Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

Ellie props her hands on her hips. “Did she really accept, or did she simply placate you so you’d go away?”

Is that what she did? Do I still feel so bloody unsettled because Ellie’s hit the nail on the head?

Bollocks.

“If she shooed you out of the shop, I’d say it was the latter,” my sister continues.

I sigh. “She’s impossible.”

“Honestly, I don’t blame her for being so angry with you. If I’d been intimate with someone and they forgot the next time they saw me, I might punch them.”

“You always were violent.”

“It was a dick move, as the Americans say. Sometimes, an apology isn’t just about the words, Callum. Prove that you regret your actions.”

“How in the hell am I supposed to do that? Everything I do irritates the bloody piss out of her.”

“The women you’ve been with have made life way too easy for you. It’s not hard,” she says and rolls her eyes. “Start simple. Perhaps a bouquet would be a nice olive branch.”

I shrug, thinking it over. “You’re probably right.”

“You need to try. And make it work, Callum. I love her, and she deserves for you to be nice to her.”

“I wasn’t mean to her!”

“You know what I mean. Be a gentleman. I’m having dinner and drinks with her and the other girls tomorrow night. So, if you could please take care of this before then, I’d appreciate it.”

“You’re a pain in my arse.”

She smiles brightly. “Of course, I am. I’ll see you at dinner.”

She waves and walks away, and I stroll down the path to the boathouse. I key in the code to the door and walk up the steps to the loft.

The kitchen is white and inviting and open to a living space with a fireplace. Big, sliding glass doors open to a vast deck with the best view of the lake.

I retrieve a lager from the fridge and walk out to get some fresh air. Boats pepper the water, and birds fly overhead. It’s a peaceful spot.

Perhaps I should buy a place of my own here. A getaway to escape to and unwind. I’ll have to look into it. Nina’s sister-in-law, Jenna, is an expert in local real estate.

I’ll ask her some questions later.

In the meantime, this boathouse is a far cry from the palace, and it’s absolutely perfect.

I wasn’t going to join the others for this trip. Unlike my siblings, I don’t have ties to Montana.

Actually, that’s not true.

But the one tie I do have here doesn’t want anything to do with me.

And yet, I can’t let her go.

Is it my competitive nature that won’t let it rest? Is it the challenge?

That could be a factor, but it’s not all of it. I know that much.

Aspen is beautiful, intelligent, and kind. That afternoon with her a couple of years ago has replayed in my mind nearly every time I close my eyes.

How could I have been such a tosser when I saw her again last year? So careless?

I’m a lot of things, but that’s not one of them. And, yes, I have a womanizing reputation, but the truth would disappoint the public.

Sure, I’ve had my share of bedmates, but not nearly as many as the media portrays.

I’m much more selective than that.

And since I had sex with Aspen just that one time, the number of women I’ve been intimate with has been a resounding zero.

And despite her despising me, the chemistry I feel when I’m in the same room as Aspen is still there. I thought my skin would catch on fire this afternoon.

But is pursuing her worth the burn?

I don’t know. All I know for certain is that I need to make sure I make things right with her. Not just for Ellie’s sake—although that certainly factors in.

But also for me.

I hurt her.

And now, I’m here to mend things, even if that means leaving Montana without Aspen in my life.* * *I’m embarrassed to admit, even to myself, that I’ve never given a woman flowers before.

I’ve had them sent, of course. My assistant has a florist on call, and they handle my flower deliveries.

But I’ve never given a woman a bouquet in person.

Does that make me an arsehole?

Quite possibly.

“I’ll be right out,” I say to David, but he shakes his head.

“I’m going in with you, sir.”

I frown.

“It’s the middle of the day, and we don’t know who’s inside. I’ll hang back.”

I shrug and walk into Drips & Sips. It’s a busy early afternoon. The smell of coffee hangs in the air, and the conversation of the patrons is loud.

But as I look around the room, I don’t see Aspen.

So, I approach the counter and smile at a curvy blonde standing at the cash register.

Her blue eyes widen when she sees me, but I don’t give her a chance to get tongue-tied.

“I’m looking for Aspen.”