“Let me ask you a question, Cal. And be honest with me.”
“Okay.”
“Are you attracted to me?”
Her eyes widen and she snorts. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious.”
“Of course I’m attracted to you!” She drops my hand to swat at me.
“You’ve never acted on it.”
She hesitates for a moment, and I wonder if she’s recalling that snowed-in night in Buffalo. Or the charity gala where I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Or Cohen Campbell’s engagement party when I gave her a ride to her hotel and we sat in my car, talking for over an hour, the air shifting around us. “I’m not supposed to. I’m a professional!” she reminds me.
I grin wolfishly. “I want to kiss you, Calla Lily. I want to kiss you slowly and give your mind time to catch up to all the things I’m saying. And then, I want to tuck you into my bed?—”
Uncertainty washes over her face.
“I’m taking the couch,” I reassure her. “And I want you to sleep in tomorrow morning. Have a hot coffee on this balcony and watch the shoreline. Relax and rest and spend a week with me. See what this could be between us.”
“I need you to give me my phone back before the end of the week.” Her reply is so her it makes me laugh.
“Okay, babe. But tell me you’ll stay.”
Callie looks back to the expanse of beach before meeting my eyes again. “I’ll stay,” she whispers.
“Good.” I shift closer.
Her eyes widen a fraction as I arc my lips over hers. I move slowly, giving her plenty of time to push me away if this isn’t what she wants. But her eyelids flutter closed and a soft exhale puffs from her lips.
I press my mouth to hers and close my eyes. One of my hands cups her cheek as I deepen our kiss. It’s soft and slow. Sensual.
We kiss three times before I trace the seam of her lips with the tip of my tongue and she opens for me, a flower seeking sunlight. I slip my tongue into her mouth and our tongues meet tentatively. Then, with more certainty.
I lean into Callie and she pushes back into me. Her hand wraps around my torso, her fingers curling into the material of my tank. We kiss slowly and deeply and the entire future opens before me.
Until Callie leans back and shifts her hand to my chest, pressing flat against my pec. “Wait.” Her voice is panicked.
I pull back immediately, my eyes flying to hers.
And the confusion and concern I read in her eyes guts me.
“What is it, Cal? What’s wrong?”
“I, Gage, I need—” She shakes her head miserably.
“Tell me.”
“I’m freaking out,” she admits.
Chapter 4
Callie
I feel like an inexperienced teenager.
I’m freaking out?
