“It’s obscene,” Callum hissed, furious even. “I can practically imagine what you look like naked.”
That was the point, but never mind. His reaction was enough to douse me to face reality. “If you want me to leave, just say so. I have work to do anyway,” I managed to blurt out. I wanted to gouge his eyes out. It took a few hours to be prepped to the point of looking like this… and now he tells me that I looked obscene? Did he not go parading around town with women dressed in far less than what I was wearing now? Fucking prick! I simmered.
Out of the blue, Callum quickly tensed. His jaws locked as he looked past me. “My father and Zara are coming towards us.”
“What!” I hissed, not sure if I was about to laugh or cry. However, even before I had the chance to decide, I heard a man’s throat being cleared behind me.
“Nice to see you here, son,” Charles Kensington greeted Callum just as I was moving to Callum’s side, facing the intruders.
He was younger looking somehow and not what I had imagined him to be. Callum’s looks definitely were inherited from his maternal side.
Charles then found me; blue eyes assessing me head to foot. “Stella von Berg and a Kensington together. What a lovely pairing. Glad you finally took my heed and found yourself a wealthy heiress worthy to marry.”
What was I to say to that kind of tacky comment? Mind you, I was rendered speechless, but that was before I was introduced to Zara. I was decent looking, but next to this woman, I paled in comparison. No wonder Callum couldn’t get over her.
“Pleasure to meet you, Stella.” Zara composed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She faced Callum and when their gazes connected, I even felt the spark. “Good to see you again, Callum.” Love was so apparent in her dark eyes that I somewhat felt like I was the one intruding in their little eyes-devouring-you-on-the-spot reunion.
Their moment was broken by Charles excusing himself to greet one of his old cronies—who were somewhere across the room—leaving the three of us in a compromising position.
Zara was so focused on Callum that she might’ve forgotten that I was here, too. Callum had yet to utter a damn word, but the man was like a stone, staring holes at the woman he loved.
I stood apoplectic, eyes flickering back and forth before I finally urged myself to move out of the way. “I need to go to the loo.” I excused myself, barely looking at them, and sought for a quiet place to balm my broken heart.
Relief rushed through me when I ventured into another room that was empty except for a few chairs hoisted to the side. From the looks of it, the cleaning party had yet to arrive. How appropriate that I stepped into a room that was someone’s wedding reception.
I was so consumed with forcing myself not to cry that I hadn’t heard the door open. Imagine my fright when I heard someone’s voice asking me if I was okay. “Are you all right?”
My eyes were still glued towards the once-happy celebratory party before me. “Uh huh.” In a couple of minutes or so, I will be.
The mystery person revealed himself by squatting before me, concern etched across his face. “You don’t look it, Stella.”
With a small, quivering smile, I spoke to Derek, “You saw that, huh?”
He nodded solemnly. “Yeah. Why are you with him?” His question was more of a wonder than anything. “You’re dating playboys, one after the other. What the bloody hell for? To get yourself trampled over?” He peered closer, lifting my chin. “You deserve a man that will love you, not play around with you.” He cleared his throat, looking sorry. “I admit, in the beginning I became frustrated with you. I was too focused on wanting you to give it up to me that I forgot how we were together, how you were with me.” He paused. “I didn’t realize this until I started dating again and realized how much I missed you.”
Dear goodness, I couldn’t deal with this now. Not right now. “Derek—”
“I’d give everything to have another chance with you again.”
This was sad. “I’m in love with him,” I admitted bravely. “There’s no hope for me.”
“Guessed as much. He doesn’t see it, though. I doubt he sees any woman, if at all.” Derek gathered me up and held me tight. “We all love and learn. Someday, you’ll love again.” He kissed my cheek, eyes seeking mine. “I pray to the gods that man will be me.”
Someday you’ll love again… those words held comfort. Words I could hang on to. Something to look forward to.
“Let’s get you warmed up before Mr. Playboy comes and fetches you away from me,” Derek offered, leading us towards the bar.
That was, if Callum still remembered I existed…
Chapter 21
Callum
“We need to discuss our future,” Zara persisted, pressing herself closer towards me. Her perfume reached my senses and I somehow felt like I was being transported back in time to when I was madly and hopelessly in love with this woman.
I would’ve moved Heaven and earth to make her happy. Zara had been my life. Everything I did then was for our future. I was a roughened teenager, but the moment I met her, I was willing to make changes. The moment I knew I was in love with her, I didn’t even hesitate to commit myself fully to her. However, somehow all through that love and affection—not to mention utmost dedication—Zara easily walked away from it all. From me. Here she was now, demanding we “discuss” our future. What was she on?
“If you haven’t noticed, I’ve moved on from you.” I sought her eyes, putting all my energy in holding her gaze. “You’ve been replaced. There’s no future with me. Best you get that truth into your head.”
“You don’t love her,” Zara immediately retorted back.
My nose flared at her audacity. “How dare you. You don’t know anything!”
“You know how I know? Because you didn’t even glance at her, not once, the second you saw me. She excused herself to use the restroom and yet it seemed you didn’t even hear her.” She pressed her heaving br**sts against my chest. Her lips and hot breath tickled my ear. “You only have eyes for me. No one will come close, Callum. It’s the same for me. I want you.” She pressed harder, making me silently curse. “I haven’t had a man for a year and I’m anticipating for you to relinquish this need in between my thighs. It has only craved you, no one else.”
This was bad. Sex with Zara had always been dy***ite. Her talking about not having any other man after me made my throat dry. She was temptation to the fullest. She knew my body, knew what turned me on… and her dirty talk confirmed just how much she wanted to be back in my life.