Page 20 of Spooking the Mountain Man
Now, looking at myself in the mirror, I see a confident young woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to show it.
"Kelly?" Callum's voice comes from downstairs. "You ready?"
"Almost!" I call back, grabbing my small purse and taking one last look in the mirror. The woman looking back at me is bold and sexy and definitely not the broken girl who came home with a single suitcase.
I head downstairs, pausing at the top of the steps when I see Callum waiting in the foyer. He's dressed as a lumberjack, which is barely a costume since it's basically his normal work clothes – flannel shirt, dark jeans, work boots.
Callum looks up when he hears my footsteps, and his entire body goes still. His blue eyes travel slowly from my face down to my boots and back up again, taking in every detail of the costume.
"Holy hell," he breathes, so quietly I almost miss it.
"Do you like it?" I ask, suddenly shy.
"Like it?" Callum's voice is rough, strained. "Kelly, you look... Christ, you look incredible."
The appreciation in his voice makes me feel bold enough to do a little spin, letting the short skirt flare out around my thighs. When I face him again, Callum's expression has gone dark with want.
"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" he says, moving toward me slowly, like a predator stalking its prey.
"Maybe a little," I admit, backing up until I hit the wall.
Callum braces his hands on either side of my head, caging me in.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he asks, his voice low and rough. "Walking around looking like every fantasy I've ever had?"
"I’d love to find out," I whisper.
Callum's eyes flash, and for a moment I think he's going to kiss me senseless right here in the foyer. Instead, he steps back with visible effort.
"Later," he says, and there's a promise in his voice that makes warmth spread between my legs. "After the festival, when I can properly show you how much I appreciate this costume."
The anticipation in his tone makes me shiver with want. "Is that a promise, Daddy?"
"That's a guarantee, sweetheart."
We stare at each other for a moment, the air thick with sexual tension, before Callum clears his throat and offers me his arm.
"Come on, Little Red. Let's go show you off."
The Halloween festival is in full swing when we arrive, the main street blocked off and transformed into a wonderland of orange and black decorations. There are booths selling caramel apples and hot cider, a hayride that circles the town, and a costume contest that's already drawing a crowd.
"Kelly!" Mrs. Peters appears at my elbow, resplendent in a witch costume complete with pointed hat. "You look absolutely stunning, dear. And Callum, what a... creative costume choice."
Callum grunts something that might be a thank you, his hand possessive on the small of my back. I can feel him watching the crowd, cataloging every person who looks in my direction.
"You should enter the costume contest," Mrs. Peters continues. "I think you'd have a real shot at winning."
"Oh, I don't know—"
"She's not entering any contest," Callum says firmly. "Too many people looking at her already."
The possessiveness in his voice makes me want to melt into a puddle right here on Main Street. Mrs. Peters raises an eyebrowbut doesn't comment, probably picking up on the tension radiating from Callum.
We wander through the festival, stopping at different booths and watching the various activities. I'm having a wonderful time, but I can feel Callum's tension increasing as the night goes on. Every man who looks at me too long gets a death glare that could freeze hell over.
"You know I can handle a few appreciative looks, right?" I murmur as we watch a group of teenagers bob for apples.
"I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it."
