Chapter Nineteen
EMMETT
“Mind taking the long way, Eddie? We’ve got a first-timer back here.”
The streets of London stretched before us as our driver made the last bit of the drive from London City Airport. Callie pressed her face to the window, eyes wide with wonder.
Eddie’s response crackled through the speakers.
“Absolutely, Mr. Price.”
Callie turned to me with unrestrained joy.
Then she let out a tiny squeal and resumed gaping out the window.
Seeing the city through her eyes made me appreciate it in a way I hadn’t for years.
Unlike my sister, I tried not to live a life of excess.
The only time I truly splurged was when I traveled.
If I had to go without the comforts of home, I could at least enjoy the comforts money could buy.
Suddenly, I was anxious about what Callie would make of all the luxuries she would experience on this trip. Then I was distracted from my thoughts by another squeal.
“Emmett! It’s Big Ben!” She turned to me with a brilliant smile. “Thank you for bringing me. Seriously. This is amazing.”
I brushed a stray hair from her face. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace were both met with shrieks of excitement as we drove past. All the while, a single thought ran through my mind.
I’m in love with her.
Finally, we pulled up to the curb in front of The Berkley. The penthouse suites overlooked Hyde Park, which, given that it was only March, didn’t look that spectacular right now. But in the spring and the fall, they provided quite a view.
Eddie opened the car door and offered Callie a hand to exit. While the bellhop went to the trunk to gather our luggage, I ushered Callie out of the cold and into the lobby of the hotel.
“Welcome back, Mr. Price!”
“Hi Becks. Good to see you.”
The manager of the Berkley was likely in her mid-thirties, dirty blonde hair pulled back in a bun.
She smiled at me with bright white teeth bracketed by fire-engine red lipstick.
I’d always thought Becks was attractive, ever since the first time I stayed here five years ago.
We instantly hit off, but she was in a serious relationship.
Now, she was married and had two babies at home.
She rounded the check-in desk and gave me one of those air-kisses the Brits love so much. “We’ve got the Knightsbridge suite all sorted for you. Will that do the trick?” Her eyes moved to Callie, standing a few paces behind me. “You brought a guest.”
When I stayed here, the only people who usually entered my penthouse were the hotel staff and Eddie.
I had been to London a few times with Meghan and Wick, though never both at the same time.
And those two preferred more lavish accommodations.
Meghan liked to spend her money, and Wick liked to spend mine.
I smiled at Callie and motioned with my head for her to join me. “Becks, meet Callie Winters. Callie, this is Rebecca Aston, manager of The Berkley.”
“Lovely to make your acquaintance, Miss Winters. You’ve got yourself affine gentleman here.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, as well, but I’m not—”
I cut off Callie’s protest by sliding an arm around her and pulling her into my side. She clamped her mouth shut and scowled.
Becks simply laughed it off and slid a key card into my hand. “Ronaldo’s gone to deliver your luggage. Ring down if you need anything?”
“We will. Thank you.”
“Enjoy your stay, Miss Winters.”
As we waited for the private elevator that would take us to the penthouse, Callie suddenly spoke up. “You and Becks seemed…chummy.” Her tone was light, but there was an edge underneath it.
I shot her a sideways glance, suppressing a grin. “Jealous, Miss Winters?”
“No,” she spat out, a little too hastily.
I chuckled. “Easy there, killer. Becks is a friend. I’ve stayed here more than a few times over the years, and we’ve chatted quite a bit. She’s good people. I’m sure her husband agrees.”
“You say ‘husband’ as if a married woman wouldn’t happily have an affair with you.”
Her words hung in the air. I cocked my head, waiting for the inevitable embarrassment to color her features and the babbling to begin.
“Good, God. What is wrong with me?” She palmed her face. “I’ve completely forgotten my filter around you.”
I loved her lack of filter. It felt like her walls were coming down, and she was starting to trust me—to see me as more than her boss.
“We’ve been together for, what? Eight hours straight? Bound to happen eventually.” I shrugged, trying to sound casual.
“You’re still my boss, Emmett. That was completely inappropriate.”
“I’m a little more than your boss at this point, don’t you think?” I held my breath, waiting for her reply.
Her gaze pierced through me as she looked up through dark lashes. “Yeah, I think you are.”
The ding of the elevator shattered the moment, causing us both to jump. We rode up in silence.
As the doors opened onto the foyer of the Knightsbridge suite, I let out a low whistle. “Wow.”
“I thought you said you’ve stayed here before?”
“I have, but never this suite. It’s nice.”
“Nice?” Callie scoffed. She grumbled something under her breath that sounded like “rich bastard.”
“It’s stunning, Emmett.” She stood at the floor to ceiling glass walls that separated the living room from the terrace while I peeked into the two bedrooms. From this side of the building, we could see the twinkling lights of the city—a stark contrast to the dark sprawl of Hyde Park.
They gave her silhouette an ethereal glow.
“Absolutely stunning.”
Callie glanced at me over her shoulder, rewarding me with her smile.
I motioned to my right with a nod. “The master is yours.”
“Emmett, no.” She squared her shoulders, preparing to fight me.
“Please don’t argue. It’s late. I’m sure you’re tired and hungry. Your luggage is already in your room. I’ll order us some room service, and maybe we can find a show to watch if you’d like.”
Her face lit up briefly before she bit her bottom lip. “Okay. That sounds perfect. But only if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” I wanted to chastise her for harming those delectable lips or soothe those tiny teeth marks with my tongue.
She slipped into the bedroom. I called down to Becks to order us some dinner before retreating to my own room to change into something more comfortable.
By the time I returned to the living room, Callie was curled up on the couch in silk pajamas that clung to her curves.
Her hair tumbled over her shoulders in messy waves, a few strands caught between her lips as she read on her Kindle.
At that moment, she was the embodiment of everything I always wanted but never thought I’d have. Domesticity, comfort, love. When she looked up with a soft smile, I knew I was lost.
Mind, body, and soul.
“Food will be up soon,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.
“What should we watch?” I logged into Netflix and let her peruse.
When she noticed we were both a season behind on The Witcher, she declared it was fate.
I was forced to listen to her commentary on how attractive Henry Cavill was until our food arrived. Not that I could really disagree.
We ate in companionable silence with the show playing in the background. It felt so...normal. Easy. Like we’d been doing this for years.
When we finished, I took the plates to the kitchenette and returned to find Callie nestled into the corner of the sofa, her knees tucked under her chin. When I sat down, she shifted until our thighs pressed together and rested her head on my shoulder.
My heart stuttered at the contact, hardening my cock with every erratic beat. The episode played on, and I forced myself to remain still, not wanting to startle her. But I couldn’t focus on the show. Not with the scent of her shampoo in my nose and her warm body pressed against me.
I had told her to take her time, and I meant it. If these little moments were all I would get for now, I would soak them in. They could sustain me until she finally gave in to this thing between us. Because it wasn’t going away.
Ten minutes passed before I realized her breathing had evened out. I peeked down to find her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted. She was asleep.
I reached for the remote and clicked off the TV, shrouding us in silence.
There, on that sofa, I let myself imagine a life where this was normal.
Where I came home from work to find her curled up, waiting for me.
Quiet moments shared together, no words needed.
A life where she was mine, and I was hers.
I pulled out my phone and began to put my plan in motion to make that dream a reality.