Chapter 102 Chapter 102
Angelina’s POV
The pool area was impressive. Heated pool with underwater lights. Hot tub on one side. A full outdoor bar. Lounge chairs everywhere.
Logan was behind the bar, mixing drinks. Silas was messing with speakers, trying to connect his phone.
They both turned when they heard our footsteps.
Logan's eyes went wide. "Whoa."
Silas's jaw literally dropped. "Master, you look—"
I gave him my coldest stare. "Finish that sentence carefully."
Silas immediately changed course. "—very appropriate for a pool party! Very nice! Very respectful!"
Logan wasn't even looking at me anymore. His eyes were locked on Mia.
He let out a long whistle. "Damn, Mia. Didn't know you were hiding all that."
Mia's face went red. "Shut up, Logan."
"No seriously, you've got like... actual curves. Who knew?" Logan was grinning like an idiot now.
"I swear to god, Logan—"
"I mean, they're not huge or anything, but they're definitely there." He made gestures with his hands. "Solid B-cup? Maybe C?"
"THAT'S IT!"
Mia charged at him.
Logan started running, laughing the whole time. "What? I'm complimenting you!"
"You're objectifying me, you asshole!"
Logan jumped over a lounge chair. "It's a compliment! Compliment!"
He was heading toward the far side of the pool now. "And you're too short to catch me anyway!"
"I'M NOT SHORT!"
"You're like five-foot-four! That's literally short!"
"FIVE-FOOT-FIVE!"
Logan vaulted over another chair. "Same difference, shorty!"
They disappeared around the corner of the pool house. I could still hear Mia yelling at him.
Silas shook his head. "They're like an old married couple."
"Mm."
I wasn't really paying attention to them anymore.
Because I could feel someone watching me.
I turned my head.
Caelan was standing on the second-floor balcony. Both hands on the railing. His eyes locked directly on me.
That intensity in his gaze made my skin prickle.
My arms crossed over my chest automatically. Like I was trying to shield myself.
Then I realized what I was doing. That showed weakness.
I dropped my arms. Straightened my spine. Lifted my chin and stared right back at him.
My expression was challenging. Look all you want. I'm not afraid.
But my heart was beating faster.
"Master," Silas said quietly. That annoying smirk was back on his face. "Your man is watching you."
"He's not my man."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I'm not blushing. It's hot out here."
"It's like 65 degrees."
"Shut up, Silas."
Silas was grinning wider now. "You want me to go get him? I bet he'd love to come down here and—"
"If you finish that sentence, you're swimming in the pool. Fully clothed."
Silas held up both hands. "Yes, Master." He sat on the chair next to mine.
"So," he said casually. "When are you gonna admit you like him?"
"I don't."
"I've never seen you act like this around anyone."
"Like what?"
"Flustered. Blushing."
"I'm not any of those things."
"You literally just crossed your arms over your chest when you saw him looking at you. That's defensive body language. Which means you're affected by him."
I glared at Silas. "You've been reading psychology books again?"
"Maybe." He grinned. "But I'm right, aren't I?"
Silas leaned back in his chair. "You know what I think?"
"I don't care what you think."
"I think you're scared."
That got my attention. I turned to look at him. "Excuse me?"
"Not scared of him. Scared of how he makes you feel."
My jaw tightened. "You're talking nonsense."
"Am I?" Silas's expression got more serious. "Master, I've seen you fight mountain lions without breaking a sweat. I've seen you threaten to kill someone without flinching. But the second that guy looks at you, you get all tense and red-faced."
"That's not—"
"That means something. Whether you want to admit it or not."
I stared at the pool. The underwater lights made the water glow blue.
"He's intense," I said finally. "Too intense."
"Yeah. He is. But so are you."
I glanced at Silas. "What's your point?"
"My point is maybe that's why it works. You're both intense people. Normal guys would be intimidated by you. But he's not. He matches your energy."
"This is a stupid conversation."
"Is it?" Silas stood up. Stretched. "Think about it, Master. When's the last time someone challenged you the way he does? When's the last time someone looked at you like you were the only person in the room?"
He started walking toward the pool house. "I'm gonna go find where Logan keeps the good alcohol. You should go talk to him."
"To who?"
"To your man. On the balcony. Who's still watching you, by the way."
I didn't look up to check. "He's not my man."
"Sure, Master. Whatever you say."
Silas disappeared around the corner.
I sat there for another minute. Staring at the water.
My mind was racing.
Silas was right about one thing. Caelan did challenge me. In ways I wasn't used to.
Most people were either afraid of me or wanted something from me.
Caelan was neither.
He looked at me like... like I was something precious. And that terrified me more than any battle I'd ever been in.
Because I didn't know how to handle that.
I stood up from the lounge chair. Made a decision.
I was going to go talk to him. Clear the air. Tell him to stop looking at me like that. Tell him we were just allies. Nothing more.
My feet carried me back toward the house. Through the glass doors. Up the stairs.
I stopped in front of his door.
My hand was raised. Ready to knock.
But I hesitated. What was I even going to say? Stop looking at me? That sounded ridiculous. Stop making me feel things? Even worse.
I took a breath. Knocked three times.
The door opened almost immediately.
Caelan stood there in a black t-shirt and grey sweatpants. His hair was still damp from the shower.
His eyes dropped. Scanned me from head to toe. Starting at my face. Down to my shoulders. The exposed skin of my collarbones. Lower to where the sheer cover-up did absolutely nothing to hide the black bikini underneath.
He wasn't trying to hide it. My jaw tightened. "See something you like?"
His mouth curved. "Not even close to done looking."
He leaned against the doorframe. Arms crossed over his chest. The position made his biceps flex under the t-shirt.
"I need to talk to you."
"About?"
"About..." I paused. What was I supposed to say? About you staring at me like that? About everyone thinking we're together?
His eyebrow raised. Waiting.
"About boundaries," I said finally.
"Boundaries." He repeated the word like it was funny. "Okay. Come in."
It wasn't a request. It was a command.
I hesitated for exactly one second. Then walked past him into the room.
I heard the door click shut behind me.
He was standing maybe three feet away. Hands in his pockets now.
"So," he said. "Boundaries."
"Yes." I straightened my spine. "You need to stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"You know exactly what I mean."
He took a step forward. "Enlighten me."
My heart kicked up a notch. But I held my ground. "Like... like I'm yours."
"You're not?" Another step.
"No."
"Then why are you in my room?" He was close enough now that I could see water still beading on his neck. "Wearing that."