I feel Callum’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the door. He walks toward the hostess stand where a petite blonde girl, who can’t be more than twenty, straightens up as she catches sight of us. Or rather, as she catches sight ofhim. She places her arms on either sideof her chest, obviously trying to push her tits out as much as possible.Poor girl.
In a pesky, high-pitched voice, she squeaks, “Mr. Egan, it’s so nice to see you again!”
I feel a flash of annoyance. How often did he come here, and with whom?
“I saw you on the reservation list and made sure to put you in your favorite suite,” she bats her lashes comically fast, and I stifle a laugh, feeling a little embarrassed for her. She then places her hand on Callum’s arm and steps closer, an idiotic pout on her face. She cuts her eyes at me, looking me up and down, then smirks rudely and turns back to Callum.
“When I saw that your reservation was for two, I assumed it would be Mr. Ronan or a business associate accompanying you, not…” She pauses and looks back at me. I tilt my head and narrow my eyes as I look back at her.
Callum sneers at her coolly, and she hesitantly removes her hand from his arm, looking hurt. He brushes the spot on his sleeve where her hand had been, as if she’d left dirt there, then he squints down at her name tag.
“Sydney, right?”
She swallows nervously and nods, crumbling under the level, withering glare Callum is giving her.
“I’m sure Mr. Callaghan, the owner of this establishment, wouldloveto hear about your…” he trails off, his lip curling, “inappropriate physical contact with guests. And about how dismissive you’ve been ofmyguest. Hostess indeed. Tsk tsk,” he says, shaking his head.
He places his hand on the small of my back again and steps so close that his firmly muscled chest presses against my left side. My body ignites at the contact. She looks back and forth between us, color flooding her cheeks.
I almost feel sorry for her. He’d dressed her downgood. But, I’m too busy trying not to look as turned on as I feel. Callum must be feeling the same thing, because when I turn to look at him, his eyes are… predatory. He’s watching me, drinking me in, waiting to see what I’ll do next. It feels like a dare. I smirk at him.
Challenge accepted. The girlhadbeen incredibly rude, after all. Time to teach her a lesson.
I take a step closer to poor Sydney, towering over her with the help of my six-inch stilettos, and fix a glare on her. She meets my eyes nervously.
“I’d bereallycareful who you place your…” I look down at her hands distastefully. “…dirty little digits on. The next time you lay a finger on what’s mine, I’ll see to it that this pretty little face of yours,” I say, running the pad of my finger down her cheek and grabbing her chin tightly, ”isn’t so pretty anymore. Do I make myself clear?”
Her face goes pale, and she hurriedly nods. Still holding her chin, I continue, “Good girl. Now, show us to our table before I lose my patience.” I release her chin and give her a radiantsmile.
She grabs two menus and leads us through the restaurant, not saying another word or looking at us again.
As we follow leisurely behind her, Callum puts his lips to my ear.
“Maeve Collins,” he says, the sensual rumble of his voice sending my nerves into overdrive, “was thatjealousyI heard? That might’ve been the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen you do.”
My breath hitches audibly, but I retort, “In your dreams, lover boy.”
He chuckles softly, and I try to put some distance between us, but he places a firm, possessive hand on my waist.
“If you only knew all the ways I’ve imagined you being thecenter of attention.” His voice was a silken purr in my ear, heavy with suggestion. I concentrate on my steps and on dodging tables and dinner patrons as heat rushes to my core, making me squirm under his touch. He matches my every step as we stride through the dimly lit hallways, gripping me tightly. I can’t help but notice a few familiar faces among the crowd.Interesting.
When we reach a secluded suite, Sydney places our menus on the table and scurries off with a softly muttered “Enjoy.”
As I reach up to remove my black fur stole, Callum steps behind me and reaches around to undo the clasp at my chest. I grab his hand to stop him, deciding that I’m not quite ready for him to see my back. It’s too much, too soon.
I turn to face him. “I’m still a little cold. I think I’ll keep this on.”
“Of course,” he says, pulling my chair out for me and making a sweeping gesture with his hand. But before I can sit, he steps closer to me, so close I have to look up. His blue eyes are burning into mine, searching intently. He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, then brings his fingers to rest under my chin, raising it gently.
After a few moments, he releases me. “Sit,” he says softly.
I obey, and he pushes my chair in gently as I do. I hear him take a deep breath behind me before pulling out his own chair and sitting down.
The private dining suite is dimly lit, but has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a pond, its water smooth and calm, reflecting the full moon so that there are two tonight instead of just one. I sit with my hands on my lap, looking out across the scene. It looks like a painting.Maybe I’ll paint this when I get home,I think absently.
A server enters the suite carrying a frosty pitcher of water, breaking me from my thoughts. He rattles off the specials as he fills our glasses, delicious-sounding seafood dishes and savory steaks, then asks if we’d like drinks.
Callum thanks him and says, “I will have a glass of Pappy Vanwinkle, neat, and she will have…” he trails off, looking at me to respond.
