They were. It was one of the things that gave us away as siblings. “It was the only thing we had in common.”
Hugh nodded. “That and that uncanny ability to make someone feel welcome. It’s strange really,” he thoughtfully said.
“I make someone feel welcome and strange all at once? That’s some ability.”
Hugh roared in laughter amidst our dancing. His laugh was so infectious that I went along with him, and for a few seconds, my troubles lifted away.
When Hugh spoke again, I was taken by surprise.
“I should’ve had Richard make me your conservator. I could guarantee you that I wouldn’t be such a bore as to take you to one of these functions.”
I stilled, shocked. “You knew about that?”
Who else did?
Hugh easily confirmed it. “Yes, Richard was a good friend of mine. I do miss that bugger. He was a great friend. Truly brilliant fellow.” He became somber. His eyes had that far away look as if visualizing Richard in his mind.
My brother was a good man. He wasn’t selfish and would dish out honesty over anything. He’d rather hurt your feelings instead of sugar coating anything to make you feel better. When I had problems, he never failed to be there for me. After our parents died, we mourned their losses, but he had to step up and into my father’s shoes. Juggling his new position, his social life and acting as a parent to me probably had been difficult for him, but never had I heard him complain a word about it.
It hurt to remember him, but at the same time, it was good to remember him again. “Thank you,” I murmured, almost teary.
“For what?”
I tried to smile. “For talking about him the way you did. Not a lot of people do anymore. It’s good to hear about Richard, even if it still hurts to think about what happened.”
“I suppose that’s why a lot of people try not to talk about it. It’s sad. It hurts, but that doesn’t mean we don’t think of him,” Hugh enlightened.
It was then that I wondered how Callum coped with my brother’s loss. He spoke about Richard, but he never went in depth about it all. With Zara’s betrayal and my brother’s passing, it was one after the other. I was sure it wasn’t easy to lose the people you loved all at once.
Hugh and I veered off sad subjects at the same time that the song changed and, as challenged, we tangoed with grinning faces.
I was delighted when the man truly knew his moves. For a while, I danced my worries away. Not caring if Callum was there watching or if he had already sought out his ex.
When our song ended, Hugh and I parted with promises of lunch or a coffee chitchat. Instead of going straight to my table with Callum, I went directly towards the loo to freshen up.
I was a few steps away from reaching the restroom when someone spun me around and took my breath away. “Cal.”
It took only one look to know that he was livid. The dangerous spark he had within him thrilled me. My heaving chest mesmerized his eyes. He studied the swells of my br**sts before he lifted those dark eyes that seemed to reach into my soul.
“You let a man roam his hands all over you while I sat there fighting with myself because I wanted to bloody beat his arse!” he gritted out, eyes so dark that they promised only danger as he locked me in place. “What I don’t appreciate is you flaunting it right before me. Especially knowing the fact that you aren’t wearing any bra or underwear for that matter. What did you expect, Stella? If you were aiming to make me jealous, then you have succeeded.” He looked pained as he admitted the fact that he was jealous of Hugh.
It was a small victory, but it was one I savored the most. For jealousy bred deeper feelings and I hoped from there it could turn into love. It was a process. However, it was a long one. I was merely delighted that it was going toward the right path.
“Did you know you look really cute when jealous?” I leaned over and kissed the tip of his nose.
Callum growled at me. “Cute?” he hissed. “All you have to say is cute? You ought to be joking mad.”
Boy, he was cute all right, but he was getting sexier as he smoldered right before me. He was maddeningly gorgeous.
I ached to be with him.
“Someone has to joke around because you are way too serious.” I smiled, lavishing in his jealousy.
Callum was far from delighted, though. “I’m way too serious?” He nodded, pressing his lips together, still not amused. “Very well then, let me show you how serious I can get.” He shot out the words as he took me by the elbow and marched us in the other direction. The people that walked past us seemed to pay heed, but they were the least of my concern because I was worried what Callum had in mind.
Was he planning to confront Hugh? Hell. “You better not do anything stupid, Cal, or I will cause some damage.” I tried to threaten him, but my words didn’t seem to affect him in the least.
Everything became intense when he opened a door and dragged us both inside, probably to battle this one out. When he didn’t even bother to turn the lights on, I suddenly became frightened. Aware.
“Want to elaborate on your threats, Stella?” he spoke from somewhere in the room.
It was so dark, it was hard to see anything. I didn’t even have a clue what kind of room we were in, let alone how big it was. If I were in a broom closet, I wouldn’t have known.
Now about those threats… they had been purely empty. “I don’t know why you’d be jealous and go through the extent to bring us here to settle the discussion. I hadn’t said a word when you were practically having silent eye-fucking with your ex-lover.” There went my mouth again.
“It’s not Zara’s body I want,” he growled into the darkness.
The room was pitch black and yet I somehow felt him move. It didn’t take him long to reach me and then he was circling his arms around my hips, tugging me hard against his chest. “I want you.” Callum’s seductive, raspy voice lulled me into submission. “This body…” his hands cupped both of my br**sts and squeezed them so tightly that I was out of breath. “…is mine to do as I please.” His words echoed into my brain.
Thou shall not play with fire if one doesn’t know how to douse it, control it and tame it. For it will burn, scar and consume you alive without thought.
Did I pay heed? Not a f**king chance.
Chapter 23
Stella
The anonymity of the darkened surroundings made it more arousing. My sense of hearing and touch were in full throttle. I heard each drawn breath he took. Felt each stroke of his hands. Each pulse.