Her gaze creeps up my chest until our eyes lock. “Taking a chance is harder for some people than others.”
We’ve wandered away from discussing the edge of the roof. She’s dipping a toe into something far more personal than that, so I tread lightly. “Is it harder for you, Calliope?”
Her chin bobs up and down.
“Because of your ex-fiancé?”
I half expect her to bolt toward the door, but she stands her ground. “Yes.”
“You’re scared to take a chance with me,” I state.
It’s not a question. I see the trepidation in her expression. I feel it in the slight tremor in her hand.
“I was engaged to a man like you.” Her hand shakes. “He wasn’t exactly like you, but he was wealthy.”
“One billionaire is not the same as another.”
That brings a smile to her full lips. “He’s a millionaire.”
I swear I feel my chest puff out at that proclamation. I’ve never compared myself to other men, but I want to be a better man in every sense than the asshole she almost married.
“I don’t know what the fuck he did to mess things up with you, but I’m telling you right now that I’m an honest bastard. I won’t string you along or play any games with you.” I reach to cup her cheeks in my hands. “We’ve established that we’re both looking for fun, so let’s have some. No expectations. No bullshit. Just two adults doing what they do best.”
“Doing what they do best?” she echoes, trying to push back a smile.
“I’m great in bed,” I admit. “Something tells me we have that in common.”
Her gaze trails me from head to toe and then back up again. “Something tells me that you’re better than great.”
I lean down to press a kiss to her mouth. “When you’re ready to find out, say the word. I’m yours for the taking, Calliope.”
“When I’m ready, I’ll say the word,” she whispers.
I take her mouth again, but this time I’m greedy. The kiss is slow, intense, and driven by my desperate need to prove how much I want her.
“Okay,” she says the moment our lips part. “I’m saying the word. Or I will on Friday. Maybe we can hang out after work. Do you want to have dinner together again?”
I want to dine on her body now, but I can wait if this is what she needs.
Brushing a strand of her hair from her forehead, I stare into the depths of her beautiful blue eyes. “I want that very much.”
Her face lights up. “I’ll choose the place. It’ll be my treat.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You choose, and it’s my treat.”
She scratches the side of her neck. “I want to treat you.”
I can tell it’s important to her, so I nod. “You’ll treat me.”
“I will.” She gazes past me to the city beyond. “Will you walk me home now, Saint?”
A smile coasts over my lips. “That would be my pleasure.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Callie
“Great news, Callie!”