Forever Together Read online

  Andrea frowned and leaned against the wall. “What’s up? Did you burn your pasta again?”

  Erin chuckled and stuck a pasta spoon into the pot in front of her. “No, I’ve learned how to cook since I’ve graduated. Although, I will admit that I miss Porter’s cooking, even if I don’t miss him.”

  Andrea grinned and moved further into the kitchen. She pulled out one of the kitchen drawers and grabbed a corkscrew. As she drove the tip of the screw into the wine bottle, she said, “I think that you just miss having a man cook for you.”

  Erin scoffed, but Andrea went on. “Seriously. Have you even tried to go on a date since you’ve moved here? I’m sure that you’ve been asked on at least one date by now, tall brunettes don’t stay single for long in Boston.”

  Erin spooned some pasta into a couple of red bowls that sat by the stove. “No, I haven’t been looking for anyone. I don’t want another loser taking up space on my couch. Although, Callum kind of asked me out to lunch earlier today.”

  Andrea’s eyes widened as she pulled a couple of wine glasses out of the cupboards. “What? Callum?”

  Erin nodded and asked, “Is that unusual for him? He kind of seems as the guy that’s used to getting what he wants,” Erin wrinkled her nose, “I could see him bedding every new hire that walks through the doors at Johnson Realties.”

  Andrea chuckled, “It’s extremely unusual. He’s more of a stay-to-himself type - the rest of us have a joke that Callum probably even birthed himself, he’s so self-reliant. He doesn’t take an interest in anyone.”

  Erin rolled her eyes and said, “I suppose that makes me special. Maybe he’s interested in me because I didn’t take any of his crap at the listing meeting today.”

  Andrea gasped and wondered, “You had a back and forth at the meeting?”

  Erin spooned marinara sauce on the pasta. “He challenged me, I couldn’t let a guy like that think that I was clueless.”

  Erin passed Andrea one of the pasta bowls and Andrea handed her a glass of wine. They moved into the living room, a small area that had been decorated with used furniture from the Mom and Pops furniture store around the corner.

  Andrea settled onto the grey sofa beside Erin and stabbed her fork into her food. “Hmm… you definitely improved your cooking skills since school! Anyway, you’ve got to start stopping by my office to tell me things like that.It’ll be so much more fun to listen to than Roger’s rambling.”

  Erin giggled and they ate in silence for a while before Andrea said, “You know, I know a guy that you might really like.”

  “I’m not dating some weirdo that you met in line at the drugstore, Andrea. Not again,” Erin mumbled and Andrea set her pasta onto the edge of the glass dining table in front of them.

  “Seriously. He’s an accountant for another real estate agency across town. He’s handsome, newly single, not at all weird. I can set you up on a date with him for tomorrow night.”

  Erin sighed and stuffed a spoonful of pasta into her mouth. “If I go on the date, will you promise to not bring this up for at least a month?”

  “Done. I’ll call him up in a second.”

  ***

  Erin sighed and slouched over the small tabletop in front of her. When she arrived at The Isle, a newer restaurant in North Boston, she’d been immediately shown to a table that was in a cramped corner of the building. The hostess assured her that she’d be moved to a bigger table when her date arrived. Erin scanned the tables in front of her: couples cozied up next to each other and picked at the loose strawberries from their desert.

  If I see one more couple finish up their meal and then hurry out of here to jump into bed, I’m going to start screaming. Erin narrowed her eyes and yanked her cell phone out of her purse, she dragged her thumb across the screen and checked for missed calls.

  Seriously? I’m going to rip Andrea a new one the next time I see her, why would she set me up with an accountant that couldn’t keep track of time?

  The waiter approached the table and fumbled with his guest pad as he pulled it out of his apron.

  “Are you ready to order yet?”

  Erin sighed and said, “You know, I don’t think my date is coming, so I’m just going to head out in a second. Can I just have another glass of water?”

  The waiter nodded, “I’ll be right back with that.”

  Erin sat back in her chair and peered around the restaurant. It’s a shame, this would have been a nice place to be wined and dined. I don’t think that anyone is here alone. Her eyes moved around the room, and each table had two to four people at it.

  There was only one table that sat in a section not too far from hers that held one person. Erin’s eyes widened and she slapped her hand over her mouth.

  Callum. What the hell is he doing here?

  As if he could read her mind, he raised his eyes from the small bundle of papers in his hands and saw her. He grinned and pointed at her, then waved towards her.

  Erin frowned and shook her head. She mouthed, “I’m leaving.”

  Callum shook his head, and pushed his chair back. Erin pressed her head into her hands as he moved towards her. She nodded her thanks at the waiter that brought her drink.

  Erin took a sip of water and said, “I’m heading out, you didn’t need to interrupt your evening because of me.”

  Callum sat in the seat across from her and said, “You’re not interrupting anything, I was just going over a brand new contract that I received earlier. That couple with the three-storey ranch is going to list their home after all.”

  “That’s wonderful,” she said. “Sorry, but I’m going to get going now.” Erin swung her legs out and pulled her purse into her arms.

  Callum pointed at her things and asked, “Were you waiting for someone? I can’t imagine that someone would keep a woman like you waiting.”

  Erin rolled her eyes and admitted, “Well, they did. You can imagine why I don’t want to sit across a colleague from work and talk about it.”

  Callum shrugged. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I just happened to be working on some things at the other end of the restaurant. Why don’t you come and have dinner with me at my table?”

  Erin scoffed and protested, “I’m not going to intrude on your meal, I’m just going to get going.”

  Callum set his hand on top of Erin’s and said, “You’re intruding. I’m inviting.” The glow from the pendant lights that hung above them bounced off of Callum’s eyes and Erin felt that warm feeling from the other day spread throughout her chest.

  Erin sighed and put her purse back on the table. “Maybe I could use a drink after all,” she mumbled.

  “Great, I’ve ordered a bottle of their best white wine and it’s sitting at my table.” Callum stood up and extended his hand towards Erin, “Come on.”

  “I don’t need you to hold my hand,” she said, but slipped her fingers in between Callum’s and allowed him to lead her back to his table.

  He sat into the seat across from her and asked the waiter for another wine glass. Callum poured each of them a glass of wine and said, “Let’s toast to all of the great work that you’ll do at Johnson Realties.”

  Erin nodded and clinked glasses with him, her eyes never left his. She set her glass down beside her and asked, “So, what’s the deal with you?”

  Callum scooped a few loose papers into his suitcase. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, why do you feel like you have to let everyone know that you’re in charge? You would have made a much better first impression if you had just walked by me that day.”

  Callum shrugged. “I’ve always been the type of guy that leaves an impression on people. Maybe you just haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

  Erin raised her eyebrows and watched the waiter as he sat a plate of calamari in between them. Erin plucked a piece of the seafood off of the plate, and set her head on top of her hands. She didn’t miss the way Callum’s eyes fell on the
small bit of cleavage that was revealed by her tight, blood red cocktail dress.

  Callum popped a piece of calamari into his mouth and set his elbows onto the table. “No one would blame you.” There was a fiendish glint in his eyes, and Erin knew that she’d wandered into the territory that she feared falling into.

  Erin took a long sip of wine and said, “I might.”

  The next two hours flew by, and after three more glasses of wine, Erin found herself feeling grateful that she’d be able to ride out her mild hangover over the weekend. She slipped her phone out of her purse and the time was reflected in big, bold, blocky letters:

  11:47 PM.

  Erin chuckled and pushed the empty dessert plate to the side. “I think that I’ll get going now. I’ve interrupted your evening long enough.” She swung her legs out and rose to her feet. Erin pressed her hands to her forehead, hoping to soothe the rush of alcohol that flooded her senses.

  Callum grinned and opened his wallet. He tossed a few bills onto the table and offered, “Let me give you a ride home.”

  Erin held up her hand. “I couldn’t. You’d have a hell of a story to tell on Monday.”

  “It’s not like you’re drunk.”

  Erin chuckled and said, “No, but I’m a little tipsy and I honestly want to get home and get into my sweatpants. Oh, and I need to call Andrea and lay into her for setting me up with a no-show.”

  “Let me walk you to your car at least.”

  Erin held her purse close to her as she moved towards the front of the restaurant with Callum. They stepped out into the frigid air and Erin enjoyed the feel of the breeze as it slid past her ears and tickled her bare legs. The wind carried Callum’s cologne into her nostrils.The musky, woodsy scent made her wonder what it would be like to roll over and bury her face into sheets that smelled like that.

  Erin smiled as they approached her car, a modest olive green sedan, and she leaned against the front door. “Thanks for walking me to my car. You never know what kind of crazies are out there.”

  Callum nodded and said, “Thanks for having dinner with me. I hope that I was able to rescue your evening after that guy stood you up.”

  Erin grinned and said, “You did. Thank you. I’ve never had this much fun after being stood up.” She pulled her car keys out of her purse and turned around to unlock her car.

  Erin paused and looked over her shoulder, “Hey, Callum?”

  Callum’s husky voice came from behind her, “Yeah?”

  Erin exhaled and said, “I’ve got a brand new bottle of wine back at my apartment. Do you wanna come back and have a few glasses with me.”

  Callum walked around to the passenger side door and said, “I’d love to.”

  ***

  Erin kicked her heels off of her feet, and Callum slipped his arm underneath her legs.

  She yelped as Callum strolled into the center of the apartment and sked, “Where’s your bedroom?”

  She pressed her lips against his collarbone and groaned, “Down the hall, to the right.”

  Callum hurried down the hallway and pushed open the bedroom door. He tossed Erin onto the bed in the center of the room, and dropped to his knees in front of the bed.

  Erin’s eyes widened as Callum pressed his hands into Erin’s thighs and yanked her close to him. His hand slid up Erin’s pale thigh, and he pushed the fabric of her blood red dress up her leg. Callum lowered his head in between her legs and slid her purple, lace panties down her legs.

  Erin’s chest heaved as she watched Callum move his face towards her pussy and flick his tongue against her slit. Her head fell back on her shoulders. She asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Callum pulled his head from in between Erin’s legs and said, “Yes- are you?”

  Erin nodded and pressed her hand against his head, “Yes, keep going.”

  Callum teased her bud for a little longer before he moved onto the bed. He pulled Erin’s body all the way onto the bed, and positioned himself at her opening. Erin pawed at his belt and zipper, she sent the belt sailing towards the floor.

  Callum’s pants slid around his knees, and he shook them off. He placed his hands on either side of her and pushed himself inside. Erin arched her back as his shaft moved into her opening, she tightened around him and her shallow breath rose up to the ceiling. Erin undid the buttons on the front of his shirt. Her hands glided across his chest, her fingers slipped into the impressions created by rows of defined muscles.

  It’s just how I thought it would be.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself against the bed, waves of pleasure spread throughout her body and she buried her nails into his chest.

  Callum shrugged his shirt off and pumped into her faster. The bed frame rattled and Erin’s high pitched groans bounced off of the walls. Callum groaned and pressed his hand against Erin’s stomach.

  Erin’s walls tightened around him in her first orgasm. She gripped one of the rods that made up her headboard.

  Callum groaned and pulled himself out of her and he slipped his hands underneath Erin’s ass. He flipped her over onto her stomach and buried his nails into her cheeks. He thrust himself into her as far as he would go, then lowered his mouth to the small of her back and dragged his tongue along it.

  Erin grinned and said, “Oh, I’m a little ticklish.”

  Callum chuckled, “I want to taste you.”

  He rocked his hips hard, he pounded against her slowly and made small circles along the small of her back with his finger. He gasped as he nipped at the soft patch of skin, and he drilled his hips into her as he dragged his teeth along her skin.

  Erin’s fingers curled around the loose sheets on her bed, and she groaned, “You like it rough.”

  Callum didn’t respond as he pumped himself into her, he sank his teeth deeper into her skin, and lapped at the small line of blood that attempted to spill over her side.

  The pressure in Callum’s cock, and he pulled himself out of her while Erin shook with the last few vibrations of her orgasm. Callum’s cum spilled onto the sheets, and he fell onto the bed beside her.

  Callum’s soft snores floated into Erin’s ear and she held back a chuckle. Erin rolled over and curved her body into him. Sleep pulled at the edges of her mind, but the dull pain at the base of her spine prolonged her slumber.

  She listened to the rhythm of Callum’s breathing before she faded into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 4

  The sunlight burned through Erin’s shut eyelids and she frowned before rolling over onto her side. She groaned, her muscles ached and it felt like the room had been cranked up to one hundred degrees. Erin raised her head off of her pillow and her bewildered eyes fell on Collum’s mostly naked body.

  Erin held her hand over her mouth and scanned the room. I can’t believe that I was so impulsive! Memories of the night before flooded her mind, the way that Callum’s skin collided against hers replayed over and over again in her mind.

  Since when do you sleep with coworkers? Erin’s eyes followed the soft curve of Callum’s back, his toned muscles flexed and rolled as he shifted in her bed.

  When they look like this, I guess. Erin peered into his face; he hadn’t stirred since she started moving around. She hooked her finger underneath the bed sheet and lifted off of Callum’s lower half. Erin’s heart fluttered in her chest while her eyes made quick work of committing Callum’s toned ass and thighs to memory.

  Erin slid off of the bed and hurried into the bathroom across the hall. She slapped her hand against the wall and turned on the light and she leaned into the bathroom mirror. Her dress had been discarded the night before and her bare breasts and shoulders stared back at her in the mirror. A small smile spread across Erin’s lips and she scooped her hair into a ponytail. She turned to her left and twisted the knob on the shower, a powerful spray of hot water fell out of the hose, and Erin stepped inside. She tugged the paisley shower curtain closed and tilted her head up
towards the showerhead.

  Erin wiped water out of the corner of her eyes, and let the water wash away any proof of last night. Streaks of black makeup went sailing down the drain as Erin chuckled.

  Okay, Erin. Go into damage control mode here, you need to make sure that Callum keeps his mouth shut. This cannot happen again. Erin remembered the way that she judged the women that would hook up with their work counterparts back in New York. She’d always had an undeserved sense of pride over not having fallen for some of the handsome men in her office. She now knew that she’d harbored those feelings of superiority towards the other women to get her mind off of the lazy man that would be spread out across her couch once she got home.