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He shook his head. “I don’t need you to spin this any way. I need you to leave this well enough alone.”
“I can do that, but it’s not going to do you any good.”
“Why?”
“Simple, you’ve got to put the past to bed. I bet Callie’s working on it.”
“I’m sure she spends every waking minute of her day trying to figure out a reason why she shouldn’t be working for me.”
“Do you love her?”
Drew stared at his brother.
“Have you ever been in love?” Callum asked.
“You know I haven’t.”
“Perhaps you need to consider your feelings for Callie before you making any more rash decisions.” Callum got to his feet. “I’ll leave you to your thoughts. I’m going to head back to my office where I can talk to a brick wall with more conversation than you.”
He had no doubt Callum was going to talk to Leah. When he couldn’t think of how to fix something, his brother always went back to his wife.
Drew didn’t move for the longest time. Beating up an older man, it didn’t appeal. Rather than pick up the phone, he closed down his computer, grabbed his files, and called it a day. He rarely left the office before seven lately. He’d felt guilty with all the time he’d had off and was showing his fellow colleagues that he could keep up with them, work his ass off, and be one of them. Even with a child to take care of.
Meghan was still in the bath when he returned home. He placed his briefcase by the door and made his way upstairs to where Callie was bathing his kid. She sat on the toilet as Meghan played in the bath. Neither saw him watching them.
“Callie?” Meghan said.
“Yes, sweetie.”
“Do you love me?”
Callie chuckled. “I love you so much, sweetie.”
“Can you be my mommy?”
His heart caught at his little girl’s words and need within her voice.
“Honey, I can’t be your mommy. You’ve already got a mommy.”
“My mom hates me.”
Callie moved from the position on the toilet to the edge of the bath. She put her hands on the tub, resting her chin on them. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
“She told me all the time. She said I was mean. I remember.”
“You’re wonderful, Meghan. Don’t ever allow anyone to tell you differently.”
“I’d like you to be my mommy. You can be Daddy’s as well, right?”
Callie sighed. “We’ll talk about this when you’re older.”
“You’re not leaving?”
“Not until your dad doesn’t think I’m needed.”
“I don’t want you to be my nanny. I want you to be my mommy.”
Drew stepped back and cleared his throat.
“I think Daddy’s home,” she said.
“I’m going to go and get started on dinner,” Callie said.
“I’m finished, Daddy,” Meghan said.
He heard movement and then his little girl came shooting out of the bathroom, wearing two towels. One on her body, the other on her head. She gave him a squeeze.
“Do you need help getting changed?”
“No, I can do it. I’m a big girl now. Callie said big girls get changed all on their own.” Meghan rushed off. In a few short weeks, Callie had been able to stop his little girl from ruling this house.
He returned his gaze toward Callie.
“I take it you heard what she said?”
“Yes, I did.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should have known Tilly wouldn’t keep her thoughts to herself.” He grabbed Callie’s hand, drawing her closer.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m home from work. I want a kiss.”
“Meghan.”
“You heard her. She wants me to keep you.”
“Don’t, Drew.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I’m not making promises I can’t keep. I want you. You’re going to stay mine.”
“And when the time for me to leave happens?”
“There isn’t going to be time for you to leave. You’re going to realize you’re staying with me, whether you like it or not.”
“You’re becoming really bossy.”
“I’m the boss.” He pressed her up against the door. “And you love it when I boss you around. When I make you do what I want.” He slammed his lips down on hers, and she didn’t fight him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and he ran his hands down to her ass, cupping the flesh.
“I can’t get enough of you.”
“Meghan is going to be done soon.”
“She’s going to love seeing us kissing.”
“It might confuse her.”
“I don’t care.” He was tired of fighting.
Callie tensed in his arms and he knew the moment was lost. “You’re a real pain in the ass. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I want you, Callie.”
“I know and I want you too.”
“Then this excuse is about your job. It’s wearing thin real fast. I’m not going to let you keep on hiding from me. Not when I know how good it can be between us.” He was done hiding and pretending. What he and Callie had, it was real, and he wasn’t willing to let it go, not for anyone.
