Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

“Five dollars per person?”

“For the whole meal,” I say, shaking my head. “As it turns out, there’s plenty you can make. I just had to be a little inventive. As time went on, and money wasn’t quite so tight, I didn’t have to be as frugal at the market, but I still enjoyed cooking and playing in the kitchen.”

“You could do this professionally if you ever wanted to.”

“No.” I laugh and take a bite of the pasta. “I’m fine with my café. I do bake a few batches of the cookies sometimes, especially in the winter. Otherwise, I buy everything we have on hand from a local baker.”

“Your café is beautiful,” he says.

“I love it more than I thought I would,” I admit. “I’ve never been afraid of hard work. But I had no idea that owning a business would be this hard. I’m grateful for Gretchen because, even though her taste in men sucks, she’s on point when it comes to her job. I can depend on her. And I’m hoping it works out with the new girls so I can take a couple of days off each week. I’m taking this weekend off, and I don’t remember the last time I was this excited.”

“Is that what you were dancing about when I scared the life out of you at the door?”

I chuckle. “Yes.”

“It seems I have good timing for a change, then,” he says, studying me over his wine glass. “I have some work to do remotely, but I’d like to spend those two days with you if you’ll let me.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“Unless, of course, you have other plans.”

“I was going to paint my bathroom and read a book. Maybe take a nap. Obviously, things that can’t be rescheduled or juggled.”

His lips tip up in a charming grin. “Obviously. If I promise to learn to wield a paintbrush, will you allow me to join you?”

I mentally readjust my plans and grasp onto a new idea. “Actually, I’d like to pick you up in the morning.”

He raises a brow. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow.”

“So mysterious,” he says, slowly shaking his head back and forth, but the humor in his dark eyes is clear. “I’m yours, anytime.”

“Eight in the morning,” I decide on the spot. “I’d like to sleep in a bit.”

“That’s sleeping in?”

“I’m usually up at four to open the café at six. So, this will be a treat.”

“Eight it is, then. Give me a hint.”

“No way.”

“A tiny clue.”

I laugh and reach for his empty plate to take it to the sink. “I had a child, Callum. You can try to talk me into it, but it won’t work.”

“Mums are so strict.”

“The good ones are.”

“Indeed.” I turn to find him watching me. “Did you know your mum, Aspen?”

“Oh, yeah, and she was not a good one,” I reply before I can catch myself. I speak about my biological family even less than I do about Emma and Greg. “But that’s a boring story.”

He just sits and waits. I don’t know what it is about this man, but I find myself wanting to confide in him. It’s the strangest feeling, and one I don’t think I’ve had before.

“She moved to Nashville to make it big in music. When that didn’t work out, she became a junkie. I have no idea who my father is. When I lived with her, I was pretty much on my own anyway. She died when I was five. After that, I bounced around in foster care. I met Greg when I was fourteen, married him the day after I turned seventeen and had Emma later that same year. And, honestly, I wouldn’t change any of it.”

“Indeed,” he murmurs. He’s all polish. All slick sophistication.

And I’m just white trash from Tennessee.

What in the hell are we doing?

“Don’t even say it,” he says, surprising me yet again.

“What was I going to say?”

“That this can’t possibly work, whatever this is, because of how different we are.”

“Well, would I be wrong if I did?” I ask and lean back against my countertop. Callum stands and slowly walks to me, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’re a prince, and I’m—”

“If you say anything other than incredible and the most beautiful, intriguing woman I’ve ever met, I’ll take you over my knee, Aspen Calhoun.”

I smile as he saunters closer.

“I can be both intriguing and from the wrong side of the tracks, Callum.”

“I can’t change your past. I’m also not ashamed of it. I’m here because I want to be with you as much as I can. I’ve wanted that for a long time. But there are some things you need to know.”

“I’m all ears.”

“My family is openminded and wonderful. The media is not. If you’re connected to me, every little detail about your life will be uncovered and examined under a microscope with a lens of disdain, prejudice, and snobbery.”