Page 294 of Now and Forever

Oh, now he was really making me mad! From hearing him utter her name during sleep to that phone call, to this; what the hell did I ever do to deserve such cold treatment?

“I wasn’t aware that I had to inform you about my every single move. From what I recall, you and I agreed to sex. Nothing more.” I held his stare before I got fed up and darted towards his study with my heels making loud clacking noises against the marbled floor with each step.

Opening the door to his study, I dashed towards his desk and sure enough, I found my folder there. It didn’t even take a second before I snatched it and spun around to exit the damning place. It smelled too much like him and, dear goodness, I couldn’t inhale anymore of it. I needed to get the hell out of here, quick.

Callum waited on the very same spot I left him earlier; neck veins evident, eyes sharpened towards me, lips pressed together. Even if he looked like he was about to erupt, the man still managed to look like a sex god. Zara was a lucky woman.

“Goodnight,” I whispered when I went past him.

An animalistic growl almost made me stop. Almost.

“You’re leaving?” he bellowed behind me. It echoed through the house.

I had a few seconds to think and decided to play nice. Call it guilt, but even though he acted like a complete ass, it didn’t change the fact that Callum had helped me with so much. This thought never failed to work on my conscience.

“I’m going home to work on a few things. I’ve been slacking.” I nodded and proceeded to walk towards the door.

“You better not walk out of that door, Stella! We’re not done talking!” Callum was still beyond heated.

I was having a hard time balancing the good and the bad in me… but the devilish side of me won out and I was ready to match his temper. “Or what, Cal?” I glared at him. “You think I’m easily scared by your jealous tantrums? I think not.”

“Jealous?” he hissed. In a blink of an eye, he was immediately rooted close to me, face to face. Danger emanated from him. “Did you say I was jealous?”

I did, but if I knew any better, I shouldn’t confirm it. “Listen, it’s late. I’ll see you sometime soon.” My tongue darted out to lick my lips as I took hold of the brass handle and pulled the door open.

A sharp yelp came from me when the partially cracked door slammed back shut again with Callum in my way. “You’re not leaving until we’re done,” he said, gritting out. “Who were you with earlier, Stella?”

I meant to respond to him, really, but my voice was lost on me. My throat ran dry as those dark depths pinned me on the spot. Whatever it was, I knew I was in deep trouble.

“I dropped by your office earlier and was told by your assistant that you went out with Mark for lunch and never came back.” He hovered above me like a deadly predator, ready to kill when I made one wrong move. “So again, I’m asking you, what the hell have you been doing all afternoon?”

Was it wrong that amidst all this tension and anger that I was getting turned on? He was all male and, dear God, the man was the sexiest animal I had ever seen.

“You gave me your word. Last night, you promised that you’re mine.” Callum inched closer, his hard, chiseled chest pressed against my heaving breasts. “I don’t appreciate being lied to, Stella. Even if your body has been a new addiction for me, I don’t forgive easily,” he growled into my face, making me quiver from being so aroused with the threat in his words. “If you want to back out on our agreement, then say so. Chasing women was never a thing for me and I don’t plan to start one now.”

He wanted me to decide whether I wanted this or not. Right this instant. Well, what the heck did I want? My brows furrowed as I contemplated what to do. I’d choose him… but I knew I shouldn’t.

“Give me a few days,” I finally found my voice, shaky.

The air crackled between us. Our breathing ragged as it synchronized with each drag of our lungs. His dark eyes reached into mine, pulling and twisting into me, sucking me dry as they demanded all of me.

“No. Give me the answer now, Stella,” he barked out, unrelenting. “I’d rather have a willing woman in my bed than someone who is unsure of what she wants. I don’t have the time for these silly games, Stella.”

The message was loud and clear. If I wasn’t happy with our little sex union, then he’d be more than happy to look for someone who’d jump for joy and utmost gratitude that he was willing to share his sexual prowess. Even though I was simmering in blatant anger, I had to ponder if cutting this connection, or what of it, with Callum was the best thing to do.

My main issue was, I simply was falling for him. Apart from that, he actually wasn’t so bad. He could even be sweet at times. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t ready to let him go. It was too early and like a true masochist, I felt like I needed to get my fill of him first before I could walk away for good.

“I’m staying.”

His eyes were unreadable. They neither looked pleased or happy. “Then you’re sleeping here tonight,” he murmured. “Use my study to work on your project. I will have someone make a workroom for you. It will ready when you get back tomorrow.” He took his time looking over me before he kissed my cheek. “Don’t stay up late.”

With that, he simply spun on his heels and left me in an utter fucking mess.

God help me, but I couldn’t walk away. I didn’t have it in me to do so. Not until I knew it was over for good.

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