She took a steadying breath. ‘If you make it mind-blowing sex, you’ve got a deal.’
He grabbed her wrist with his free hand and pulled her out of the lift into his embrace. Her body slammed against his and, man, he would never get sick of holding his woman in his arms. His woman. Yeah, that’s how he thought of Ava now. He’d waited a long time for a woman who fit him the way she did. Her softness, her sass, her fears and her loyalty. She was the one for him. Always would be.
‘Wait a minute. Isn’t it always mind-blowing sex?’ He grinned as he dropped his forehead to rest on hers.
‘Ahem.’
Evelyn. Callum looked over his shoulder across the expanse of the reception area. His executive assistant and right-hand woman was peering at him over her red-rimmed glasses.
‘Good morning, Evelyn,’ he called out.
‘Callum. Ava,’ she said with a barely suppressed smile.
‘Is everyone here?’ He released Ava from his embrace, took her hand and they strolled across the enormous Persian rug to Evelyn’s desk.
‘Chris, Ellie and Charlotte are here. Isn’t that baby just as cute as a button? And Cooper is hooked up on Skype from San Clemente.’
‘Brilliant. Thanks.’
Ava tugged her hand from Callum’s and rounded the desk, throwing her arms wide open. ‘Hey, Evelyn. How’s that lime tree?’
Callum liked to see the love of his life and his right-hand woman like this. They’d hit it off from the first time they met and regularly conspired to clear his diary to make sure he had the ‘work’ part of the work-life balance equation in check.
Evelyn hugged Ava right back. ‘I think you were right. It needed a citrus feed. It’s got some lovely fruit on it now, so I can’t wait to make my first gin and tonic.’
‘I’d love some of those limes when they’re ready,’ Ava said.
‘Absolutely. I’ll send them home with Callum.’ Evelyn resumed her seat. Callum urged Ava to his office doors. She stopped at the first sight of mahogany.
‘Are the windows very big?’
‘Yes, but walk in and turn left and take a seat on one of the leather sofas. I’ve scoped it out and you won’t be able to see anything from there.’
‘Are you sure?’
Callum looked into her eyes and he saw a whole lot of things. He saw love, as he had every day since he’d started looking for it. But right here, right now, he saw trust. He knew how precious a commodity that was between two people and he treasured having it now.
‘I’m absolutely sure.’ Oh, he was.
He pushed open the door and shepherded Ava left. Chris got to his feet and hugged her. Ellie was cradling Charlotte in her arms and she held out a hand to Ava, who sat next to her.
Callum walked over to his desk and pressed a button. The automatic blinds on all the windows lowered, darkening the room, and a screen descended from the far wall, right in front of the leather sofas where everyone was gathered.
‘You there, Coop?’
An image flickered and Cooper joined them long distance. ‘Hey you guys. This is very cool. Check out where I am!’ The image wobbled as Cooper picked up his laptop and walked to the window, aiming the camera to the view. There were tall palm trees and a pier extending out into the blue ocean. ‘Sunny San Clemente, folks. What do you think?’
‘It looks beautiful, Coop,’ Ellie called out. ‘We’re coming soon, you know that.’
‘Can’t wait.’ The image settled when Cooper put his laptop down. He pushed his hair back from his forehead and grinned at his family. ‘So what’s with the family meeting, bro?’
Callum joined Ava on the sofa, threw an arm around the back of it to bring her in close. ‘I wanted to put a proposition to you all and since Cooper can’t fly back, I thought we’d get together via the wonders of modern technology.’
Everyone was listening intently to Callum.
‘The Meadows. Everything’s gone through with the Will and the settlement. We’re finally free to sell it.’
There was a pause. Glances were exchanged but no-one spoke for a long moment.
‘Right,’ Chris finally said, although he didn’t look as happy about is as Callum thought he might.
‘Cool,’ Cooper added. Callum looked at his brothers. They both looked like they’d lost a puppy. Ellie was studying Chris with a strange look. Ava rested a hand on Callum’s thigh and he looked at her and winked.
That’s when he dropped the bombshell. ‘But I don’t want to sell it.’
Ava’s hand on his thigh became a fierce grip. ‘Huh?’
Chris, Ellie and long-distance Cooper all stared at him, open-mouthed.