Page 86 of Wicked Duty
My stomach grumbles, so I migrate toward the counter, eyes glued to the food. Scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes.
Everything smells incredible, but the aroma also takes me back to those dark days of my childhood, when enjoying a beautiful breakfast surrounded by family was the kind of dream that only existed on television.
Never thought I’d have this with anyone. And certainly not with a man like this.
But I settle onto the barstool and dig in.
Callum observes me the entire time, lounging against the counter. He eats from his own plate without sparing it a single glance.
The weight of his stare starts to grate on me. “What?” The word comes out snappier than I intend.
“How is it?”
“Delicious.”
He just keeps staring, and I can’t tell if he’s waiting for me to bring up the morning. To say something.
It’s obvious we need to have a serious conversation about what that was and what it meant, but I…I don’t have the capacity for that conversation at the moment. Not yet.
Not when I’ve undergone such a dramatic departure from who I was a few weeks ago. A few days ago, even. I gave him my trust, something I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do with anyone ever again.
Shit.
I need a breather.
“I’m heading into the city in a little bit.”
Callum’s eyebrows rise. “There’s nothing on the competition schedule for today.”
“I know.”
“Is there something you need? I’ll have it delivered?—”
“It’s my day off.” I struggle to keep my tone neutral. No defensiveness, not here. “I want to spend some time adventuring.”
Callum examines my face before nodding. “All right.”
He’s not fighting me on this? He’ll let me go? Just like that?
“Okay.” I flash him a little smile and finish my food.
Once we’re done with breakfast, he removes the plates and heads for the couch. From his bag, he withdraws a bulletproof vest and a holster for his gun.
Alarm bells ring in my head. “Do you really think we’ll need all that? Surely no one will try anything in the middle of the city in broad daylight, especially when you’re with me.”
“I’ll be prepared if they do.” His gaze sears me. “Of course, if you’d rather not, I’m sure we could find other ways to keep ourselves entertained.”
The way he says that last part triggers a ripple of heat between my thighs.
So if we stay here, he’s hoping we end up between the sheets again? Why does that idea excite me down to my bones even though I still have no real proof he cares about me?
“Tempting, but I’m getting a little stir-crazy. I’ll grab my camera.”
After Callum fits a vest beneath my shirt and dresses in plain clothes to conceal his SWAT gear, we hit the Manhattan streets. Camera in hand, I let my spirit guide me through the city, with Callum—my constant shadow—on my heels.
Striding through the shade of skyscrapers, standing on bustling street corners, and wandering this urban jungle clears my mind. I veer off the sidewalk into a small park busy withstrolling pedestrians and young children. I pause by a bench to capture two blue jays bathing in a birdbath just beyond it.
I’ve almost got the perfect shot?—
