Chapter 536

May's heart was thumping like crazy.

If this had happened before Caleb showed up and Tyler spilled his guts to her, she would've been over the moon and said yes in a heartbeat.

But now with Caleb in the picture, she couldn't help but compare.

She paused for a sec. "We just met today, it's kinda quick to jump into this. Can we hang out more first?"

Tyler nodded. "Sure thing, no rush. I'm just stoked you're giving me a shot. But I do hope we can tie the knot soon. I'm already thirty-two, and when I find a woman I dig, I wanna lock it down."

May licked her lips, staying quiet.

Ten minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the Wilson Villa.

"It's a bit nippy out, here, take this." Tyler handed her his jacket.

"Thanks."

May really appreciated his thoughtfulness. Compared to Tyler, the guys she'd met before were flaky and not gentlemanly at all. Most were just nice to her to get her into bed.

"Can't wait for our next date," Tyler added.

"Okay."

Under his intense gaze, May felt a bit shy.

Her steps felt lighter.

No matter what, snagging the vice president of a bank on the first meet-up gave her a little ego boost.

May hummed a tune as she walked back home.

"May, you're back. Had dinner yet?" Carol asked.

"Yeah, I did."

"Did someone drop you off?" Carol eyed the jacket she was wearing. "A guy?"

"Yeah. Just a vice president of a bank."

"That's impressive!"

May shrugged, "Not really. The guys who chase me are all top-notch, I'm just picky."

Carol suggested, "It's about time you started dating. Look at Susan, she's already a mom. You should seriously think about your future. Maybe let someone else handle the music school for now."

May frowned. 'What's she getting at? Trying to take over the music school I've busted my butt for four years? This family always talks sweet, but behind my back, they're all out to screw me over and take my stuff. Hypocrites!'

May hated them.

May shot back, "No need, I got it. Even if I get hitched, I'm still running the music school. It's been doing great under my watch these past few years, and I don't trust anyone else with it."

To May, the music school was her baby; she wouldn't have put in so much effort otherwise.

Carol asked, "Alright, do what you think is best. How about that guy? What's he like? How's his family?"

"His mom's a diplomat, and his dad's a bank entrepreneur."

Carol nodded. "That's a solid background. If you land someone like that, it's pretty lucky."

She said it casually, but May was super sensitive and felt a sting. 'Lucky? Is she saying I don't deserve Tyler? Why doesn't she say Susan's lucky to have Caleb? Is her precious daughter the best thing ever?'

May felt a pang of jealousy, "It's his luck to meet me. Anyway, I'm heading upstairs."

By the seaside.

In the car.

"You've got good taste, that Tyler's a real catch. He's got charm, good manners, and a killer background. A diplomat and a banker family, my folks would be thrilled. Plus, he's pretty handsome, dignified, and impressive." Susan kept gushing about Tyler.

"Stop, if you keep praising him, I'll get jealous." Caleb pretended to be mad. "I admit he's alright, after all, I picked him. My taste is top-notch. But he's still not as good as me, and I've never heard you praise me like that."

"Mr. Thompson's pretty awesome," Susan added.

"And I'm not?"

Susan chuckled, half-annoyed. "Just 'cause I say he's awesome doesn't mean you're not."

"I don't care, you can't praise other dudes, only me."

"Even if that dude's my future brother-in-law?" Susan asked.

"Yup, no exceptions."

Susan sighed with a smile, shaking her head. "How'd you even become the VP of Eilish Group with that petty attitude?"

"By my looks."

Susan snickered. "Alright, alright. What I mean is, I think he's a good match for May. I hope they hit it off. May's had a rough go, so I hope she finds a guy who'll treat her right and love her."

Caleb didn't give a damn about May's tough times; he just wanted her distracted so she'd stop bugging him. That's why he found someone top-notch like Tyler. Honestly, a guy like Tyler could snag someone way better than May.

She should be grateful.

Caleb cut in, "Alright, enough about them. Let's talk about us."

"What's there to talk about... Hey, why are we at the beach?" Susan looked around, surprised.

The beach was quiet, with just a few couples being all lovey-dovey.

Caleb said, a bit jealous, "You were so busy gushing about Tyler you didn't even notice where we were. Aren't you scared I'll sell you off?"

"I'm not worth much."

Caleb shot back, "Who says you're not worth much? To me, you're priceless."

Sweet words always hit the spot. Susan felt delighted, her eyes sparkling, making Caleb's heart race.

He leaned in and gently kissed her lips.

A jolt ran from Susan's lips through her whole body, electrifying her.

Her body had totally adapted to Caleb, or rather, her mind and body had both adapted.

She loved his kisses, whether gentle or rough, as long as they were from him. She loved the faint taste on his lips.

Susan felt enchanted, like she was drunk, her mind a bit dizzy and warm. Her hands unknowingly climbed up Caleb's broad shoulders, her eyes closed, and she started to kiss him back.

They kissed for what felt like forever, not wanting to stop.

It wasn't until Caleb's big hand tried to pull off her clothes that she snapped out of it, shyly pulling away. "Caleb, are you nuts? We're outside."

"In the car, no one can see." Caleb's voice was husky.

"Still, it's too wild."

"Isn't wild exciting?" Caleb's eyes were burning, his voice tense.

For a second, Susan almost gave in, but she forced herself to stay clear-headed. "Not outside."

Caleb kissed her ear, deep and hot, losing control. "Then let's go home. My place or your apartment?"

He couldn't wait any longer.

Susan shook her head, "No, I gotta go home. It's already late, take me back. I can't stay out."

Caleb chuckled low, "You're twenty-seven, not seventeen. Still got a curfew? Can't stay out? Silly."

Susan shot back, "Even if I'm thirty-seven or forty-seven, I'm still my parents' daughter."

"Having a good girl like you is really something."

Susan pretended to be upset. "What? Don't like good girls?"

"I love you to death. I love everything about you. Can't you see I'm already head over heels for you?" Caleb pressed his forehead against hers, whispering sweetly, "It's like I'm under a spell, wanting to be with you every minute and every second. I already miss you even before we part. Susan, you're a poison, but I'm willing to be poisoned."