Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Astrid placed a steaming plate of pasta in front of Callum; it was his favorite dish, but it was as though she’d served him a plate of sand for all the attention he was giving it, and her.
“Growler, what’s up?”
His head shot up at her use of his nickname, something she very rarely did. Which was why she only pulled it out on occasions when she needed to pull his attention from whatever abyss he’d fallen into. “What? Everything okay?” A hint of worry colored his voice.
“That’s what I was asking you. I’m fine, but you don’t seem to be. What’s going on? Do you have to go away, and you don’t want to tell me?”
Ever since they’d gotten married, even a little before that, Callum had reduced the number of missions he went on. Part of her was happy that he did that, the other was sad because she knew that he was still intrinsically a SEAL even though it had been years since he’d left the service.
Astrid gave a little yelp of surprise when his wrapped an arm around her and pulled her down on his lap. It quickly turned to a moan of pleasure as his lips nibbled on the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder.
She shifted so she could kiss him. All thoughts of food and conversation disintegrated in a flash as she lost herself in her husband’s arms. She didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky to have this man fall in love with her. He was everything she hadn’t known she was looking for.
He cheered her on. Supported her with her career. And he made her feel like the most precious diamond in the whole world.
They broke apart and she snuggled into his arms, loving the way he stroked his hand up and down her back. There wasn’t much she didn’t love about Callum Taylor.
She didn’t know how long they sat there, enjoying the love that swelled between them. Eventually, she remembered the reason for her being in Callum’s arms. “It’s okay if you have to go away. I understand.”
“I love you, Comet, so much, and you saying that means the world to me, but I’m not going away.”
Relief swept through Astrid, she really was okay with him going away, but the fact that he didn’t have to was good too. “If that’s not what’s bothering you, then what is?”
Callum sighed. “Fox and the others, they’re acting weird around us. I hadn’t noticed anything untoward, but Irish and Angel had. There was a bit of a stand-off between us today after we all left Ox’s office.”
“A stand-off? I thought you guys all got on well together?” The times they’d gathered as group, Astrid hadn’t noticed any tension between the men who made up Alliez Security.
But things could change on a dime. She hoped it wouldn’t, because Fox and his team had only enhanced Alliez, and all the good they did.
“We do. And if I’m honest, most of the heat came from Irish. I don’t know the full story, but shit happened with his former team, which is the reason he was dishonorably discharged. I know he’s very possessive of Alliez, because Ox didn’t believe the rumors flying around him and gave him a chance.”
When Astrid had first met Irish, he’d been very closed off. Very mysterious, but since he and Cass got together, she’d seen a softer side to him. “I don’t think Irish would say something if there wasn’t any merit to it.”
“Maybe. Anyway, Cass sorted us out, and everything went back to normal. We even had a team meeting later about a possible mission the guys would go on, and everything was fine.”
“It doesn’t surprise me about Cass, I wonder if she’s more the boss than Ox.” Astrid loved the other woman. Without her, Astrid wouldn’t have been found when she’d been kidnapped. And neither would’ve Eveline or Teresa. Cass was the glue that held that company together.
“Yeah, she’s one I don’t argue with.” Callum leaned around her. “Sorry, looks like dinner’s cold.”
Astrid shrugged. “Not a big deal, I can heat it up.” She framed her husband’s face, looking deep into his brown eyes. “I love you so much, and you can tell me anything.”
A soft smile played around Callum’s mouth, and desire swirled low in her belly. “I know.”
She kissed him briefly before getting off his lap and grabbed his plate. “Did I tell you we’ve decided on what we’re going to do for our Christmas special?”
“Nope. Tell me all about it.”
Astrid heated up their meals again, and once they were hot, she put them back on the table, and this time took her seat opposite Callum. “Normally, we would do the traditional Christmas food. Baked hams. Turkey. Plum pudding. But this year, we’re going to do food for a summer Christmas.”
“A summer Christmas?”
“Yeah, I’ve got fans from all over the world, and I had some requests from viewers who lived in Australia, wanting some recipes for nice salads.
Different seafood dishes. Because Christmas there is during the summer, that’s what a lot of people tend to eat over the heavy hot meats.
I’m excited about it. I’ve already got ideas for shrimp and lobster.
As well as unique salad ideas that are refreshing. ”
“Sounds amazing and you know if you need anyone to sample your dishes before you finalize everything, I’m your man.” Callum rubbed his belly and Astrid laughed at his antics.
“Like I don’t do that already,” she rolled her eyes, and twirled some pasta around her fork.
“You do, but this is something different, and I’m sure Basil would like to sample everything first too.”
“He would, but he knows that you’re my official taste tester now.”
Callum gazed at her, and she tried to keep still under the scrutiny. “Hmm?”
“Fine. There are times I change things up on the show, and I need him to sample it to confirm that it still tastes good.”
Callum laughed, and she loved the way the corners of his eyes crinkled adorably. But she would never tell him that. “I don’t mind sharing the duties, he was with you first.”
“He was, but,” she reached across the table and took his hand entwining their fingers, “you are my last. I finish with you, always.”
Callum lifted their joined hands, brushing his lips across her knuckles. “Always and forever, Comet.”