by Pamela Ann
“Stella?”
I registered the surprise in his voice.
It’s fine.
I can do this, I silently urged myself to be a civilized woman. Paste a smile then all will be well, I chanted in my mind before I had the capacity to turn around and face him.
Him.
All bare except his trousers on, zippered and unbuttoned. Hair in his usual disheveled state. Even if the urge to cry was high, I still noticed how gorgeous he was. This was truly quite out of character.
Huffing out a tiresome sigh, I spoke, as calmly as possible. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your night. Of course I should’ve thought that you’d be entertaining, but I wasn’t thinking properly.” He was still looking at me strangely. Great, fuck. Here comes the grandest excuse, but it was ingenious. “I came here to invite you to the fundraiser the Pisano’s are throwing.” My clutch purse was semi open so it was easy to take it out and hand him the invitation. “It’s two months from now,” I continued. “Uh, I really should get going and let you go back to your friend. Have a goodnight.” A tiny strand of hair fell off my loose chignon so I had to curl it behind my ear.
Our eyes clashed. His looked confused while I remained undisclosed as to why I really came here in the first place
Just when I was about to hail a cab, Callum finally found his vocals. “You came here at eight at night to drop me an invitation? Are you fucking with me?”
If only. “Yes, I came here specifically about the invitation, and no, I’m certainly not fucking with you. The woman inside is.” The redhead, who was probably still naked on the table, readying herself for dessert ‘cause the main course sure looked like it was a bloody success.
Angry, I hailed a cab, needing to get away from here. Luciana better come through tonight because I needed to vent or simply party and drown myself with great amounts of alcohol. Maybe I might even fancy a hot bloke to get hot and heavy with.
“You’re dressed to party.”
Oh, he was still standing there? The cab was now parked, waiting for me. “Yes,” I responded before heading towards it, not bothering to say goodbye as I opened the door and went inside. Just before I was to close it, he came up to me again.
What now?
“Wait!” Callum was now holding the cab door open while I sat there, bothered and speechless. “Stella—I—” he paused, seeking my face. I suppose we both mirrored each other quite well. Confused. “Stay safe tonight.”
“Always.” I nodded and then watched as he slammed the door shut and retreated inside his home again.
How many times will he be spending time in between her legs tonight? I thought rottenly as jealousy ate me whole. Truly, why should I be jealous? He did me a favor. A favor I practically begged him for. I should be grateful.
Callum never wanted me in that sense. He did as I asked, so I shouldn’t be even sulking when he had now moved on. He was fucking Callum Kensington for fuck’s sake! Women like me didn’t have a chance to compete and satiate the likes of his kind.
I should be feeling celebratory. I mean, after all, I wasn’t a virgin anymore. Wasn’t it time for me to explore sexuality and maybe find a great man to lose myself in? I wanted to be in a relationship and, well, tonight was as good as any to start prowling for one.
Chapter 99
Stella
“Are you ready to accept my invitation yet?” Clive Barrington kissed both of my cheeks, lingering by my ear a tad longer than anticipated. I had barely just gotten here and the first person to see me arrive was Clive, another bloody playboy.
He was good friends with Alec, but his family was making the round in the news because his cousin, Blake Knightly, had recently gotten hitched to Sienna, one of my interns. Knightly was known for being the hottest man to walk on earth, but apart from that fact, the man was a genius in the business arena. Now, if I could get a passionate man like that myself, a man who fell hard—so hard for his woman that he was willing to risk his life for her—then I would be the luckiest woman alive.
Knightly’s cousin, on the other hand, was without question not that man. Don’t get me wrong, Clive was a handsome man, but he was one who always liked everything in twos, including women in his life.
“Don’t worry, Clive, the second I realize I’m into ménage á trois, you’re the first on my list to call.”
Blue eyes sparkled at me, trying to work his devilish playboy charms on me. “Hey—hey, now you’re hurting my ego. I can very well manage one woman at a time. Have dinner with me. I won’t let you down.”
Playboys were into games. I wanted a regular man. “Clive—”
He pressed closer, lifting my chin up to him. “Let me be really honest with you. I do like you, Stella. I think you’re stunning, but most of all, you’re easy to talk to. I like that about you, but there is another motive, perhaps as to why I’m being such a pest.” He paused, gathering courage. “My parents want to see a healthy dating lifestyle. I was hoping if you could show me—help me even.” Clive held up his hands. “I swear, on my honor and all of my cousin’s, I will not attempt anything sexual.”
“Are your parents trying to make you like your cousin? I doubt that’s possible. You’re too wild, Clive.” I grinned harder when he appeared to look hurt.
“I love my baby cousin, but for fuck’s sakes, I’m fucking done being compared to him. Too bad I’m not a genius whizz. I don’t fucking speak five different languages or flip failing businesses into successful ones, but I’m a good guy inside. I may like sex for far too much most nights, but I have a compassionate heart. I’m not selfish. Besides, I make the best goddamned cupcakes in all of England.”
“Cupcakes? The chocolate kind?”
“Any kind you like.”
Goodness, Clive. I adored cupcakes. “You’re joking.”
He cocked his head to the side, flirty. “A little. I confess I get the boxed ones, but I do add some more chocolate in and make it my own. Hell, all that matters is that I made them. The rest is just useless details.”
“Impressive.”
He laughed. “You haven’t seen me in action yet.”
Hooking my arm around his, I led us inside the bar where everyone was celebrating. “Start impressing me, Barrington. I’ll let you know my answer by the end of the night.”
“Game on, heiress.” Clive winked at me.
Was it just a little less than an hour ago when I had been with Callum, feeling like the world had practically collapsed on my feet? I was teary and beyond saddened when I realized he was moving on. Yet, look at me now, I might have been feeling hurt deep inside because I missed a good chance of being with him when I declined his offer, but here was another opportunity for me to get to know a potential man. Clive was still questionable based from his reputation, but honestly, the man was funny and didn’t take things seriously.
Maybe I needed a fresh start.
Who was I to judge? I had begged a man to take my v-card.
Pathetic didn’t fit me.
Sad did.
s
The next day, Clive surprised me by picking me up from the office and taking me back to his home. Mind you, the man was serious about his baking capabilities. The cupcakes were divine. I had such fun with him that I forgot tomorrow was a working day and I consumed way too much champagne and wine.
I was knackered and beyond ready to call it a night.
“You can stay the night here. I can guarantee that I won’t even cop a feel until you beg me a few times. Then, I’m afraid, I’ll have to give in.” His blue eyes mocked me while I simply rolled my eyes at him.
It was time that I lived a little. It was time to have fun. It wasn’t like I was going to shag him. No, of course not… but I missed being held. A lot. “I need a spare toothbrush and a shirt I can sleep in.”
“You’re quite sure that you’ll be able to resist me all night?” he teased as he helped me to my feet.
“I will be in a coma soon, so you can forget about any of that,” I muttered,
yawning.
He led us upstairs while his arm comfortably rested on my hip.
“There are clothes that are new in the next room. You can get whatever you need so you can go straight to work tomorrow.” He pointed towards the room on the left. “I remember you mentioning that you always went to work early so I have to ask what you eat for breakfast? I’ll make sure I have it ready before you’re even awake.”
This was a different side to Clive—the caring, attentive side of him—and, even though I’d barely spent that much time with him, I found myself liking the man.
It might not be on the same scale as Callum, but still, it was progress.
I did get what I wanted, though. I was held all night long. For me to even admit that he acted like a true gentleman, truly surprised me.
Clive didn’t even dare attempt once. That alone placed him in my top list. However, when I woke up the next morning to a full English breakfast and freshly brewed coffee, I was swaying towards him.
His persistence to drive me to work as he acted like the man in my life, really made me think long and hard.
Yeah, I definitely liked Clive Barrington. Now, what did I plan to do about it?
Chapter 100
Stella
Patience was one of the key ingredients in running a PR firm. Today, it seemed, that I didn’t have any tolerance for spoilt debutants and their holier than thou mothers.
We were planning to have a ball with ten princesses turning eighteen. The event was in three weeks time, and yet, they wouldn’t let me make a decision without consulting them with every single detail. They had to have their own caterers chosen or how they wanted each waiter to look like Abercrombie models. Did they know how difficult it was to find twenty perfect looking male specimens in less than a month? On top of this specific dilemma, they had a steep budget.
It was only ten-thirty in the morning and I was ready to go home and sleep the day away.
“Do you need me to get you some coffee and aspirin?” Sienna Richards—now Knightly—my intern/assistant for the day, offered with sympathy in her eyes.
I could tell she was drowning with me.
“I need a vacation. This is killing me,” I muttered under my breath. Listening to the mothers discuss about tidbits when we were supposed to be done and over this subject weeks ago was making my survival difficult.
After another minute of high-pitched idiocy, Sienna and I excused ourselves to get some refreshments. Once we were at the table laid out with refreshments and snacks bar, I sighed with relief. “This job can be taxing at times. How do you find it so far? Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life?”
Her gold-green eyes lit up. “Honestly? I like putting events and parties together, but right now, I’m not all that sure.”
“Yeah, these are far in between, but when they do come up, it’s very draining.” I studied her beautiful face, wondering how she got to nab a man like Knightly. “Congratulations, by the way. I wasn’t aware you were dating Blake Knightly.”
Sienna blushed. “Thank you. I don’t normally name-drop him. He was a friend before things shifted into something serious.”
“I met him a few times.” I grinned. “I admit, I was tongue-tied for the most part. The man is bloody gorgeous! How do you even function around him, let alone marry the man himself.”
“He can be very intimidating.” Sienna took a china plate and placed mini cakes on it before she glanced at me with a raised brow. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you dating Clive Barrington? Blake’s cousin? There were photos on the internet of you and Clive leaving his apartment this morning.”
My eyes bulged out. Internet? Me? Fucking shit. “You’re joking.”
She shook her head, biting her lip, serious about this information.
“Bugger. Bugger. Bugger,” I groaned. “How in God’s name did I forget that he was a pap favorite? How? How!”
Shitty shit. This day was getting worse.
For some reason, I had an inkling that my day was just starting. The worst was yet to come.
An hour and half later, I was back in my office, nursing a throbbing headache when by phone beeped, indicating a text message arrived.
Derek: You’re dating a playboy? You’d be better off with me! I feel insulted that you would rather be with someone like Clive Barrington than be with me!
I barely finished reading the text when my door opened. “Stella you’re all over the internet!” Luciana breezed through my office, iPad in hand as she showed me clips and articles about me. “Everyone’s talking about you and how you didn’t come out of Clive’s house until the next day and how he dropped you off to work. They even have a countdown to see how long it’ll last!”
How rude. And mean. Did these people have anything better to do? “Wow, news spreads fast around this town, huh? Four fucking hours and I’m an instant celebrity.”
“They’re dubbing you as the Lonely Heiress.”
I made a sour face. “How fitting.” I gave Luciana two minutes before I kicked her out of my working space.
This wasn’t fun at all.
I huffed out a frustrated grunt and then placed my forehead against my desk. “Aaaand it keeps getting better!” I muttered, closing my eyes as I took deep breaths.
“For you maybe.”
I immediately shot to my feet when I heard the familiar voice. “Callum,” I whispered, breathless.
He strode before me, just a few inches apart, before he inserted his hands inside his pockets. He had his poker face on, assessing me thoroughly. “Is Clive one of your many men, Stella?”
“We’re getting to know each other.”
Why was he interrogating me? I caught him fucking another woman two nights ago. I inwardly flinch when I recalled the humiliating experience of getting caught watching them go at it like rabbits. “Who I date is seriously none of your concern.”
“You were a virgin two weeks ago! Now you go around town dating a man who is notorious for having two girlfriends at the same time! Not to mention that he greatly enjoys the two in and out of the bedroom. Together.” His dark eyes flashed. Dark. Primitive.
He was angry. Great, ‘cause I didn’t care.
I wasn’t going to sit back and wait until kingdom come to enjoy my sexuality. “I’m twenty-two, about to turn twenty-three soon. It is a prime age to experience, experiment or what of it.” I raised my brow, goading him. “And your point is what exactly?”
“My point?” He charged towards me, pushing me backwards until my butt cheeks hit the edge of my desk. “My point, Stella?” he gritted out. “Had I known that you were going to ‘experiment’ with the likes of Clive Barrington, I wouldn’t have granted your wish.” His heated eyes dropped lower, noting the erratic pulse in my throat as his eyes slid lower, watching my breasts rise and fall in quick succession. “Experiment with me.”
No. Not after what I’d witnessed with that redhead. “Not with you.” I shook my head.
“Decline me again.”
I already did. “I don’t want you, Cal. Please stop this.”
He pressed his hips against mine, making me feel his epically solid state. I almost convulsed at the feel of him this close to me. It certainly muddled my brain function.
My breath caught when I felt his thumb making circles on my belly button at the same time that his hot breath in my ear sent tingles everywhere. “Are you quite sure?”
Callum was pressing his hardness directly above my pussy and I was panting, excited and yet, needing to prove a point that I wasn’t like that redhead on his dining table.
“Still am.”
He caged me with his body, unyielding. “How many men have you had since me, Stella?”
Chapter 101
Callum
“Still am.”
Her breath caught as I softly blew air on her ear. I let my bottom lip caress the side of her neck. The weakening woman slightly shook, like unbidden prey, she anticipated my attack; to be wholly consume
d by me, by my touch.
Clive Barrington. The name alone brought a bitter taste to my tongue. He had lured Zara once and I wasn’t going to let him do the same thing with Stella.
Two weeks.
It took everything in me not to contact her because I was busy trying to convince myself that she was young and thus needed to figure out her feelings for Derek. I was also constantly reminding myself that had her feelings changed, she was going to come to me. How wrong was I? Apparently, I was off by a long shot.
“How many men have you had since me, Stella?”
It was a crass question, but if she had been prancing around town with Barrington, which could mean only one thing, that she had gotten a healthy dose of exploration herself.
“Enlighten me, Callum. How many have you had since me? Then you might just get what you’re demanding from me.”
My nose flared. “What you witnessed was the only time.” Not that I wasn’t interested in sex because I surely was; the problem was the woman I was doing it with. The redhead had been a test I had to go through, to convince myself that I wasn’t losing my manhood over a virgin who no longer wanted or needed me. It was to show that I was in control.
When things started heating up, I was grateful that I still had it in me, but all those monumental emotions eroded the second my gaze caught hers. Until then, I was convinced that Stella didn’t fancy me, but when she came to visit in my home—though her excuse was plausible, for some reason, my gut feeling was telling me that there was more to it—Stella was lying about the real reason why she came to see me that night.
When I came after her and then went along with that strained goodbye, I knew I should let her go to live her life as she had planned it to be. I thought then that it was me being all magnanimous because I was not one to back down when I was being challenged by a woman. In fact, I thrived on the chase… Yet then life handed me Stella von Berg and now I knew nothing would ever be the same again.