by Shae Banks
He nodded and asked, “What were you going to say?”
I pressed my lips together, trying to hide the stupid smile. “I had a friend back in college, and if we went out and had steak we always answered that question with ‘quick and dirty’ just to shock the waiter.”
He shook his head, smirking. “Poor waiter.”
“It’s the little things,” I said with a shrug. “They make the best memories, don’t they?”
“They do indeed. Could you see if there’s a bottle of Bordeaux open? This steak won’t take long, then it needs a couple of minutes to rest, and I’ll be through.”
I smiled, nodded, and went back into the dining room to the bar. As he expected, a bottle was open so I removed the vacuum seal and put it on the table.
He followed me through a short time later, putting the two plates he carried down on the table.
“You didn’t have to go to this trouble,” I said, taking a seat. “It must have been a pain having me here all weekend.”
He sat opposite and poured us each a glass of wine. “It’s no trouble, and I’ve enjoyed having you around,” he said, cutting his steak. “In all honesty, this is a bloody big place to be rattling around for three nights and it was good to know there was another living soul here.”
I nodded. Three nights. He planned to go back to his apartment on the harbor, which meant I would have to go back to the flat. I didn’t know how I felt about that. I hadn’t given it much thought, happy to be away from there for a while. “What time do you usually leave?”
He looked up and frowned. “Leave?”
“You’ll be going home after this, won’t you?”
He shook his head. “You have the day off tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Yeah... What’s that—”
“I expected you to stay here, and we’ll handle you going back tomorrow.”
I took a gulp of wine from my glass. “Oh... I was going to go back now. I’ve been under your feet enough, haven’t I?”
He shook his head. “Not really. I haven’t seen as much of you as I’d have liked. One more night might remedy that.”
I cut my steak, wondering why it felt as though there was more to his statement.
“Oh, my god. What did you cook this in?”
He smiled. “Just a bit of olive oil and a rub over with butter. Is it okay?”
I’d already stuffed more in my mouth so all I could do was nod enthusiastically.
The spruced-up leftovers were damned good, too, but I didn’t stop eating to let him know.
He really had looked after me, but we hadn’t spoken much after getting back on Thursday. That night we had lasagna. Friday scampi and chips. Saturday had been really busy, and I was shattered. When I went straight to bed, he stopped by my room with sandwiches on his way up to his flat.
I still didn’t know why.
“What’s wrong?”
I looked up at him confused.
“You’re frowning.”
“Sorry,” I said picking up my glass. “I was just thinking.”
He looked at me and carried on eating.
“Wondering, really,” I went on without any prompting. “I get you helping me on Wednesday night. That was pretty mental of me, I know, and you really were kind.” I paused and took a drink of my wine. When I put the glass down, he refilled it and waited for me to continue.
“But I don’t understand why you’ve gone to these lengths…”
“You don’t understand why someone would help you out when you’re having a hard time?”
I gave him an apologetic smile and shrugged.
“I will admit to having an ulterior motive.”
I sat back and folded my arms. “Really? And what would that be?”
He cleared his throat and put down his knife and fork. “Well, I enjoyed your company on Christmas day. I was curious whether that was Christmas spirit or something more.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. I had a question but wasn’t sure if it was the time to ask it.
“Say it.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Whatever just popped into your head.”
“I’ve worked here for four years, and it’s only now you’re noticing my existence?”
He shrugged. “I don’t usually spend time with the staff outside of work, makes for a better working relationship, I find. However, after noticing your existence, I’ve found myself wanting to know more.”
I went back to my dinner. “Got slightly more than you bargained for, didn’t you? these vegs are beautiful, by the way.”
He smiled, apparently not fooled by my change of subject. “We would have it on Sunday evening. Lunch was always a grand affair, the whole family together, and the leftovers would be served in some form for dinner. This was always my favorite. Yes, you are certainly more interesting than I imagined you’d be. It served to pique my interest further.”
I raised my brows and asked, “And what do you plan to do with your newfound interest?”
He’d finished eating and placed his knife and fork on his plate then refilled his glass. I waited, putting down my own cutlery, and sat back in my chair. He was just looking at me.
I picked up my glass and asked, “Well?”
“I’m not going to do anything with it. That isn’t how it works. I’ve told you I’m interested, and now it’s up to you to decide if you reciprocate. If you do, then we’ll go from there. If not, we return to our previous arrangement with no harm done.”
“Wow.”
He cocked his head.
“You just pitched that like a job interview…”
“If I came onto you after offering you somewhere safe to stay, I’d be no better than your boyfriend.”
“Ex-boyfriend.”
“That’s subjective. It seems he isn’t getting the message. There is also the question of whether you really are done with that situation.”
“Do you think I’d be here if I wasn’t?”
“That’s the thing. I hardly know you, and you hardly know me. If your relationship with Pierce is over, and you really are moving on, I have no way to tell if that is the case.”
“You’d have to take my word for it.”
His lips twitched, his eyes settling on my mouth, and asked, “More wine?”
I didn’t want more to drink, but I didn’t want to head to the room yet either. It was the strangest, most candid conversation I’d ever had. I didn’t want it to end. “Can I have a coke?” I asked.
“Of course.” He got up and went to the small bar. While he was busy, I gathered our plates and headed into the kitchen.
When I’d finished scraping the leftovers and put the plates in the dishwasher, I went back to find Callum had poured our drinks and was sitting at the bar.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the glass of coke he’d poured. “I washed up.”
“There was no need. You’ve been on your feet all day.”
I laughed and shook my head. “And you haven’t?”
“That’s a good point. Shall we take these through to the lounge?”
The lounge was reserved for guests of the hotel. There were a few armchairs arranged before the original fireplace and an arrangement of antique furniture and artwork on the walls. It wasn’t my thing.
“I couldn’t relax in there if I tried,” I said.
His eyes trailed over me and he held out his hand. “Upstairs, then?”
I knew I shouldn’t. It was a fucking terrible idea. I couldn’t even say it was the wine because I’d only had two small glasses with dinner.
I took it and allowed him to lead me upstairs.
I was sleeping in room three, but he stopped outside room two and turned to me. He seemed conflicted.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, dropping his hand.
He took it back and ran his thumb over the back of my palm. “Are you sure you want—”
“Are you?” I countered. He wasn’t ready for that.
“Well,
no. I’m not prepared. This wasn’t planned, believe it or not.”
I laughed. “No? Well, do you need ten minutes or—?”
He smiled and shook his head. “No, I need your permission.”
“Permission?”
He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair back from my face. “To kiss you.”
He was looking at my mouth.
Flicking out my tongue to wet my lips I nodded, and he moved forward. His lips were only a breath from mine when he murmured, “Say it.”
“I... I want you to kiss—” The last word was lost as his lips met mine.
The door opened behind me, and I pulled back. “Go inside, I’ll be back in a minute.”
I frowned, and he leaned in again, nipping at my bottom lip before kissing me. “As I said, I’m not prepared.”
He backed me into the room and turned on the light. “Just... make yourself comfortable.”
I turned around as he backed out the door, and it closed behind him.
The room was decorated similarly to the one I was staying in, but it was much larger. So large it housed a traditional four poster bed complete with matching pillows, bead spread, and drapes. With only one chest of drawers and matching armoire, and two nightstands, the room was incredibly spacious.
The focal point of the room wasn’t the bed, but a cast iron fireplace with ceramic logs in the grate. An ornate gilt mirror hung over the mantle, reflecting the bed.
I looked at my reflection in the soft light and asked myself what I was doing.
I was about to fuck my boss.
He’d gone to his flat. What he was doing I wasn’t sure, but standing here alone the doubt set in. The anticipation of what was to come was churning in my stomach, and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a colossal mistake.
Yeah, Callum had candidly laid the foundations, but I’d been the one to push it. I’d suggested we go upstairs.
It couldn’t be any worse than the mess I’d gotten into with Johnathan, could it?
Just thinking his name was enough to chill my blood, and I closed my eyes for a second, trying to push him from my mind.
The door opened, and Callum came right to me, tossing something on the bed.
He stopped at my side and asked, “You okay?”
I turned my head and smiled. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Good,” he said, stroking his hand over my hair. “Tell me if you’re not.”
He ran his fingers over the length of my braid, stopping at the hair tie at the bottom. Then he gave a gentle tug. The tie came away, and I watched him place it on the mantle and step around me.
“I’ve never seen your hair down,” he said, running his fingers through the length of my hair. It sat on my shoulders, the dark brown almost black against my white blouse.
He gathered my hair on the right side and moved it back exposing my neck, then lowered his head and kissed me.
His lips were soft, his breath hot, the slightest touch making my skin prickle. I turned my head further, closed my eyes, and felt the familiar tug of anxiety deep in my stomach, but as soon as I felt his soft lips on mine it all melted away.
Another sensation took over, the powerful surge of adrenaline pumping through my veins as my pulse raced. His kiss was tender as he ran his tongue over mine, teasing my lips, requesting they open, that I give him full access. I willingly obliged, meeting his probing tongue with my own.
My eyes fluttered open as he ran his tongue over my top lip, and I quickly focused to see his were closed.
Pushing his fingers into my hair he broke away, tilted my head gently and looked into my eyes. “I have a confession to make.”
I swallowed trying to gather my senses. “What’s that?” I asked, breathless.
His eyes held mine. “I’ve wanted to be here for quite some time.”
I pulled in my brows. “But you never... I had no idea.”
He half smiled and kissed the corner of my mouth. “It wouldn’t have been appropriate.”
“What changed?” I breathed, chasing his mouth as he pulled back. The truth was I hadn’t really looked at him in this way, but knowing he’d looked my way and I hadn’t noticed made me feel a little guilty.
Using his index finger, he twirled a lock of my hair and said, “You came to me. You opened the door.”
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Neither of us spoke. We didn’t move. That was my chance. I had to make the decision. Stay, sleep with my boss, or go and spend forever wondering.
“So, what are you waiting for?”
I barely heard myself ask. I wasn’t certain I’d said it aloud because he remained perfectly still, watching me for a few more moments.
He took my waist and turned me to face the bed, then sat on the edge pulling me close. Using both hands I pushed my hair back from my face, and he took full advantage of my posture.
With a feather light touch he opened the buttons of my blouse, pushing it open to expose my body.
I’d lost weight. My bra was a little baggy on the cups, and I knew my ribs were more visible than they ought to be, but he didn’t seem to mind, judging by the sound me made low in his throat as he pulled me close.
Not sure what to do with my hands, I pushed my fingers into his hair and tilted his head back. There was a primal look in his eyes that turned me on even more, and I ducked my head to kiss him.
Chapter Ten
Room two had a glorious reproduction, double-ended, claw foot bath. We’d had sex twice the night before, and once that morning before Callum got up to fill the tub.
“You get in, I’ll join you in a minute,” he said, kissing me softly.
“Where are you going?”
“To get something to eat. You must be starving. I know I am,” he said, fastening a towel around his waist.
I took a second to appreciate him. Lean, but not excessively toned, his dark blond hair sat in loose waves just above his ears, and his grey-green eyes seemed to gleam in the bright white light of the bathroom.
He leaned in to kiss me again, his arm snaking around my waist, and I grinned as he pulled me close. “Get in, I’ll be back.”
It felt amazing to sink into the hot water. I rested my head on the back and closed my eyes, feeling entirely relaxed for the first time in weeks. But while it had been wonderful getting away from all of my problems, I couldn’t make myself a problem for Callum. It wouldn’t be fair. He’d been so generous and continued to be, and I felt I was taking advantage. I wasn’t offering much in return.
Well, I had something, he’d spent enough time enjoying it over the last twelve hours, but that had gotten me into enough trouble. Trouble that was still waiting for me when I left this place and returned to my miserable little flat. I couldn’t hide here with Callum forever.
Johnathan wasn’t going to stop. He’d been paying for me for thirteen months, I was bought and paid for. He really believed I belonged to him, and I didn’t see any way out of it. I could call the police, but what good would that do?
Sinking beneath the water I tried to push the thoughts away. I didn’t have to deal with it right then. I could ignore it. Enjoy being with Callum just a little longer before I had to bring it to an end and hope we could go back to just working together.
I stayed under until my lungs were burning from lack of oxygen. When I surfaced Callum was standing by the bath looking at me.
“Shuffle down.”
He slid in behind me and pulled me back against his chest. His arms enveloped me, holding me close, and I felt a lump forming in my throat. Resting my head against his shoulder I closed my eyes and murmured, “What happens now?”
“Whatever you want to happen,” he said, kissing my temple.
“I don’t—”
“You don’t have to make a decision. Nothing has to happen. We can just let the world turn and see where life takes us. If we come back together after today then that’s what happens.”
I couldn’t think like that. I couldn’t just walk
away not knowing if it was a one off or if there could be something more.
But how could there be more with Johnathan lurking around every corner? I had to handle that before I could think about anything new.
I sighed as he ran his hands over my breasts, bringing hot water with them.
Leaving one hand on my chest, the other trailed lower, down my stomach, over my hip, then settled drawing lazy circles on my skin beneath the water. “I don’t want you to make a decision you’ll regret,” he said close to my ear. “And when you’re ready, we can explore what is growing between us.”
“I don’t know how to…”
His hand was moving again, brushing through the small patch of hair I kept at the apex of my thighs, then down to find my clit. I left the sentence unfinished, focusing on the promised pleasure instead.
“Until then, we’ll just enjoy this,” he said, applying a small amount of pressure to that sensitive nub. “No expectation, no planning. Just let it happen.”
I moaned, raising my hips for more. I’d been in a semi-permanent state of arousal all morning, and it wouldn’t take much to bring me to the edge again. I was feeling tender, but fuck it was worth it, and I’d love nothing more than to go again.
Using two fingers he massaged, bringing me to the very edge. I was about to come when he dipped his fingers lower, abandoning the swollen, sensitive spot and whispered, “Because I really am enjoying you, Bekah.”
His fingers moved back, pinching my clit so hard I cried out as I came, arching into his body, my fingers digging into his thighs.
I turned my head to look at him, and he kissed me so deeply I felt a sob building in my throat.
“When you’re ready I’ll be here.”
I could feel his erect cock sticking at my back, and I turned and took it in my hand. I wanted more of him. I didn’t want the morning to end, but time was passing, and I was almost certain he had more important things to do.
“Ah…” he warned as I dipped my head. “We need to have breakfast.”
I looked up. “Seriously, you’re turning down oral?”
Gripping my chin between his index finger and thumb, he tilted my face up and kissed me. “I want you to have something to eat. I’m here to meet your every need, and right now that need is sustenance. Out.”