Page 264 of Now and Forever

STELLA

Okay, maybe I overreacted a bit. His mother, Bernice, wasn’t as terrifying as I thought at first. She actually had an odd sense of humor; it was off beat to say the least. I found it endearing that she would even try. Doris, his grandmother, was simply over the moon that Callum had actually found a woman to settle down with. Callum was minimal on the touchy feely side, however he was attentive and didn’t leave my side once.

Our first night together… let’s just say that he and I both got drunk and immediately passed out the moment we saw the bed. I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, although at this point, I didn’t want to sit and ponder on the subject.

My nerves were already strung out as it was.

Now, it was our second night together and I was working when I heard him enter. I didn’t even look up as we both said hi to each other. I suppose we had gotten comfortable rather quickly.

“Are you up for a dip in the Jacuzzi?” Callum yelled out somewhere in the room.

Was I? I was working to put together a Fashion Show for Lucia’s mother’s annual charity event. It was in three months time and there was still a lot of work to be done.

But…

Though it was our second night, he hadn’t said anything about my ‘problem’ and I suppose a quick dip in the hot tub would help. I really needed to convince him; not in a sexual way, but more on the argument side of things. After all, how hard was it for a man to just shove his darn thing in and get it over with really? I wanted my damn chastity gone. It seemed like it was the culprit for my unlucky strike in the boyfriend department.

Sliding off the chaise lounge, I strolled towards the closet. “I could possibly join you for a bit.” My upbeat confidence took a nosedive when I saw him walk out of the bathroom donning navy Armani swimwear. Bugger.

“Lovely. Do you prefer indoors or outdoors?” Callum asked, confusing me even more.

I bit my lip, trying not to blush from his question. He probably was thinking about the tub, but I sure as hell wasn’t. “Outdoors.”

“What do you fancy? Champagne? Wine? Or are we hitting hard liquor tonight?”

“Hard liquor and champagne, please.” Moving to the dark side, my mind butted in.

If he was surprised at my choice of alcohol, the man didn’t even blink twice. Instead, he smiled at me wickedly. “Sounds like my kind of night.”

Something better happen tonight or I was going to die of wonderment and frustration.

It didn’t take me long to change into my black two-piece swimsuit. Walking outside, I grinned at him while he was lounging in the jacuzzi, both hands stretched out while his head tilted back, stargazing.

“It’s a beautiful, warm night,” I commented as I dipped my toe in the pool of water.

When I cocked my head to the side, Callum had his tongue curled on his bottom lip, slightly biting it as his eyes lingered over my body.

Yeah, think of sex, why don’t you?I needed this over and done with, I wickedly mused.

My eyes caught the bottle of champagne and vodka, amongst the others. I went to get both before I finally let myself sink into the water.

“Feel like sharing a shot with me?” I was smiling when I offered the shot to him, however when I saw his face, my confidence immediately declined.

He looked menacing.

Volatile.

Predatory.

“What should we toast?” he asked, sounding like a man out for seduction. “Here’s to us, Stella.” Callum lifted his glass, toasting mine. “May the next coming days fill you with an extraordinary experience.” He took care to make emphasis on that word.

Oh yeah, this man was onto something. Hopefully, he was onto me; on top, preferably.

After two more chilled shots, I was on fire. Well, technically my body was wired… the need to be touched was getting acute as the seconds ticked by.

“Cal…” I licked my lips, thirsty for him. “I’m waiting,” I whispered, heady and intoxicated as much from the alcohol as from the images of our naked bodies touching.

Callum looked like he was debating, but finally managed to give me an answer after a full minute of silence. “We ought to take this slowly.”

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