Claiming His Easter Bunny: A Bad Boy Novella
Page 9
Joshua followed Callum’s stare and smiled when he saw Sarah-Jane.
“You always have liked the young and naïve.”
“Young, yes. But she’s very smart, and I find that attractive.”
“I bet you do,” he chuckled. “So, what is the special gift you’ll be giving her? Or should I even ask.”
“The gift isn’t for her. It is for me. And the gift is her.”
“You sly dog.”
Callum glanced at Joshua, wondering if he should have kept what he’d just said to himself. The others began to mingle, telling stories about the recent holidays, while a few excused themselves. Sarah-Jane wedged her way into a group of top salespeople. He watched her as she laughed at their jokes and tales.
He locked his eyes on her until she noticed. She blushed and glanced away for a moment. She then looked back at him, straight in the eyes. Flashing his brilliant smile, he nudged his head to the side, indicating for her to join him in a private huddle. Moving to an empty corner, he leaned against it, his arms crossed and his thumb on his lips.
Callum looked up at her without raising his head when Sarah-Jane approached him.
“Mr. Black,” she said in a demure tone. “I want to thank you for inviting me tonight. This was very nice.”
“I trust you are having a good time, Ms. Phillips?”
“I am, yes. Thank you. Please call me Sarah-Jane. It’s thrilling to be part of a company like Black and Associates. The energy is truly amazing.”
“You seem to fit in well here.”
“I look forward to learning more and moving forward. I know I only started a few months ago, and I don’t expect a salary increase, but I would love a review at some point on how I’m doing so far.”
“I can give that to you right now if you’d like.”
“Right now?”
“Yes. I have been keeping an eye on you. It is something I often do with young blood. I usually lose interest, but in your case, I became intrigued.”
“Intrigued?” she said, her eyes widening. “I didn’t think I would have caught the attention of someone of your stature.”
“My stature?”
“You’re the CEO. I’m on the ground level in marketing. A few months into it. I didn’t expect a lot.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“You get out what you put in. I like to give my ideas, but I’m still learning the ropes.”
“But you’re ambitious. I like that. I can see great things happening for you at Black and Associates. I look forward to hearing your ideas.”
“Thank you. I do love it, but I don’t want to overstep my boundaries. I’m new.”
“I hope they are treating you well.”
“They are. Everyone has been great,” she replied.
“You’ll move up quickly, I assure you. Your family must be proud of you.”
“They are,” she said with a slight sadness.
“You miss them, don’t you?”
“It has been a while since I’ve seen them.”
“So, you aren’t from around here?”
“No. I moved out here after I graduated.”
“What brought you out to this neck of the woods? A partner, I presume?”
Sarah-Jane shook her head as she blushed. “No. I came out here on my own. My boyfriend and I… we broke up after graduation.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay. It was mutual, sort of. We wanted different things. His degree sent him to a job on the east coast.”
“And yours brought you here?”
She nodded. “Long distance doesn’t work, I don’t care how hard you try.”
“I’m sort of in the same boat,” Callum said, looking into her eyes.
“You are? A man like you? How so?”
“A man like me?”
“Look at you. You could have anyone you wanted.”
“As true as that might be, I’m not with anyone.”
“Why not?” she asked before she could check herself.
“You are single by choice, even though that choice was someone else’s. I am single by choice, my choice,” Callum said.
She pursed her lips, but he continued.
“My career, my position at the company… it puts me in a place where there is no room for a serious commitment or a relationship.”
“So you focus on your career?”
“I choose to. I don’t have to answer to anyone but my investors. I like it that way. It leaves out complication and drama.”
“But what about love? Fate? Don’t you believe in either of them?”
“Fate exists only in fairy tales and dreams. Love is chosen. You can choose to love someone, or you can choose to keep them at a distance.”
“I don’t believe that. You can’t choose who you fall in love with.”
“It takes some time and practice, but I assure you, you can.”
Callum wanted to get into that pretty little head of hers to see what made her tick.
“Sounds like a cold and lonely world to me,” she said. She wasn’t intimidated. A hint of her truth bit at him.
“Quite the opposite. I love my job. I love the people I work with. My sex life is by no means dull and boring, and I can hook up with the friends who matter to me when I need an ear to bend.”
“So, you have every piece of a perfect relationship, just scattered throughout the various people in your life.”
“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “Nicely put.”
“I don’t know if I could do that.”
“As I said, it takes practice. For instance, one of the most romantic days is coming up, and I have never liked to spend it alone.”
Sarah-Jane lowered her eyes. “Valentine’s Day. Seems like we just got through the holidays.”
“The holidays were rough on you this year?”
“They were. I was alone for the first time.” She shrugged and took a big breath. “But what is Valentine’s Day? It’s just another overpriced holiday, right?”
“Au contraire, it is only as special as you want it to be. You see, people drag themselves down thinking they are alone, that they don’t have that special someone to spend it with. I say spend it with whomever you choose and bring the special yourself.”
Callum watched her reaction, and when she didn’t offer anything, he bent down and looked at her.
“You don’t have to spend it alone. I’d love it if you spent it with me, Sarah-Jane.”
“With you? You don’t have to do that. It’s fine.”
“I’m not being charitable. I’m asking you if you would like to not be alone with me on Valentine’s Day. Nothing serious. No commitment. You don’t even have to buy me chocolates.” He smiled when she giggled. “Let’s say dinner. We can take it from there.”
“I don’t know, Mr. Black. You’re my boss, and doesn’t the company frown on stuff like that?”
Leaning in, he whispered, “I promise not to tell.”
She hesitated. “Can I think about it?”
“Absolutely. Like I said, no commitment. If you don’t want to be alone, you don’t have to be. We could even accidentally meet up at the same place, and then maybe see what the evening brings.”
“Thank you for the offer, Mr. Black.”
“Please, call me Callum. I don’t like formalities at things like this.”
“Thank you, Callum. I will let you know.”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
She nodded and smiled, then excused herself from the party.
* * *
Thank you for reading the first chapter of Claiming His Valentine. Want more? Go to Amazon.com to read the full novella. Thank you!
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