by Anna Collins
So that was what she meant when she said they were going to sort things out together. And here I thought she meant she was going to forgive him for cheating on her. Jesus, how could I have been so stupid to assume that?
The rain started pouring down, and I prayed Callie had an umbrella or was at least inside her building and out of the downpour. I turned the corner and saw a person sitting on the curb, holding a coat over her head. I cursed. I didn’t need to be a genius to recognize her. I pulled over and got out, the rain immediately soaking my clothes until it clung to my body like second skin and my hair started to spike up.
“Callie!” I cried, and she raised her head, her tablet and cellphone lying on her lap and completely dry as she blocked it with her coat. Figures she would think about her gadgets before herself. I extended my hand towards her. “Come on, let’s get you out of here,” I said, and she took my hand without hesitation.
She placed her phone in her pocket and pinned her tablet to her chest with one hand as I pulled her towards my car with the other. I opened the passenger side door and helped her inside before getting in and driving out of there.
“Do you mind if I take you back to my place first? We can’t really go anywhere like this,” I said, and she nodded, gathering her hair in one hand and draping it over one shoulder. “Why didn’t you wait inside?” I asked, exasperated.
“I didn’t know it would rain,” she answered.
“And when it did, you just sat there?” I asked, and she shook her head.
“I didn’t want to go back. Not when he was there,” she said softly, and I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose to keep from getting mad at her. She was probably still feeling like crap after what that asshole did to her, and what she needed right now wasn’t a verbal beating.
“I told him about what happened between us,” she said, and I raised my eyebrows.
“Oh? And how did he take it?” I asked, curious at how he could have reacted.
“He didn’t take it well. He got mad at first,” she said, and I clicked my tongue. Fucking hypocrite. “I told him he didn’t have a right to get mad when what he did was so much worse,” she continued.
“What do you mean?” I asked, my brows furrowing.
“He’s been sleeping with her for about three months now,” she answered, and I cursed loudly, surprising her. This was probably the first time she had heard me swear, and I was kind of tempted to tell her I was even more creative with my potty mouth than she realized. “Please, Callie. Let me go back there and kick his ass. Just one punch and I’ll get it out of my system, I promise,” I begged her, and the corners of her mouth turned up into an amused smile.
“I’m pretty sure that one punch isn’t all you’re going to do, so no, you are not going back there,” she chided, and I couldn’t help but smile, happy I had made her laugh.
I took her back to Portola Valley and led her to one of my guest rooms. This one had a nice view of the farm, and it looked quite similar to mine, with tan colored walls instead.
“The bathroom’s over there. Extra towels and toiletries are on the dresser. I’ll get you a bathrobe--,” she cut me off by grabbing my hand with her fingers, looking at me through her eyelashes.
“Thank you…for doing this,” she said softly, and I couldn’t help but hold her in my arms again, the wetness of our clothes making a cool contrast to the warmth of our bodies. I pulled away and kissed her forehead again before tilting her head up with my hands so she could look me square in the eye.
“I told you. Anything for you,” I said.
And as much as I wanted to kiss her, when she looked so beautiful with her hair wet, her face glistening with drops of water clinging to her forehead and her nose, and her clothes hugging her curves in just the right angles, I reined myself in.
She was in a vulnerable place right now, and although I had decided to make her mine, this wasn’t the right time. I didn’t want to be a rebound or someone to take the edge off when she was hurting over another guy who, in my opinion, hardly ever deserved her. She deserved more, so much more, and I was going to make it my mission to provide it.
But I wouldn’t do it today. Tomorrow, maybe. When she was ready for me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Callie
I leaned my head back and just let the warm shower fall on my face. I had been in the shower for a while, and although I felt bad that I must be using all the hot water, I hadn’t heard Apollo complain about it, so I let myself soak some more.
Breaking up with Nick took more out of me than I realized. I was exhausted not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. It was like he put me through the ringer and if Apollo hadn’t come and found me, I’d probably be out for the count right now, or worse. I might’ve forgiven that cheating ass and agreed to start all over.
Deciding that I probably looked like a prune by now, I dried myself off and got out of the shower. I peeked out the door, checking if Apollo was anywhere in sight. I smiled as I saw a white robe draped across the bed, along with a toothbrush and toothpaste on top of it. He was so considerate.
Or he probably thought your breath stank, and this was his subtle way of telling you that you needed to brush your teeth. I thought to myself.
I cupped my mouth with my hand and exhaled before taking a whiff. My breath didn’t smell like anything, but it wouldn’t hurt to brush my teeth anyway.
I put the robe on and used my towel to squeeze any excess water out of my hair. I didn’t have a change of clothes with me, and I didn’t think I could ask Apollo if he had any extra pj’s for me to wear…
I snapped my eyes shut as what I had just done hit me in full force. I was imposing on my boss by asking him for a place to stay for the night, and then imposing on him again by asking him for a change of clothes.
My stomach growled, and I groaned. Now, I was about to impose on him again by asking if he had anything to eat. I was such a horrible excuse for a human being.
“The cook’s out for the night, so I’m going to rustle up whatever I have in the fridge. Is pasta alright with you?” Apollo asked, and I quickly turned around to face him.
It looked like he just got out of the shower himself, his hair spiky and messy. He was wearing pajama bottoms and a wife beater, showing off his massive shoulders and arms. I remembered how those same arms held me in the car and again just moments ago and I shivered. He frowned and walked over to me, placing the back of his hand on my forehead.
“You feel warm. Are you getting a fever?” he asked concerned, and I shook my head, pushing his hand away.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, and his eyes narrowed. “Um, I’m really grateful for letting me stay here. And for this stuff…,” I raised both the toothbrush and toothpaste up, and he chuckled.
“Don’t mention it. I’m happy to help you,” he reassured. “But you didn’t answer my question. Is pasta alright with you?” he asked, and I nodded.
“Pasta is fine. Thanks,” I said. He smiled and left the room, leaving me to my thoughts.
I sat on the bed and sighed at how soft it was. It felt heavenly, but I was reluctant to lie on it because I might not wake up in time for dinner. I contemplated working again, but I wasn’t in the mood to write at the moment, and I was really curious at what Apollo looked like when he cooked.
I jumped out of bed and made my way over to the kitchen, seeing Apollo chopping some onions on the counter and then dropping them into the pan to let them simmer a little. He took a red bell pepper next and started to chop it too, and I couldn’t help but take a seat into one of the stools and watch him cook. How could a man look so damn hot doing anything? I would be so outrageously impressed
if I wasn’t so turned on by it.
Apollo glanced up at me before going back to his chopping block, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Enjoying the show?” he asked, almost like he had read my mind. I nodded, not bothering to hide it.
“Yep,” I said, popping the
letter “P” with my lips and making him chuckle. “Where did you learn how to cook?” I asked.
“My mom. She taught all of us, but only my sister Helen really took an interest. I don’t know half of my mother’s secret recipes,” he admitted, and I imagined Apollo as a little boy standing on footstools to reach the stove while his mother showed him how to fry an egg. Sadly, my mother was like me and was only ever an expert in cooking instant ramen.
I found variation and learned how to fry meatloaf and hot dogs, at least, but when it came to overly complicated dishes that involved some level of technique, like pasta? HA. I’d sooner burn water.
“I don’t know how to cook,” I blurted all of a sudden, and Apollo raised his eyebrows at me.
“Oh, really?” he asked, and I shrugged.
“Well, I know how to fry some stuff, but my menu usually contains instant noodles and takeout,” I said, and Apollo shook his head.
“I’ve known how to cook food since I was six,” he admitted, and I rolled my eyes at him.
“Good for you, Junior Master Chef. Would you like me to call Chef Ramsay to give you an award?” I asked sarcastically, and he smiled.
“Just throwing it out there,” he said, and I smiled as I noticed something different about him.
“You know, you’ve been more relaxed today than in any other time I’ve seen you,” I told him. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. I shrugged and explained. “I meant that you’re not so closed off. You’re smiling a lot, and laughing more than you’ve ever had when you’re with me. I kind of like it,” I said, my cheeks flushing.
He mulled over my words for a minute before turning the stove off and making his way over to the other side of the counter where I was sitting. I leaned my elbows on the counter as I leaned back, and Apollo placed his hands on my neck, his long fingers going through my hair as his lips descended towards mine. My lips were brushing against his when he whispered.
“Screw it,” he said before closing the gap between our mouths, locking me into a heated kiss.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Apollo
I couldn’t help myself. I had to kiss her. She had struck a nerve inside me again, and I realized she was right in her observation. I was letting my guard down. I felt absolutely at ease around her, and I had been feeling that way from the moment she helped me out on the farm.
I told myself I wasn’t going to act on my feelings now, not when she had just broken up with her boyfriend, but I couldn’t help it. One kiss wouldn’t hurt. I could still control where I could take a kiss.
But Callie seemed to be having other ideas. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer, her tongue diving into my mouth and dancing with my tongue. I groaned, and our tongues battled each other for dominance, and I could feel myself sinking further and further.
I felt her hand crawl beneath my shirt, her fingers dancing lightly over my abs and I pulled my mouth away from her roughly, using my hands to keep her upright as she almost toppled over.
I placed my forehead against hers, our breaths coming together as we breathed heavily, coming down from our high. I pulled her hand from under my shirt, and she looked at me, her eyes muddled and a little hurt.
“Why did you stop?” she asked, and I sighed.
“Believe me, baby. It almost killed me to stop. I’ve been dying to kiss you again ever since yesterday,” I told her, and she licked her lips a little bit, enticing me a little and making me groan. “But I can’t go further than this,” I told her.
“Why not? I want to,” she said, but I caught the flash of uncertainty in her eyes before her steely determination covered it up. I shook my head at her.
“I don’t want you like this, baby. You’re torn up over what that douchebag did to you, and I’ll be damned if you treat me as nothing more than a rebound lay,” I admitted, and she looked down in her hands, ashamed. I used my finger to tilt her head up, her green eyes looking at me with a combination of wonder and lust that threatened to pull me in again.
“I want you, Callie. Make no mistake about that. But I’ll only have you when you’re thinking of no one else but me. I want to possess you completely to the point where no other man will ever be able to satisfy you like I will. I want you lucid,” I said, and her mouth opened in a breathless gasp.
I straightened up and went back to the stove to resume cooking. I watched Callie take a few more minutes to herself before turning back to watch me cook.
We started talking again, and although Callie was obvious in her attempts to keep our conversation topics safe and “child-friendly,” I let her steer us that way. I didn’t want to confuse her more than I already had, and I was adamant that the next time we kissed, I’d have her begging for it.
I poured the pasta onto two plates and placed the pot into the sink, leaving it to cool down. I took our plates to the table and set it across from each other before walking back to grab the garlic bread I toasted in the oven. I saw Callie grab us some forks and knives and she helped me set the table. We sat down and tucked ourselves in, one of us stopping for a minute to say something, and I found myself smiling.
“You want to know something?” I asked her, and she nodded immediately. “This is the first time I’ve cooked for somebody other than family,” I told her, and her eyebrows shot up, her eyes widening in surprise.
“No way. Are you serious?” she asked incredulously, and I nodded. “Not even a girlfriend?”
I shook my head. “My last girlfriend was back when I was in high school, and we’d dated on and off until about eight years ago. We weren’t exactly serious enough to cook for each other at home,” I said, leaving out the part where we were serious enough to have a baby together.
“Well, Mr. Irons, I’m honored to be your first,” Callie said, grinning and raising her glass up. I raised mine and clinked it to hers before draining my wine in one gulp. She smiled up at me again before taking a huge bite of her pasta, moaning a little as she chewed.
“This is so good. You are an amazing cook, sir,” Callie said, her mouth stuffed as she complimented me. The corner of her mouth was messy and covered with tomato sauce, so I reached over the table and wiped it off with my thumb. She froze, and I sat back down, putting my thumb in my mouth to suck the sauce off. Callie watched me with entranced eyes before shaking her head and twirling the pasta with her fork.
“So, what are you planning to do with your apartment once the douchebag moves all of his stuff out?” I asked, and Callie shrugged, hurt flashing in her face as she remembered.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I need to move out, I mean, he doesn’t own much stuff, so the apartment will be mine. I don’t know what I’m going to do about the rent, though. It’s pretty pricey,” Callie answered.
“You can always just stay here,” I said, and she laughed. I frowned, not seeing anything funny.
“Thank you for the offer, Apollo, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, and I tilted my head.
“Why not? You’re pretending to be my assistant, and you need to be with me so you can edit my autobiography. It would save you time and gas money if you just stayed here,” I said, appealing to her business side.
“And what about afterward? When I’m done being your ‘assistant’ and your manuscript is ready to publish?” she asked, and it was my turn to shrug.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Besides, you’ll have enough money to afford a new place by then, so it’s a win-win for you either way,” I told her.
“Let me think about it,” she said, and I nodded. That was all I could ask for. “But you have to promise me something,” she said, and I waited for her to continue. “Please let me do the dishes. I feel like a wretch for not helping out, and I really need to do something to make me feel better,” she pleaded, and I laughed at her.
“You wash, and I’ll dry,” I offered, and she nodded happily before going back to her food.
We ended up taking longer in washing the
dishes than usual because she wouldn’t stop giggling whenever I flicked water or bubbles at her and then she’d fight back, but eventually, we got everything done. She opened her mouth into a yawn, and I escorted her back to her room, telling her I’d see her tomorrow. I turned around to leave, but she called my name, stopping me in my tracks.
“Hey, um…I really am sorry for imposing on you. I remembered you saying you had a meeting earlier after you dropped me off at my place. I hope I didn’t ruin your plan,” she said, and I shook my head.
“It’s nothing that can’t be rescheduled. Don’t worry about it. Sweet dreams,” I greeted, and she closed the distance between us and stood on the tips of her toes, giving me a kiss on the cheek. Her lips lingered on my skin for a few more seconds before she leaned back, smiling bashfully at me.
“Good night,” she said, skipping off to her room and shutting the door.
I placed my hands on the spot where she had kissed me and smiled.
I hoped this meant she was getting over her ex already because I couldn’t wait to make her mine.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Callie
I sighed happily as I felt the rays of the sun warm my face and I rolled over to my stomach, burying myself to the softness of my pillows and mattress. I hadn’t had such good sleep in a while, and I would be damned if I woke up before my alarm went off and missed a few more minutes of rest and relaxation.
I felt something brush against the sole of my foot, tickling me a little, and I kicked my legs, hoping it would go away. I settled back into the bed when I felt something brush my foot again and I kicked higher, this time successfully hitting my target and hearing an “Oof!” before something fell on the floor.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I told you not to do that,” I heard a feminine voice say, and my eyes snapped open.
I rolled over to my ass, and my eyes widened as I saw Perseus getting up off the floor, a feather duster in one hand while he patted his ass with the other, and a beautiful statuesque woman with blonde hair leaning against the dresser.
