“You know. I can’t barely remember any of the things I got. But you know what I do remember?”
“What?”
I smile and hand her the other doll. “I remember spending time with my dad. How he’d take me out for ice cream after, and we’d spend the whole day just hanging out. Just me and him.”
“I like spending time with my daddy too.”
“I know.” It isn’t hard to see that she thinks he hung the moon and stars. “And I know it makes you sad when he has to work. But I think you and I can have fun together too. I just need you to promise me that you won’t run off like that again.”
“Are you going to tell my daddy?”
“I think we can keep it a secret, if you pinkie promise never to take off again.” I hold out my pinkie.
She smiles and nods, wrapping her own tiny pinkie around mine. “I promise.”
It’s a start.
Chapter Three
Callum
It’s well past nine when I get home, and I’m frustrated that I missed dinner. But since I’ve had to work from home most days since the last nanny quit, I was overwhelmed trying to catch up. And then my boss insisted that I have a few drinks with him and the boys.
They were on their third bottle of Macallan when I’d excused myself.
I expect Amelia to race to meet me at the door, but the house is quiet when I walk in. Too quiet. A flash of fear fills me, and I take two steps at a time to get to Amelia’s room.
The door is cracked open and the room is dark, I’m about to go in when a hand rests on my forearm.
Dina places a finger to her lips, and whispers, “She just fell asleep.”
I raise a brow, wondering how she got her down this early. Most nights, I’m still trying to get her into the tub at this time, and then there’s at least an hour of stories until she finally nods off.
“How was your first day?” I ask when we’re downstairs in the parlor. I pour myself a glass of scotch, then offer her one.
She takes it and sniffs it hesitantly. “It was good.”
I loosen my tie, watching her. Christ, the woman is beautiful. And it’s been a long time since I’ve felt any urges like what I feel now. I’ve been on a few dates since Margaret passed.
My life has been about Amelia and work and trying not to collapse under the pressure.
But this woman, just being in her presence makes me feel lighter, like the air isn’t as suffocating. And since the moment I saw her get out of the car, I’ve wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her.
To do a hell of a lot more than just kiss her.
My balls tighten as I watch her walk around the room, looking at the photos I have displayed. She’s still wearing those ripped jeans, and my fingers itch to touch the exposed skin.
I wonder if she has any idea how sexy she is. From the way she carries herself, I doubt it. She doesn’t try to be seductive. The opposite actually. But there’s a sexiness to her that I can’t explain. An innocence. A sweetness. And I want to kiss her to see if she tastes as good as she looks.
But the woman is my nanny and in my care. The last thing I should be thinking about is how good her sweet mouth would feel wrapped around my cock.
“Amelia didn’t give you any trouble?” I ask, clearing my throat.
She turns and smiles at me, showing off those deep dimples in her cheek. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“Good.” I finish my scotch and pour myself another one, grateful for the liquid heat as it burns a path down my throat, changing my focus. I still have hours of work to do tonight, and the buzz will help me get through the tediousness of it. “Not a fan of scotch?” I ask, noticing that she still hasn’t touched hers.
She takes a sip and starts coughing, her eyes watering.
I move across the room and take the glass from her, putting it down. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry. I don’t usually drink alcohol straight. It’s...” Her gaze drops to wear my hand rests on her arm, and licks her lips, her cheeks rushing with color. “Strong.”
“Amelia really didn’t give you too hard of a time today?” I ask, wanting to be sure this woman isn’t already packing her bags, ready to catch the first flight home.
“No,” Dina laughs softly. “She’s precious. And precocious. And she loves you so much.”
My shoulders relax at this account of my little girl. “Most nannies are yelling at me about creating boundaries right about now,” I say as we both sit on the leather couch.
“I can imagine it’s hard,” she says, wrapping her long dark hair in a bun, securing it with elastic. “Being a single father, having an important career, it’s a lot to juggle.”
“It’s been a hard road, but not so hard that I’m bitter,” I admit. “I love what I do, have a beautiful little girl, my life is nearly complete.” My eyes run over her body as she cozies up on the couch, she’s slipped off her shoes and her painted pink toenails are tucked up under her. I like how at ease she is with me, not putting on airs like other women I’ve met since my wife died. Trying to play the part, instead of being themselves.
“What would complete the picture?” she asks, leaning back on a cushion, her body facing me.
My cock twitches at the question. “I don’t want to be single forever.”
Her eyebrows lift. “Pretty blunt for a stuffy Englishman.”
I chuckle, caught off guard by her effortless ease. “You make it easy to open up.” She smiles and shakes her head slightly, and for the first time, I see a softer side of her. The simple compliment seems to have an effect on her. “What about you, why are you here as a nanny?”
“After culinary school, I wasn’t sure I wanted to start working in a restaurant. I love to cook, don’t get me wrong, but I knew it would mean sacrificing other things that matter to me.”
“What things?” I ask, feeling drawn to her, her words both soothing and intriguing.
“I want a family. And I wasn't sure how I’d meet a man working eighty hours a week.”
“Family is important to you?”
She nods, her eyes light up. “It’s everything.” She starts talking animatedly about her big family, her brothers and cousins, her aunts and uncles and grandparents. Her priorities are obvious, unfiltered. Real. “Leaving them was the hardest part about taking a chance with this job,” she reveals, her fingers playing with the ripped denim at her knee. “But my mom insisted I take a chance, have an adventure, see the world.”
“And are you happy you came?”
Her breath hitches and those dark eyes widen. And when her tongue darts out, licking her bottom lip, I’m done for. “Very happy, Callum.”
I know I should lean back. I’m too close. Her smell too intoxicating.
“You’re beautiful,” I murmur, knowing I’ve already crossed a line.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she says, her nipples poking through her top. She moves close enough for me to know that she is as interested in this as I am.
I groan as I lower my mouth to hers and place a hand on the back of her head, fingers tangling in her thick, dark hair. Our lips crash. A kiss that’s wild, uncontrolled, consuming. Tongues, teeth, lips. Something releases inside of me. Something feral. Primitive. That wants to possess her in ways I’ve never imagined - until now.
And it scares the shit out of me.
I release her and draw back, rubbing a palm over my jaw. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
She looks slightly dazed, and she brings her fingers to her now swollen lips.
God, what was I thinking? She’s my employee for Christ’s sake.
“That was very unprofessional of me,” I say, gathering myself, even though I want nothing more than to pick her up and carry her to my bed. “You have my apologies and my assurance that it won’t happen again.”
I turn and leave before she says anything, not trusting myself to stay in the same room as her.
Even though it’s the only thing I want.
Chapter Fou
r
Dina
What the hell just happened?
My lips still tingle from Callum’s kiss, and my body is aching in the most delicious way. But then the man just left.
I’ve been kissed before, but never like that. Never in a way that my whole body comes alive, to make me want to give myself to a man completely.
I stand there, gaping like an idiot, half expecting him to come back in the room and swoop me over his shoulder and carry me to his room. Okay, that might just be my fantasy, but when I hear him stomping up the stairs, I know he isn’t coming back.
With a frustrated breath, I pull out my phone and glance at the time. It’s late here, but it’s still the afternoon in Seattle, so I call Sofie.
The phone rings twice before her face appears on the screen, looking as perfect as always. She’s the complete opposite of me in every way. Blonde, blue-eyed, tall with a metabolism that allows her to eat anything she wants and still stay thin.
But despite her annoying perfection, she’s one of my best friends, and always the voice of reason whenever I get myself into trouble - which happens a lot.
“Hey gorgeous,” she says, flashing me a smile. “How was your first day?”
“Amazing, and crazy, and ...” I flop down on the sofa. “I think I’m in big trouble.”
“What did you do now?” She chuckles.
“I kissed my boss.”
“You what?” she shrieks, and I shush her.
“Actually he kissed me, but...” I moan. “I wanted him to.”
“Oh my god, Dina. What are you going to do?”
“I was hoping you’d have answers. I mean I doubt it’ll happen again. He apologized and then just walked away.”
She frowns. “He’s a widower, right?”
“Yeah. I don’t really know anything about him, other than he’s gorgeous, and he can kiss. And that he’s an earl.”
Her eyes widen, and I cringe, knowing this is bad. “Do you think you should come home? I mean if you explain to the director—”
“No.” I shake my head. “His little girl, Amelia. I think she needs me here.”
Sofie sighs. “Okay, but be safe. I know you, you’re impulsive and romantic, and I love those things about you. I just don’t want to see you get your heart broken.”
“I know. Thanks for listening.” After I hang up, I sigh and make a promise to myself to try and think more with my head when he’s around. But, even now my body is demanding I march up to his room and make him finish what he started down here.
Instead, I go to the bathroom and draw myself a bath. I try not to think about Callum’s kiss when I sink into the warm water, but my pussy aches for release. I run my finger over my clit, in tight circles, as the warm bath water relaxes me. With my eyes closed, I imagine Callum, his dark eyes and lean body. Muscles and strength and dominating power.
I whimper at the thought of him, my pussy throbbing as I finger myself, deeper, completely. My body is piqued as I picture him naked, his ripped chest before me, and I see myself dropping to my knees, taking his thick cock in my hand, in my mouth.
I’ve never sucked a man’s cock before...but I can imagine it. His thick ridges filling my mouth, hot ribbons of cum sliding down my throat. Oh god, it doesn’t take much effort to make myself come. My knees buckle as my pussy clenches, I’m so hot, and I keep going until I’m gasping so much that I can practically feel his cock against me.
I may still claim my V-card, but I know my body, know how to please myself. But it’s not enough tonight.
Frustrated, and more tense than before the bath, I step out and wrap a robe around me. I lay down in bed and toss and turn for almost an hour before I push the blankets back and stand.
My internal clock is still on Seattle time zone, and I know I’m not going to sleep.
I open my door and try to be quiet as I step out into the dark hall, not wanting to wake anyone up.
There’s a sliver of light from Callum’s bedroom. The door is open a crack, and I see movement.
Walk away, Dina, my brain warns.
But I feel the pull, and I take a few steps toward his room, wanting a glimpse of the man.
He stands at the edge of his bed which is covered with papers. His tie hangs loosely around his neck, and he’s no longer wearing his suit jacket. His white button-down is open, exposing a ladder of abs, and a thin line of hair that trails down to his trousers. He rolls his sleeves up and mutters as he paces the room, reading over one of the papers.
I sigh, then cover my mouth, hoping he didn’t hear me, then take a step back, knowing this is all wrong. I’m pretty much stalking him now. But the floorboard creaks under my weight, and he looks up, and I know he sees me.
Shit.
I’m about to dart when his bedroom door opens all the way, and Callum Wharton is standing a couple feet away, looking ready to devour me.
“I...uh...I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“Were you watching me?”
I lick my lips, nodding. I have no desire to lie to this man...I want him to see into my soul.
“Can’t sleep?” he asks, his jaw tense.
“I’m on west coast time.”
His eyes look me up and down. “Is the time zones the entirety of your problem, Dina?”
This bathrobe suddenly seems much too thin. My legs are bare, my cleavage is visible, and the belt holding this together is coming loose.
“Honestly.” I close my eyes, remembering the two of us downstairs, so close I couldn’t breathe. “I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.”
His hand is on the base of my neck, he draws me from the hall, into his massive bedroom. Dark wood and thick tapestries and dim light.
“I can’t either,” he tells me, shutting the door behind us. His hands are in my still-wet hair, his thumb pressing against my lip. Holding me in place. I won’t dare move. I want him to make me stay. “I keep trying to think of anything else,” he growls in my ear. “But Dina, all I can imagine is kissing you everywhere.”
Impulsive, taking exactly zero-heed of Sofie’s warning, I undo the belt to the robe, exposing my curves, my breasts, my pussy. Everything.
“We don’t have to imagine,” I tell him, my pussy pulsing with want. “I’m right here.”
He doesn’t hesitate. He’s a real man, strong and in charge and his eyes are greedy. Let him take all that he desires. He strips from his clothes, his cock hard and ready, tucked behind his briefs. I want to see if it’s as thick as I imagined when I touched myself in the bath. If his cum is as salty, as creamy, as filling.
“You’re so sexy,” he groans, running his hands over my ass. I shiver as the ripple of pleasure runs through me. I’ve never had a man touch me like this. Touch me at all.
He kisses me again, this time his lips are softer, less demanding, filled with sensuality. Like he knows how to make a woman’s body hum. Sing. Fall apart.
As he caresses my body, he guides me to the bed. He lays me down, looking at me with a hunger I’ve only ever read about. He teases my hips to the edge of the bed. “Relax,” he tells me. “Let me take good care of you, darling.”
Maybe it’s the accent, the way he sounds when he calls me that, but I am jelly under his touch, sinking into the plush mattress as he dips his mouth to my pussy.
I gasp, the sensation so erotic, so fulfilling. I’ve longed to be kissed here, licked and sucked here, by a real man. And Callum is just that. He knows what he wants, and how to get it and I will let him take and take and take. Until there is nothing left of me.
I’ve waited so long to take a man inside of me, and waiting any longer sounds like torture.
I want this.
Now.
And so does he. He kisses my inner thighs, softly. His fingers roam up my legs, and then circle my clit with such delicacy I’m panting within seconds. He is barely stroking me at all and yet an orgasm is rising up inside of me.
“Oh Callum,” I moan. “Oh yes.”
“You
like that, darling?” he asks, his heavy eyes on mine.
“I love it,” I admit, inhaling as his fingers stroke my tender folds, my back arching as he explores me tenderly. “Oh I want this,” I tell him, breathlessly.
“Good, because so do I. It’s been so long,” he murmurs, rising up, his eyes on me. He leans over my body, licking his lips.
“How long?” I ask.
“Since my wife...five years.”
I nod. “Are you sure you’re ready?” The last thing I want is for him to regret sleeping with me. But from the way he touches me, kisses me, explores me...I have a feeling he is very much interested in this having a happy ending.
“I’m sure. It’s been five years. It’s time.” He brushes back my hair from my eyes, tucking a strand behind my ear. “How long has it been for you?”
I smile, teasing my bottom lip between my teeth. “Actually, I’ve never...I’m a virgin.”
He stills, his body as stiff as the thick cock that grinds against my belly. “A virgin?”
I nod. But I can already see the way his eyes are changing, the way he is pulling back, rethinking this. Me.
“We can’t,” he says, pulling up, away, reaching for my bathrobe and handing it to me. “Fuck, Dina, if I’d known.”
“What?” I ask. “If you’d known, what?”
He looks at me with what I can only describe as pity. “Then I’d never had touched you.” And then he’s pulling away, and I don’t know what else to do, but go back to my room, and wonder once again, what the hell just happened.
Chapter Five
Callum
“Good morning,” I say when I come into the dining room the next morning where Dina and Amelia are having breakfast.
Amelia jumps from her seat and into my arms, but Dina doesn’t look up.
I fucked up last night. I know that. And after she left my room, I spent the rest of the night trying to figure out what to do. I barely know the woman, hell she’s only been under my roof for twenty-four hours, but she’s already gotten under my skin, and Amelia seems smitten with her.
Dirty Brit: Love Without Limits Page 2