“Will you stop talking to me as if I’m not here?” she yelled.
“There is the fire I remember. I think she wants us, Cole.”
Simone felt her temple begin to throb as a headache began to take her.
“What are you two talking about? I’ve done what you needed me to do, and now I’m moving on.”
Both men advanced into the room. “Here is the thing, we don’t want you to go,” Callum said.
She frowned. “What? Why don’t you want me to go?”
“You’re the right woman for us,” Cole said.
“No, you don’t do relationships. You share and then move on.”
“Not this time, Simone. You’re the one we want. You’re not leaving here without one of us. In fact, I think we should call Daniel and ask him to send all of her stuff here,” Callum said.
“I think that is a good idea. I’m not working today. I’m taking Simone back to bed and not letting her go until she can’t move without thinking about me,” Cole said.
“You’re doing it again. This is not fair of either of you. You’re not proclaiming your undying love for me.”
“No, you’re right. We’re not.”
Her heart shattered. “Then why don’t you want me to leave?”
Callum caught her face between his hands. He was staring at her intently. “Because the thought of seeing you walk out that door and never seeing you again breaks me, Simone.”
“It’s not love.”
“I know. Why does it have to be love? Can’t we just see where this goes?” Callum asked.
“He may not be in love with you, Simone, but I am,” Cole said.”
She turned to look at the other man. Cole stared at her from where he stood across the desk. His arms were folded as he stared at her. “I’m in love with you, Simone, and I’m not letting you go.”
“You’re best friends. I don’t want to come between you.”
“Callum is in love with you. He just doesn’t know it yet. Let me tell you again. You’re not going to your apartment, and you’re not leaving me,” Cole said.
Simone stared at the other man unsure what to say. “I love you, too.”
“Then come here and kiss me.”
She pulled out of Callum’s hold going to Cole. Simone charged into his arms as a fresh wave of tears began to fall.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’m never letting you go.”
Her tears of happiness fell.
Callum came up behind, moving her hair out of the way. “I may not know my feelings about you yet, Simone. What I do know is I’m not letting you go either.”
They held her close refusing to let her leave. When she tried to grab her suitcase, Callum grabbed the handle taking it through to his room.
“This is never going to work,” she said.
“It will work,” Cole said, taking her to his bed.
“How?”
****
One year later
Callum stared at the gorgeous raven-haired woman seated at the bar. She’d caught his attention the moment she’d walked into the room. Cole was smirking at him. He’d never known a woman to take his breath away.
“Stop smirking, Cole. You’ll lose that sophisticated look you’ve been going for,” Callum said. He sipped his drink unable to look away.
“I’m going back to my room. Remember to play nice, and I’ll see you soon.” Cole threw down some notes. He watched his friend leave the bar before grabbing his empty glass and going to the bar.
The woman glared at one of the men who approached her. He was about to stroke her arm when she slapped him and growled something. The man disappeared looking rather pale. Callum walked up to the bar, holding his glass up for a refill.
He turned toward the woman. Simone looked as gorgeous as ever in the deep purple gown he’d bought. His hands were shaking with nerves. The past year had flown by so quickly he couldn’t believe how happy he’d been.
“So, you and Cole have gotten me here. Why?” she asked, turning toward him. Her lips were painted a dark red shade. The colour contrasted with the pale creaminess of her skin. He knew every inch of her skin as he’d heard her come apart more times than he recalled. Her scent and sounds were highly addictive. Callum smiled recalling the time he’d demanded her presence while he’d been working out. She’d stormed into the gym with her hand on her hip.
He’d been lifting weights and sporting a huge erection. While he finished lifting weights, he’d demanded she remove all of her clothes and fuck him. The memory was a sweet one to him.
“This was the bar where we first met.”
“I remember.”