Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Slowly, I take a seat again, my gaze resting on Callan. “Sorry, I thought you wanted to end the meetings.”
He turns his body, so he’s facing me, and places his arm on the back of the bench.
Tilting his head, his eyes drift over my face. “That’s the opposite of what I wanted to say.”
It is?
Cautious hope trickles into my heart.
I feel his fingers brush against my shoulder blade, the slight touch sending tingles rushing through me.
Callan’s tone is deep and intimate when he says, “I enjoy spending time with you.”
My mouth curves into a smile, and my heart starts beating faster.
Callan’s gaze locks with mine, and I feel the intense punch in my chest.
God, it feels like he sees right into my soul.
“I’d like to cancel the arrangement because I want to get to know you on a personal level.”
My eyes widen with surprise, and my breathing speeds up from the anticipation building in me.
Is he saying what I think he’s saying?
Lifting an eyebrow at me, he asks, “How do you feel about us getting to know each other better?”
Not wanting to assume anything, I ask, “Do you want to be friends?”
Determination tightens his features, and my stomach explodes with butterflies.
“I’m saying I’d like to get to know you romantically.”
My jaw almost drops to the ground as I stare at Callan in shock.
That’s the last thing I expected him to say.
Callan wants to date me?
I continue to stare as I process what he just said to me.
A romantic relationship.
With me.
Holy shit.
The corner of his mouth lifts, and with an expectant look on his face, he murmurs, “Now would be a good time to say something.”
“Oh…right.” I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before I admit, “You caught me off guard. Honestly, I thought you were going to call things off.”
Only then does it really sink in – Callan wants to date me.
With an amused look, he asks, “How do you feel about dating me?”
A smile curves my lips, and I let out a nervous-sounding chuckle. “I’d like that.”
Very much.
Relief eases the faint lines on his face. “Just to be clear, this is no longer business for me. I like you, and I want to get to know everything about you.”
My cheeks flush with heat as I admit, “I like you too.”
He leans forward and pulls me to his chest, which has my heart going wild behind my ribs.
I’m not paying for this hug.
Callan likes me.
I hear him take a deep breath before he murmurs, “I’m going to assume you’re mine for the rest of the night. You don’t have other plans, right?”
I shake my head. “I’m all yours.”
Hearing my words has my entire face going up in flames. I press my cheek against his chest and close my eyes, enjoying the feel of his arms around me.
A happy smile curves my mouth as I inhale his addictive scent.
Holding me for way longer than just a couple of seconds, Callan eventually pulls back and tilts his head to catch my eyes. “What would you like to do tonight?”
Feeling giddy, I say, “I’m good with anything.” I turn my body so I can lean my shoulder against the back of the bench. “Can I ask why you want to date me?”
His expression is warm as he replies, “Because I’m attracted to you.”
My smile widens, and a warm sensation floods my chest before spreading down to my abdomen.
Lifting a hand, Callan reaches for my face and tucks some hair behind my ear. “You have a lot of the qualities I’ve been looking for in a woman.”
It’s nice to hear the words from him. Knowing this isn’t a paid date and Callan is interested in me makes me feel special.
Chapter 17
Lillian
I’m not going to lie, I feel off-kilter and don’t know what to do or say.
With Callan canceling the business arrangement, I’m no longer in control.
In a matter of minutes, we’ve come from being acquaintances to dating. Like I mentioned earlier, this is not how I expected the evening to go.
My emotions are all over the place. Excitement, anticipation, and shock keep hitting me in waves.
Suddenly, Callan stands up, and grabbing his jacket from the back of the bench, he says, “Let’s take a walk.”
“Okay.” I get up, but before I can take a step, he drapes his jacket over my shoulders.
I’m enveloped in a cloud of his scent.
Keeping hold of the lapels, he tugs me closer to him. I have to tilt my head back to look at him, and my mouth grows dry when I see affection in his eyes.
For a moment, we’re caught in a trance, and just staring at each other, there’s an intense tension between us.
I’ve dated men before, but none of them made me feel like this. The attraction has never been so powerful that it leaves me rattled and unable to think clearly.