“This area is historic Bellevue Hills and this house was once owned by one of the richest men in Australia. Shaun told me about it, thought I should take a look at it and make the seller an offer. I did.”
“Just like that?” she asked, snapping her fingers for effect.
He met her gaze. “Just like that,” he said, snapping his.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I like the way you think, Callum, because, as I said, this place is a beauty.”
He shifted his gaze away from her to look back at the house. “So, it’s a place where you think the average woman would want to live?”
She placed her hands on her hips. “Callum, the average woman would die to live in a place like this. This is practically a mansion. It’s fit for a queen. I know because I consider myself the average woman and I would.”
“You would?”
“Of course. Now, I’m dying to take a look around and make some decorating suggestions.”
“As extensive as the ones you made at lunch regarding that conference room at Le’Claire?”
“Probably,” she said with a smile. “But I won’t know until I go through it and take measurements.” She pulled her tape measure out of her purse.
“Let’s go.”
He touched her arm and the moment he did so, she felt that tingling sensation that always came over her when he touched her, but now the sensations were even stronger than before.
“You okay, Gemma? You’re shivering.”
She drew in a deep breath as they moved from the foyer toward the rest of the house. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said, refusing to look at him. If only he knew the truth about how she was feeling.
Callum leaned against the kitchen counter and stared over at Gemma as she stood on a ladder taking measurements of a particular window. She had long ago shed her jacket and kicked off her shoes. He looked down at her feet and thought she had pretty toes.
They had been here a couple of hours already and there were still more measurements to take. He didn’t mind if he could continue to keep her up there on a ladder. Once in a while, when she moved, he’d get a glimpse of her gorgeous legs and her luscious-looking thighs.
“You’re quiet.”
Her observation broke into his thoughts. “What I’m doing is watching you,” he said. “Having fun?”
“The best kind there is. I love doing this and I’m going to love decorating this house for you.” She paused a second. “Unfortunately, I have some bad news for you.”
He lifted a brow. “What bad news?”
She smiled down at him. “What I want to do in here just might break you. And, it will take me longer than the six weeks planned.”
He nodded. Of course, he couldn’t tell her he was counting on that very thing. “I don’t have a problem with that. How is your work schedule back in Denver? Will remaining here a little longer cause problems for you?”
“No. I finished all my open projects and was about to take a vacation before bidding on others, so that’s fine with me if you think you can handle a houseguest for a little while longer.”
“Absolutely.”
She chuckled. “You might want to think about it before you give in too easily.”
“No, you might want to think about it before you decide to stay.”
She glanced down at him and went perfectly still and he knew at that moment she was aware of what he was thinking. Although they had enjoyed each other’s company, they had practically walked on eggshells around each other all day. After lunch he’d taken her on a tour of downtown and showed her places like the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. And they had fed seagulls in Hyde Park before coming here. Walking beside her seemed natural, and for a while they’d held hands. Each time he had touched her she had trembled.
Did she think he wasn’t aware of what those shivers meant? Did she not know what being close to her was doing to him? Could she not see the male appreciation as well as the love shining in his eyes whenever he looked at her?
Breaking eye contact, he looked at his watch. “Do you plan to measure all the windows today?”
“No, I’d planned to make this my last one for now. You will bring me back tomorrow, though, right?”
“Just ask. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
“In that case, I’d like to come back to finish up this part. Then we’ll need to decide on what fabrics you want,” she said, moving to step down from the ladder. “The earlier the better, especially if it’s something I need to backorder.”
He moved away from the counter to hold the ladder steady while she descended. “Thanks,” she said, when her bare feet touched the floor. He was standing right there in front of her.
“Don’t mention it,” he said. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
Instead of taking her hand, he walked beside her and said nothing. He felt her looking over at him, but he refused to return her gaze. He had promised that the next time they kissed she would ask for it, but she’d failed to do that, which meant that when they got back to his place he would turn up the heat.
“You all right, Callum?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Where would you like to eat? It’s dinnertime.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m up for anything.”
He smiled when an idea popped into his head. “Then how about me preparing dinner tonight.”
She lifted a brow. “Can you cook?”
“I think I might surprise you.”
She chuckled. “In that case, surprise me.”
Whatever you want, it’s yours.
Gemma stepped out of the Jacuzzi to dry herself while thinking that Callum had been saying that a lot lately. She wondered what he would think of her if she were to tell him that what she wanted more than anything was another dose of the pleasure he’d introduced her to last night.
Being around him most of the day had put her nerves on edge. Every time he touched her or she caught him looking at her, she felt an overwhelming need to explore the intense attraction between them. His mouth and fingers had planted a need within her that was so profound, so incredibly physical, that certain parts of her body craved his touch.
She’d heard of people being physically attracted to each other to the point of lust consuming their mind and thoughts, but such a thing had never happened to her. Until now. And why was it happening at all? What was there about Callum—other than the obvious—that had her in such a tizzy? He made her want things she’d never had before. She was tempted to go further with him than she had with any other man.
In a way she had already done that last night. There was no other man on the face of this earth who could ever lay a claim to fingering her. But Callum had done that while kissing her senseless, stirring a degree of passion within her that even now made her heart beat faster just thinking about it.
She shook her head, and tried to get a grip but failed to do so. She couldn’t let go of the memories of how her body erupted in one mind-shattering orgasm. Now she knew what full-blown pleasure was about. But she knew that she hadn’t even reached the tip of the iceberg and her body was aching to get pushed over that turbulent edge. The thought that there was something even more powerful, more explosive to experience sent sensual shivers through her entire being.
There were a number of reasons why she should not be thinking of indulging in an affair with Callum. And yet, there were a number of reasons why she should. She was a twenty-four-year-old virgin. To give her virginity to Callum was a plus in her book, because, in addition to being attracted to him, he would know what he was doing. She’d heard horror stories about men who didn’t.
And if they were to have an affair, who would know? He wasn’t the type to kiss and tell. And he didn’t seem bothered by the fact that his best friend was her brother. Besides, since he would be returning to Australia to live, she didn’t have the worry about running into him on a constant basis, seeing him and being reminded of what they’d done.
So what was holding her back?
She knew the answer to that question. It was the same reason she was still a virgin. She was afraid the guy she would give her virginity to would also capture her heart. And the thought of any man having her heart was something she just couldn’t abide. What if he were to hurt her, break her heart the way her brothers had done to all those girls?
She nibbled on her bottom lip as she slipped into her dress to join Callum for dinner. Somehow she would have to find a way to experience pleasure without the possibility of incurring heartache. She should be able to make love with a man without getting attached. Men did it all the time. She would enter into the affair with both eyes open and not expect any more than what she got. And when it was over, her heart would still be intact. She wouldn’t set herself up like those other girls who’d fancied themselves in love with a Westmoreland, only to have their hearts broken.
It should be a piece of cake. After all, Callum had told her he was waiting to meet his soul mate. So there would be no misunderstanding on either of their parts. She wasn’t in love with him and he wasn’t in love with her. He would get what he wanted and she would be getting what she wanted.
More of last night.
A smile of anticipation touched her lips. She mustn’t appear too eager and intended to play this out for all it was worth and see how long it would last. She was inexperienced when it came to seduction, but she was a quick study.
And Callum was about to discover just how eager she was to learn new things.
Callum heard Gemma moving around upstairs. He had encouraged her to relax and take a bubble bath in the huge Jacuzzi garden tub while he prepared dinner.
Since they’d eaten a large lunch at one of the restaurants downtown near the Sydney Harbour, he decided to keep dinner simple—a salad and an Aussie meat pie.
He couldn’t help but smile upon recalling her expression when she’d first seen his home, and her excitement about decorating it just the way she liked. He had gone along with every suggestion she made, and although she had teased him about the cost, he knew she was intentionally trying to keep prices low, even though he’d told her that doing so wasn’t necessary.
His cell phone rang and he pulled it off his belt to answer it. “Hello.”
“How are you doing, Callum?”
He smiled upon hearing his mother’s voice. “I’m fine, Mom. What about you?”
“I’m wonderful. I hadn’t talked to you since you were here yesterday with Gemma, and I just want you to know that I think she’s a lovely girl.”
“Thanks, Mom. I think so, too. I just can’t wait for her to figure out she’s my soul mate.”
“Have patience, Callum.”
He chuckled. “I’ll try.”
“I know Gemma is going to be tied up with decorating that house, but Shaun and I were wondering if she’ll be free to do some shopping with us next Friday,” his mother said. “Annette and Mira will be joining us as well.”
The thought of Gemma being out of his sight for any period of time didn’t sit well with him. He knew all about his mother, sister and sisters-in-law’s shopping trips. They could be gone for hours. He felt like a possessive lover. A smile touched his lips. He wasn’t Gemma’s lover yet, but he intended to be while working diligently to become a permanent part of her life—namely, her husband.
“Callum?”
“Yes, Mom. I’m sure that’s something Gemma will enjoy. She’s upstairs changing for dinner. I’ll have her call you.”
He conversed with his mother for a little while longer before ending the call. Pouring a glass of wine, he moved to the window that looked out over the Pacific. His decision to keep this place had been an easy one. He loved the view as well as the privacy.
The house Gemma was decorating was in the suburbs, sat on eight acres of land and would provide plenty of room for the large family he wanted them to have. He took a sip of wine while his mind imagined a pregnant Gemma, her tummy round with his child.
He drew in a deep breath, thinking that if anyone would have told him five years ago that he would be here in this place and in this frame of mind, he would have been flabbergasted. His mother suggested that he have patience. He’d shown just how much patience he had for the past three years. Now it was time to make his move.
“Callum?”
The sound of her voice made him turn around. He swallowed deeply, while struggling to stay where he was, not cross the room, pull her into his arms and give her the greeting that he preferred. As usual, she looked beautiful, but there was something different about her this evening. There was a serene glow to her face that hadn’t been there before. Had just two days in Australia done that to her? Hell, he hoped so. More than anything, he wanted his native land to grow on her.
“You look nice, Gemma,” he heard himself saying.
“Thanks. You look nice yourself.”
He glanced down at himself. He had changed out of his suit, and was now wearing jeans and a pullover shirt. She was wearing an alluring little outfit—a skirt that fell a little past her knees, a matching top and a cute pair of sandals. He looked at her and immediately thought of one word. Sexy. Umm, make that two words. Super sexy. He knew of no other woman who wore her sexuality quite the way Gemma did.
His gaze roamed the full length of her in male appreciation, admiring the perfection of her legs, ankles and calves. He had to have patience, as his mother suggested and tamp down his rising desire. But all he had to do was breathe in, take a whiff of her scent and know that would not be an easy task.
“What are you drinking?”
Her words pulled his attention from her legs back to her face. “Excuse me? I missed that.”
A smile curved her lips. “I asked what you’re drinking.”
He held up his glass and glanced at it. “Wine. Want some?”
“Sure.”
“No problem. I’ll pour you a glass,” he said.
“No need,” she said, walking slowly toward him. He felt his pulse rate increase and his breathing get erratic with every step she took.
“I’ll just share yours,” she said, coming to a stop in front of him. She reached out, slid the glass from his hand and took a sip. But not before taking the tip of her tongue and running it along the entire rim of the glass.
Callum sucked in a quick breath. Did she know how intimate that gesture was? He watched as she then took a sip. “Nice, Callum. Australia’s finest, I assume.”
He had to swallow before answering, trying to retain control of his senses. “Yes, a friend of my father owns a winery. There’s plenty where that came from. Would you like some more?”
Her smile widened. “No, thank you. But there is some thing that I do want,” she said, taking a step closer to him.
“Is there?” he said, forcing the words out of a tight throat. “You tell me what you want and, as I said yesterday and again today, whatever you want I will deliver.”
She leaned in closer and whispered. “I’m holding you to your word, Callum Austell, because I’ve decided that I want you.”
Ten
Gemma half expected Callum to yank her down and take her right there on the living room floor. After all, she’d just stated that she wanted him, and no one would have to read between the lines to figure out what that meant. Most men would immediately act on her request, not giving her the chance to change her mind.
Instead, Callum deliberately and slowly put his glass down. His gaze locked with hers and when his hands went to her waist he moved, bringing their bodies in close contact. “And what you want, Gemma, is just what you will get.”
She saw intense heat in the depths of his eyes just seconds before he lowered his mouth to hers. The moment she felt his tongue invade her mouth, she knew he would be kissing her senseless.
He didn’t disappoint her.
The last time they’d kissed, he had introduced her to a range of sensations that she’d never encountered before. Sensations that starte
d at her toes and worked their way up to the top of her head. Sensations that had lingered in her lower half, causing the area between her legs to undergo all kinds of turbulent feelings and her heart all kinds of unfamiliar emotions.
This kiss was just as deadly, even more potent than the last, and her head began swimming in passion. She felt that drowning would soon follow. Blood was rushing, fast and furiously, through her veins with every stroke of his tongue. He was lapping her up in a way that had her entire body shuddering from the inside out.
Callum had encouraged her to ask for what she wanted and was delivering in full measure. He wasn’t thinking about control of any kind and neither was she. He had addressed and put to rest the only two concerns she had—his relationship with her brother and her relationship with him as a client. Last night, he’d let her know that those two things had nothing to do with this—the attraction between them—and she was satisfied with that.
And now she was getting satisfied with this—his ability to deliver a kiss that was so passionate it was nearly engulfing her in flames. He was drinking her as if she were made of the finest wine, even finer than the one he’d just consumed.
She felt the arms around her waist tighten and when he shifted their positions she felt something else, the thick hardness behind the zipper of his jeans. When she moved her hip and felt his hard muscles aligned with her curves, the denim of his jeans rubbing against her bare legs, she moaned deep in her throat.
Callum released Gemma’s mouth and drew in a deep breath and her scent. She smelled of the strawberry bubble bath she had used and whatever perfume she had dabbed on her body.
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