She knew the answer to that question. It was the same reason she was still a virgin. She was afraid the guy she would give her virginity to would also capture her heart. And the thought of any man having her heart was something she just couldn’t abide. What if he were to hurt her, break her heart the way her brothers had done to all those girls?
She nibbled on her bottom lip as she slipped into her dress to join Callum for dinner. Somehow she would have to find a way to experience pleasure without the possibility of incurring heartache. She should be able to make love with a man without getting attached. Men did it all the time. She would enter into the affair with both eyes open and not expect any more than what she got. And when it was over, her heart would still be intact. She wouldn’t set herself up like those other girls who’d fancied themselves in love with a Westmoreland, only to have their hearts broken.
It should be a piece of cake. After all, Callum had told her he was waiting to meet his soul mate. So there would be no misunderstanding on either of their parts. She wasn’t in love with him and he wasn’t in love with her. He would get what he wanted and she would be getting what she wanted.
More of last night.
A smile of anticipation touched her lips. She mustn’t appear too eager and intended to play this out for all it was worth and see how long it would last. She was inexperienced when it came to seduction, but she was a quick study.
And Callum was about to discover just how eager she was to learn new things.
Callum heard Gemma moving around upstairs. He had encouraged her to relax and take a bubble bath in the huge Jacuzzi garden tub while he prepared dinner.
Since they’d eaten a large lunch at one of the restaurants downtown near the Sydney Harbour, he decided to keep dinner simple—a salad and an Aussie meat pie.
He couldn’t help but smile upon recalling her expression when she’d first seen his home, and her excitement about decorating it just the way she liked. He had gone along with every suggestion she made, and although she had teased him about the cost, he knew she was intentionally trying to keep prices low, even though he’d told her that doing so wasn’t necessary.
His cell phone rang and he pulled it off his belt to answer it. “Hello.”
“How are you doing, Callum?”
He smiled upon hearing his mother’s voice. “I’m fine, Mom. What about you?”
“I’m wonderful. I hadn’t talked to you since you were here yesterday with Gemma, and I just want you to know that I think she’s a lovely girl.”
“Thanks, Mom. I think so, too. I just can’t wait for her to figure out she’s my soul mate.”
“Have patience, Callum.”
He chuckled. “I’ll try.”
“I know Gemma is going to be tied up with decorating that house, but Shaun and I were wondering if she’ll be free to do some shopping with us next Friday,” his mother said. “Annette and Mira will be joining us as well.”
The thought of Gemma being out of his sight for any period of time didn’t sit well with him. He knew all about his mother, sister and sisters-in-law’s shopping trips. They could be gone for hours. He felt like a possessive lover. A smile touched his lips. He wasn’t Gemma’s lover yet, but he intended to be while working diligently to become a permanent part of her life—namely, her husband.
“Callum?”
“Yes, Mom. I’m sure that’s something Gemma will enjoy. She’s upstairs changing for dinner. I’ll have her call you.”
He conversed with his mother for a little while longer before ending the call. Pouring a glass of wine, he moved to the window that looked out over the Pacific. His decision to keep this place had been an easy one. He loved the view as well as the privacy.
The house Gemma was decorating was in the suburbs, sat on eight acres of land and would provide plenty of room for the large family he wanted them to have. He took a sip of wine while his mind imagined a pregnant Gemma, her tummy round with his child.