Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I wasn’t all over her. I didn’t mean to be cold and distant. I’ve been stressed.” He reached for me again.
“Lewis, I swear to God, if you touch me right now, I will deck you.”
Something like panic flickered in his eyes. “Callie, I swear I wasn’t flirting with her. I was asking about Glasgow and what it was like living there.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I was interested. I’ve lived in a tiny village my whole life.”
“She was flirting with you.”
“I wasn’t flirting back.”
Anger was still hot in my blood. “I’m going home.”
“Callie, don’t go home like this. Please.”
I cut him a dirty look. “I don’t know. I think I’ll give you the cold shoulder for a few weeks and then let Ollie drool all over me in front of you.” I referred to a guy in our year who’d asked me out three times, even though he knew I was dating Lewis. He drove Lewis nuts. “See how you like it.”
“If you let Ollie come anywhere near you, I’ll kill him,” Lewis said calmly, but I saw the fury flash in his eyes.
“Why would you care?”
He scoffed. “Really, Callie?”
“It doesn’t feel like you care very much lately, Lewis. Do you …” I looked away, frantically blinking back tears. “Do you not love me anymore?”
Suddenly, I was yanked against Lewis’s body, his mouth on mine, his kisses bruising and desperate. I didn’t kiss him back. I was too confused.
He pulled away, eyes bright. “Of course I love you. I love you so much.” He leaned his forehead against mine. “Shit, Callie, I’m sorry. I’m sorry if I made you feel like I didn’t. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
Hearing the sincerity in his voice, I nodded. “Okay.”
“Aye?”
I nodded again but stepped out of his hold. “I’m going home. We’ll talk later.”
“Don’t.” He tugged on my hand. “Please, let’s go back to the annex. Don’t go home like this.”
“No, I want to go home.” It had been an awful few weeks and he couldn’t erase it with an I love you.
Worry furrowed Lewis’s brow. “Then let me walk you home.”
That I could do. I nodded and turned to walk in the direction of the bungalow.
Lewis fell into step beside me and took my hand in his. I let him. But I didn’t speak.
When we reached the bungalow, he stopped and kissed me again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please don’t be mad at me. I can’t stand it.” He kissed me again, and it was needy, yearning. “I love you so much.”
A little of my hurt and anger dissipated. “I love you too.”
Lewis groaned and wrapped his arms around me so my cheek rested against his chest. “I’m going to make it up to you, all right? I’ll never make you feel that way again. I’m an arsehole. I don’t deserve you. I’m so sorry.”
I locked my arms around his waist and shoved the fear I’d been feeling down deep. Lewis was here, he loved me, he’d merely been stressed. We were okay. “I forgive you.”
His relief was obvious. “Please come back to the annex with me.”
A flicker of movement at the front window told me it was too late. “Dad just saw us. I better go in.”
“Come to mine tomorrow?” Lewis pleaded.
“Okay.”
He kissed me again, hard, deep, apparently uncaring if my dad was watching. “I love you,” he repeated.
“Love you too. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m going home.” He added, “Not going back to the party.”
Where Tyra was.
Relieved, I smiled and gave him a wee wave.
As I walked into the house, I shoved my hurt and doubts way down deep, so I wouldn’t have to deal with them. So they wouldn’t get in the way of what I had with Lewis. He was stressed. That was it. Nothing else.
We were fine.
We were going to be fine.
Seven
CALLIE
PRESENT DAY
Ididn’t expect it to hurt like this. To chafe. To feel uncomfortable and a bit raw.
But this was still bloody agony, and I hated him for it.
Lewis Adair.
The bane of my existence.
My legs shook as they carried me away from my ex.
The image of him walking through the club was burned on my brain.
He was different, but in a way that made sense.
He didn’t look like a professional architect striding through the room. Lewis looked like a biker. With his messy man bun, short beard, and tattoos.
Lewis had tattoos.
They were revealed in the short-sleeve tee that molded to his strong biceps. I knew from Eilidh that, like me, Lewis still regularly attended tae kwon do classes. But he also had to work out to be that in shape. He was as tall as his uncles, and his strong, athletic frame had filled out to something bulkier, more intimidating.
No wonder the redhead had literally thrown herself at him.
When he’d approached us, I thought I might not be able to speak. It felt like my heart had lodged itself in my throat. And the way he’d stared at me, dragging his gaze insolently up my body.