Chapter Four — Alex
Before my finger leaves the doorbell, the door swings open.
I lose my balance and stumble forward. I throw my arms out in front of me, bracing for impact, but fall into something warm and solid instead.
Callum’s large, callused hands encircle my waist, and I feel electric sparks from the physical contact.
He pulls me up, and for a second, all I can think about is how he smells — like whiskey and fire.
I step back out of his intoxicating haze and try to regain my wits.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod, and for a second, I feel something from him. A feeling of tenderness, maybe?
“Follow me,” he says, turning sharply.
And just like that, the moment’s gone.
I follow him through the winding maze of hallways. The hardwood floor transforms into marble and then back to hardwood again. Glass windows alternate with floor-to-ceiling modern art, and everything is bright.
He swings open a set of French doors, and I peek inside. The room has glass walls and white marble floors. It’s completely empty except for a single white table and two chairs in the middle of the room. In the center of the table is a chess board.
I almost burst out laughing. I don’t know what I was expecting, but chess?
“Is something amusing, Miss Rose?” Callum asks.
I try to rearrange my face into a serious expression and shake my head.
He points at the table. “After you.”
I sit behind the white pieces and wait for Callum to sit down.
“I assume you know the rules?” he asks.
I have a sassy comment on the tip of my tongue, but I hold back and nod my head.
“Whenever you’re ready,” he says, gesturing towards the board. I take a deep breath.
Let’s do this, I say to myself. I pick up a pawn.