Mind, body, and soul.
“Food will be up soon,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.“What should we watch?”I logged into Netflix and let her peruse.When she noticed we were both a season behind onThe Witcher, she declared it was fate.I was forced to listen to her commentary on how attractive Henry Cavill was until our food arrived.Not that I could really disagree.
We ate in companionable silence with the show playing in the background.It felt so...normal.Easy.Like we’d been doing this for years.
When we finished, I took the plates to the kitchenette and returned to find Callie nestled into the corner of the sofa, her knees tucked under her chin.When I sat down, she shifted until our thighs pressed together and rested her head on my shoulder.
My heart stuttered at the contact, hardening my cock with every erratic beat.The episode played on, and I forced myself to remain still, not wanting to startle her.But I couldn’t focus on the show.Not with the scent of her shampoo in my nose and her warm body pressed against me.
I had told her to take her time, and I meant it.If these little moments were all I would get for now, I would soak them in.They could sustain me until she finally gave in to this thing between us.Because it wasn’t going away.
Ten minutes passed before I realized her breathing had evened out.I peeked down to find her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted.She was asleep.
I reached for the remote and clicked off the TV, shrouding us in silence.There, on that sofa, I let myself imagine a life where this was normal.Where I came home from work to find her curled up, waiting for me.Quiet moments shared together, no words needed.A life where she was mine, and I was hers.
I pulled out my phone and began to put my plan in motion to make that dream a reality.
CHAPTER TWENTY
CALLIE
I awoke slowly,my eyes blinking open to an unfamiliar room.Panic flared in my chest as I tried to remember where I was.
Then it came back to me.
London.
Penthouse.
Emmett.
I propped myself up on my elbows, taking in the king-sized bed with its plush duvet and throw pillows in shades of cream and taupe.Heavy brocade curtains framed floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over a still-dark Hyde Park.An overstuffed armchair sat in one corner, next to a small table holding a modern-looking lamp.
The decor was tasteful but luxurious, much like Emmett himself.I smiled at the thought.
Then I scolded myself.I couldn’t get caught up dreaming about a life of wealth and privilege with Emmett.There was more to him than money and lavish hotel suites.It wasn’t fair to reduce him to that.
Still, as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and felt the plush carpet beneath my feet, I had to admit his lifestyle had a certain appeal.These sheets alone probably cost more than I made in tips on a Saturday night at the club.
I shook my head, forcing myself to stand.I needed coffee if I was going to be of any use today.
I crept into the suite’s living area and found a shirtless and devastatingly sexy Emmett already awake, pouring two mugs of coffee from a stainless steel carafe.He looked up as I entered, his gaze traveling appreciatively over the thin silk of my pajamas.My nipples tightened.
“Morning,” he said, holding out a mug.“I thought I heard you stirring.”
“Thank you.”I grabbed the mug and clutched it in front of me like a shield.“What time is our meeting?”I asked, trying not to notice his amused look.
“Not for a couple of hours yet.”He leaned against the counter as he surveyed me.He sipped his coffee and licked his lips.“Plenty of time.”
The meaning was clear.
Shameless flirt.
I shook my head, trying to look stern.“I’m going to go get ready.”
“Callie.”The rough timbre of Emmett’s voice stopped me in my tracks.He set down his mug, closing the distance between us in two strides.
Heat radiated from his body.The hunger in his eyes reflected my own as I took in his bare chest.It was lean and sculpted, decorated with a smattering of dark hair that led south.I didn’t want to know what I would see if I looked below his waist.
