, by choosing the second option, you are welcome to have my body at any time,” Kaleb finally said with a mischievous expression.
Scarlett, “...”
***
That day went by like a blur for Scarlett.
She still preferred a place of her own, and that resulted in Kaleb moping inside the car as they drove off to Liam’s school.
Scarlett spent the rest of her day researching about the Longhills and Hogans Associates. In the afternoon, she returned to Liam‘s school just like the other day.
In the evening, Kaleb arrived early and Liam was over the moon to have both Scarlett and his father join him for dinner. After putting Liam to bed, Scarlett joined Kaleb for coffee in the living room area.
For a good minute, the two were silent, just sipping their hot beverage, their eyes occasionally meeting. Smiles frequently formed on their faces. “Scarlett, it would mean the world to me if you go out with me on a date this weekend. Can I take you out?” Kaleb asked, his blue eyes looking at her intensely.
Scarlett gasped. She smiled and answered, “Yes, I‘ll go out with you this weekend.”
“Where will we go? Do I need to wear something special?” She asked, worried he might take her to a fancy restaurant
“Anywhere is special as long as it‘s with you,” Kaleb said with glinting eyes.
After the two finished their coffee, they covered Scarlett‘s job interview at the Longhills and Hogans Associates on Monday before calling it a night.
They said their goodbyes in the hallways, with both of them grinning like teenagers.
“Goodnight, Kaleb,” Scarlett said. “Thank you for everything.”
“Goodnight, Scarlett,” Kaleb answered. He acted to walk to his room, but then he retreated his steps, turning back to her. He suggested, ‘You know, Scarlett, if you decide to sleepwalk again, just so you know, I’ll leave my door wide open.”
Scarlett, “...”
“And in the next nights to come,” he added. He then took off his shirt before disappearing into his room. His door did not shut!
Scarlett, “...”
She instantly felt her heart race and her legs clamped together, controlling the thrill in between her thighs. She took two steps forward. For some reason, she wanted to peek inside his room. ‘Shoot, maybe... I do have carnal desires for him!