[4 Seasons 01] Seducing Summer

by Serenity Woods

  She smiled.

  He picked up her hand and held it between both of his. “I’m so glad you’re going to be all right.”

  “Me too.”

  “I mean it. I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to you.” He lifted her hand to his lips and held it there for a moment, fighting with his emotion.

  “Aw.” She squeezed her fingers. “I’m going to be okay.”

  “I know. But I should have protected you better. I should have forced you to stay inside, or to—”

  “Hey,” she said sharply, “nobody forces me to do anything. You knew I didn’t want to live as if I was in a cell, and you did the best you could while taking account of your client’s wishes. You mustn’t be too harsh on yourself.”

  “But if we hadn’t gotten involved…” He looked out of the window, across the tops of the trees and buildings of Whangarei. “If I’d had more self-control, maybe I would have noticed that guy before he got so close to us.”

  “If ifs and ands were pots and pans…” she said. “It’s done, Gene. Besides, we both know I’m irresistible. You didn’t stand a chance.”

  He had to laugh at that. She gave him an impish smile.

  “I’m not proud of myself,” he whispered. “But equally, I don’t regret what happened between us.”

  “I’m glad. Because meeting you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  He met her gaze. Her last words to him from the night before rang in his head, I love you. She hadn’t meant it, of course. Maybe one day, in the future, they’d be able to say it properly to each other, but last night she’d been high on morphine, and he couldn’t take anything she’d said as the truth.

  But even so, clearly she had feelings for him, and that warmed him more than the rays of the early morning sun pouring through the window.

  “As soon as you’re able, we’ll fly you back to Wellington,” he said. “Now we have one of Kirk’s henchmen, I’m sure it won’t be long before he’s caught, and then we’ll be free to date properly. If you want to.”

  “I want to,” she said, eyes shining.

  “Good.” He checked over his shoulder, then leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.

  She lifted her good arm and slipped her hand into his hair, holding him there, and the peck turned into a long, slow smooch that had his heart hammering by the time she eventually released him.

  “Mmm,” she said dreamily, pressing her lips together.

  “You’re supposed to be an invalid,” he scolded. “Excitement like that might put you into cardiac arrest.”

  “I don’t care.” She slid down the pillows with a happy sigh. “I’ve never felt so happy.”

  And she looked it, her cheeks now bearing a healthy flush, her eyes filled with affection. She was going to be okay. Gene wished he could burst into tears like a five-year-old girl, but he satisfied himself with gritting his teeth and squeezing her hand tightly.

  “Get well,” he said. “Get well soon.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  It was five days before the hospital decided that Callie was well enough to fly home. She was still sore, but the pain had lessened to a manageable level with painkillers, and luckily it was only a couple of hours to Wellington with a change at Auckland.

  Still, she’d underestimated how tired she would feel after even that small journey, and by the time they touched down in Wellington, she was dozing off on Gene’s shoulder and desperate to get home.

  Ian collected their cases while she sank onto a seat, the ever-present Gene by her side, keeping a sharp lookout across the airport. Her eyes closed again, and she sagged against him. His arm came up around her shoulders, gentle against her bandaged wound but holding her tightly to him.

  “Ian might see,” she mumbled, trying to stay upright.

  “Don’t give a fuck,” Gene replied. “I’m past caring what everyone thinks.”

  Callie looked up at him. Phoebe had had to leave after a couple of nights, but Gene had barely left her side in the hospital. She’d guessed what he felt for her was more than the concern he might have felt for a client, but it was nice to hear him confirm it.

  “Really?” she murmured.

  He lowered his head and gave her a quick kiss before straightening to scan the lounge again. “I still want to wait until it’s over. But I don’t care if everyone discovers my feelings for you.”

  She nestled against him, smiling as she closed her eyes.

  “Did you speak to your dad?” Gene asked.

  She opened her eyes again, her smile fading. She’d called Peter Summer the day before, and it had been a long and difficult conversation that had ended with her in tears and her father choked up with shame. “Yes. Possibly the worst telephone call I’ve ever had to make.”

  “How did you end it?”

  “We’re still talking, but I can’t say I’ve forgiven him. I feel bad for blaming Mum for the breakup of their marriage all this time. I know she isn’t easy to live with, and I’m not saying everything is his fault, but of course hitting someone is never acceptable.”

  “Did you tell him about me?”

  “Yes,” she said softly. “He didn’t say much, but to be honest, I think you’ve impressed him by the way you’ve stood by Mum all this time. And he wanted me to pass on that he was grateful for the way you’ve looked after me.”

  “Apart from the fact that you got shot.”

  “Yes, apart from that.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure nothing horrible ever happens to you, Callie Summer.”

  She swallowed hard. It was the first time either of them had suggested that what they had might be more than a fling.

  Something was niggling her, though, and she had to say it. “Gene… You’re not just saying that because you feel guilty that I got shot, are you?”

  “No.”

  She looked up at him.

  He raised an eyebrow.

  She put her head back on his shoulder. “Okay.” It seemed there was no more to be said on that topic.

  *

  The next few days she spent resting, sleeping for a few hours before getting up and mooching around her house, watching TV, and sitting out on the deck, reading. Rowan kept a close eye on her, making sure she didn’t want for anything.

  It felt as if she was in limbo, physically and emotionally, and she began to feel a rising restlessness, which wasn’t helped when firstly Phoebe received yet another death threat, and then another member of the jury that had convicted Kirk was shot dead not far from them in Wellington.

  Everything seemed to turn ultra-serious after that. For the first time, Gene left her side and returned to his office to coordinate his teams and to work with the STG, although he visited her often. Julia and Ian took turns to stay in the house at all times. Two other agents patrolled outside. Both Callie and Phoebe were advised to stay at home until Kirk was caught.

  By day three, Callie was pulling her hair out. She’d spoken to Neve and Bridget frequently, keeping them updated on what was going on, but she hadn’t seen them yet and she was bored witless. “Please come around!” she wailed that afternoon, and so within an hour the four of them were sitting on the deck under the large umbrella, sunning their legs and drinking iced lemonade in the sultry heat.

  Julia took a seat at the bottom of the garden and walked around the perimeter every now and again, making sure nobody was hanging around. Apart from that, Callie could almost believe she was living a normal life.

  “How’s Willow?” she asked Rowan. Liam had rung the night before to announce that her sister had gone into labor early.

  “No news yet.” Rowan bounced in her seat. “I’m going to be an auntie. I’m so excited.”

  Callie smiled, although she felt a twist in her gut at Rowan’s genuine enthusiasm. Her friend had a hundred reasons to be envious and resentful of her twin sister’s good fortune, and yet the lovely Rowan—beautiful
in body and mind—never showed anything but joy at Willow’s happiness.

  “Childbirth, though,” Neve said, wincing. “Ouch.”

  “Yeah, but think what she’ll get at the end of it,” Rowan said, misty-eyed.

  “You mean stitches, a saggy tummy, and no sleep for the next three years?” Neve said.

  Rowan rolled her eyes. “You’re so bloody…”

  “Practical? Realistic?”

  “Unromantic.”

  “Oh, stop it, you two,” Callie said good-naturedly. “Don’t argue. Not today.”

  “How are you feeling?” Bridget gestured at her bandaged shoulder. “Does it hurt?”

  “Only when I do my physio. I’m down to painkillers twice a day, and it’s manageable now. Just a bit stiff.”

  “I can’t believe you were shot,” Neve said. “That’s so cool.”

  “I know.” Callie prodded her bandage. “I’ll have something interesting to tell my grandchildren, anyway.”

  “Speaking of which… I’ve been talking to Phoebe.” Neve’s look turned mischievous.

  “Oh?” Callie’s heart began to race as the others’ faces turned curious.

  “Yeah. She told me he’s got the hots for you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You’re blushing,” Bridget said. “Come on, spill the beans.”

  Neve grinned. “What were the ‘his and hers’ lubes like?”

  Callie’s face burned, and they all laughed. “Stop it,” she scolded, fanning herself.

  “How did it start?” Rowan wanted to know.

  Callie decided there was no point in denying it, especially when they were going to see each other after the whole business wrapped up. “I don’t know. It just happened. He told me that you warned him not to get involved, Neve. And before he realized that I knew who he was, it tore him up—I could see that. He knew he shouldn’t. But neither of us could keep away from the other.”

  “Aw.” They all looked a mixture of envious and pleased for her.

  “So is he staying here?” Bridget asked.

  “No. His discovery that I knew came at the same time as that horrible death threat where the guy mentioned he was watching me. We made the decision to keep apart after that so Gene could concentrate on protecting me.”

  “It’s so romantic,” Rowan said dreamily. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Maybe you need to start designing her wedding dress,” Neve teased.

  “Good grief, let’s not jump the gun,” Callie said hastily. “We’ve not even discussed dating again properly yet.”

  “But you think there’s a possibility he’s interested in more than a fling?” Rowan asked.

  “Yes,” Callie said softly. “I think he is. Once this whole horrible business is sorted and we can get back to normal.”

  Neve opened her mouth to answer, but at that moment Rowan’s phone rang. They all stared at it.

  “Go on,” Callie said with excitement. “Answer it!”

  Rowan did so, her face growing pale. Callie could understand her worry—even in this day and age, childbirth was never risk-free, and there were always things that could go wrong.

  “It’s Liam,” Rowan mouthed. Her eyes widened as she listened, and then her face broke into a huge grin. “It’s a boy!”

  “Woo-hoo!” Callie yelled, and they all stood and high-fived, cheering and jumping around.

  “He’s eight pounds six and doing well,” Rowan announced once she’d hung up. “And Willow’s fine too. A bit tired, but fine. I’ll go and see her later.”

  “We’ll all go tomorrow, too,” Neve said.

  Callie hesitated, not sure if Gene would let her leave the house to visit her friend in hospital. Frustration filled her. Fuck this stupid situation! How long was she going to have to be a prisoner in her own home?

  She opened her mouth to tell the others that she wouldn’t be able to go with them, but the words faded on her lips and she frowned, looking down the garden. Julia’s phone had rung a few seconds ago and she was holding it to her ear, listening. Callie hadn’t taken any notice because the agents were on the phone practically all the time. But something in Julia’s face made her catch her breath.

  The other girls stopped talking, and automatically got to their feet as Julia finished her call and walked up the garden toward them. Her eyes shone.

  “There’s someone to see you,” she said, a hint of her smile on her lips.

  Callie frowned and turned at the sound of a commotion at the front of her house. And then the front door opened and Gene came striding in, Phoebe right behind him.

  He scanned the room, saw them in the garden, and came over to the door. It was as if he didn’t see anyone else—he looked straight at Callie, his eyes blazing bright with excitement and triumph.

  “They got him.” His face broke into a grin. “They got Kirk.”

  Everyone cheered, including Phoebe and Julia, and behind them so did Ian and the other two agents who’d followed Gene in.

  “It’s over,” he said to Callie, walking closer to her. He looked into her eyes, his own filled with such love and affection that it took her breath away. “How does it feel?”

  Callie burst into tears.

  Everyone cooed, “Awww,” the girls covering their mouths and giving sympathetic laughs.

  “Oh, sweetheart…” Gene put his arms around her, and she sobbed into his shirt. “I didn’t mean to have that effect.”

  “Sorry,” she said, trying to stop, but the tears just kept on coming.

  “It’s all right.” He rubbed her back. “You’ve had a hell of a few weeks. I think you’re allowed.”

  Her mother came up to her and touched her arm. “I’m so sorry to have put you through all this,” she whispered. “The last thing I ever wanted to do was put you in danger.” She kissed Callie’s hair, then said to the others, “Why don’t we go inside and leave them for a moment? I’m sure Callie has a bottle of wine we can break open.”

  Everyone went inside, leaving Callie and Gene alone on the deck, warmed by the afternoon sun.

  Gene held her for a while, waiting for her sobs to quieten. Gradually, the emotion drained away, and she rested her cheek on his chest, listening to the others talking and laughing inside, and watching the fantails jumping about in the lemon tree.

  He moved back a little, lifted her chin, and wiped her face. “Okay?” he asked.

  She sniffed. “I must look awful.”

  “Well, I’ve seen you covered in blood and waking up straight after an operation. If anything was going to put me off, I think it would have done so by now.”

  Her lips curved up. His eyes were full of admiration, and something she hadn’t expected to see—hope.

  “Is it really over?” she whispered.

  “It’s over. Kirk’s henchmen won’t be interested in carrying on his personal feud now he’s gone. And he’s going to be in prison for the rest of his life.”

  “I can’t believe it.” She felt as if there had been storm clouds on the horizon for such a long time, and now they’d suddenly gone away and the sun had come out. “Does that mean…?” She could hardly bear to form the words.

  Gene’s face looked solemn. “Callie Summer, would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?”

  Her lips curved up. “A real date?”

  “A real date.”

  “Can we hold hands?”

  “We can even snog at the table if you like.”

  She chuckled, then placed her hands on his chest and played with the button of his shirt. “And can you come back to my place… and stay the night?” She lifted her gaze to his.

  “If you’d like me to.” His voice was suddenly husky.

  “I’d like that more than anything in the world. To sleep next to you. To wake up with you.”

  He cupped her face. “Then it’s settled.” He lowered his lips and kissed her.

  Inside, everyone cheered. But Callie ignored them all and kissed
him back.

  Epilogue

  “A kids’ Easter egg hunt,” Callie said. “I cannot believe we got talked into this. Whose daft idea was it again?”

  It was about a month later, and Callie was helping out with a large group of other friends at a kid’s birthday party in the middle of Wellington. The party was in a local play den that consisted of a large area devoted to ball pits, bouncy toys, miniature climbing frames, slides, and lots of other things for kids to play on. There was a small café attached where parents could get a drink and a snack and have a well-deserved break while their children ran off some energy. The adults had hidden hundreds of tiny chocolate eggs all across the play den, and the place filled with excited screams every time one of them was found.

  “It’s complicated,” Rowan said. “You remember Rhett?”

  Neve stared at Rowan. Rhett had been the best man at Willow and Liam’s wedding, and he and Neve had had a brief fling five years ago.

  “What?” Neve demanded, her face like stone.

  “Um, well, Rhett’s got a sister, Ginny, and she’s got three kids, and the eldest is six today. The thing is, Ginny’s husband left her at Christmas, so she’s on her own. She wanted to give Tom, the boy, a party, but she needed some help, so I volunteered us.”

  “Without telling me Rhett was going to be here?” Neve said fiercely. “Rowan!”

  “You can’t go now,” Rowan said desperately. “Think of Ginny.”

  Neve gritted her teeth. “I’ll stay,” she conceded, as Callie had known she would. “But don’t think I’ll forgive you easily for being so flipping sneaky about it.” She walked off, in the opposite direction to where the guys were playing with some kids in the ball pit. Rhett, who’d been watching her, shrugged and turned away.

  Rowan stuck her tongue out at Neve’s back. Callie chuckled. “I do wonder what happened between her and Rhett. Clearly he got under her skin.”

  “I expect she scared him off,” Rowan grumbled. She sighed and brought her gaze back to Callie. “Anyway, how are you? How’s the shoulder?”

  A week ago, Callie had moved out of the house they shared and in with Gene. It seemed silly not to when they were spending every spare moment they could together, and neither of them wanted to go home at night.