Page 40 of More Than A Feeling

We were still sitting; they were still standing, and Callum looked like he was ready to put a fist through something.

"Well, then you should get along to your table," Callum interjected. "Fleur and I are celebrating."

"What are you celebrating?" My mother demanded, her eyes filled with something ugly and malicious. I felt bad about that. Why couldn't she be happy for me?

"That Fleur and I are ready to finally fu—"

"Gallaghers just signed a big contract with the Oilers," I cut in and saw his eyes were filled with mischief.

"As I was saying, Fleur and I are ready tofinallystart her education in ice hockey," he teased.

My parents looked at each other in confusion, not sure if we were speaking in code.

"Fleur, it's a good thing that we bumped into you because we need to have a conversation about a few things." My father didn't even sound like he was trying to convince me; he was ordering.

"I don't think so, Daddy." I wore my biggest smile because as much as I would love to have a relationship with them, I was done with the abuse and negativity they doled out in spades.

"Young lady—"

"Brian, she said no." Callum stood up. He was taller than my father, and his tone and demeanor were threatening at best. "You want to talk to her? I told you what you need to do. Apologize and make amends for treating her like shit. And if you can't do that, stay the fuck the hell away from us."

My father glowered, but we all knew he wouldn't make a fuss. We were in public and façades were important to my parents.

My parents huffed, called me ungrateful and rude under their breaths, and left.

"You okay?" Callum asked.

I did an inventory of my emotional status. "I think so," I finally admitted. "I can't say it doesn't hurt because it does, but I can say that I'm not prepared to deal with their bullshit. Who do you think Sabine is dating?"

"Another lawyer who works at your father's firm," Callum told me, and then when I looked surprised that he knew, he grinned,"I saw them at Antoine's when I was at lunch with a client, and I know the guy. I put two and two together. You worried I'm still talking to her?"

"No," I said honestly, "You can talk to whomever you like. I'd never interfere. I trust you."

"The guy is an asshole." He sounded very happy about that. "He's divorced and has a bad reputation. I think they suit each other—two narcissists."

"She wronged Seamus," I said softly, "but wishing ill on anyone doesn't do any good."

"You're fucking amazing. I don't know how you stay so…full of light and love for people who don't deserve it."

"I can't let them change me," I explained.

He laced my fingers with his. "How the fuck did I get so lucky with you?"

I smiled. "You eat pussy real good."

He laughed out loud then and waved a hand at our server. "Check, please."

Chapter 20

Callum

Igot into the shower with her and loved how she trailed her eyes over me. She told me she loved my body, and from how her mouth gasped open when she saw my erection, I knew she was feeling greedy.

I moved into the large shower enclosure in the bathroom and closed in on her. She leaned back against the tile, a challenge and invitation in her eyes.

I reached for her, enjoying how her breath caught. Making love with her was like the first time every fucking time. I knew it wouldn't last. Once we were doing this for a decade or so, it would become something we got used to—but swear to God, I couldn't imagine a world where she looked at me with such hunger, and I wasn't ready to blow a nut.

I slid my hand up her arm, across her chest, enjoying how she shivered in response. My fingers teased and caressed herbreasts. Her nipples hardened. She was so fucking responsive that it was addictive to touch her.

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