Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

“Deal.” He plants a kiss on me, then leaves me altogether. “Put on some clothes. We’ll go up to the main house for breakfast. Alice most likely has something delicious cooking, and I don’t keep much food here.”

“You want me to go up to see your family, dressed in last night’s clothes, after we spent the night having sex?”

He blinks down at me. “What’s wrong with that scenario?”

I shrug a shoulder. “It kind of screams walk of shame, but okay.”

“Actually, it says I had a nice evening with you, and I’m not ashamed in the least.”

I know that the grin spreading over my face is goofy, but I don’t care. “Okay, let’s go get breakfast.”

“Excellent.”

I tug on the jeans and T-shirt I wore last night, use my fingers on my hair to try and make it presentable, but end up throwing it up into a knot instead. Then I root around under the sink in the bathroom for a new toothbrush.

Which I find because Nina and her staff always think ahead.

Once I’ve brushed my teeth and am ready to go, Callum escorts me from the boathouse to the primary residence, which is bigger than any other house I’ve ever been in. With massive windows that face the lake and enough space for the population of all of Montana, it’s a dream home.

I follow Callum up to the main living space, which includes a huge, open kitchen and sitting room with the same impressive views of the water that the boathouse has.

Thank God Callum’s bedroom doesn’t face the house.

“Good morning,” Nina says with a smile. She and Sebastian are sitting on a couch, cuddling, while Alice bustles about in the kitchen. “And welcome.”

“Thank you.”

I’ve met Nina and her husband Sebastian several times, and they’ve always been kind to me.

“Hello, Aspen,” Alice says with a wave. “How lovely to have you here. I hope you enjoy crepes and muffins.”

“What’s not to enjoy?” I ask, just as Ellie and Liam come walking through the front door.

“Good morning,” Ellie says, and then her face lights up when she sees me. “What a wonderful surprise. How are you, Aspen?”

“I’m great, thank you. You guys, please forgive me, but am I supposed to curtsey or something?”

Everyone laughs, but Ellie shakes her head. “No, silly. This is as informal as it gets. We’re family, and friends.”

“Please just give me a heads-up if I botch something, okay? I can learn. I’m not completely clueless.”

“I was when I met him,” Nina says, gesturing to Sebastian. “I had to learn from scratch, and let me tell you, there was a lot to learn. But you’ll catch on. As long as we’re in a casual situation like this, you can just act normally.”

“Thank you.”

Callum kisses my cheek and then gestures for me to have a seat with the others.

“So, things are going well, then?” Ellie asks and elbows Liam. “I told you it would go well.”

“I had no idea you were such a matchmaker,” I say as I accept a cup of coffee from Alice. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m not usually, I just had a feeling, and gave you a little push.”

“I didn’t need a push,” Callum says while pouring cream into his coffee. “And you can mind your own business, baby sister.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“All right, everyone, everything is ready for you. Would you rather I serve you in there, or would you like to eat buffet-style?”

“No need to serve me,” Sebastian says. “We’ll come make our own plates, Alice. Thank you.”

“Of course.” Alice nods and turns away, but stops suddenly and presses her hand to her head. “Oh, my.”

“Alice?” Nina says, just as the woman falls to the floor unconscious.

“Go get David,” Sebastian says to Liam, who’s already running for the door. Callum has Alice’s head in his lap and is feeling for a pulse. “Is she alive?”

“Yes, it looks like she passed out,” Callum says as Alice starts to come to. David and Liam run into the room.

“What’s going on?”

“She fainted,” I say. “Should I call for an ambulance?”

“Give me a second,” David says, kneeling beside his wife and taking her in his arms. “What’s happened, sweetheart? Are you okay?”

“I just got so lightheaded,” she says and shakes her head. “I passed right out. But I think I’m fine now.”

“You should see a doctor,” Sebastian says. “We can get one here today.”

“I’ll call Hannah,” Nina says as she reaches for her mobile. “She’ll come right over.”

“Hannah is her friend, who happens to be a gynecologist,” Ellie tells Alice.

“Really, there’s no need to fuss. I’m fine.”

But Nina is already speaking to Hannah, who promises to come right over.

“She lives about ten minutes away. She’ll be here soon.”

“I think we’re making a big deal out of this,” Alice insists.

“I don’t,” David says. “Let her have a look and make sure there’s nothing wrong.”