Page 15 of Edge of Heaven (Crimson Edge #2)

Taryn

The moment I get to the hotel, I’m swept into a party the band’s management decided to throw in a private suite.

They want to celebrate the new album going gold, which is a big deal because this album hasn’t sold as well as the last few, so they’ve been stressed about it.

The fact that it took four months to hit gold is a little disappointing, but you wouldn’t know that by the way they’re behaving tonight.

Champagne is flowing, there are journalists and several record company reps in attendance, as well as their manager and a bunch of people I’ve never seen before.

Callum is in his element, working the room and being loud and boisterous.

Within the music industry, people like that about him—and seem to like him—so he appears to be in a good mood.

He has his arm around me now, keeping me tight against his side as if he genuinely missed me. I know it’s an act, but at least he’s not trying to embarrass me. Or even hinting about going upstairs for a quickie or something.

“Taryn, I hear you’re working with Rock Vibe,” one of the record label reps says to me. “We’ve been trying to get them to respond to us for a while. You have an in for us?”

I can’t say no, but I’ll have to give Hettie a head’s-up and explain that they put me on the spot. I’m sure she can take care of herself, but I don’t want to do anything that might piss Callum off since he’s been in such a good mood tonight.

“Sure,” I respond easily. “I’ll get you Hettie’s contact info. She’s crazy busy right now getting the summer collection ready, but I’m sure she’ll reach out.”

Or not.

“Great, great.” He nods happily. “We’d love to use some of their clothes in the next video—there’s a lot of buzz about them right now.”

“They’re great to work with,” I say diplomatically.

“Do you get to keep the stuff you model?” someone else asks.

I shake my head. “Not really. Just the thong panties. Obviously, they wouldn’t want anyone else to wear them after me. Everything else goes back in the wardrobe closet.”

“Bummer. But that’s good for you, right, Cal?” He makes a big show of winking at Callum and then the two of them laugh like it’s the funniest thing ever.

What did I ever see in this guy?

I just want to go to bed and escape everything. Except I don’t sleep for shit when I’m with Callum.

Oh, well, there’s no help for that now.

Four more months and it’ll be over.

I cling to that thought, keeping a mental countdown that helps me get through each day.

They talk around me for a while, and I realize I’m starting to get sleepy. It’s late, I’ve had a long day, and I know I won’t get a lot of sleep because I’m not holding out hope that Callum won’t want sex.

“Ready to go?” he asks me when I inadvertently yawn. It’s nearly three in the morning and I’ve been on the go all day. Even though I slept well last night. It’s probably the last good night’s sleep I’ll get until the next time I’m in L.A. Which isn’t for another three weeks.

“I’m tired,” I admit.

“Well, we’re not going to sleep just yet,” he murmurs against my ear. His voice is low and husky, something that turned me on when we first met. Now it’s just a stark reminder that he isn’t Mick.

Mick .

He squeezed my hand before we separated at the airport, promising we’ll find a way to spend a little time together, even if it’s only when Callum is on stage.

It’s not a lot of time, but it’s better than nothing.

I was tired and tipsy, but I smile every time I think about falling asleep in his arms. How safe and relaxed I was. No pressure to do anything. Not even talk. It’s a distinct difference from how it is with Callum.

It takes almost another hour to leave the party because Callum has to stop and talk to almost everyone. The way he can make people feel like they’re the most important person in the world to him is one of the things that makes him so charismatic. Too bad not one iota of it is genuine.

“You lied to me, baby doll.” Callum says as he closes the door of our hotel room behind us and leans against it, arms folded over his chest.

“What?” I’d been so lost in thought, my head snaps up in confusion.

“You didn’t tell me Mick was doing that photo shoot with you.”

“Because I didn’t know until I arrived,” I say, which is the truth.

“Uh huh. But we texted the whole time you were gone and you never once mentioned it.”

“Yeah, I was feeling really good about those pictures you sent me of other women sucking your dick!” I snap.

His expression doesn’t change. “I told you what would happen if you went away twice in one month. One hundred percent honesty on my end. I wasn’t trying to hide anything. You, on the other hand, kept it a secret.”

“I didn’t lie about anything!” I protest, an uneasy feeling settling in my gut.

“Lies of omission are still lies.” His dark eyes gleam, and I know whatever comes next isn’t going to be good. Not for me anyway. “And liars have to be punished.”

Fuck.

I glare at him. “I’m not a child. You don’t get to punish me for some perceived slight.”

“It’s not perceived. It’s fact. Mick was there, and you neglected to tell me.”

“What difference does it make?” I demand. “We did another shoot for them four years ago. It’s not like we’re friends.”

“But you used to be more,” he says.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

How the hell does he know about Mick and me?

“I see the way he looks at you.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m a model, Callum. Half the guys I run into look at me like that, including the guys in your band.”

“Mick is different. He looks at you like a guy who’s fucked you—the same way I look at you.”

I highly doubt that.

Callum looks at me like his property.

Mick actually cares about me.

It’s probably not prudent to point that out.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you he was at the shoot, but I didn’t know until I got there. And then you sent me those pictures, which hurt my feelings.”

“I told you what would happen if you keep leaving me. I have needs and if my woman can’t satisfy them, I’ll get it where I can. I kept my end of the bargain by not fucking her since I don’t want any unexpected babies and you don’t want diseases.”

“Can we just go to sleep?” I ask quietly. “It’s four in the morning, and I’m exhausted.”

“I think it would be better for you to get your punishment over with tonight. Then I’ll let you sleep in the morning.”

My chest tightens with worry.

I have a feeling I know what’s coming.

“Callum, please…” I hate myself for begging.

“Come on, baby doll… you know deep down you like it.”

“I like when it’s sexy, not when you’re punishing me like some sort of errant child!” Tears sting my eyelids, but I blink them away. I refuse to let him see me cry because he gets off on it.

He slowly moves across the room and kicks off his boots. Then he sits on the edge of the bed and pats his lap.

“Dammit, Callum.”

He meets my gaze. “You have the option to say no. You can leave right now and go home to California. But come the fifteenth, you’re going to need to figure out how to make that payment.”

Asshole.

I hate him so much.

“You swore you wouldn’t throw that in my face,” I growl.

“Okay, then look at it this way: You’re my woman and I expect you to take care of me the way I take care of you and your kid.

” His voice is low and controlled, like he’s talking to his agent or a friend.

“Right now, what I need is to give you a spanking. And then I’m going to fuck you long and hard, and you’ll forget all about how much your ass hurts.

Don’t make me ask again, Taryn.” He pauses.

“Now take off your clothes and come lay over my lap.”