Chapter 14
Cal
After the busy night and all Bea’s talk of flopping into bed, Cal realised he wasn’t in the mood for the drive back to the cottage.
He’d miss his Sunday morning surf but could make up for it on Monday.
So, after ensuring that Bea and Kitty had taxis home, he locked up the bar, headed to the flat upstairs and poured himself a bedtime dram.
Thoughts of the evening filtered through Cal’s mind as he decompressed.
The bar was abuzz with customers, some regulars and many Edinburgh Festival revellers.
At this time of year the population of Edinburgh doubled in size with all the visitors to the largest arts festival in the world.
Without Zack, the evening had threatened to be a disaster, but Bea had easily slotted in and found her feet.
She’d served as many customers as Cal or Kitty – give or take a few.
She hadn’t once complained about being tired, and she’d gone to change the barrel without hesitation when one of the ales ran out.
She was warm and friendly and … well, she was stunning.
Cal inhaled. He could still smell her scent in his nostrils.
How, in amongst the bar smells of beer and hundreds of people had that endured?
In the stillness, Cal could hear echoes of Bea’s laughter as she shared passing jokes with customers.
She had a way about her that could make patrons feel special and noticed, and that kept them coming back.
She’d tried that on him as they were cleaning up afterwards.
Questions about where he lived and what his cottage was like.
Cal was stand-offish with her; he knew that.
He couldn’t bring himself to let his guard down.
First off, he was her boss, so it was unprofessional to divulge too much.
But there were other reasons too. He didn’t want to let a woman in.
Couldn’t. It was like a reflex since Elisabetta, not to mention some who’d come before.
Best to be alone for a while. Especially when so much other stuff was happening.
Cal checked his personal emails. There was an email from his brother Jamie entitled Dad’s 60th.
A reminder to organise the alcohol for his father’s birthday the following month.
Each year, Amanda Butler hosted a big birthday bash at their home in Kinshore for her husband.
His children took their part in planning the event.
Jamie was based in Kinshore so, along with Nate and Sean who also lived there, he took charge of most of the logistics.
Cal with his links to breweries usually arranged for all the alcohol to be delivered.
Cal replied to the email thanking Jamie, checked a few other messages, sipped his whisky, leaned back on the couch and exhaled.
When he inhaled again, he could still smell amber and honeysuckle.
As he closed his eyes, she was right there, in her Butler’s uniform, his surname on her ample breast. Smiling at him.
Laughing warmly. Then she was dancing her nails with their perfect French manicure over the buttons on her shirt and flicking each of them out of their resting place.
For a moment, Cal considered fighting these thoughts, but why bother?
He was alone in his flat and there was a difference between having the woman here and having thoughts about her.
He continued to let imaginary Bea unbutton her shirt, glimpses of the lace of her bra appearing now.
Her heaving cleavage right there before him.
Cal sighed and felt himself loosen and harden at the same time.
Damn! He hadn’t wanted this to happen. Not even thoughts of her.
But she was too much to ignore. They’re just thoughts.
And you’re hard as a rock now, so there’s no going back.
Bea’s bra was off. She’d undone it herself and her bounteous breasts were pointing upwards, perfectly rounded nipples calling out to be sucked.
He did so, moving his hand downwards, unbuttoning her jeans and reaching into her panties to find the soft wetness hidden within.
It was too much. He didn’t need to experience any more of Bea’s imaginary body. Cal unbuttoned his own fly. He had to release the tension somehow and if he wasn’t going to let himself have this woman in real life then he could at least indulge in his imagination.