Heat flares in her eyes. She takes a step back. It’s the quick flick of her tongue over her lips that anchors my attention and causes me to stumble a little more.
I’m not sure how long we linger in this moment together.
Watching.
Longing.
Fighting the unyielding pull to each other.
It’s not until she speaks that we drift from it. “Did you bring me something?”
I blink. When I realise her gaze is focused on the bag I placed on her table, I nod. “Yeah. I found it online a little while ago and knew you’d like it.” I’ve had it sitting at my house for a month, before anything ever happened between us. I’ve spent that month trying to figure out whether to give it to her or not.
Her eyes glitter with excitement as I pass it to her. “Luke, I freaking love presents! Thank you.” Her joy hits me in the gut. It’s been too long since I’ve seen this kind of happiness. Hell, it’s been too long since I’ve had a woman thank me for anything.
She rips into the present, and the glittering excitement in her eyes quickly turns to a bulge. “Oh, my God… Oh-my-freaking-God!” Her face angles up, and she stares at me in shock. “How did you know?”
“I pay attention.”
“Ron Pope is one of my favourite singers.” She holds the signed vinyl album up. “This is amazing. I didn’t even know he sold them signed.”
I shrug. “It’s amazing what people do when asked.”
Her eyes bulge a little more. “You contacted him and asked him to do this?”
“Yes. He’s a great guy.”
Her breathing picks up, and she appears to be at a loss for words, which is out of character. “This is the best gift I’ve ever received. Which means you are in danger of having my lips on yours again. And that means I am in danger of the consequences. And that means we are both screwed. So, you need to go into the lounge room right now and give me a minute to get a handle on this.”
Fuck. This could go south very quickly. Not that it would be south for me, but Callie’s made her position on this relationship clear, and I’m fighting to honour that decision. “You want me to put the album on?” She’s one of the only people I know who still has a record player. Vinyl is a love we both share.
She holds the album close to her chest. “No, I’m not letting this go until I absolutely have to.”
I chuckle because she actually looks panicked at the thought of giving it up. I’m about to leave the kitchen when a sudden wave of fuck-it washes over me. A moment later, she’s in my arms, and our mouths are inches apart. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” I demand, my breaths quickening.
“Luke, what are you doing?” She presses her hands to my chest as if she’s trying to push me away, but there’s no force behind her movement.
I ignore the shake in her voice. Instead, I focus only on my need. I’m a complete bastard in this moment, but fuck, I want Callie so damn much, and with each passing minute tonight, I’m less sure I can do as she’s asked.
Resting my forehead against hers, I say, “I’m trying here, Callie.”
We cling to each other for a few more minutes until eventually I let her go and stalk into the lounge room. Pushing out some harsh breaths, I attempt to get myself under control.
The divorce will be filed soon.
Not fucking soon enough.
“Luke…” Callie’s hesitant voice fills the room.
I turn to find her staring at me with the same turmoil I’m feeling. Raking my fingers through my hair, I say, “This is going to be tougher than I thought. Keeping my hands off you is something I’m going to have to work harder at.”
“I’m sorry.”
I frown. “Why are you sorry? This is all on me.”
“No, it’s not. You’re not with your wife anymore, and you’re getting a divorce, so really we could be together. That’s what society does these days. I get that. But, I’ve got these old-fashioned beliefs about love and marriage, and I hold them sacred. I mean, what if you decided you really did love Jolene and could forgive her anything? I wouldn’t want to stand between a husband and his wife.”
“While I appreciate what you’re saying, and really fucking respect you for those beliefs, I want you to know it’s crazy talk to even suggest I would forgive Jolene for what she did.” I move closer and cup her cheek. “And I need you to know I’m invested in this, Callie. I don’t love Jolene anymore. You’re the woman I want in my life.”
She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and bites it for a moment. “Okay,” she says softly. The hesitation in her voice kills me. This was why I wanted to have my messy life tidied up before I pursued a relationship with her.
My mouth curls into a smile. “Right, so where’s this roast you promised me?”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, God, the roast!” She makes a mad dash into the kitchen, and I hear a lot of cursing and banging around as she deals with the roast.
By the time I make it into the kitchen, she’s pulled the roasting pan from the oven and has it sitting on top of the stove. Her back is to me, and she’s staring down at the dish, her shoulders slumped in what looks like defeat.