Page 26 of The Claiming Series: Collection 1
“Callum!” Something snaps inside me, and I cry out in surprise, shuddering against him as pleasure unlike anything I’ve ever experienced roars through me.My head drops onto his shoulder, and I bite him to stem my moans as bliss wracks my body. Seconds later, I slump against him and bury my face in his throat, trying to catch my breath.
“Oh, God, that didn’t just happen,” I moan in anguish, lifting my hands to cover my burning face.
Callum pries them away, placing his fingers beneath my chin and tilting my head to his. I keep my eyes closed, unable to face the censure I’m sure I’ll see inhis gaze. I’ve just confessed that my ex-boss tried to force himself on me, and minutes later, I’ve wriggled my way to orgasm on Callum’s lap. I’m a hypocrite of the highest order.
“Look at me, Lily,” Callum instructs, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
I open my eyes slowly, feeling shame and embarrassment wash over me. “I can’t believe that happened. I don’t—I’ve never—" I choke, my cheeks on fire.
“No embarrassment, Angel,” he growls, his silver eyes like pools of mercury as they bore into mine.
“God, what must you think of me?” I choke, my emotions raw.
“You want to know what I think of you, Lily?” Callum doesn’t wait for my reply. “I think you’re so fucking beautiful, it hurts. I think you’re kind, thoughtful, andbrave. I think you have a mind for business and a body for sin. And watching you come apart in my arms like that? One of the hottest fucking things I’ve ever seen. You are something else, you know that?” He smooths my hair back from my flushed cheeks, holding my gaze so I can see the truth of his words.
I’m stunned speechless. A multitude of emotions hit me all at once. Warmth spreads through melike tendrils of sunshine radiating outwards until they encompass my whole body. I suddenly realize what it is I’m feeling. Happiness. I’d almost forgotten, but this man has re-lit the spark.
Then reality comes crashing down around me, blotting out the sunshine and leaving me in the shade once more. “We can’t do this, Callum. You’re my boss,” I murmur, biting my lip worriedly.
“I own this fucking company, Angel,” he reminds me. “I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“You can. But it doesn’t mean you should,” I say softly. “I think you’re amazing, Callum. You’re strong, driven, and generous. Your parents would be so proud of you because you’ve stayed true to that strong moral code they instilled in you. You work harder than anyone I’ve ever known, but you don’t only do it for yourself. You do it because you have a team of people out there you’re responsible for. People who look up to you because you lead by example,” I say, pointing a finger beyond the office. “And I won’t be the reason they look at you differently when they find out you’re having a seedy affair with your assistant.”
Callum rears back as if I’ve slapped him. “Is that what you think? That I want you for some quick, dirty affair? Because you couldn’t be further from thetruth, Angel,” he growls, his eyes narrowing as his arms tighten around me instinctively. “You’re mine, Lily. Have been since the day we met. You’re all I’ve thought about for the last month, having you in my life, in my bed, underneath me, riding me, any goddamn way you want. And not for one night. For every night between now and when they put me in the ground.”
“Callum,” I choke, tears pricking my eyes. He’s done it again. Stolen my breath. Possibly my heart.
He cups my face in his hands. “I know this is all happening fast, but I can wait until you’re ready. You want to take things slow? We’ll go slow. But youwillfall in love with me. It’s inevitable,” he says, all bristling male confidence with a dash of arrogance.
Part of me wants to tell him I’m already halfway there. But I need a little time to process.
“Cocky, much?” I half-laugh, half-cry, wiping my eyes.
“My cock has been a bit much since you walked through that door,” he smirks, tipping his head toward it.
I blow out a shaky breath. “I’m scared. What happened with Miller knocked the stuffing out of me and made me doubteveryone.”
“Then, I guess I’m going to have to work at restoring your faith,” he says resolutely.
I frown as a thought occurs to me. “You do realize Miller is self-absorbed enough to arrange this meeting with you to get back at me? He’s not the kind of man to forgive people who’ve crossed him.”
Callum falls silent for a moment, lost in thought. “One of my best friends owns a construction company in Houston. I’ll call him and see if he’s crossed paths with Miller. He may be able to dig up some information.” He lifts his eyes back to mine. “In the meantime, I’ll cancel the meeting with Miller Cooper.”
I open my mouth to speak, then pause. Is that what I want? To be running from the past for the rest of my life? “How about we give him what he wants?”
Callum frowns. “You mean, call his bluff?”
I nod. “This is my chance to show him he has no power over me, that Lily Olsen is doing great, better than great, despite what he tried to do to me.”
“You don’t have to do that, Lily,” Callum says, shaking his head. “I don’t give a shit about the deal. I wouldn’t do business with that asshole now if the future of my company depended on it.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. I want to put the whole situation to rest. I want to do it for me,” I say firmly.
Callum falls quiet, pondering my words. Finally, he nods. “Okay, but I’ll be with you every second, Lily. I won’t let that fucker so much as breathe on you.”
I love Callum’s protectiveness. But what I love more is that he isn’t trying to fight my battles for me—he’s standing firmly by my side, lending me his strength whileIdo.
A smile stretches my mouth wide. “Let’s do it.”
