Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Or maybe,” Stevie drawls, her black nail polish in sharp contrast to the pastels everywhere, “he wants you to make the first move.”
“That’s it,” Brienne says with a sharp snap of her fingers. “He wants you to make the move. He’s opened the door and he wants you to step through it.”
“To do what?” I ask incredulously.
“To do whatever will take this relationship to the next level.”
“Maybe ask him out on a date,” Danica proposes.
Another sigh from Jenna. “Or cook a romantic meal.”
“Bone him,” Stevie says.
Kiera nods effusively, turning to Stevie to offer her fist. They bump and Kiera says, “That’s right, girl. Walk through that open bedroom door and reconnect physically.”
I grin at the bevy of advice and love how it’s split down the line between these women. Over the course of a two-hour tea, I’ve gotten to know their personalities pretty well—Danica and Jenna are the romantics while Stevie and Kiera are the spicy minxes.
It’s to Brienne I turn though, as I think she’s a mixture of both, plus she’s the smartest and wisest of all of us. She merely says, “Trust your gut but I agree that you should make your interest known. I know Callum and he won’t want to pressure you. He’ll take it slow. If you want to give this a little push, then you give the push and see where it goes.”
“But stripping naked and climbing into his bed is the best way to do it,” Kiera adds with a knowing wink.
The doorbell rings and my blood zips through my veins. I know that’s most likely Callum arriving to pick me up.
Brienne doesn’t move to answer the door as she has full-time house staff here who will handle it. Her gaze on me is unwavering as she repeats what I’m guessing is her most important advice. “Trust your gut.”
I don’t have a chance to reply as Callum walks into the room, followed by Gage.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” Callum says as he moves right to the table and reaches for a sandwich from one of the silver tiered plates. He pops the triangle into his mouth and grins at me as he chews. When he swallows, he nods at the champagne in my hand. “Told you.”
He’s referencing his proclamation earlier that I’d get drunk. “I didn’t have that much,” I say as I set my almost-empty flute down. Truth be told, I stopped counting after the third one.
I rise to stand from the chair and feel my ankles wobble in my high heels. Callum continues to grin knowingly.
Brienne stands, as do the other women, and one by one, they give me farewell hugs. Stevie whispers in my ear, “Sneak into his room tonight.”
“Stop it,” I whisper back, but I’d be lying if I said their suggestions weren’t playing through my head.
♦
I paced back and forth across the soft, thick carpeting of my bedroom. I ditched my tea party dress and heels and washed off my makeup. I brushed the taste of lemon tarts and champagne out of my mouth and pulled my hair into a high ponytail.
I am still buzzing from the champagne and if I were a smarter version of myself, I would force a nap to sober up. When Callum drove me home, he suggested just such a thing. It was only four thirty and he announced he was going to cook dinner and it would be ready by six.
I’ve been up here stewing over what to do. Brienne said to trust my gut. Danica and Jenna believe I should move slowly but surely. Kiera and Stevie think I should jump his bones.
I feel like the answer is in there somewhere.
If I’m honest with myself, the champagne is pushing me to side with Kiera and Stevie. The alcohol flowing through my system lowers my inhibitions and I cannot deny that I am attracted to Callum. Just like all those years ago when I had to push down my love after he broke my heart, I also had to forget about what a sinful temptation the man was, even more so after I started dating Joshua. Admittedly, as my feelings for him grew and we embarked on a sexual relationship, I was able to forget about Callum.
Somewhat.
Sometimes it was hard because Joshua wasn’t half the lover Callum was. He tried his best and there was a time when he wanted to pleasure me.
Callum knew how to make my body sing. With the slightest touch he could elicit incendiary reactions. In my heart of hearts, I know that had nothing to do with any magical talent the man has, but it was because we had such an intense emotional and loving connection.
I never had that with Joshua and our sex was never going to be anywhere near as amazing as it was with Callum.
Oh for fuck’s sake, Juniper. Quit thinking about sex.