Read Online Tempted by Two Angels [Notorious Nephilim 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Carolyn Rosewood - Free Book Online Page B

did was make her feel worse than ever.
    “Caleigh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. Please let me escort you to your room, and tell me why you’re so upset.”
    “I’m not sure I can explain it, Sterling.”
    “Please? I hate to see you like this.”
    His concern was touching, but why, then, had he avoided her since the night they’d made love? She nodded, walked into the elevator car, and stood against the far wall as he closed the gate and pushed the button for her floor. He didn’t speak. Caleigh took deep breaths to try to control her urge to cry. What the hell was wrong with her?
    When they reached the staff floor Sterling let her out first then followed. He took her key and opened the door then again allowed her to step inside first. He was a perfect gentleman.
    Her room wasn’t tiny, but it certainly wasn’t the size of his or Hugh’s suite. There was only the bed, a dresser, an armchair, and a small table with two chairs. Caleigh opened the window, letting in much-needed fresh air. She sat in the armchair, hoping he’d take the hint and not sit on her bed. She couldn’t handle it right now if he tried to seduce her. Her thoughts were all confused, and nothing made sense.
    He took a seat in one of the chairs, turning it to face her. “Caleigh, I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
    “What? You haven’t upset me.”
    “Then who did?”
    How could she tell him this? They hadn’t spoken at all since she’d left his suite three days earlier. “Niko just informed me that there’s an unwritten rule the owners don’t date the staff. He actually used that word—date.” She glanced at the floor. “Then he asked me if I’d slept with you or Hugh.”
    “What did you tell him?” She snapped her gaze to his eyes. His voice had been too sharp, his response too quick.
    “I told him it was none of his business. Sterling, are you ashamed of having made love to me?”
    “No, not at all. Caleigh…of course not. But Niko is right. It’s an unwritten rule. He’s only concerned for…for you, of course.”
    “Then why did you do it? Why did you seduce me?”
    He ran his hand through his hair. The gesture reminded Caleigh of when she’d tangled her fingers in his hair as he thrust in and out of her, and she bit back a moan. “I had no choice. I mean, we were standing under the stars, outside, and you’re so pretty and so easy to talk to. It seemed so natural to kiss you. I’m sorry.”
    “Well, I’m not sorry. I had a wonderful time. What I can’t reconcile is why you haven’t spoken to me since I left your bed the next afternoon.”
     
    * * * *
     
    The quietness of her question was more than Sterling could bear. It would have been better if she were angry right now. That, at least, he could handle. But her gentle question tore at his heart. How could he tell her why he’d purposefully avoided her? He’d been seething with jealousy at the thought of her in Hugh’s bed. But it wasn’t fair to put her in the middle of their power struggle. She hadn’t asked for this.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Sterling, forgive me, but that’s bullshit. I heard you and Hugh arguing in the hallway outside my dressing room the night I performed. I’ve watched you two during rehearsals for two days, sitting as far apart as possible, not speaking to each other. And now you’re avoiding me as well. I’d like to know why.”
    She was far too intelligent to pull one over on. He’d have to tell her the truth or risk losing her.
    “I mean, if that was just a one-night stand, then tell me so.”
    He pulled his chair closer so their knees were touching. Her scent filled his head. He hadn’t been able to sleep for three days thinking about the softness of her skin or the look in her eyes as he made her come. He wanted her back in his arms and in his bed.
    “A one-night stand? No, Caleigh. It wasn’t that at all.”
    She didn’t look convinced. “But you were right about what you heard. Hugh and I were