“You don’t hear me pestering you about a certain head winemaker I noticed you talking to the other night during the tree lighting ceremony.” I tie the fabric belt of my dress into a bow, then check my reflection in the full-length mirror.
The shade of the dress makes my blue eyes appear slightly more purple than usual, which seem even bigger, thanks to the smoky shadowing. I’m not one to wear much makeup, preferring more of a natural look to go with my signature red lips. It just seemed like the thing to do tonight.
“How many times do I have to tell you? We hate each other. But Maggie loves Beckham. At least, she loves all the pretty pictures on his arms, as she calls them.”
“And how doyoufeel about all the pretty pictures on his arms?”
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less about his tattoos.”
I can hear the lack of conviction in her voice. I’d bet she’s probably thinking about them right now. And not in a PG-rated sense, either.
“Did you talk to him about renting one of his units?”
“Not yet. I didn’t think the tree lighting ceremony was the right time, considering I had Maggie with me.”
“But youaregoing to, right?”
“I think I owe it to Maggie to…” she trails off, her eyes widening when I step back into the living room. “Woah.”
“Goodwoah, orwhat were you thinkingwoah?”
“This is totally a date, Parker. You look straight fire.”
“So that’s where Grandma Estelle got it from.”
“Are you wearing matching underwear and bra?” She stands from the couch and heads toward me. “And is it sexy?”
“That’s completely irrelevant.” I swipe my wine glass off the kitchen island and throw back a healthy gulp, needing it to help settle my mounting nerves.
“You totally are. Aren’t you?”
I roll my eyes, not about to admit that Iamwearing a matching bra and panties. And they are quite sexy.
I don’t often have an opportunity to dress up like this. Even though this is decidedly not a date, I can still do something to feel sexy.
For myself.
Not for Callum Reed.
Definitely not for Callum Reed.
“As much fun as this has been, I need to get going.” I glance at the clock on the stove. “I’m already late.”
“Fine. But I expect a full report tomorrow. Especially if Estelle was right.”
I furrow my brows. “About what?”
“That he’s packing a monster cock.” She giggles.
“Not a date,” I remind her as I grab my coat and purse, taking a moment to collect myself. It’s an impossible task thanks to the butterflies swimming in my stomach. Then I make my way from my on-site apartment, Haley following me down the administrative corridor.
When I reach the lobby, a part of me hopes he’s not here. Or that he left word with Heidi at the front desk that something came up and he can’t make it.
Instead, I feel him the second I walk into the cozy space, subtle jazz renditions of Christmas classics adding to the romantic ambience. He’s standing by the tree, looking at all the twinkling lights, a fire roaring in the fireplace.
As if able to sense my presence, he immediately turns my way. His lips part, eyes flaming as he takes in my appearance, the air between us growing thick.
He may have ogled me last week, but this is so much more than that. The appreciation in his gaze is unlike anything I’ve experienced. I’ve never had another man look at me the way Callum admires me. As if he’s never seen anyone so beautiful.
