Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

“Totally just swallowed his tongue,” Natasha whispers in my ear and then steps away. Callum’s eyes are round, and he has to take a moment to swallow hard. It gives me time to take him in. He’s wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a blue tie. He’s just so…hot. Square jawline, dark hair and eyes, and when he clenches his jaw in the way he’s doing now, I want to leap on him and kiss him.

But this is a favor for Ellie. Nothing more.

“Are you still punishing me, then?” he asks.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll have me on my knees, begging for mercy before the evening is over.”

I laugh, but his eyes tell me he’s not kidding.

“Thank you. You look dashing yourself.”

He grins and steps toward me. “I remembered how much you like flowers.”

Pink roses this time, and I can’t resist burying my nose in them to fuss over the blooms for just a moment.

“They’re lovely.”

“I’m happy to put those in water for you before we go,” Monica says, taking the flowers from me. “You two should be on your way.”

“Thanks for everything,” I reply. “Just let yourselves out whenever and lock up as you go.”

I turn to retrieve the little clutch purse Natasha lent me for the evening and hear Callum’s sharp inhale and a whispered, “Jesus, help me.”

I spin back to him. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

He shakes his head. “Yes. I’m going to have to beat every man at this thing tonight off with a bloody stick. My God, Aspen, you’re a vision.”

Okay, he says some nice things. And the way he’s looking at me makes me long for stuff I’ve already experienced with him.

But we’re not going there.

“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”

He doesn’t reply as we say goodbye to my friends and walk to his car, where David and a driver wait.

Once we’re in the backseat, Callum takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, making my stomach jolt in surprise and pleasure.

“No, Aspen. I don’t say that to all the girls. You’re absolutely gorgeous, and I’m a lucky man to have you as my date tonight.”

I want to sigh. I want to climb on his lap.

Instead, I simply smile and silently thank Natasha for talking me into this dress.* * *“I had no idea there would be so many people here,” Nina says as she surveys the room. “Cunningham Falls is such a small town.”

“But a strong community,” I remind her. “And a proud one.”

I’m not surprised in the least that this ballroom is full. We’re seated near the stage where the mayor will step up a little later and announce the winners of the silent auction, currently going on at the opposite side of the room. Sebastian, Callum, and Liam are over there browsing the items up for bid as Nina, Ellie, and I enjoy a glass of champagne and a chance to chat.

“Your dress should be illegal,” Nina says with a wink. “Or maybe just looking that hot in it should be.”

“It’s divine,” Ellie agrees. “Who is the designer?”

I blink at her. “I have no idea. I bought it at Dress It Up.”

“Willa keeps such wonderful things in that boutique,” Nina says with a sigh.

I eye both of their gowns. Nina’s sparkles with white stones on the bodice. It’s strapless, so she’s paired it with a gorgeous sapphire necklace.

And Ellie is as beautiful as ever in a one-shouldered pink dress that shows off her figure perfectly.

“Do I want to know the designers of your gowns?” I ask.

“Valentino,” Ellie says.

“Givenchy,” Nina adds with a wink. “And yours just slayed both of ours. It’s not always about the label, but the body wearing it. And with a form like yours, you’d look amazing in a burlap sack.”

I snort and take another sip of my champagne, grateful that these wonderful women are welcoming and kind without an elitist bone in their bodies.

Nina is married to Callum’s eldest brother, Sebastian. And Ellie is Callum’s younger sister. Royals literally surround me at this event.

Who in the world do I imagine I am, thinking I belong at a table with the royal family?

“Uh-oh,” Ellie says. “You have a look. What’s wrong?”

“It’s a little disconcerting realizing you’re surrounded by royals.”

“Friends,” Nina says with a shake of her head. “We’re your friends, Aspen.”

“I know.” I sip my champagne. “And I love that you are. But every once in a while, I realize that I’m sitting with British royalty, and it knocks me back for a minute.”

“I understand,” Nina says with a grin. “It still surprises me sometimes, too. But at the root of it all, we’re women.”

I nod and want to ask some questions about the royal life, but the guys return before I have a chance to reply. Callum sits next to me and wraps his arm around my back.