“What do you want?”
“Is that how you greet your old man?” he drawls.
“Yes. What do you want—money?” I guess, knowing that there likely is no other reason why he would have approached me.
He saw the article, somehow. Maybe someone he knows, someone in the building, brought it to his attention. He’s guessing I have some cash, or at least, access to it through a man, and he wants a cut.
“Now you mention it…” He scratches his chin. “Had a bad hand at poker. You understand. I wondered if you’d mind helping out your old man.”
“Iwouldmind,” I snap, knowing it’s the only way forward.
If I give in and hand him anything at all, he’ll never leave me alone.
“I’m at school on a scholarship and live in the dorm, Dad. I don’t have spare cash to bankroll your habits.”
A lie, but one so believable he doesn’t question it.
“What about that man of yours?”
“No one asks for cash from their boyfriend for their drunk of a father. Get lost, Dad. You’re getting nothing from me.”
“Hey now, wait a?—”
“Is this man bothering you, love?”
I blink, startled. But indeed, Callum just appeared at the corner of the street. He walks towards us smoothly, bringing his arm around my shoulders.
“Yes,” I say, recovering quickly. “Yes, he is.”
Dad puffs his chest. “I’m her father!”
“Oh, yes. Heard all about you.” Callum looks at him from top to bottom, with the haughty arrogance of a prince staring at a particularly repulsive slug. “And given that you just raised your voice in front of my girlfriend, let me make it crystal clear that I’ll have you arrested if you ever get within fifty feet of her again.”
Without another word, he starts to walk toward the bar, taking me with him.
My entire body is tense, but I manage a, “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” He puts his lips on my forehead, squeezing my arm.
“How were you here so fast?”
“I missed you,” Callum says simply. “I figured I’d go to the bar, too. Less, Caden and Seb are joining us. Don’t worry. We’ll leave you girls to your chatting. I just want to be close to you.”
Finally, my body starts to loosen in his arms.
I must have been a pretty awesome person in my previous life to deserve a man like him.
CHAPTER 21
liv
I wake panting, whimpering, my insides already fighting a battle I wasn’t present for.
In all honesty, I didn’t drink all that much last night—it’s the middle of the week, for one, and I’m not much of an alcohol fan, when I’m not trying to forget shit like the guy I’ve been fucking hanging out with his girlfriend and her parents. But with Callum’s message in mind, I took an herbal sleeping aid.
Callum’s not the only freaky person here. I liked waking up with him deep inside me. I might not have been very fond of him at the time, but that part was a trip.
This time, my hands are free, and I’m face down on my mattress. After a week of his expensive box spring, I can see what he meant about my lumpy bed. But observations about the springs digging into my skin don’t take up my mind for long. Not really understanding what he’s done to my body means that I’m sensitive in various areas without truly expecting it. My nipples, my clit, my pussy and ass all are aching with need.