Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
I focused my attention on the hood like I could get off the scratches that had been there well before I ever set eyes on it. It gave me something to focus on. And for a while it worked.
My thoughts returned to Callum, of course they did. He’d promised a relationship, structure, guidance. We’d discussed my schedule along with his expectations. But then he was absent when I needed him. Callum had texted me a few times, but it wasn’t enough.
Out of my peripheral vision, I saw him striding out of the barn. I schlepped the bucket, rags and sponges around the back end of my truck. Disappointment tempered with anger and feelings of unworthiness came roaring back. It wasn’t all about him, but it was easier to direct it there.
Scrubbing harder, I paid Callum no mind when he approached.
“Hey, spitfire.”
“What’s up, Versace?” The irritation I’d been holding on to seasoned my tone and it wasn’t pleasant. That I called him the nickname he hated should have given him a peek into my mood.
“Be very careful how you address me, sweetheart.”
“Uh-huh. What do you want?” I kept my eyes on the truck rather than on him.
“We’ve both been busy and haven’t had a chance to unwind. Let me cook chicken parmesan for you tonight. I grabbed garlic knots. I’ll roast some broccoli. Then maybe you’ll indulge in an after-dinner liquor on the porch, watching fireflies while all cuddled up with me?”
It sounded like a perfect evening. Better than anything else I could have imagined given our lack of communication. I continued washing the truck. Scrubbing away imaginary dirt instead of responding to his date-night plan.
“Ignoring me, sweetheart? Bold choice.”
Oh. I’d show him a bold choice.
As if I wasn’t rattled by the hint of a threat in his voice, I dipped the sponge in the bucket, holding it long enough to absorb a decent amount of water. Straightening, I gave him innocent eyes before smushing it directly against his chest. Callum glanced down at the white t-shirt underneath the flannel which was quickly becoming a wet t-shirt. He waited a beat, his gorgeous brown eyes darkening as he cocked an eyebrow.
“If you wanted to see me wet and soapy, babygirl, you could have asked.”
“Twenty-six hours. Not one word. Did you forget about everything we’ve discussed this week? It’s hard to have a relationship if you’re too busy to make me a priority.”
He grabbed me around the waist pressing me into the sponge that I hadn’t dropped yet, dousing my shirt too. “Watch your tone, little girl. I sent you voice texts. I certainly didn’t choose to be stuck under a mountain of paperwork. I’m sorry things came up that kept me away from you.”
If I wasn’t already thrown by the wetness seeping through my shirt and into my bra his calling me ‘little girl’ disarmed me completely. I was wholly out of my element, my resolve unraveling faster than a fraying rope in my hands. Pulling away from him, I chucked the sponge into the bucket. I had a moment to contemplate my next move, choosing to peel off my t-shirt, leaving me in just my jeans and boots.
Callum shook his head, taking in all of me. His gaze flicked down my body then slowly returned to my eyes. I popped my hands on my hips, preparing to battle.
He stepped to my feet, grabbing me around the waist again and hauling me over his shoulder like a sack of feed. Protesting, I beat my fists into his back, not hard enough to hurt but enough to show my displeasure. He’d taken the wind out of my sails, and I wasn’t ready to give in. I was upset not only with his choices but also with my own. It wasn’t entirely rational but I’d been in battle mode.
Callum spun on his heels, heading to the main house.
Curses flew from my mouth in his direction as Callum carried me as if I had no control of what I said. Nasty untrue things about everything from his appearance to his overall demeanor. His handling of me did not quiet my mouth. I wasn’t insulting his character exactly, but I wasn’t polite either.
“I apologize for not being more present, Quinn. However, what you just did was incredibly rude. You already know how I feel about that,” he said, shifting me so I was more secure over his shoulder.
“Apology not accepted!” I yelled into his flannel, my voice muffled.
He cracked his palm off my ass, several times in a fast succession.
“Still not accepted!”
We were about halfway up the stairs when he stilled.
“When I said we were going to start our day with a spanking, I meant it.” Callum rubbed the spots on my ass that he’d punished for a full thirty seconds. “Due to circumstances out of my control, I could not stick to that decision, something I sincerely regret. But you will not act out. Not against me.”