Page 10 of Alluring Adventure

Chapter 6

Keeley

Voices ring out behindme and echo through the dark night. People file out from the pub in small groups, heading back to their B&Bs and holiday rentals.

“Need a lift, Keeley?” Hannah calls out. She, Jake and I spent the last hour re-enacting the best scenes of our favourite sitcom and I like them both a lot.

I shake my head. “No, thanks. Have good evening!” I leave her and Jake and head towards the edge of town. If she notices that I’m walking in the completely wrong direction, she doesn’t say.Fellside is not a dangerous place and nobody will be concerned that I have decided to walk.

It only takes me a few minutes until I get to Alluring Adventures. There is a light on in the flat above the office and it doesn’t take me long to find the entrance to it at the back of the door. Earlier, Hannah let it slip that her brother lives above his company.

I ring the only doorbell I can see which reads McCallum. No answer. I ring it again. For a second I wonder if maybe he’s not home or maybe not alone, when the intercom beneath a small camera crackles.

“Keeley, what are you doing here?” His voice sounds grumpy and sleepy and I find even that attractive.

“I’ve a business idea for you. Can I come up please?” My heart starts beating faster. He could just tell me to go to hell and come back to see him during office hours. But then I hear the sound of the buzzer and before I can change my mind, I push the door open.

“Hey,” Oliver greets me at the top of the stairs as he pulls the flat door open. He’s wearing cargo shorts, but no shirt.Bloody hell, be still my vajayjay.

“Hi,” I grin and strut past him with as much confidence as possible.

My eyes take in the room. Turns out it’s not really a flat, but just a large open space with a double bed at the far end, a sofa area in the centre and a kitchen just to the right of me. There’s only oneother door aside from the entrance and I have to assume that’s the bathroom.

“Like your bachelor pad,” I wink and hop up on one of the stools next to the breakfast bar.

“Did you come for interior design tips?” he smirks and crosses his arms. The simple gesture draws my gaze back to his chest, which is covered in a light dusting of dark hair.What would I give to—no, focus!

“Hannah and I had a chat and I think I can give you guys a hand with your social media posts,” I shrug.

“And that’s why you’re here at midnight?” Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t believe me, it’s bullshit and we both know it.

“Maybe.” I should tell him off for questioning my integrity, but this doesn't feel like the right moment for that.

He raises an eyebrow. Yup, he is so not buying it. He knows it is a booty call. I’m starting to feel a little less sure that this was a good idea. I mean, he told me this morning that he’s not interested… but that was before the dance. Before things seem to shift.

“Want me to be honest? I’m attracted to you. There, I said it. And going by what I felt on the dance floor the feeling is mutual.”

“Keeley,” Oliver groans and rubs his face in frustration. “Fuck, of course I find you attractive. Probably more than just attractive.But I told you: I don’t date clients.” That’s what you get when you fall for a green flag guy. They always have to do the right thing.

“But I’m not your client,” I sigh. “I went on one trip with you and that’s it.”

“And now you’re writing in your magazine about my company. Tongues will wag if it comes out that I slept with you and then you give us a glowing review.”

“It’s a blog, not a magazine; and who says it will be glowing?” I try to lighten the mood.

“Keeley, be serious.”

“Fine. In all seriousness, I don’t usually offer to be a guy's booty call but with you… I don’t know. I can’t stop thinking of what it would feel like to kiss you. I know, women shouldn’t really say things like that. We’re supposed to let the guy come to us but... I’m done wasting time.”

There is another strangled groan from Oliver. His eyes are ablaze with what I hope to be lust, but he is still holding back. What is my end goal here? Am I really going to beg a guy to shag me?

I hop off the chair and walk towards the door he’s still blocking.

“But if you’re really not interested, I can–” His hand lands on my tummy as I’m about to slip past him.

“Sunshine, is this when you tell me you have other options?” I can feel his breath caressing my cheek as he whispers in my ear. I lock eyes with him.

“No. As I said, I made an exception for you.” I place my hand on his chest. His heart is racing. He can fight it as much as he wants it, I do affect him. “But,” I lower my voice and lean so close that our lips almost touch, “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ll probably make myself come, imagining it is you.”