Steal My Breath (Elixir 1)

I don’t want to wait that long, but we’re up against his work and family commitments here, so I know I’m going to have to wait.

“I’ll clear my schedule for you tomorrow.”

His hands slide under my ass, and he lifts me up, balancing me against the door. After he kisses me again, he says, “I’d appreciate that.” God, I love that deep voice of his.

I leave the bar ten minutes later and commence the countdown to sex with Luke.

Sex.

Finally.

Oh, God, I need to prepare for this.

Thank goodness I have the whole night ahead.

18

Callie

I smooth a mask over my face later that night. The bottle assured me it would help clear my pores, and I need those pores cleared. I’m beginning to feel a little anxious. Since I arrived home from the bar, I’ve had problem after problem get in the way of my primping for tomorrow. I need everything to be perfect for when Luke and I finally sleep together again.

First, Jasper was ill, so I had to take care of him. Then after I got him sorted, Mrs Harper’s sink blocked, so I took care of that for her. And then, my car alarm sounded. When I went to check on it, one of my neighbours engaged me in a conversation about neighbourhood security that lasted a good half hour. I’ve only just managed to extricate myself.

As soon as I returned from that conversation, I dyed my hair. It’s currently wrapped in cling wrap, sitting on top of my head. And the black pore mask I applied is beginning to set on my face. Next up, a bikini wax. And then my legs need to be waxed, too. After that I’ll do a pedicure and then a manicure. To finish off, I’m going to take a long bath and exfoliate my entire body before slathering on body lotion.

I decide wine is in order while I wait for my mask and hair, so I traipse to the fridge and retrieve the Riesling I bought on the way home. I’ve just poured myself a glass when there’s a knock on the front door. I ignore it because I’m dressed only in my sexy red silk robe that barely covers my ass. I love this robe so much that I’ve got the heating cranked up just so I can wear it. Tonight is all about me feeling sexy, and this robe does that. Winter won’t stop me from feeling sexy.

The banging doesn’t stop—it only grows louder until Luke calls out, “Callie.”

I freeze.

Shit.

Oh, God, no.

No, no, no.

He can’t be here tonight. Not when I look like this.

I peer in the kitchen window to see my reflection in the glass.

He bangs on the door again.

My face is black, and my hair is an ungodly mess.

My phone rings.

Oh, hell.

Shit.

Mothereffer.

I swipe my phone off the counter. “Luke, what’s up?” I attempt to sound normal, but even I don’t recognise the voice that squeaks out of my mouth. It screams guilt.

“Why aren’t you letting me in?”

“Oh… Are you at my place? Sorry, I’m not home.”