Claiming His Valentine Page 7

  It felt good to know Callum was interested enough to be upset that Joey was there.

  “There’s still a history, Sarah-Jane, and he is there in your apartment.”

  “Alone.”

  She ran her hand up his arm and waited for him to look at her.

  “I told you, he just showed up and had no place to stay. I’m being a friend. That’s all. I can’t turn him away, especially since he has been drinking.”

  “Are you sure that’s all it is?”

  “I’m here with you, Callum. Are you telling me you want more than something casual between us?”

  “I’m trying to figure that out.”

  “I told him it was over and I meant it. Joey’s just struggling with that. I went through my healing stage. This is his. He is on my couch for tonight.”

  “Would it be horrible of me to keep you from your apartment for the rest of the night?” His arms encircled her waist as he pulled her to him. “I need to know that you are serious about this. I’m not into playing games.”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  Sarah-Jane stretched up on her toes and kissed his lips, but he didn’t react.

  CHAPTER 14

  Sarah-Jane

  SARAH-JANE persisted with her kiss until Callum responded, his body yielding to hers and his arms tightening around her.

  “You make me crazy,” he said, looking into her eyes.

  “I don’t mean to.”

  “What do you mean to do then?”

  “I want to figure this out, just like you do,” she said. “I like you, but I need to be careful too. I don’t want to have my heart broken, and you were adamant on letting me know we were only casual. Now I’m getting mixed signals and I’m not sure what you’re expecting.”

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Joey destroyed me when he went to New York. It took me a long time to get over that.”

  “I didn’t think I wanted to, but I find myself thinking about you all the fucking time, my Sarah-Jane.”

  “You said you don’t like relationships.”

  “Up until now, I never gave it a second thought. Now that I know you, your smell, your weaknesses, I want more of you. I want you in my life. I need to know if you want to be.”

  “There is so much we don’t know about each other.”

  “I’m willing to learn everything about you,” Callum said, his hand stroking her face. “I want to know the way you sit when you are casually lounging around your home. I want to see your face during a horror movie when you’re clinging to me during the gory parts. I want to see the way you look in my shirt first thing in the morning as you dance around the kitchen.”

  “Who says I cook?”

  “If you don’t, I will.” He pulled her into him. “I want to know everything about you.”

  Sarah-Jane studied his face for something to confirm that it was okay to love him.

  “You make me crazy,” he said.

  “You mentioned that.”

  “I think you know that, and I think you like it.”

  “Oh, yeah. I love it when two guys fight over me. I do like knowing you are interested in more than a one-night stand, but I can’t control everything.”

  “Let me, then.” Callum slid his hands along her arms until they wrapped around her wrists. He pulled them behind her back and held them there as he leaned into her with a heated kiss.

  “I want you. I want all of you, and I’m not about to share you with anyone, my Sarah-Jane.”

  His breathing was ragged as he pulled the dress zipper down. She realized she was not wearing panties or a bra, and she wanted to pull away.

  “Tell me that’s what you want,” he said, not letting her go. “Tell me you’re mine and only mine.”

  “It’s easy to promise a good time, Callum. It’s not so easy lowering my inhibitions and allowing you into my heart.”

  Callum lowered the top of her dress over her shoulders, down her arms, allowing it to rest on her hips. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “I’ll take this for now, but I won’t back down. Spend the night with me.”

  She nodded, her body heating up by the touch of his hands, his lips on her skin, the way his breath grew heavy against her neck.

  “I want to spend the night with you, Callum.”

  He sat her on the corner of his desk, and she gasped as he slid his hand up her dress. He leaned back and stared into her eyes when he felt nothing covering her lower body.

  Pink crept into her cheeks, and she felt the heat of her embarrassment. “They are still in your car.”

  Wrapped his arms around her, Callum pulled her into him, his fingers stroking between her legs.

  He ran his hands up into her hair and grabbed hold, controlling her. His mastery of her fueled her desire. His mouth covered hers and his tongue pushed past her lips, stealing her breath. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him closer. She felt his hardness. She shivered and cupped her hand over his pants. Sliding her hand along his erect penis, she tried to free him but fumbled with his belt.

  “Why do you always have to be so well put together?” she sighed.

  Wrapping his hands around her wrists, he held them above her head, his gaze penetrating her eyes.

  Sarah-Jane breathed heavily as Callum leaned down and scooped her breast into his hand, his tongue toying with her nipple. She leaned back until she was laying on his desk, the light illuminating her body. His hands moved down her stomach as she arched her back. She felt the adrenaline flow and intensify as he touched her. Opening her legs, the material of her dress fell up her thigh as she rested her feet on the edge of his desk.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said, pulling his belt from his pants. He moved her to the edge and unzipped his pants. Once more, he pulled a silver square out of his pocket and wrapped his cock in a condom before entering her. She gasped at him filling her. He lay on her and fucked her slowly as if he was consuming every emotion, every feeling, every sense of what he was doing.

  “Callum,” she whispered, her fingers gliding through his hair.

  He picked up his speed and began to grunt with every thrust. His grip on her shoulders got tighter, and every push forward was more intense than the previous. She felt his body tense, his head buried into the crook of her neck. Furrowing her eyebrows, she caressed him until his orgasm took over his body and he slammed into her repeatedly. It was intense, almost scary, and she knew this was so much more than casual sex. She let him lay on her as he breathed in and out, shaky and labored. He tore away from her and turned his back to her, pulling himself back together.

  Sarah-Jane watched him, wondering what pain he was going through. She wanted to gather him into her arms and make it all go away. Staying where he left her, she lay on his desk, exposed and naked. He zipped his pants and rubbed his face before turning back to her, forcing a smile. She pulled her dress back around her and climbed off his desk as he helped her with her zipper. He just stared at her.

  “What is it?” she asked, not moving.

  Pursing his lips, he shook his head.

  “You can trust me, Callum. Whatever you’ve been through, I’m here now. Let me listen. Let me be there for you.”

  He was thinking, she saw it in his face. He wanted to open up to her but something held him back.

  “Whenever you’re ready,” she said softly. “I don’t like the pain you’re experiencing.”

  “The last time I fell in love with a woman, she destroyed me.”

  Sarah-Jane said nothing.

  “I let her into my life and gave her everything. She took from me until I had nothing left to give, then she walked out without a word.” He chuckled. “It was a good week before I realized she had left me instead of thinking something happened to her. If something had happened to her, it would have been more bearable, eventually. But what she did left scars. Scars so deep no one could repair them.�
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  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you had…”

  “I’ve never told anyone. It was before I came here, before I became successful, before any of this ever existed. I should shake her hand. She is the reason I’m the man I am today. I swore off relationships and dove into what I was good at. I became successful and never thought I would feel like that again.”

  “Like what?”

  “Nervous, vulnerable.”

  “And you feel that now?”

  “I’m falling in love with you.”

  “I thought…”

  “So did I. I didn’t plan this. And when I saw you with that… guy, my insides tightened, and it took everything I had not to pound him into the ground.”

  She was astonished that Callum was so passionate about what had happened.

  “I didn’t know.”

  “How could you have? I have a good poker face.”

  “Are you angry with me?”

  “How could I be angry with you? No, if anything, I’m afraid of you.”

  Sarah-Jane didn’t know what to say to that. A man of his caliber afraid of little old her?

  “How could you be afraid of me?”

  “Because I’m asking you to be a part of my life and that gives you the ability to hurt me.”

  “I would never do that, Callum.”

  “I didn’t think she would either.”

  Sarah-Jane put her arms around him on. “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”

  Callum took her hand and led her out of his office, not bothering with the light or the disarray they had left. She followed him into the elevator, and when the doors closed, he kissed her. His lips melted into hers. He didn’t touch her anywhere else. But it was the most powerful kiss she had ever experienced. His mouth danced with hers and his tongue tantalized her. It was deep and full of everything Callum wanted this relationship to be. It was as if their mouths were making love, never stopping until the doors opened in the lobby. He didn’t move away immediately, his lips lingering on hers.

  When he finally did step back, she felt numb and light. Placing his hand at the small of her back, he led her out of the building to his Porsche. Helping her into his car, he took her to his home.

  CHAPTER 15

  Callum

  CALLUM DIDN’T know what was going to happen once they got to his home. Everything he needed to say to her somehow poured out of him in his office.

  However, he now needed her to understand how much he needed her in his life. It was difficult to explain, since it had just hit him. Everything he had made himself believe in was thrown so far out the window that he’d never get it back. He was determined to shut that window for good.

  The ride out of the city was a quick one as his thoughts were consumed with his new emotions. He scrambled out of his car and ran over to her door, opening it to help her out. Callum gathered her into his arms and looked into her eyes as he rubbed her cheek.

  “I’m sorry to have put you through this, my Sarah-Jane.”

  “Tell me what is going on. Why are you so upset? Is it something I did?”

  “I’ll explain everything once we are inside.”

  Nodding, she took his hand, and he led her up the long path to his house. Callum felt like he was walking in heavy shoes. He still had the opportunity to turn the situation into something he could just throw away, but it wasn’t what he wanted. Sarah-Jane was exactly the kind of woman he needed next to him. He had to admit it to himself before he tried convincing her.

  He pulled out his keys and hit a button. As they approached the front door, it opened and let them inside. Callum offered her a drink.

  “Just water, please,” she replied.

  When they were finally sitting side by side on his couch with just a hint of the morning sun peeking over the horizon, he didn’t have any more opportunity to stall.

  “I know this is difficult,” she said, taking his hand. “Whatever you’re going through is not something you need to do alone.”

  Callum took a sip of the bourbon he had poured himself before setting it down on the coffee table.

  “My entire life has been lived through a smoke screen,” he said. “I thought I had a handle on it all, but in all reality, it couldn’t be furthest from the truth.”

  Sarah-Jane listened as he tried to get all his thoughts and fears out.

  “I didn’t need anyone in my life. As long as I had my success and the people around me, I thought I was invincible. The truth is, those people around me are only there because of my success. When I met you, Sarah-Jane, I felt something familiar, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. It ate at me and no matter how many times I pushed it away or shoved it down deep, it kept coming back, haunting my dreams, making it hard to think.”

  “What do you see happening between us?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I think you do. I think you’re just too afraid to admit it.”

  He grabbed his bourbon and stood up quickly, turning away from her. She was right, but how was he supposed to admit to it?

  “I’ve always been the strong one, the one who knew what to do next. Now here I stand, confused and scared of what’s going to happen.”

  Sarah-Jane walked up behind him, and her hands wrapped around his waist. She felt so damn good. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to enjoy the sensation for a moment.

  “I’m here, Callum, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “That still doesn’t answer my problem.”

  “Well, maybe this will.”

  Turning him around, she kissed him so intimately that he lost his fear and every worry that he had.

  “I’m so in love with you, Sarah-Jane,” he blurted. “I’m sorry to just come out with it like that. I didn’t know how else to say it.”

  Her forehead crinkled with confusion.

  “I know. It doesn’t make sense. One night together and I’m pouring my guts out like some lovesick teenager.”

  Callum turned away again, disgusted with his poor choice of words and actions. He took another sip of his bourbon and set it on the table before walking to the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m a fucking idiot. I just need to get out of here for a while.”

  “I thought you were always in control?”

  Her words stopped him with his hand on the doorknob.

  “Me too.”

  “So, what’s the problem? Why can’t you stay here and talk to me? It’s just me. I’m not some big account. I’m not some hot shot competition you need to keep a hold of. I’m Sarah-Jane Phillips from the marketing department at Black and Associates.”

  He felt her hand on his arm.

  “That’s just it. I am always in control, so why can’t I…”

  “Maybe you don’t need to be. Let things happen the way they should, naturally,” she whispered, her hands reaching for his face. He softened to her touch and closed his eyes. “See? Just let things be.”

  “It’s not that easy,” he said, opening his eyes. “I’ve trained myself to be a certain way, to control every situation of my life.”

  “Stop thinking. Just let yourself feel,” she said, kissing him.

  He picked her up in his arms and carried her into his bathroom, not putting her down until they got to his Jacuzzi.

  CHAPTER 16

  Sarah-Jane

  THE WATER slowly filled the deep tub. Sarah-Jane was leaning over the edge, mesmerized by the sound. She felt his hands slide the zipper down her back and as her dress fell away from her, she stepped out of it, happy to be naked.

  “That dress has been through a lot tonight,” she said, looking down at it.

  “Hopefully it will see more in the future.”

  He kissed her back, hesitating before pulling away. Stepping into the tub, his naked body commanded her attention. Callum held his hand out to her and helped her in. They eased down into the heated water, and she sat between his legs, her back against his chest. S
he loved his arms around her as he sponged the water along her chest. Peach filled the air as he ran the sudsy sponge along her arms and along her neck. She leaned her head back on him and closed her eyes. The bath was incredible and she finally realized how achy her body was from the events of the past few hours. They barely said a word as they enjoyed their bodies against each other and the heat of the water.

  He wrapped a large white towel around her after helping her out of the tub and did the same for himself.

  “Sarah-Jane,” he said softly, whispering close to her ear.

  “Hmm?”

  She leaned against his wet chest, her fingers running along the top of the towel on his waist.

  “I want to make love to you.”

  Sarah-Jane didn’t think she had the energy, but when he carried her to his bedroom, laid her on his bed and crawled over top of her, sleep was the furthest thing from her mind.

  Reaching up, she glided her hands along his arms on each side of her. Sarah-Jane couldn’t stop looking at him. She wanted Callum, she craved him, but it was different this time. As strong as he was trying to be, she felt his vulnerability and she wanted to protect him. She wanted to show him it was going to be okay, that it was going to work.

  “We’ve got this,” she whispered as she searched his face.

  “I want to believe you,” he said, his breath warm on her skin, “and I’m willing to take it day by day. If we have to stay in this bed and have sex all day long, I am willing to sacrifice that for you,” he said with a grin.

  “You are so selfless,” she smirked.

  He caressed her face and gazed at her. “I want you to love me, Sarah-Jane. Love me as much as I love you.”

  Before she could answer, he pressed his lips against hers and stole her thoughts. She loved the desire that surged through her when he kissed her. Kissing was an art, and he was Picasso. Relaxing, she allowed her lips to follow his. The tip of his tongue slid along her bottom lip, awaking an arousal deep inside her.

  This time it was soft, subtle. It was enough to pull her along mindlessly, enough to make her admit that she’d give up anything to keep feeling the way she felt at that moment. Callum drew her in unlike anything she had experienced. He had that power over her and he didn’t even know it.