Chapter Twenty-One
EMMETT
The first thing that hit me when we stepped into the restaurant were the mouthwatering smells, closely followed by the ambiance.
Warm light from antique lamps cast a cozy glow over plush, burgundy booths and dark mahogany tables.
The faint sounds of clinking glasses and hushed conversation mingled with soft jazz playing in the background.
I glanced over at Callie. Her eyes sparkled in the intimate lighting.
It was as romantic as I had hoped.
While I planned to nudge her along, I had told her to take her time to get used to this thing between us. And then she walked out of her bedroom this morning looking like the sleep-rumpled goddess of my domestic fantasies.
I wondered if other men’s fantasies consisted of lazy weekends at home with the wife and kids. When Callie asked me if I wanted children, it was all I could picture. A life I craved but barely dared to hope for.
The hostess led us to a private alcove near the window, where we could gaze out at the twinkling lights of the city. I pulled out Callie’s chair for her before settling into my own seat across the small table. Our knees brushed together, sending a thrill through me.
It was the same thrill I felt this morning when I touched her, when I nearly kissed her.
I hadn’t given her a chance to run away after the meeting.
It felt selfish to take what she was unsure she could give.
But I considered it a birthday present to myself—a little indulgence to hold me over until she was ready.
Hopefully, tonight’s dinner would help speed her along.
Callie worried her bottom lip as she scanned the menu. Adorable. Effortlessly sexy.
She must have felt my eyes on her, because she looked up. I smiled over the top of my menu. “What do you say we celebrate our successful day with a bottle of your favorite wine?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t we be getting your favorite? It is your birthday after all.”
“Lucky for us, I’m rich enough that we can get both.”
She aimed a kick at me under the table. When the waiter arrived, I ordered a bottle of their best Malbec—my personal favorite. Callie’s eyes widened as she looked from me to the waiter and back again.
“What?” I asked, tilting my head quizzically. Does she not like Malbec?
“Nothing, it’s just...” Her cheeks colored. “Malbec happens to be my favorite, too.”
I broke into a delighted smile. What are the odds? Finding another shared interest, no matter how small, made me feel warm inside.
The waiter returned with our wine. The deep crimson liquid shone in the dim light as he poured it into our glasses.
I gestured toward Callie, insisting that she take the first sip.
She raised the glass to her lips and took a small taste, her eyes fluttering closed. My cock stiffened at her soft moan.
“Fuck,” I muttered, trying to distract myself from the sensual sound. I scanned the menu, my mind racing to put together an order that would cater to both of our tastes.
“How about we try the scallops to start, followed by the ribeye steak for me and the salmon for you? And maybe some truffle mac and cheese on the side?”
Callie’s nodded approvingly. “That sounds perfect. How did you...?”
I smiled, leaning back in my chair. “I pay attention, Callie. Every word you say, every gesture you make. Like when you ordered that salad at lunch for Meghan’s birthday? You barely touched it because it had too much dressing. I noticed.”
She blinked, clearly taken aback.
“Plus, you don’t even like salad. You just ordered one because all the insipid socialites at the table did. So tonight, you’ll eat truffle mac and cheese, and drink wine, and maybe have some chocolate cake for dessert. Because you like rich things—me included.”
She gaped at me then burst into laughter. “You’re something else, you know that?”
I couldn’t help reaching across the table to take her hand.
Goosebumps flared on her arm when our skin touched.
Her gaze dropped, staring at our joined hands as I stroked a thumb along her knuckles.
Her voice turned serious, almost melancholy.
“I love how effortlessly you touch me. I never had that with Hugh.”
I tightened my grip on her hand as jealousy spiked through me. “For the love of God, Callie. Please do not mention another man when I’m sitting here sporting a hard-on for you.”
“Sorry.” She sounded contrite, but I caught the faint smile playing on her lips.
The waiter arrived with our appetizer, breaking the tension. With each bite, Callie made little sounds of pleasure that went straight to my groin. I shifted, trying to think of anything but leaping across the table to fuck her right here, right now.
She noticed my discomfort and smiled smugly. “Are you alright, Mr. Price? You seem distracted.” Her foot grazed my leg under the table, and I gritted my teeth.
“You’re playing with fire, Miss Winters.”
Her eyes darkened. “Am I?”
She bit that deliciously plump lower lip, the movement drawing my gaze to her mouth. I wondered how those lips would feel wrapped around my throbbing cock.
We could have cut the sexual tension at this table with a butter knife.
“You know exactly what you’re doing to me. And if you keep it up, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
“And what would those actions be, Mr. Price?” She leaned forward, giving me an ample view of her cleavage.
Christ, this woman is going to be the death of me.
Here I was trying to rein myself in. And now she was fucking baiting me.
Maybe she’s had all the time she needs.
Before I could open my mouth to respond, the waiter reappeared and tactfully cleared his throat. Behind him, the kitchen staff carried steaming plates of food. The delectable scent made me salivate—over something other than Callie.
She sat back in her seat, the picture of innocence. I grabbed my wineglass and took a long pull, the rich flavors doing little to calm the raging lust coursing through my veins.
We savored every bite of our meal as we chatted about the sights we’d seen in London. Callie was animated as she recounted her favorite moments, her eyes alight with joy. I got lost in the cadence of her voice, the elegant movement of her lips.
Now and then, we stole heated glances at one another. With each passing minute, the anticipation built until we were leaning across the table, our bodies separated by mere inches. The rest of the restaurant faded away until it was just her and me, wrapped up in our own intimate world.
“You have a little something,” I said, swiping a stray crumb from her lip with my thumb. She inhaled sharply at my touch, and our eyes locked for the umpteenth time.
When the waiter offered to bring the dessert menu, we responded in unison without breaking eye contact.
“We’ll take the check.”
A breathless laugh escaped her lips, and I grinned back, aching to get her alone. We settled the bill hurriedly and I stood, pulling out Callie’s chair. As she rose, I took the opportunity to brush my fingers along the exposed skin of her back, relishing her shiver.
Leaning in, I nuzzled the sensitive spot below her ear. “You’ve been a tease all night,” I rumbled, placing an open-mouthed kiss on her neck. “Let’s get out of here before I fuck you right on this table.”
“You and your tables,” she whispered as she let out another breathy laugh.
Our limo was waiting, and as soon as Eddie closed the door behind us, I pulled Callie flush against me, claiming her lips in a searing kiss.
Fuck taking our time.
Her hands fisted in my hair as our kisses grew more desperate. When I ground my aching cock against her thigh, she whimpered. In one swift movement, Callie shoved her palms against my chest and slammed my back against the seat. She threw a leg across my lap, straddling me.
Groaning into the kiss, I let my hands roam freely, squeezing the curves of her hips through the silky fabric of her dress.
When my fingers grazed the bare skin of her thighs, she arched into me with another sexy-as-hell whimper.
I gripped the soft globes of her ass and thrust up toward her.
Her hot, swollen pussy, covered in only a thin layer of fabric, created delicious friction against my rigid length.
I slid one hand further down. My finger dipped beneath her panties to run along her soaked slit.
“Fuck, Emmett,” she panted, nails raking over my scalp.
“You’re so wet for me, baby. Been thinking about my cock buried inside you all night?”
“Yes.” She threw her head back as I sucked and nipped at her throat. “God, yes. I need you so bad.”
Far too soon, the limo pulled up to the hotel, tearing us from our heated embrace. We frantically righted our clothes, trying to look presentable before Eddie opened the door. It was a wasted effort. The smirk on his face told me he knew exactly what had gone down in the back of his limo.
Callie grabbed my hand and tugged me out, throwing a rushed “thanks” over her shoulder to Eddie. We brushed past Becks with mumbled hellos as she grinned knowingly at our impatient strides toward the elevators.
The second the doors slid closed, Callie was on me again, clutching the lapels of my jacket and walking me backwards until my shoulders hit the wall. Our teeth clashed and tongues wrestled in a sloppy, frantic dance.
When the doors pinged open at the penthouse, we stumbled out in a mess of roaming hands and crushed lips.
I backed Callie down the hallway, fumbling to unzip her dress and push it off her shoulders.
Her bra quickly followed, and I palmed her tits, groaning at how perfectly they filled my calloused hands.
“Bed. Now,” Callie demanded huskily.
Never one to disobey such a sexy order, I steered us toward the king-sized bed, leaving a scattered trail of clothing in our wake. Callie tumbled onto the plush mattress in just a scrap of lace panties. The sight of her damn near made me come in my boxer briefs.