Finally, we’re on our way back to my house.
“You bought me a vacation,” I say again when we’re safely tucked in the car’s backseat.
“Clearly, that displeases you,” Callum says with a sigh. “It wasn’t meant as an insult, Aspen. I saw it on the table, remembered our conversation the other day, and thought it would be fun to take a holiday with you. We can go whenever you like, whenever it fits your schedule.”
“I just don’t know how we went from polite acquaintances to taking trips together in the span of one evening.” I sigh and look over at him, surprised when I see him looking down at me with dark eyes full of apprehension. Hurt? Confusion?
Is Callum as confused as I am?
“Thank you,” I say at last and reach over for his hand, which engulfs mine perfectly. “I don’t mean to sound rude or ungrateful. It took me by surprise. Given our history, I wouldn’t think we’d make good travel partners.”
“Things change,” he murmurs before bringing my hand to his lips to kiss my knuckles as the car pulls into my driveway.
I’m exhausted when the door to the car finally opens, and Callum takes my hand to escort me up to the front door.
“I’m not going to ask you in,” I inform him.
“Of course, not,” he murmurs. His forearm rests on the door, and his fingers play with some of my curls. “Your hair looks like fire.”
“It was super annoying when I was a teenager and already didn’t fit in.”
“It’s beautiful. Just like the rest of you. This dress is every fantasy I’ve ever had, draped around you like sin.”
I swallow hard. “You’re good with words.”
“I’m not, no,” he replies softly. “And I’m not one to use pretty platitudes. I’m simply telling you the truth.”
His hand slips down my arm and around to my back, where his fingertips glide up my spine. The touch is more thorough and seductive than earlier, moving from just above my ass to my neck.
Goosebumps break out over my flesh. I couldn’t hide them if I wanted to.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs just before his lips cover mine. The combination of his fingers on my back and his lips on mine is intoxicating. I feel like I’m floating as he deepens the kiss, sweeping that magical tongue across the seam of my lips and into my mouth. My breasts, aching for him, press against his chest as he plants the kiss of a lifetime on me.
He groans as he sinks deeper. And then he pulls back as if he just remembered where we are.
“I told you you’d bring me to my knees before the night was out.” He sighs and kisses my forehead. “Goodnight.”
And with that, he walks away, down to the waiting car. They wait for me to get inside before they drive away, and I lean on the closed door and take a deep breath.
“He didn’t even try to come inside,” I say to no one. “Not that I would have let him if he did. But he didn’t even argue. If I’m so hot in this dress, why didn’t he work harder to get me out of it?”
I frown and bite my lip, still tasting him there.
“And why am I mad that he didn’t?”
I shake my head and kick out of the shoes that have been killing me all night. I toss my clutch onto the table beside the door and walk to the kitchen for some water.
Callum’s flowers sit in my favorite vase on the island.
I sniff them and smile softly.
He’s a potent man. But he’s a prince. And he forgot me once. I won’t allow him to do it again.Chapter 6~Callum~I can still taste her. Feel her spine under my fingertips. I should have controlled myself better, especially at the event. It wouldn’t do to have people talking about Aspen, but I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.
I feel out of control when I’m with her. And despite a reputation for being reckless, I’m never out of control.
But the evening was successful. Aspen enjoyed herself, and once she calmed down about the bloody holiday I bought, she laughed and had fun with the whole group of us.
She fits in well with my family.
I loosen my tie and watch the small town pass by as we drive back to Sebastian’s lake house. A few cars are parked downtown, and a handful of people walk on the sidewalks, most likely making their way from pub to pub. Once upon a time, I would have joined them.
But the party life no longer appeals to me. The frivolity of being careless, reckless even, is firmly in my past—and has been for several years.
I’m still restless but in a different way. Ironically, that restlessness seems to subside when I’m in the company of a certain café owner, one Aspen Calhoun.