Page 40 of The Twisted Beats

I laugh inside. I can’t wait to watch this play out.

“Hi, Mrs. Hemings.” Callum strolls into the kitchen, seeing my mom first. His gaze comes to me and his eyes almost pop out of his head. “What the…? Holy fucking hell.”

“Excuse me?” My mom gawks at Callum as she places the cookie dough she’s rolling in her palms down.

His face flashes red and he shifts his stunned expression to my mom. “I apologize for cursing. I…just. Shit. No, no. That’s not what I meant to say. I’m sorry.”

Gotcha!

I turn away, holding in a smile. My heart soars. This is going to work.

“It’s fine, Cash. I accept your apology.” My mom steps to the sink and washes her hands. She gives me a side-eye warning glance as she does.

I suspect she knows what I’m up to. I raise my eyebrows and subtly shake my head,feigning innocence.

My mom dries her hands and turns back to him. “Here. Take off your jacket and I’ll go hang it up.”

I turn as Callum works his arms out of his leather jacket. His eyes are glued to me. They crawl over me from head to toe. I would say I hit the mark.

“Hi, Callum.” I gesture to his black button-down, rocker-style denim shirt. “Roll up your sleeves. We’re making cookies today. My mom was just helping me until you got here.”

“Cool.” He nods. “Sounds exciting.”

I know the kind of fun you like. It won’t be like that…yet. But it’ll get you thinking in the right direction.

My mom takes his jacket. “Behave, you two. I’m going to be in the library and can still hear you.”

“Mom, we know.” I wave her off. “How much trouble can we get into baking?”

She leaves the room, shaking her head. He stands by the end of the center island, speechless and staring.

“Is something wrong?” I place my hand on the counter and pop my hip out.

“No. I’m just trying to keep my heart in my chest.”

“Why?” I bat my eyes. “Are you having issues with your health?”

“Not yet, but if you pull something like this again, I just might.”

“I have no idea what you mean.” I gently bite down on the corner of my mouth in a seductive way.

He smirks. “Likely story.”

“Seriously. What are you talking about?”

He advances and gets in front of me. “You’re trying to kill me and you know it.”

“How so?”

“This whole thing.” He motions up and down my body. “You can’t deny what you’re doing to me.”

I step closer to him, take my thumb to the corner of hislip, and pretend to wipe something away. “You’re drooling, Callum.”

“And whose fault is that?” His eyes penetrate mine.

He leans down as if he’s going to kiss me and my breathing kicks up.

Yes!