by Leslie North
“But…the snow?”
“We’ll find a way. I’d better let your brother know about the change in plans. And you’d better pack.” He headed into his room and shut the door behind him.
Chapter 16
Eva got her bags packed. She sipped her chocolate—now cold, not hot—turned on the TV, watched a movie. It turned into a sad love story and she turned it off. Not what she needed right now. Callum didn’t come out of his room. She knocked on the door and asked, “Do you want dinner.”
“Busy packing,” he called out.
She put her hands on her hips. He didn’t have that much stuff. She paced her sitting room, tried to study, read the same page four times and gave up. She threw on a skimpy dress, touched up her makeup and headed for the dance floor. She found mostly older couples—people who could afford the Waldorf Astoria rates. It was boring, the music dull, and no one caught her eye. She tried the bar downstairs and found mostly old guys who eyed her like she was candy. Turning around, she headed back to her room. She dragged off her dress, washed her face, threw on an old sweatshirt and climbed into bed. As an afterthought, she ordered strawberries and chocolates to her room, and once she was settled with them she downloaded a romance to her cell phone to read. At least it promised a happy ending.
She woke to a sunny day and blinding white outside. Knocking on Callum’s door didn’t get an answer so she texted him.
Where are u?
A text came back in a minute. Making travel arrangements. Get packed.
She huffed out a breath, showered, dressed, had her coffee and went shopping for the day.
She bought way too many things—shoes, sweaters, scarves, gloves, a fur hat made of fake rabbit. She thought about buying Callum something, but he was so touchy. What was wrong with him? Maybe he hadn’t had as much fun in bed as she had? Maybe he was tired of teaching her? Maybe he’d met someone else? She nibbled on her lower lip and tried not to worry. That was impossible. She had her packages delivered to the hotel, and then bought two more suitcases from the hotel’s lobby store.
By mid afternoon, she was bored and ready to scream. Callum came back at last. He knocked on her door. She opened it, smiled when she saw his boyish face. But he wasn’t smiling. “Come on. I’ve got a car waiting, and don’t ask what it took. The thing is a tank so it should get us out of the city.”
He waved in a bellhop with a cart to take their bags and lifted one eyebrow when he saw her extra luggage. She shrugged. “When the going gets tough it’s time to go shopping.”
He shook his head. “Heaven help you if you ever have to live on a budget. Wrap up, it’s cold out there.”
Just because he said that, she threw her coat over her shoulder and kept her new fur hat in her hand. Once she stepped outside, she regretted that, but she hurried to the waiting vehicle—a huge Hummer.
Inside the car—okay, it was more like a tank—she glanced at Callum. “A Hummer? Seriously?”
“Hey, it was for hire, and it’ll get us to where we want to go. I hope.”
For most of the drive, Callum kept his head down, bent over his phone, texting, Eva figured. She did the same, texting Alexandra, and then Claire. Alexandra let it slip that Claire had let it slip that she was expecting. Eva grinned at the news. She’d have to go shopping for baby clothes.
The driver—a kid who looked like he was still in college—got the huge Hummer out of the New York streets and onto something that seemed to be called the New Jersey Turnpike. Eva turned to Callum. “Are you sure we’re going the right way.”
He glanced at her, and then out the window. “Heading south. That’s the right way. Kick back. It’s going to be two or three hours on the road.”
She crossed her arms. “I’m thirsty.”
He gestured to the back of the front seat. “All the fixings of home. This is like a full limo, only able to drive over another limo.”
She found the latch to open the bar, fussed with a choice of drink, thought about pulling out a bottle of vodka just to shock Callum. She opted instead for a sparkling water.
She also did her nails, texted some more, downloaded another book to her phone, started to get car sick, and gave up. She watched the scenery past. The snow didn’t seem so bad, the further south they went. She saw a sign for Princeton and was glad she wasn’t going there. Traffic flowed around them, and at last the Hummer took an off ramp and turns.
Eva leaned forward to see the campus and Callum started talking.
“Okay, you’re going to have to do an essay as well as your test, and once you’re in, we’ll start prepping for when you get admissions to the art conservation—that’ll be post graduate work, but if you do well in your classes that should be no problem.”
She glanced at him. “I know that.” She looked out the window again. Red brick buildings that looked quaint—nothing as old as in Athens, but still the campus looked as if it had been here a long time. The tall trees had lost their leaves and under the patches of snow the grass looked browned by the cold. She sat back, her fingers cold. “I test tomorrow?”
Callum nodded. “We’ll do a last session this afternoon once you’re settled and then an early night and an early start tomorrow. You ready?”
She glanced at him and nodded. But her stomach was tumbling. Was she ready? What if she failed? She lifted her chin. She was a Rosso. She would not fail. She clasped her hands together. She was very worried, however, she was going to be the first Rosso to go down in flames—she would disappoint Antonio, Alexandra, and Callum. In short—everyone.
***
Callum stared at the dark hair hiding Eva’s face. She’d fallen asleep over her books and he didn’t have the heart to wake her. He’d gotten her to the condo that Antonio had had someone buy—the place was almost another Waldorf Astoria. Gated parking, a housekeeper who’d left a meal warming in the oven—something Greek that had had Eva lighting up when she saw and smelled it—fully furnished and complete with yet another fire place. Callum hadn’t even let her unpack but started going over what she had to know.
Now he hoped he hadn’t over done it.
What if she failed due to nerves, or because he’d worked her too hard, or because he’d thrown too much at her? Yeah, she could test again, but would she? Or would she run home to big brother and forget about her dreams? He couldn’t see that happening—she was too stubborn, too strong, and just too ornery. But it might take a long time before she had the nerve to try again. She just had to pass.
Scooping her up, he carried her up the stairs to her room. He’d taken the smaller bedroom downstairs. Tomorrow they’d have their answer. As he settled her onto the bed, she stirred and smiled up at him, her eyes opening just a slit. “Stay,” she murmured.
He couldn’t say no. He slipped out of his clothes, crawled into bed and slowly helped Eva to get naked. She gave a sigh when he pressed his skin to hers.
With a soft hum, she said, “Please don’t waste this chance.”
He knew what she was talking about, but he shook his head. “You have an early day tomorrow.”
“And I want to face it happy.” She opened her eyes wide. “Didn’t some Greek say something once about seize the day?”
“That’s carpe diem, and it’s Latin. Roman. From Horace's Odes.”
“Yes, and he probably got it from a Greek.” She kissed him. “Make love to me—I want to love you.”
Getting up, he staggered to his room and came back, a condom in place. It was an old one, dug out of the bottom of his bag, and he’d just have to hope it worked. Because she was right. They had this night—this moment.
He climbed under the blankets again. Shifting, she straddled him. Her dark hair fell over him and she kissed him. Her hands roamed over his skin, and her touch was driving her crazy.
“Easy, Eva. Easy.” He put his hands on her breasts. “Take your time.”
She smiled and sat on his hips. “You are so beautiful,” she said.
“Hey, isn’t that my line
?”
She kissed his neck, nibbling on his skin. He lifted her up so he could take first one nipple then the other into his mouth. She arched into his caresses and gave a soft moan. “That feels really good.”
“You want good—go ahead and take it.”
Hips lifted, she hovered over him. She used her hand to position him at her entrance. He held his breath. She eased herself down on him, inch by inch. He wanted to push up into her, but he waited. She was so damn tight. She gave a soft gasp. He pressed up into her, meeting resistance.
“Okay, this is going to hurt.”
Her eyes flew open again. “I want it. I want you.” She pushed down on him, one sharp jolt that left her shaking and him, too. He waited for her, running his hands up and down her back.
“Not so bad,” she said in a tight voice. She gave a wiggle of her hips.
He grabbed them. “Do that again and I’m over the top.”
“Really?” She did it again and giggled. “I like that.”
Gasping, sweat breaking out on his forehead, Callum swallowed. “Well, if you like it—”
He broke off the words as she pulled out a little and sank down again. Leaning over, she kissed him. “This…this is the most fabulous feeling in the world. Callum, I feel closer to you than any other living person on the face of the earth.”
“Yeah, same here.”
She rose and came down again, slow agony and perfect ecstasy. He closed his eyes and let her use him, trying to focus on his breaths so he didn’t lose control. But she gave a gasp and a small shudder. She tightened around him and he followed her into utter bliss.
***
Eva collapsed onto the bed next to Callum. She could hear his heart beating as fast as hers. “That was…was…was better than chocolate even.”
Callum chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” He twisted to look at her. “Eva, I’m sorry.”
Propping herself up on an elbow, she asked, “For what? Making love to me?”
Callum shook his head. “No. Never that! But…well, it was your first time. I don’t know…I don’t know if it was good enough for you. I mean, look, you used to…to the Waldorf Astoria. I’m more a motel kind of guy.”
She laughed and traced a finger through his chest hair. It was springy and blond. “Maybe I like motels more than Waldorf Astorias.”
He shook his head. “You may think that but money’s a big deal. People fight about it. Break up over it. I could get touchy about you being so rich—start to hate being looked after. Or you could resent me being poor, always having to buy things for us. It’s…it’s a big deal.”
She put her head back down on his chest. “It’s not as big a deal as this.”
“Yeah, easy to say when you’re the rich girl.” He sat up again, dislodging her. “You need more experience Eva—it’s not fair to you to hook up with one guy without getting a chance to do more.”
Eva watched him with a measured glance. “Who said I was hooking up with you? I’m not trying to tie you down. I’m not going to get pregnant.”
“Let’s hope…but that condom was pretty old.”
Getting up, she grabbed for her sweater. “I think I’ll sleep in my bed tonight.”
He caught her wrist. “Please…no. I...we…” Callum closed his eyes and then said, “If you’re pregnant I want you to marry me.”
Eva was hurt by his words. She pulled back. “You only want me if I carrying your baby? If I am pregnant, it’s my body and my problem to deal with. And I will.”
Callum caught her other hand. He pulled her sweater from her grip and started pulling her back to bed. “Don’t. Please. It’s a big day for you tomorrow and I don’t want to fight now.”
She went into his arms, and his kisses undid her anger. He wriggled his thigh, pushing it higher until it pressed against her core. “Come to bed.”
“Do you have more condoms?”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “There’s stuff we can do without those. Right now, I’m hungry and I want to feast on you.”
She laughed and fell into his arms. For tonight, she had Callum. And that was enough.
Chapter 17
“Hurry up, Eva! You’re going to be late.” A large hand slapped her ass. She sat up and glared at Callum. He was already dressed in jeans and a sweater that brought out the blue in his eyes. His hair stood up, looking rumpled. She wanted to take him back to bed again.
Instead, she rolled over and held out her hand. “Where’s my coffee?”
“In the kitchen. Now get dressed and get that pretty ass of yours downstairs.” He strode out.
She frowned, but she felt too good to hang onto her disapproval. She felt…stretched in interesting places. Her body almost hummed still from the joy of last night. She got up and headed for the bathroom to shower. Half an hour later, she had on a new baggy cashmere sweater, jeans and tall boots.
Callum glanced at her and shook his head. “No way. This is an East Coast campus, meaning you dress with some respect. Get some trousers on—no jeans. And a sweater set if you have it.”
Making a face, she headed back upstairs. She didn’t want to change, but she also wanted to make a good impression. And she trusted Callum. Coming back downstairs, she grabbed his coffee from him.
“Better?” she asked. She did a small turn. She’d put on wool trousers and changed into a black cashmere sweater set. She’d also put on small, gold earrings, and had wiped off some of her makeup.
He nodded. “Good. Very good. Come on, we want to be early.”
“What are you driving?”
He glanced at her and grinned. “Well, your brother has a Ducati in the garage, but I think we’ll leave it here. I called a taxi.”
The taxi was waiting outside. The driver was playing ethnic world music of some kind that he turned down when they stepped from the condo. Eva’s stomach knotted. Callum reached over and put his hand over hers. “You’ll do great. Make the essay clear—don’t get fancy. And go with your first instinct for answers. Don’t second guess yourself.”
She nodded. “Clear. Instinct. Got it.” Except she didn’t. They headed for the main office. Callum escorted her in. She hardly knew who she met. She shook hands, smiled, let Callum do most of the talking. Everyone seemed so nice—the dean even came out to meet her and remarked on her brother’s generous donation to the university.
“He bought my way in?” she demanded.
A strained silence settled. The dean—an older man with gray hair and a gray suit—gave a laugh. “Of course not. That’s not how we work here. But we’re more than happy to show you every courtesy we can—and maybe bend a few rules to help you test. Now it’s up to you to show us you’re ready for college.
She pushed out a breath. Was she? She thought about turning around and heading to the airport. Athens sun and the pool called to her—a simple life. She could shop, have fun with her friends, maybe take some classes at a local college. It would be so easy to leave this behind. She glanced at Callum.
He gave her a nod and a wink—as if she was about to do the easiest thing ever.
She pushed back her shoulders. “I’m ready to test anytime.”
The dean smiled, turned her over to his assistant, a red-headed woman who seemed all business. Eva found herself in a quiet room with leather chairs, a single desk, photos of past officers of the university, and dark wood paneling. She swallowed hard. A computer blinked at her. She was testing on a computer? Panic settled. She couldn’t.
She started for the door and stopped with her hand on the knob. What would Callum think of her if she ran? What would she think of herself?
She turned back, wiped a sweaty palm on her trousers, and walked to the computer. She could do this—she would do this.
She sat down.
***
A soft knock sounded on the door. Eva glanced at her watch. Two hours gone—already? She stood and the all-business red-headed woman walked in. “Finished, dear? How did you do? Great, I’m sure. We’ll notify you in
a few days of acceptance—or not.” She smiled.
“A few days? I thought it would be weeks?”
The woman smiled again. “Courtesy. We have no wish to keep you in suspense.”
Eva started for the door. But the woman called out, “Oh, your friend left this for you.” She handed Eva a card.
In the hall, Eva tore it open. She had to lean against a wall as she read it. Callum hadn’t written much. She scanned the words.
For the best…your world, my life…don’t meet…tell Antonio to keep his money, I should have paid for the education I got with you.
She crumbled the paper into a ball and demanded, “Where is he?”
The red-headed woman blinked at her. “Your friend? He had a friend of his pick him up. Left the taxi waiting for you. That’s going to be some bill to pay.”
“Oh, someone will pay,” Eva said and stormed out. On the way back to the condo she texted Callum. He didn’t text back. She tried again, texting him he was a coward to run out. He still didn’t answer. She texted that if she ever saw him again, she’ll tear him apart. And he still didn’t reply.
In the condo, Eva went to his room. She found it empty. She sat on his bed. It didn’t smell like him. He hadn’t slept there. She went up to her room and crawled under the blankets.
Why had he left her? And how was she going to get him back?
Her mind whirled, but her phone rang, Antonio’s voice came over the line. “How goes it, zouzouni mou?”
For an instant, tears blurred her eyes and she wanted to blurt out everything. But this was her problem—her life. She was tired of others fixing everything for her. She sat up. “Tonio, why didn’t you tell me you made a huge donation?”
“It wasn’t that big.”
She wiped her hot face with her fingers. “Tonio, take me skiing. Meet me in Aspen. I need something to do while I wait to hear how I did, and I’m…I’m tired of Callum. I…I sent him away. Take me skiing, Tonio. Please?”
Three hours later she was on a flight to Denver. Antonio and Claire would meet her there and they’d head to Aspen. Dareios and Alexandra would meet them in a day. Eva nodded. Yes, this was her life. She was much happier without Callum. She lifted her chin. She’d learned all she could from him—and if she ever saw him again, she would make him so damn sorry!