Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

I shake my head and try to change the subject again. “What does one wear to a benefit?”

“A cocktail dress,” Natasha says. “A sexy-as-fuck, knock-him-on-his-ass cocktail dress.”

“That,” Monica says, pointing to Natasha. “You wear that.”

“I’d better get some more exercise this week and stop eating this ice cream,” I murmur. “Because I kind of want to knock him on his ass.”

“Attagirl,” Monica says again, making me laugh.* * *I scrunch up my nose and stare at my reflection in the dressing room mirror.

It’s been twelve hours since I told Ellie I’d go to the benefit with Callum, and I’m deeply regretting that decision.

“Come, show me,” Natasha says from the other side of the curtain at Dress It Up.

I step out, and her eyes narrow.

“Turn.”

I comply.

“Turn again.”

I roll my eyes but do as she asks.

“Next.”

“I’ve tried on five dresses, Tash. We’re running out of options in Cunningham Falls.”

“Try the purple one with the low back. You look amazing in jewel tones.”

“And then I’m done trying, and I’ll just choose one of these. It’s for one night. I’m not going to stress over it.”

I’m totally going to stress over it. But if I say I’m not, maybe it’ll come true.

I slip into the amethyst-colored dress and tilt my head to the side.

Not bad.

Probably the best one.

I walk out, and Natasha grins. “I hate that you look so damn good in the jewel tones. It’s the fabulous red hair. That’s gorgeous. Turn for me.”

I do, and she whistles.

“That’s a knock-him-on-his-ass dress,” she confirms. “Wrap it up. Do you have black heels?”

“Heels? Hell, no. I’m on my feet all day, and I haven’t dressed up since—”

Since my wedding day.

But I don’t say that out loud.

“In a really long time.”

“We’ll find you some. Man, your back looks amazing in that gown. I didn’t know you had a tramp stamp.”

I turn and struggle to see my back in the mirror.

“I don’t.”

“Ha, gotcha.”

I stick out my tongue at her and return to the dressing room to change into my jeans and T-shirt. After, Natasha and I walk to the counter to pay.

“This is a stunning dress,” Willa says with a smile. “And it’s gorgeous on you. Yeah, I peeked.”

“Thanks. I need shoes.”

“You’ve come to the right place, doll.”Chapter 4~Callum~The lake is clear this morning. Calm. So still, in fact, I can see a perfect reflection of the trees and homes on the opposite side of the lake in the water. A lone soul kayaks across the smooth water, the only disruption in the glass-like lake. The smell of pine is heavy in the air.

It’s rare to be able to enjoy mornings like this. To not have the press camped outside, trying to snap a photo or get a word.

They’d drive a saint bloody insane.

And I’m no saint.

The longer I’m in Montana with its wide-open spaces and kind people, I understand why my siblings enjoy being here so much. It’s one of the few places in the world where we have quiet. No prying eyes.

Just peace.

The sun hasn’t quite risen yet, but the sky is painted in pinks and blues, the birds chirping. When was the last time I took a minute to admire a sky and listen to birds singing the song of their kind?

I couldn’t tell you.

I’m on my second cuppa of the day. I haven’t been sleeping well. At first, I blamed jet lag. But I’ve been in town for several days now, and only one thing has been in the forefront of my mind.

Aspen Calhoun.

With her mane of fiery hair and those green eyes that can cut me in two with just one look—or set my blood to boiling in the blink of an eye.

Each time I see her, it’s like a roundhouse kick to the face. She’s more beautiful than my memory gives her credit for.

And I can’t get her out of my mind. She’s always there, both when I’m sleeping and while I’m awake.

Of course, it’s just my luck that I’m attracted to a woman who doesn’t want anything to do with me. Not that I can blame her. I understand her anger. I was a complete prat. But I felt like we turned a corner yesterday when she finally accepted my apology.

I check the time. I agreed to go for a run with David at seven. We usually go earlier, but I cut him some slack since he’s a newlywed.

What red-blooded man wants to leave his wife so early in the morning?

I have half an hour, so I go inside, change into my running clothes, and head up to the big house to see if Alice set out any scones or muffins for us to nibble on.

I find I’m not disappointed when I reach the kitchen and see plates of both.

I’ve just taken a bite of a scone when I hear my sister behind me.