Page 18 of The Claiming Series: Collection 1

Lily

Callum’s lips graze mine again, soft, teasing, a mere whisper of contact.

Still cupping my face in his hands, he tilts my head so he can fit his mouth to mine and deepen the kiss.

He groans, and my lips part in a sigh, allowing his tongue to steal inside.

I meet it shyly with my own, absorbing his unique taste into the deepest part of my brain and locking it away like a precious possession.

The air around us is charged with emotion, and I shiver, pressing myself closer to his side so my breasts flatten against his arm.

Breaking the kiss, I pull back to look at him, and we both pause, our breath mingling as we’re caught at either end of an arc of electricity.

Raw desire glitters in Callum’s eyes, and I wonder if mine reflect the same need.

I release a small moan, threading my fingers through his hair and tugging his head toward me. “Kiss me hard, Callum. Please!”

He doesn’t need any further encouragement, and his mouth slashes down on mine with an intensity that robs me of breath. His lips light up a part of my soul I didn’t even know was floundering in the dark.

A groan rumbles up Callum’s throat as his tongue tangles with mine, exploring my mouth and enticing me with its sensual dance.

He sweeps his hands up my sides to cup my breasts, his thumbs raking across my nipples through the silky material of my blouse.

I gasp and arch into his hands as they slide across the taut peaks, and our kiss catches fire, becoming urgent and demanding.

Callum shifts me in his lap as I move restlessly against him, positioning me so that his swollen cock is nestled between my legs.

I tighten my thighs around him, feeling my panties dampen as I instinctively rock against his hard length.

The friction is perfect, electrifying some secret spot and releasing a sharp spike of lust from deep inside me.

My body takes over, wriggling against him, trying to get some relief from the ache that’s building in my core.

“Take what you need, baby,” Callum mutters, biting at my mouth. “Use me to get yourself off.”

“Callum,” I whimper, aroused beyond belief. Nothing else seems to matter—not that someone could knock on the door at any second or that Callum is my boss. The demands of my body obliterate every other thought as I try to satisfy the fire that burns hot and bright between my legs.

Callum’s mouth claims mine with the force of a tsunami, licking inside with a needy groan.

Tugging my blouse from my pants, he slides a hand underneath and yanks at my bra cup so my breast pops free.

He rolls my nipple between his thumb and index finger before dipping his head to suckle me hard, his tongue stroking roughly across the sensitive peak.

“Callum!” Something snaps inside me, and I cry out in surprise, shuddering against him as pleasure unlike anything I’ve ever experienced roars through me.

My head drops onto his shoulder, and I bite him to stem my moans as bliss wracks my body.

Seconds later, I slump against him and bury my face in his throat, trying to catch my breath.

“Oh, God, that didn’t just happen,” I moan in anguish, lifting my hands to cover my burning face.

Callum pries them away, placing his fingers beneath my chin and tilting my head to his.

I keep my eyes closed, unable to face the censure I’m sure I’ll see in his gaze.

I’ve just confessed that my ex-boss tried to force himself on me, and minutes later, I’ve wriggled my way to orgasm on Callum’s lap. I’m a hypocrite of the highest order.

“Look at me, Lily,” Callum instructs, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

I open my eyes slowly, feeling shame and embarrassment wash over me. “I can’t believe that happened. I don’t—I’ve never—" I choke, my cheeks on fire.

“No embarrassment, Angel,” he growls, his silver eyes like pools of mercury as they bore into mine.

“God, what must you think of me?” I choke, my emotions raw.

“You want to know what I think of you, Lily?” Callum doesn’t wait for my reply.

“I think you’re so fucking beautiful, it hurts.

I think you’re kind, thoughtful, and brave .

I think you have a mind for business and a body for sin.

And watching you come apart in my arms like that?

One of the hottest fucking things I’ve ever seen.

You are something else, you know that?” He smooths my hair back from my flushed cheeks, holding my gaze so I can see the truth of his words.

I’m stunned speechless. A multitude of emotions hit me all at once. Warmth spreads through me like tendrils of sunshine radiating outwards until they encompass my whole body. I suddenly realize what it is I’m feeling. Happiness. I’d almost forgotten, but this man has re-lit the spark.

Then reality comes crashing down around me, blotting out the sunshine and leaving me in the shade once more. “We can’t do this, Callum. You’re my boss,” I murmur, biting my lip worriedly.

“I own this fucking company, Angel,” he reminds me. “I can do whatever the hell I want.”

“You can. But it doesn’t mean you should,” I say softly.

“I think you’re amazing, Callum. You’re strong, driven, and generous.

Your parents would be so proud of you because you’ve stayed true to that strong moral code they instilled in you.

You work harder than anyone I’ve ever known, but you don’t only do it for yourself.

You do it because you have a team of people out there you’re responsible for.

People who look up to you because you lead by example,” I say, pointing a finger beyond the office.

“And I won’t be the reason they look at you differently when they find out you’re having a seedy affair with your assistant. ”

Callum rears back as if I’ve slapped him.

“Is that what you think? That I want you for some quick, dirty affair? Because you couldn’t be further from the truth, Angel,” he growls, his eyes narrowing as his arms tighten around me instinctively.

“You’re mine, Lily. Have been since the day we met.

You’re all I’ve thought about for the last month, having you in my life, in my bed, underneath me, riding me, any goddamn way you want.

And not for one night. For every night between now and when they put me in the ground. ”

“Callum,” I choke, tears pricking my eyes. He’s done it again. Stolen my breath. Possibly my heart.

He cups my face in his hands. “I know this is all happening fast, but I can wait until you’re ready. You want to take things slow? We’ll go slow. But you will fall in love with me. It’s inevitable,” he says, all bristling male confidence with a dash of arrogance.

Part of me wants to tell him I’m already halfway there. But I need a little time to process.

“Cocky, much?” I half-laugh, half-cry, wiping my eyes.

“My cock has been a bit much since you walked through that door,” he smirks, tipping his head toward it.

I blow out a shaky breath. “I’m scared. What happened with Miller knocked the stuffing out of me and made me doubt everyone.”

“Then, I guess I’m going to have to work at restoring your faith,” he says resolutely.

I frown as a thought occurs to me. “You do realize Miller is self-absorbed enough to arrange this meeting with you to get back at me? He’s not the kind of man to forgive people who’ve crossed him.”

Callum falls silent for a moment, lost in thought.

“One of my best friends owns a construction company in Houston. I’ll call him and see if he’s crossed paths with Miller.

He may be able to dig up some information.

” He lifts his eyes back to mine. “In the meantime, I’ll cancel the meeting with Miller Cooper. ”

I open my mouth to speak, then pause. Is that what I want? To be running from the past for the rest of my life? “How about we give him what he wants?”

Callum frowns. “You mean, call his bluff?”

I nod. “This is my chance to show him he has no power over me, that Lily Olsen is doing great, better than great, despite what he tried to do to me.”

“You don’t have to do that, Lily,” Callum says, shaking his head. “I don’t give a shit about the deal. I wouldn’t do business with that asshole now if the future of my company depended on it. ”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to. I want to put the whole situation to rest. I want to do it for me,” I say firmly.

Callum falls quiet, pondering my words. Finally, he nods. “Okay, but I’ll be with you every second, Lily. I won’t let that fucker so much as breathe on you.”

I love Callum’s protectiveness. But what I love more is that he isn’t trying to fight my battles for me—he’s standing firmly by my side, lending me his strength while I do.

A smile stretches my mouth wide. “Let’s do it.”