My voice wobbles at the end, damn it. I was aiming for breezy. The Bree who cracks jokes and never lets anyone see the full emotional breakdown brewing under the surface. That’s our thing. We banter. We toss sarcasm back and forth like a hot potato. Not…this.
I try to backpedal, fast. “I mean, unless what you signed up for was an unhinged woman having a minor emotional crisis in front of your very symmetrical face. In which case, congrats.”
His mouth twitches like he’s fighting a smile, which only makes my brain spiral harder.
“Seriously, though,” I add, softer now. “You didn’t ask for this.”
As I say it, part of me wonders if maybe he kind of did. Not with words, but in the way he shows up. Every time. No expectations. No pressure. Just…him.
He doesn’t hesitate. “Hey, don’t apologize. This… Whatever this is, it’s not about signing up for anything.” His voice is unwavering, like it’s a simple fact. The way he says it settles my nerves. All the swirling thoughts in my head slow down, and suddenly, I don’t feel so out of place.
“Besides,” he adds, with that teasing grin that has his eyes sparkling, “I don’t care if you’re beside me, above me, or below me. I’m just glad you’re here.”
My heart skips a beat. Then he shoots me a playful wink, and just like that, the tension melts away.
If there’s one thing Callan’s good at, it’s breaking through all the heavy stuff. I can’t help but chuckle, a laugh bubbling up before I have the chance to stop it.
“You’re insufferable,”I tease.
He doesn’t say anything at first, just leans in and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. It’s soft, slow, and leaves me breathless. Everything else fades away—my thoughts, the room, the world—and all I can focus on is him, the warmth of his lips, and the way it makes everything else seem so far away. The sound of my contented sigh fills the room, and I swear, I could stay right here, just like this, forever.
Finally, he speaks again, his voice hushed. “I want you to know I don’t expect anything, lass. We can go back downstairs and have a drink, I can take you back to Rose’s, whatever you want.”
I don’t need to think about it. The idea of walking away from this doesn’t sit right. I don’twantto go anywhere. Not yet.
“I’d like to stay right here,” I say softly.
A tender smile plays on his lips. “Aye, I’d like that, too,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing gently across my cheek.
I lower my gaze for a second, trying to gather my thoughts. “You know, I’ve imagined this moment more times than I care to admit.”
His gaze sharpens. “Oh? Do tell, Sunshine. What exactly did you imagine?”
I let out a small, breathless laugh, lifting my eyes to meet his. “Well, it usually involves being a little less clothed,” I admit. There’s humor in my voice, but I can tell from the way he watches me that he hears more than just the joke.
He hums as he runs his fingers gently through my hair. “That’s all right, lass. We can take it slow.”
Oh, he’s dangerous. Not just in the reckless, bad boy way. That I can handle. This is worse. This is the kind of dangerous where a man is patient and sweet and says all the right things in a voice that could melt the polar ice caps. The kind that makes a girl start picturing things she has no business imagining. LikeSunday mornings tangled in sheets or lazy afternoons spent stealing kisses just because.
I’m in trouble. Big, stupid, sweet Scottish man trouble.
He leans down, his lips skimming mine for a second time. So gentle but hesitant. The kiss deepens slowly, each brush of his lips igniting something inside me. His hands roam my body, fingers tracing lines of tenderness and heat that sends shivers through me.
He pulls away just enough to trail his lips along my jaw, down my neck, each kiss lingering like a quiet promise. His hand slides to the zipper of my dress and time stops. He pauses, his breath warm against my skin.
“Is this okay?”
I nod, my voice barely a whisper. “Yeah, it’s okay.”
I shift slightly, sitting up to give him room to slide the straps off my shoulders. The fabric slips down, pooling at my waist, and the sudden brush of cool air against my skin makes me shiver.
He rises, his eyes never leaving mine, and takes my hand to pull me to my feet. The dress slips the rest of the way, puddling on the floor, leaving me in nothing but my lace bra and panties. His gaze doesn’t waver, his expression hungry and reverent, making my pulse flutter wildly.
His eyes wander slowly, like he’s taking in a masterpiece, and I feel every inch of his stare like a touch.
“You’re breathtaking,” he murmurs, and the words hit me like a spark. There isn’t a single part of me that wants to hide from him.
My fingers find the buttons of his shirt, trembling in a way that betrays me. One by one, I ease them open, revealing smooth, warm skin and muscle that makes my breath hitch in my throat.
