Celtic Rose

by Campbell, Jill

  Talus came back and sat down, placing his hand on the back of her chair again. A few minutes later, Kallisto leaned back, forgetting his hand was there.

  Discreetly, he brushed the back of her neck with his thumb. She froze for less than a second and then relaxed, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers. He seemed to like that reaction and started rubbing her neck very discreetly, for which she was very grateful. She did not want to get embarrassed anymore that day if she could keep from it.

  When the conversation veered from Kallisto and everyone was paying attention to Ramina, she nonchalantly looked at Talus and locked gazes with him. He smiled, and she managed a shy, flattered grin back. He placed his entire hand on the back of her neck and massaged softly. Her stomach flipped and she turned back to look at the other three, who were still talking adamantly to one another. Talus returned his hand to the chair just as everyone’s attention came back toward them. Nobody seemed to notice.

  Kallisto stood up to get more coffee and ran her fingers across the back of Talus’ shoulders as she went by. He watched her as she walked to the cabinet and the corner of his mouth turned up in kind of a half-smile. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and she grinned more to herself than him. She had never felt anything like that before. Kalan caught the look on her face.

  “Hey Sis, what are you grinning at?” he said, leaning back and angling his upper half to get a better look at her. William and Ramina turned their attention on her as well.

  “Yeah, Kal, you look like the cat that ate the canary,” Ramina said with a grin. Kallisto had a sneaky suspicion that she knew more than Kallisto wanted her to.

  “What? I didn’t do anything.” Kallisto managed to look and sound innocent. She was sort of proud of herself for pulling it off.

  “The famous last words of a guilty party.” William grinned widely and leaned back, crossing his arms, extremely immersed in the event.

  Her pride was crushed as she realized her ruse didn’t work as well as she’d thought. She had to come up with something quick. She did, but she knew it would cost her dearly later.

  “Oh well, I was just thinking about a conversation Ramina and I had about Kalan.” She knew Ramina would get her back, but Kalan was far more dangerous. He knew all of her secrets and Ramina only knew a few. Kallisto’s ruse worked and everyone turned on Ramina, except Talus. His gaze was still on Kallisto. He had a twinkle of unshed laughter in his eyes as he winked at her. She shifted her gaze to Ramina, who was glaring at her threateningly, having seen the look between her and Talus. Ramina was the best friend Kallisto could ask for; she kept her mouth shut about it, but the look in her eyes told Kallisto she was going to pay for her actions later.

  “So Ramina, you were talking about me again?” Kalan said as he turned to face her.

  “You know it.” Ramina was almost smug as she said it. Kalan’s eyes widened. “I had to convince Kallisto that you thought the world revolved around you. She only sees her wonderful brother.” She made an adoring-angelic face and then scowled, “I had to show her how egotistical you are, and you’ve just proven my point, thank you very much.” She made a bowing gesture as she said the last.

  “The world doesn’t revolve around me, Ramina, but you do.” Kalan smiled smugly.

  That was the end of the polite conversation, and the beginning of the wrestling match. They dragged each other into the other room so they would be on carpet instead of tile. William ran in quickly to watch the fight. Talus rose slowly and walked with Kallisto, just slightly behind. His hand was on the small of her back like he was guiding her and his thumb played gently on her spine. She shuttered slightly out of pleasure, and he smiled that half-grin she liked so much.

  Chapter 3

  The fight was over–Ramina had won. She had gotten Kalan on his back, sat on his legs and pinned his hands above his head. Even though he looked defeated, Kallisto still thought he let her win. His grin was too excited and mischievous for him to have actually been foiled, but he’d never admit he lost on purpose.

  “She’s an Amazon woman! What do you expect?” he said animatedly on the way to the car when they confronted him.

  Ramina grinned triumphantly.

  Kallisto still had her doubts, but if it came down to a full on fight, she wouldn’t bet on either. They were both strong and they could be underhanded when the need arose.

  The guys offered to show Kallisto and Ramina around and they decided to take a trip into town and look around Phoenix, since the girls had never been there before.

  The car ride was interesting. Kalan thought it would be funny to put Kallisto in the middle of the back seat between Talus and William. He had William herd her into the car with Talus following.

  Kalan tucked himself safely behind the wheel and out of her reach. Ramina was in on it too; she ran and jumped in the front with Kalan. It wasn’t Kallisto’s car, so she couldn’t argue. She wasn’t really bothered by it; she wanted to sit by them, but it was a little uncomfortable. William draped his arm across her shoulders, making a show of his interest. Kalan looked through the rearview mirror and glared at William’s arm. The look on Kallisto’s face made him smile though. He could tell it made her uncomfortable, but she had promised herself that she’d give them equal chances, so she let him keep his arm around her. William looked out the side window at the passing scenery. Kallisto guessed he was trying not to be too pushy so he was giving her some distance, because undoubtedly he’d seen the scenery before.

  Talus touched her side and as she looked at him, he inclined his head, looking down at her with that wonderful half grin. She leaned up slightly, pretending to stretch, but she was really giving him his chance. He slid his arm sneakily behind around her lower back. She sat back and he drew designs on her hip with his thumb. Talus’ touch made her feel warm, but surprisingly more comfortable. She laid her head back on William’s arm and closed her eyes. She guessed William took that as acceptance, so he started gently rubbing his hand across her shoulder. Kallisto didn’t open her eyes, she was concentrating on Talus’ hand, but then Talus stopped.

  She opened her eyes and glanced at him. He was looking at William’s hand. The look on his face was jealous; not full of rage, more like silent discomfort. He turned his eyes to her, and she smiled apologetically and lifted her head. Crossing her arms over her stomach, she snuck her hand back and grabbed his hand. She squeezed slightly and then rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb. He smiled at her then and continued fiddling with her hip. She started to move her hand away but he grabbed it gently and held it. She figured he wanted her to touch him as much as she wanted him to touch her. Grinning wider, she left her hand there. They continued drawing designs on each other’s hands and Kallisto turned her head forward again.

  Hardly any time passed at all in their little moment, though it felt like a long time to Kallisto. William still stared out the window, absentmindedly rubbing her shoulder. Ramina was talking to Kalan, oblivious of anything else. Kalan answered a question she asked, but his eyes were on Kallisto through the mirror. The amused smirk on his face told her he’d seen their little moment. She just grinned back, unaffected by the knowing look in his eyes.

  When they finally reached their destination, she let go of Talus’ hand, smiling at him, and leaned up so he could pull out his arm. She looked at William and shrugged his arm off playfully. He smiled and got out. Talus got out and reached his hand to her, offering to help her out of the car. Kallisto smiled shyly and hesitated, cutting her eyes to William, who was running around the back of the car to their side. She looked at Talus and he nodded in encouragement. She grabbed his hand and he pulled her from the car. William came to Kallisto’s other side and put his arm around her. Talus never let go of her hand.

  They caught up to Kalan and Ramina waiting on the sidewalk, and began looking at different shops for a while, just walking around town enjoying each other’s company. Kallisto was embarrassed walking around with two guys. Being raised the way she had been, it w
as just not acceptable behavior for a female. It made her wish that she’d left her hair down to cover her face. The only comfort she had was that no one would know her there, but she was also truly enjoying herself. Kalan and Ramina had been walking together in front of Talus, Kallisto, and William the whole time. Kallisto figured passersby might think they were together.

  After a few hours of sightseeing, it was lunch time. Kalan and Ramina waited for the others by the door of a restaurant. They looked at the trio with the biggest grins Kallisto had ever seen from them, and turned to walk in. Kalan put his hand on Ramina’s back and guided her into the restaurant. The hostess led them to a booth and Kalan kept his hand on Ramina’s back as he sat in the booth with her. Apparently Kallisto’s situation had made them want to spend more time together, leaving her to her suitors.

  Talus still held her hand and William still had his arm around her. It was more embarrassing for Kallisto since they were going into a public restaurant. She felt the heat in her cheeks as she noticed everyone in the restaurant looking at them. She hoped it was just her imagination working in overdrive, but it sure felt like they were all staring.

  Talus slid into the booth, across from Kalan and Ramina, pulling Kallisto in with him. William, still holding her, slid in like they were glued together at the hip. Kallisto put her head in her free hand and propped her elbow on the table. The burned skin on the back of that hand pulled, and she jerked her hand down, hissing in pain. William immediately jumped up and went to the restroom, mumbling something about Talus not being able to since he was trapped in the booth. Talus grabbed her burned hand with his free hand and examined it.

  “I’m sorry. I should have doctored it before we left. You need to keep it moist to keep it from pulling. We’ll get some ointment when we leave.” He kept her burned hand so that he held both. Kallisto enjoyed being held by only him. William was nice, but she didn’t feel the connection with him that she did with Talus.

  William came back and took her burned hand from Talus gently. Talus let him, not wanting to hurt her by playing tug of war. William placed the cold, wet paper towel on the burn, instantly soothing the irritated skin. Kallisto sighed with relief and William beamed a proud smile as he held her hand.

  “See? I can be as good as Talus,” William said with an obnoxious grin.

  Kallisto just rolled her eyes at him and he chuckled. She felt a little awkward again as she sat between two men, both touching her. William held her hand on the table for the entire world to see. Talus held her other hand under the table, using the other to trail up and down her lower arm in a soft caress. She looked over at him. His brow was creased as he looked at William’s hand holding hers. She squeezed his hand and his gaze jerked to meet hers. She rolled her eyes and smiled at him sarcastically, hoping that he’d understand she was interested in him more than William.

  He seemed to understand that, and gave her a smile. He caressed her arm all the way up and across her shoulders, ending with his arm draped over her. He leaned back pulling her into him slightly, hinting.

  Kallisto took the hint and leaned into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. William looked at them and frowned. He still had her hand so she pushed his leg with her knee but didn’t move from the comfortable position. William grinned then, apparently happy he was not forgotten. He grabbed her hand with his other hand as well and started caressing around the edges of the paper towel, careful not to touch the burn.

  “Well, you three are looking more comfortable.” Kalan frowned at Kallisto’s hand in William’s, but when he saw her against Talus he smiled.

  “You started it. I guess you’ll just have to deal with it,” Talus said, leaning his head down on top of Kallisto’s. She snuggled closer and pulled William toward her. He scooted closer, chuckling. Talus nudged Kallisto and gave her a look of mock rage. She laughed. He nuzzled her cheek with his nose. Ramina looked at them and then Kalan. Kallisto knew she was wishing he’d cuddle with her.

  “Hey, Kalan: Why don’t you do us a favor and snuggle with Ramina? You guys look conspicuous sitting a foot apart like that. People might think you’re not a part of the group.” Kallisto felt someone kick her under the table, but she couldn’t tell which one.

  “Ouch! Hey, it’s not my fault you two can’t admit your feelings.” Kallisto was tired of keeping secrets. She felt at home snuggled with her guys and thought they should feel the same.

  “Kallisto!” Ramina hissed, eyes wide.

  Kallisto smiled mischievously. “What? I’m tired of keeping secrets. Ramina feels the same way you do, Kalan. I’ve had the same conversation with both of you. Why keep up with the charade when you both want to be together? Get it out in the open.” Being in the arms of Talus and holding hands with William made her very bold. She felt safe and protected, although if it didn’t work out she contemplated taking up residence close to Talus, or William, maybe both to be really safe. Kalan just smiled. The next thing he did completely floored Kallisto. He grabbed Ramina and kissed her fiercely.

  “Whoa! Go Kalan!” William said, clapping. Everybody in the restaurant turned to look at them. Kallisto hid her face in Talus’ chest, laughing. He hid his face in her hair, doing the same. The waitress showed up at that time, smiling widely.

  “What can I get for you?” She asked with a giggle.

  Talus, William, and Kallisto straightened up and ordered. Kalan and Ramina stopped kissing, but Kalan pulled her closer, tucking her under his arm. She placed her hand on his chest, leaning on his shoulder. Kallisto had never seen her blush before, but her cheeks were scarlet. The waitress turned to them.

  “And for the love birds?” The waitress said laughing.

  Ramina smiled, staying a healthy shade of red. Kalan was very satisfied with the reaction and chuckled. They ordered and the waitress left, giggling more.

  They sat there quietly, in a state of bliss. William had reclaimed Kallisto’s burned hand, nursing it with the wet paper towel. Talus put his arm around her again, holding her free hand on his leg. Ramina and Kalan were cuddled comfortably together. They only released to eat.

  When they left, Ramina and Kalan held hands, smiling and talking with the others. Talus was the one who held Kallisto close while William held her hand that time. They went and bought some ointment and spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the sights.

  The sun was low on the horizon, filling the sky with beautiful shades of red, orange, purple and pink. Kallisto stared at the sky with reverence. It was the end of the perfect day, with what seemed like many more to come. Kalan and Ramina were finally together. Kallisto had two wonderfully caring men competing for her attention. They were playful and ungrudging toward each other, friends even with the rivalry. It seemed as though no matter whom she chose, the other would still be around as a friend. Kallisto had a strange sense of familiarity with the situation, even though she had never been in a situation like that before.

  Talus came up behind her and put his hand on the back of her neck. She leaned her head back on it, still looking at the sky. “Beautiful,” he whispered.

  “Yeah, I love the sky when it looks like this.”

  “I meant you,” he said touching her nose. Kallisto flushed.

  “You must need glasses Talus. I might be pretty but I’m nowhere near beautiful.” She smiled sarcastically at him. Talus turned her to him and put his hands on her sides. He bent down and looked her in the eyes.

  “You are beautiful,” he said, smiling.

  “A lifetime of being told otherwise by peers is hard to contend with. It’d take more than that to convince me of it.” Kallisto’s heart was pounding hard with him so close. All she’d need to do was raise up on her toes slightly to close the distance between their lips. She chickened out, unable to bring herself to close those last few centimeters. She was too afraid of rejection, even though he had shown his interest more than once, but from her previous experiences she had come to the realization that all men were confusing. They would show interest
one minute and then reject her the next, as soon as they were sure they had her. She figured they liked the chase, but they didn’t actually want her.

  Kallisto and Talus stared into each other’s eyes just a moment longer as Kallisto thought, and then she pulled away. He didn’t seem to know what to do; he seemed to want to hold on. His hands gripped and released as he tried to decide, and his eyes flickered back and forth. There was a look of confusion and possibly shock on his face, but finally he let her go with a look of defeat. She turned away from him and took a few steps, staring at the sky again, cursing herself quietly. She thought maybe he really did want her, but he was frantic. She assumed he was probably just trying to let her go without actually hurting her feelings. He was too good of a guy for that.

  “I’ll convince you of it,” Talus said, right behind Kallisto. She hadn’t realized he’d closed the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her waist and bent his head to her neck, brushing his lips across it slowly up and down. He did that twice before finally turning her around. Pulling her closer and bending his face slowly to hers, Kallisto’s heart raced as their lips touched ever so slightly before he kissed her harder. Her lips parted in response and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed for what seemed like only a few seconds before they heard Kalan calling for them. They leaned away from each other slowly, smiling.

  “Does this mean William’s out of the running?” Talus asked jokingly and slightly out of breath.

  “I don’t know. I might have to kiss him too…just for comparison sake of course,” Kallisto said with a smirk.

  “Of course.” He turned her, draping his arm over her shoulders as they walked back to the car.

  “There you are!” William sighed in relief as he ran up beside Kallisto, grabbing her hand. “I see Talus found you.” He glared at Talus.