Read Tell Me a Desire (The Story Series Book 2) for Free Online Page B

beats, loud enough to provide a soundtrack but not so amplified we couldn’t talk.
    And Caleb was talking, forcefully. He was arguing with his sister Laura about politics, and I immediately tuned them out and swayed my foot to the music while Caleb hugged me.
    “Okay, I don’t care how many campaigns you’ve contributed to. Let me know when you’re going to run for governor so I can move out of state. No politics on Emma’s birthday,” Laura said, pouring herself a glass of water. I leaned forward on Caleb’s lap to grab my wine glass. With a huge gulp of my drink, I reminded myself how I had to stop if I was going to get pregnant in my thirty-fifth year. I’d break up with wine after tonight.
    “You’re going to have to sit tight and close your eyes for your cake and gift.” Caleb kissed my shoulder. He boosted me to standing and settled me into the chair next to him.
    “Close your eyes,” he whispered.
    I laughed, gleeful. He kissed me on the mouth, three lingering, warm kisses that sent little zings through my body.
    “Close them, baby… Laura, make sure she doesn’t open her eyes.”
    I heard the voices of Sarah, then Colin, then Colin’s date. Also the chef, whose Haitian accent was rich and warm. He mentioned something about a raw chocolate chunk peanut butter cheesecake, and I squealed and wriggled in my seat.
    “Don’t open your eyes yet,” Caleb murmured in my ear. I felt his lips press against the sensitive spot where my ear met my cheek.
    “I love you and I am the luckiest man in the world because I’m with you,” he whispered. “You’re special and brilliant and mine.” He spoke louder. “There’s something on the table for you, Emma. Happy birthday.”
    When I lifted my lids, I saw it.
    A long, rectangular, black velvet box instead of a small, square one.
    Not a ring.
    Not a question.
    My jaw dropped, and I gasped out a surprised laugh. All because Caleb looked so happy, and I refused to disappoint him in front of everyone. Which somehow made me feel even worse.
    Next to the box was a gourmet cake. It was topped with a single white candle, and I took a deep breath.
    “Make a wish,” Caleb said.
    I did.

Chapter 4
    M y fingers ran down the crisp loop of the long, platinum-and-diamond necklace. Without question, Caleb’s gift was stunning. It was a long, dual-strand Art Deco-styled sautoir from Harry Winston, and as it draped over my chest, it sparkled in the dim glow of the candles around the terrace.
    “I’m surprised he spent so much money. I know how much it cost. It’s thirty-two carats of diamonds. An outrageous amount of cash. He’s usually such a tightwad,” mused Colin. He and I were alone at the table and had opened another bottle of Pinot, while Adele, Sarah, and Laura were scattered on lounge chairs a few steps away. Adele beckoned with a red-tipped finger to Colin, who grinned and waved. I gulped more wine, annoyed.
    Caleb was inside, paying the band and the chef and arranging a hired car to take them to a hotel.
    “What a crass thing to say, and incorrect.” I winced. Somehow the huge price tag of the necklace made me feel worse, not better. The sting of not getting an engagement ring had faded over the previous hour, replaced by a dull hurt.
    He rolled his eyes. “Ironic understatement, Emma. You’ve heard of it?”
    “Whatever. Why would you say such a thing?”
    “Caleb never did those things for Tara.”
    I snorted. He’d married her. Wasn’t that enough?
    “What? He obviously loves you, Emma. Look around at this party. Flowers, a band, a chef from Miami. All for you. Caleb’s never acted like this with any other woman.”
    I shrugged. “Right. So why doesn’t he ask me to be his wife? He didn’t seem to wait this long to ask Tara to marry him.” I couldn’t believe I was asking Colin, of all people, this question. It was hard to believe I was asking the question at all; once upon a time, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be married.
    Colin pushed