That thought pulls me up quickly. I straighten up a bit, trying to put some distance between our bodies. I can’t be melting into him, thinking about peeling his clothes off. I’m here, and I have a job to do.
Tonight, nothing’s going to stop me from getting a story.
But even as I’m paying attention, frankly it’s hard to hear over the din in the room. Before I can compose a coherent thought, Bryce Conners is moving on. Callaghan’s body seems to collapse into mine as the tension relaxes.
“Where did you think you were going? I needed you.” Cal smiles at me. He grabs another flute of champagne and hands it to me. He takes one for himself and holds it up in a toast.
I clink my glass against his. “Eh, I didn’t want to accidentally say something to mess this up for you. Let’s face it, I don’t belong here.” I gesture with the flute to the room.
“Why would you think you’d say something to mess it up? You’re very good on your feet. Don’t forget, I’ve seen your videos.” He leans in, saying this into my ear. His hot breath sends shivers down my spine. “And you’ve always been my good luck charm.”
I close my eyes at his words. He did always call me his good luck charm. Usually, it referred to him landing a chick, but considering he got called up the day after he slept with me, it may be more accurate than not. “For some reason, I can’t seem to think clearly around you.” My voice comes out in a breathy exhale.
He pulls back enough so I can look into his deep dark eyes. “The feeling’s mutual.”
A dozen years have passed, but I feel exactly as I did that night.The night.
This is not good.
I take a step back, downing the rest of my champagne in a large gulp. “I, uh, should probably get going.” I’m stepping backward, nodding like a bobblehead doll.
I wonder if Cal will get his own bobblehead one of these days. I’d most certainly have to get one.
Before I lose the strength to tear myself away from him, I turn on my heel—thank God I’m wearing wedges—and hightail it to the door. With a pace I don’t think this body-con dress was meant to handle, I rush toward the escalator, heading down the four flights until I reach the coat check on the first floor.
My pace is abruptly halted when I realize I’ve got nowhere to go. I have no hotel room.
Shit.
I trade my ticket for my coat and suitcase and pull out my phone—which is nearly dead now—and start a new search for a place to stay that won’t require me to sell my only remaining kidney to afford it.
But at least I got away from Callaghan before I did something stupid. I know if I spent one more minute with him—if he touched me one more time—it would be over for me. Maybe it’s because I’ve had several glasses of champagne. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had sex in a while. Or maybe it’s because that man makes me weak in the knees and hot in my nether regions. All I know is that if I don’t get away now, I’ll be the one begging him.
“Hannah—wait!”
Chapter 21: Callaghan
