Page 50 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Sorry, luv,” Callum apologizes as he brings me upwards, and I smash into his chest.

Rather than pull back, I stay there. I don’t know why, but he doesn’t attempt to pull back either, and we remain like this for something that seems like an eternity. Our bodies against each other and our faces so close, I can smell his aftershave and the sweet tobacco. Actually, it doesn’t even smell like tobacco. More like something sweet and herbally, like sage.

Is it herbal cigarettes that Callum smokes?

That’s beside the point right now because I’m one step away from what I think we might do, and maybe I want him to do it.

I actually know I want Callum Evans to kiss me.

A moment passes between us as I stare into his bright sky-blue eyes, and then my gaze drops to his plump lips, and wonder what it would be like to kiss him with that silver ring that sits smack in the middle of his lower lip.

He’s the first to come out of the trance we’re both in, and he loosens his grip on me. He doesn’t let go until I pull myself a little away.

I’m not sure what transpired between us, but it was mutual. I could feel the same vibes coming from him.

“Can we go back inside and pretend my mind didn’t just make up this scenario because of the crazed fan I met earlier?”

His eyes furrow and the subtle tightening of his jaw betrays his concern. He discreetly scans our surroundings as we walk back to the property grounds.

“What crazed fan?” his voice is low but laced with genuine worry.

So, I tell him about the incident in Brittney’s car, and he doesn’t need to say anything to confirm his unspoken concern.

We don’t talk as we re-enter the house. I walk ahead, and he calls out to me.

“Eden,” I turn to face him, and I’m almost blown away by the caring look he gives me. For Christ’s sake, this man is beyond gorgeous, and I need to get out of this room and away from him for fear that I might be falling for him again. “You’re safe with us. We’ll always make sure your safety comes first.”

Without further words, I quickly run upstairs to my bedroom, desperate to escape from him and the feelings that are suddenly developing.

Re-developing.

I’m so fucked.

Chapter 14

After a full dayworking in the rented recording studio in downtown LA, we’re back home and crashing in the small den attached to the kitchen. Jagger and Callum are strumming some notes on the guitar.

Asher sits crossed-legged on the floor next to the dog, petting him while he flips through some music sheets we wrote today. I swear, if that lad had a life’s wish, I bet he’d ask to become a canine.

Eden’s sitting on the armchair with her feet curled behind her, writing in the journal she always carries and looking pretty.

I won’t lie and say Eden looks average. She’s never looked average, and with her incredible vocals, she caught the attention of almost every music mogul on the West Coast who wanted to record her voice.

But I’m not talking about her stardom; I’m referring to the most beautiful creature I ever laid my eyes on. I search my brain for words that could capture the essence of what I feel.

Eden’s an enigma.

It’s not just her looks but the way she carries herself. Confident, yet this hint of vulnerability draws one in.

Then there are those deep green eyes, they’re like galaxies. I could get lost in them, and I remember back in the day when I did, as if nothing else existed for me.

I lean across the kitchen counter, gazing at everyone, and it brings back a little nostalgic moment. We’ve done this before. At least several dozen times as teenagers.

The soft sound of guitars play in the background, but at this moment, nothing else matters but the vision before me.

My eyes fix on Eden as she replies to something Asher says, and my eyes trace the delicate curve of her smile as she laughs at whatever he utters, reminding me of the feelings I once had for her a zillion years ago.

A shattered past and an unstable future.

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