Page 80 of Scotch on the Rocks

“Because I want to do it again. And again and again.” I wanted him so badly that even Alistair’s return hadn’t curbed the hunger for long.

“Thatgood?” I flicked up a brow and she grinned. “Shit. It changes everything, doesn’t it? When someone just knows what you need and how to give it to you.”

“It can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because it can’t go anywhere.” And the longer it went on, the more dangerous a game we were playing.

April folded her arms. “At the threat of sounding repetitive, but again,why?”

“Alistair! They all have so much going on right now with Jim, I’m an extra problem they don’t need.”

“Alistair gets zero say in your love life. And I’ve seen the way Callum looks at you, you’re the furthest thing from a problem for him.”

“How does he look at me?” I cringed as soon as I said it. Like some love-struck sixteen-year-old begging for her crush to finally notice her.

Pathetic.

She smiled softly. “I asked Heather that exact question about Mal once.”

“What did she say?”

“She said he looks at me like I’m a revelation.” My heart squeezed at the gentle love in her eyes. That’s exactly how he looked at her.

“And you think Callum looks at me that way?”

“Absolutely not.” She laughed. “He looks at you like the world’s about to catch on fire and you’re the only person he’ll save. I don’t know how he’s hidden it so long …” She trailed off, catching my dazed expression. Her words reverberated through me on a loop, as did the image of Callum on his knees, tongue working my clit, a frantic fervency in his eyes as he watched me come, like it was the most important task he’d ever been given.

“It’s okay to like him,” April said after a moment.

“I don’t like him,” I lied. Not quite ready to admit my feelings aloud. She rolled her eyes. “What? What’s that look for?”

She shrugged. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

“Please don’t bring my cat into this.” I groaned. “And the lady protests the perfect amount!”

22

Callum

Callum: Can you take Dad to his appointment this

morning? I have some errands in Portree.

Callum: There’s a timed daily routine taped to the fridge. Stick to it to the letter, it helps ease his anxiety. I can talk you through it.

Alistair: I think I’ll manage.

Callum: Sorry, sorry, I forgot we hadDr Macabeon the island.

Alistair: I can’t take the insult. I’m packing my bags as I type.

“No wonder you haven’t laughed in years if this is the music you listen to, harpy. It’s depressing as fuck.” The man’s melancholy voice droned on as I observed Juniper from the doorway of Ivy House’s small kitchen. For a moment I was afraid I’d gone too far. And then she glanced up from the mixing bowl she stirred with a large wooden spoon. Her wicked smile filled with enough electricity to restart my heart.

“I can put on some Phil Collins if you prefer?”

There she is. Always right back in the saddle.

---