Mad About You: A Box Set

by Pamela Ann

  Me: Hot coco, please.

  Callum: Coming right up.

  I grinned like mad, typing back.

  Me: Thank you…

  Callum: No need I’m taking care of you.

  A light knock at the door made me look up.

  “Hey,” Callum greeted after he opened the door. He came in with a steaming mug, wearing fitted, black boxer briefs and a black, ribbed, fitted tank.

  Lethal was the word. Mind you, I couldn’t help giving a quick, appreciative glance towards his honed sexiness. “Nice.”

  He smirked just as he placed the drink right next to me. His freshly out of the shower scent—clean, crisp, with a hint of sandalwood—filled my nostrils. He then leaned against the table, facing me with sparked interest. “I didn’t know you wore glasses.”

  For some reason I blushed. It might be because he wasn’t used to women like me. As much as I liked being pampered and beautified all day long, working was a good outlet for me. I loved doing what I do. “Contacts are a bother. I prefer these.” I pressed my lips together as I cocked my head to look up to him. “They’re very comfortable.”

  “I can tell. You look sexy in them.”

  We stared at each other for a few seconds before I broke contact and reached for the hot coco. With a cautious sip, I tasted his concoction. Hmm, very good, but… “This is divine, but there’s something—”

  “Different?”

  I nodded, taking another sip, tasting it again. “Definitely.”

  “Chili powder, just a hint of it,” he languidly informed me. “It gives it a little kick. I also added half a teaspoon of chocolate liqueur.”

  That made me raise my brow. “You seem to know a lot about hot cocoa.”

  “My grandfather liked it this way,” Callum murmured, moving closer, his thigh almost touched the side of my legs.

  “Your grandfather had good taste.” My breathing came to a halt when he leaned over and carefully took off my glasses.

  His thumb held my chin, making me look at him directly. “I like the sexy look, but I love staring into your eyes more.” My mouth went dry. My body electrified by his touch. My whole existence became consumed when his eyes landed on my lips. Did he know how badly I wanted to kiss him, suck on his tongue as he made love to my lips? Yes, he’d kissed me, but I wanted the passionate kind.

  It was as if he read my mind because he dropped his head and sought mine. When his bottom lip brushed against my upper lip, I swear I trembled, badly. He then kissed me while I slowly parted my mouth to let him in, but I was left disappointed when he withdrew and planted a soft one against my cheek. “Goodnight, Stella.”

  For the life of me, I couldn’t mask the hurt that ignited in my heart. I gave him a quick nod and immediately reached for my glasses, not looking at him as he exited the study.

  I hated myself for needing and wanting things that weren’t meant for me. It was dangerous to show my feelings because I was going to lose in the end. Callum was clear with his intentions… and I somehow needed to get my head checked. My crush was shifting, blossoming into something more, and yet I had to put a brake on it. He’d resent me if he ever found out the truth.

  I suppose I needed to toughen my exterior when—if—I was shattered inside. Even if it pained me to do so, I would do it just to spend a few more weeks with him. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I’d walk away, leaving him in his secured cocoon.

  When I finally decided to call it a night, I wasn’t even surprised to find Callum on his side, his back facing me. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm my thoughts. It was then that my phone silently vibrated on the side table. Reaching out for it, I checked who the person was who texted me at almost two in the morning.

  Clive: I know I haven’t responded after you sent me an email about you dating Callum. He and I have some history together. He was once a very good friend of mine.

  I’m texting you drunk. Had I been sober, I wouldn’t have had the guts. All I’m saying is that I will be here when the time is up. Yeah, I know how he works and he never goes back to the same woman twice.

  Take care, Stella. It’s really weird, but I think I really miss you.

  It was so like Clive to say something like that. He missed me, but he was embarrassed to say it outright. I couldn’t hold back an amused snort as I reread his message again.

  “Stella?”

  Shit, wasn’t he sleeping? I shifted to my side to see if he was watching me, but he was still in the same position as I’d seen him earlier. “Yes?”

  “I need you to come with me tomorrow night for a fundraiser I support for cancer.”

  Oh. “Yeah, of course.” Cancer was a sensitive subject for me.

  Callum stayed quiet for a minute before he spoke up again. “And Stella?”

  I decided to reply to Clive’s message tomorrow morning as I placed it back on the table. “Yep?”

  “You need to wear the engagement ring from now on.”

  Drat. When he was around, I suppose I could. “Okay.”

  “Good. Sleep well.”

  Here we go again, I silently scolded myself as my tear ducts started to have their own mind. “You, too,” I calmly whispered back and then shut my eyes and let the tears flow.

  s

  “What are you still doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be leaving now?” Luciana held my elbow and dragged me away into a secluded corner.

  That was the plan… but I was getting antsy. Maybe more like I dreaded seeing him after last night because being around him from here on out was going to be extra difficult. I wanted too much… far more than what he could give me.

  “I was really on my way out, but I noticed that we needed new champagne glasses filled and one of the old ladies said that one of the waiters tried to get with her, so what was I to do?” Valid excuses, they were, but it was far from the truth.

  Luciana was about to go mini Nazi on everyone. This event started off wrong. First, the florist called in that the flowers they had shipped out from South America were going to arrive tomorrow. So I had to scramble and find another supplier that could come close to the type of orchids that the starlet wanted for the perfume launch. Second, my assistant had food poisoning, so Sienna had to take all of her responsibilities. Sienna’s quick and a fast learner, but how was she supposed to learn everything when Ally only left a post-it with all of the instructions? Third, one of the hired bartenders was caught taking pictures of the other celebrity guests in the party, so I had to get one of the large, beefy security men to escort him out, sans cellphone.

  Lastly, the event I was to meet Callum at. We actually agreed that it would be best if we met there since I wasn’t sure if Luciana would let me get off that early, knowing that this event was going to be on the celebrity news the next morning. It was a great opportunity to get exposure and we were both hell-bent for it to go as smoothly as possible.

  “Go. Mark actually texted me that he’s more than happy to come and help us out.” Luciana eyed me suspiciously.

  Well, it wasn’t as if I had other ulterior motives... a bit. “I did call for back-up. Besides, he’s more than happy to help. He is our best friend after all.”

  She rolled her eyes at me, making me stare at her jeweled green eyes and thick ebony lashes. Sometimes, I just wanted to pluck one out just to see if they were fake. Seriously, hers were far too long!

  “Gotta go now. Be nice to Mark, okay?” I kissed her cheek then the other before giving her a tight squeeze. “Thank you.”

  “If you aren’t shagging Callum yet, tonight better be the night.”

  That made me smirk. “I’ll keep you updated.”

  With a little wave, I darted towards the exit and the flip-flop of my heart in my ribcage started its own jungle-themed rhythm. Luck was on my side when there was a cab waiting outside. A quick thanks automatically left my lips as the hotel staff opened the door for me.

  “Claridge’s please,” I said to the driver.

  Whilst in the cab, I pulled out my
phone and texted him that I was on my way.

  Callum: See you.

  Great. Now all I had to do was get through the night. My thoughts took me back to last night again, rehashing it like a true lovesick person, and before I noticed, the cab was already parked right outside the hotel.

  “Here we go,” I muttered under my breath.

  This was the first time I was accompanying him to anything, so the pressure was on. With my aloof persona in place, I trotted in my champagne colored, tight-hugging bodice of a dress that stopped at my knees, but the dress was so tight that I could barely walk a foot apart in my gold, five-inch stilettos. There was only one thing I aimed at, wearing a dress like this, and that was to be noticed. Not by others, but by Callum. It was a normal attempt for a woman to entice a man this way, but I had to work with what I had. He liked his women this way and, at times—like when I had to work tonight—I sometimes put extra care into my appearance. So maybe I just went overboard with this one in particular. I mean, if his heart was unavailable, I sure as hell didn’t want him to check out other women while he was with me. There was also the fact that I wanted to be remembered by him later on down the years…

  I didn’t have to walk far; the man stood in the middle of the foyer—not on the side, but right there in the middle—with people milling and walking past him, dressed in a tux. I was immediately in a depraved sexual riot. The second I spotted him, my whole body and mind shifted. I was entering into Callum Kensington’s domain, hypnotized and entranced by the power he exuded. The man simply commanded it.

  He looked formidable. Commanding. Stoic. An elegant rogue with an edge of danger to it. “Stella, you look…” Callum trailed off, disconcerted, before he bent his head and aimed for my ear. “Please tell me you have some sort of undergarment in this dress?” he hissed into it.

  He was a man who knew the woman’s body and underwear well, huh. I was far from pleased. In fact, that bothered me a great deal. “I didn’t want any lines. And as for the bra, you can see how that’s not going to work, either.”

  “It’s obscene,” Callum hissed, furious even. “I can practically imagine what you look like naked.”

  That was the point, but never mind. His reaction was enough to douse me to face reality. “If you want me to leave, just say so. I have work to do anyway,” I managed to blurt out. I wanted to gouge his eyes out. It took a few hours to be prepped to the point of looking like this… and now he tells me that I looked obscene? Did he not go parading around town with women dressed in far less than what I was wearing now? Fucking prick! I simmered.

  Out of the blue, Callum quickly tensed. His jaws locked as he looked past me. “My father and Zara are coming towards us.”

  “What!” I hissed, not sure if I was about to laugh or cry. However, even before I had the chance to decide, I heard a man’s throat being cleared behind me.

  “Nice to see you here, son,” Charles Kensington greeted Callum just as I was moving to Callum’s side, facing the intruders.

  He was younger looking somehow and not what I had imagined him to be. Callum’s looks definitely were inherited from his maternal side.

  Charles then found me; blue eyes assessing me head to foot. “Stella von Berg and a Kensington together. What a lovely pairing. Glad you finally took my heed and found yourself a wealthy heiress worthy to marry.”

  What was I to say to that kind of tacky comment? Mind you, I was rendered speechless, but that was before I was introduced to Zara. I was decent looking, but next to this woman, I paled in comparison. No wonder Callum couldn’t get over her.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Stella.” Zara composed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She faced Callum and when their gazes connected, I even felt the spark. “Good to see you again, Callum.” Love was so apparent in her dark eyes that I somewhat felt like I was the one intruding in their little eyes-devouring-you-on-the-spot reunion.

  Their moment was broken by Charles excusing himself to greet one of his old cronies—who were somewhere across the room—leaving the three of us in a compromising position.

  Zara was so focused on Callum that she might’ve forgotten that I was here, too. Callum had yet to utter a damn word, but the man was like a stone, staring holes at the woman he loved.

  I stood apoplectic, eyes flickering back and forth before I finally urged myself to move out of the way. “I need to go to the loo.” I excused myself, barely looking at them, and sought for a quiet place to balm my broken heart.

  Relief rushed through me when I ventured into another room that was empty except for a few chairs hoisted to the side. From the looks of it, the cleaning party had yet to arrive. How appropriate that I stepped into a room that was someone’s wedding reception.

  I was so consumed with forcing myself not to cry that I hadn’t heard the door open. Imagine my fright when I heard someone’s voice asking me if I was okay. “Are you all right?”

  My eyes were still glued towards the once-happy celebratory party before me. “Uh huh.” In a couple of minutes or so, I will be.

  The mystery person revealed himself by squatting before me, concern etched across his face. “You don’t look it, Stella.”

  With a small, quivering smile, I spoke to Derek, “You saw that, huh?”

  He nodded solemnly. “Yeah. Why are you with him?” His question was more of a wonder than anything. “You’re dating playboys, one after the other. What the bloody hell for? To get yourself trampled over?” He peered closer, lifting my chin. “You deserve a man that will love you, not play around with you.” He cleared his throat, looking sorry. “I admit, in the beginning I became frustrated with you. I was too focused on wanting you to give it up to me that I forgot how we were together, how you were with me.” He paused. “I didn’t realize this until I started dating again and realized how much I missed you.”

  Dear goodness, I couldn’t deal with this now. Not right now. “Derek—”

  “I’d give everything to have another chance with you again.”

  This was sad. “I’m in love with him,” I admitted bravely. “There’s no hope for me.”

  “Guessed as much. He doesn’t see it, though. I doubt he sees any woman, if at all.” Derek gathered me up and held me tight. “We all love and learn. Someday, you’ll love again.” He kissed my cheek, eyes seeking mine. “I pray to the gods that man will be me.”

  Someday you’ll love again… those words held comfort. Words I could hang on to. Something to look forward to.

  “Let’s get you warmed up before Mr. Playboy comes and fetches you away from me,” Derek offered, leading us towards the bar.

  That was, if Callum still remembered I existed…

  Chapter 109

  Callum

  “We need to discuss our future,” Zara persisted, pressing herself closer towards me. Her perfume reached my senses and I somehow felt like I was being transported back in time to when I was madly and hopelessly in love with this woman.

  I would’ve moved Heaven and earth to make her happy. Zara had been my life. Everything I did then was for our future. I was a roughened teenager, but the moment I met her, I was willing to make changes. The moment I knew I was in love with her, I didn’t even hesitate to commit myself fully to her. However, somehow all through that love and affection—not to mention utmost dedication—Zara easily walked away from it all. From me. Here she was now, demanding we “discuss” our future. What was she on?

  “If you haven’t noticed, I’ve moved on from you.” I sought her eyes, putting all my energy in holding her gaze. “You’ve been replaced. There’s no future with me. Best you get that truth into your head.”

  “You don’t love her,” Zara immediately retorted back.

  My nose flared at her audacity. “How dare you. You don’t know anything!”

  “You know how I know? Because you didn’t even glance at her, not once, the second you saw me. She excused herself to use the restroom and yet it seemed you didn’t even hear her.” She pressed her heav
ing breasts against my chest. Her lips and hot breath tickled my ear. “You only have eyes for me. No one will come close, Callum. It’s the same for me. I want you.” She pressed harder, making me silently curse. “I haven’t had a man for a year and I’m anticipating for you to relinquish this need in between my thighs. It has only craved you, no one else.”

  This was bad. Sex with Zara had always been dynamite. Her talking about not having any other man after me made my throat dry. She was temptation to the fullest. She knew my body, knew what turned me on… and her dirty talk confirmed just how much she wanted to be back in my life.

  “Charles filed divorce yesterday. He brought me out here to reconcile with you.” She kissed my lobe. “You can have me tonight… or whenever you want.”

  A voice informing the guests that the ballroom was now available made me pull back away from her influence. Zara still held power over me. I was discomfited. Horrified. Yet, somehow, aroused. It was troubling and I hated it—her—for torturing me some more.

  Besides, there was Stella.

  God, Stella! I had seriously forgotten about her. My eyes scanned the area, looking for her.

  “She probably left already,” Zara quipped into my ear.

  If Stella had, I couldn’t blame her. She’d probably witnessed how Zara was full on seducing me or how I had let her do it, not even stopping her attempt. As I stated before, I didn’t deserve Stella, and yet, I couldn’t let her go. I was a horrible man. Selfish. Needy.

  In need for her as well as the sense of comfort and security she brought.

  “I have to go.” I unclasped Zara’s hold from me as I scanned the throbbing sea of people. Where did she go? Did she leave?

  Frustrated, I went towards the entrance and asked the hotel staff in charge if they had seen Stella leave. I knew they would know who I was talking about because I had seen how they blatantly gawked at her behind as she sauntered towards me.

  An exasperated grunt showed how desperate I was to find her. It was rude of me to actually have forgotten about her when Zara appeared. It was a shock to see her again, with my father in tow… but still… Stella didn’t need to witness how affected I was when it came to the woman who had brought me to my knees once. I tried to picture what it would’ve been for her to see me with Zara and, whatever came in to mind, I didn’t like much.