Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

“Do you need anything?” he asks. “A fresh drink? Something to eat?”

“No, thank you. Did you find anything good over there?” I indicate the auction table.

“A few things,” he says. “The offerings are impressive.”

“World-class,” Sebastian agrees. He should know, he’s a prince, after all.

Before long, dinner is served. People stop by the table to say hello or to gush about the royal family and say how they enjoy seeing the family around town. I notice odd looks coming my way, but I do my best to ignore them.

Yes, I’m aware that I’m at this table. I’m also aware that I don’t belong.

But I’ll be damned if I’ll let it ruin my evening. I’m having more fun than I expected. Even Callum has been engaging, funny, and attentive. He’s hardly annoyed me at all. And his fingers have found their way down my spine a couple of times, setting my nerves on fire.

Maybe this dress was a mistake, after all. Because I’m as turned on as I’ve ever been in my life.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mayor Jeffries begins, and the room quiets so we can listen. Callum’s fingers don’t leave my spine. He masterfully tickles the flesh on my back, but his face is non-expressive and turned to the mayor as if he’s not doing anything at all. I want to squirm, but that would be too obvious and garner attention, so I sit still and will my libido to take a chill pill.

“Thank you for being with us tonight to celebrate the completion of the new diagnostics unit in the Cunningham Falls Medical Center. Because of your generosity, our community will have the best in diagnostic imaging and may even save some lives.”

The room erupts in applause.

“We’re here tonight as a community to celebrate and to continue donations toward our medical community so we can stay on the cutting edge of medical technology and ensure that our friends and family stay as healthy as possible. As you know, there has been a silent auction going on in the back of the room all evening. It’s now officially closed. I have the honor of announcing tonight’s winners.”

More applause as someone passes a spreadsheet to the mayor.

“Let’s get started, shall we? First up, we have a first-class, all-expenses-paid vacation to Fiji. This includes accommodations at a five-star resort and first-class travel.”

Mayor Jeffries waggles his eyebrows.

“Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Well, it looks like His Royal Highness, Callum Wakefield placed the highest bid for this item. Congratulations, sir.”

My gaze whips to Callum, who simply nods while the rest of the room applauds.

“You bought a vacation?”

“It’s for a very good cause,” he says. “And a certain someone I know told me she’s dreamt of a tropical holiday. Granted, it’s not the Maldives, but that wasn’t one of the options.”

I stare at him in disbelief.

“You bought me a vacation?”

He reaches to take my hand, but I immediately pull it away. The mayor is still announcing winners, the room applauds, but I can’t hear anything over the rush of blood in my ears.

“Excuse me,” I murmur and stand to leave. I need a minute to catch my breath. To decide if I want to kill him or kiss him.

I’ve just rounded the corner of the restrooms, pushed inside, and leaned on the counter to hang my head and gulp in air when the door flings open behind me, and Callum comes waltzing in as if he owns the place.

“This is a women’s restroom.”

“I’m aware,” he says, watching me closely. “Tell me why you ran.”

“You bought me a vacation, Callum.”

He blows out a breath. “I did, yes.”

“I didn’t ask for one.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You don’t have to ask for something for me to buy it for you.”

“You shouldn’t be buying me anything,” I say in frustration. “I told you I forgive you. What are you trying to do now? Buy me expensive things to help assuage your guilt?”

He steps toward me and cages me against the counter without touching me.

“I was doing something kind. It was spur of the moment. I’m not trying to buy you, as you so crudely put it. I’m trying to enjoy something with you. Because if you think I’ll let anyone but me enjoy your first holiday with you, you’re out of your bloody mind, darling.”

I sigh, completely confused. Now he wants to take trips with me?

I move to walk past him. “We should get back.”

“Aspen.”

My name on his lips stops me.

“I just want to enjoy something with you. It’s as simple as that.”

I nod once, resolved to figuring this all out later when I don’t have friends and a room full of people I know waiting. They all saw me leave, and likely saw Callum chase after me.

“We’ll talk about it later.”

I know that doesn’t satisfy him, but he backs away and allows me to walk out of the restroom ahead of him. He follows me back to the table, where we listen to the rest of the auction announcements and eat dessert as people get up to make speeches.