Saint (The Buck Boys Heroes 3)

“It’s how we looked at each other on our first date,” Cornell says, wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist.

“She’s…” My voice trails because I don’t have words.

I’m fucking tongue-tied after kissing Calliope.

“Yes, she is.” Brandi laughs. “I think we are witnessing the downfall of one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors.”

“That we are,” Cornell agrees with a curt nod. “Sean Wells just had his heart stolen.”

I laugh that off, patting the center of my chest as I do. “My heart is right here.”

They smile in a way that tells me they know I’m bullshitting them.

I’m far from being head over heels in love with Calliope, but that kiss wasn’t like anything I’ve experienced.

I’m craving more, so tomorrow morning, I plan on firming up a dinner date with my neighbor, so I can end the night with another kiss that rivals our first.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Callie

“Of course, I’ll do it,” I say into my phone as I wait on the sidewalk in front of my building for Jurgen to arrive.

Sean is nowhere in sight. I feel a slight sense of relief from that.

Our kiss last night kept me awake for hours.

It was brief, and I craved more, but it set the tone for what might be waiting for me in the future.

If a man can kiss like that, what’s he capable of in bed?

“You’re my hero, Callie.” Naomi sighs. “Harlan will do a naked cartwheel when he finds out what I have planned for him.”

I don’t want any of those details, so I push the conversation forward by asking a crucial question. “Do you need me to pick up dinner for the kids on my way to your place, or…”

“That would be a dream come true,” my sister interrupts me. “Chicken nuggets and fries always top their lists.”

That’s as easy as easy can be.

“When these concert tickets landed in my lap this morning, I couldn’t believe it,” she explains again why she needs a last minute sitter for tonight. “I asked the kids who they wanted to watch over them, and you won by a landslide.”

I’d call her out on that lie, but it won’t serve any purpose other than embarrassing her.

My mom texted me a heads-up just before my phone rang five minutes ago.

Naomi had asked her and my dad to watch Bodhi and Tabitha tonight, but they already had plans.

I don’t mind being second choice.

“Champ!”

I turn and raise a hand in greeting when I hear Sean call out my nickname.

When he spots the phone in my hand, his index finger darts to his lips as if he’s silencing himself.

“I’ll come to your place right after work,” I tell Naomi in an effort to wrap up the call. “If you need me to bring anything else, shoot me a text message.”

“Thank you!” she sing-songs into my ear. “Try not to stare at your boss all day.”

I feel my cheeks redden just as I end the call.

Sean dips his head to get a better look when I drop my gaze to the ground. “Are you blushing, Calliope?”

“No,” I murmur. “It’s warm out this morning.”

Naturally, the wind whips past us at the worst possible moment sending a few strands of my hair into my face.

I reach up to hold it in place as another gust follows.

“It’s brisk,” he says with a chuckle. “Sounds like I’m going to be turned down if I ask you out to dinner tonight.”

Convinced that the blush on my cheeks has faded, I look up to see him staring at me. “I have plans.”

“At someone’s place,” he adds.

I know a fishing expedition when it’s happening in plain sight.

“That’s right.” I nod.

His gaze slides over the light blue pencil skirt I’m wearing. “Is there a chance you’ll come home tonight with another work of art on your ass?”

I look past him to see Jurgen on the approach behind the wheel of the SUV. “There’s a very good chance that will happen.”

His gaze never leaves my face. “Looks like I’ll be camping out in the lobby tonight, considering I’m an art connoisseur.”

I laugh. “I know you spy on me through the peephole in your door, so you can skip the lobby.”

“You only know that because you do the same thing,” he counters.

I take a step forward. “Our ride is here.”

His hand reaches out to grab my elbow to stop me in place. “I want to clear something up, Champ. The other day…that woman you saw at my door, nothing happened there. She lost an earring at the party. I found it and sent her on her way.”

I appreciate the explanation, but he doesn’t owe me that. He doesn’t owe me anything. We haven’t even gone on our first date yet, so discussing other people we may or may not be interested in is premature.

I can’t allow myself to fall too deep, too fast. I have to keep my wits about me if I want to balance my job and whatever is happening between us.