The following morning, Callan awoke early. He stretched and encountered Alicia’s sleeping form next to him in the bed. Her dark hair was spread across the pillow, the sheet draped around her naked form, giving him a tantalising glimpse of the swell of her breasts. He felt the corner of his mouth curve up into a smile. This was the part of the last time they had been together that he had missed out on. As he watched her sleep, she gently moaned and stretched. He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek, tracing the outline of her lips. Her eyelids fluttered open and her green eyes sleepily met his gaze.

“Morning, beautiful,” he said. “Sleep well?”

“Mmm, the best.”

“I guess fantastic sex does that every time.”

“Ha, you’re pretty conceited, you know that?”

Callan trailed his fingers across her stomach. “There’s time for round two before I have to go to work…”

Alicia covered her hand with his. “Tempting as that sounds, I have things to do today. My boss gave me the day off, you see, and I don’t want to waste it lying around in bed.” Her eyes teased him. “But we can see what happens later?”

“Who says I’m free tonight?”

“You’re free tonight.” Her mouth curved up into a smile.

He reached for her, taking her head in his hands and kissing her thoroughly. “For you, I am. Now get out of here before I change my mind.” He nipped her earlobe with his teeth as she giggled. His gaze appraised her as she slid from beneath the sheets, her naked body taunting him. He hardened at the sight of her and flopped back down onto the mattress, trying to think of anything other than Alicia.

She returned about twenty minutes later, showered and dressed. “I really have to stop doing the walk of shame from your place.” She sighed.

Callan propped himself up on one elbow. “Or you could stay over more. Leave a toothbrush and some knickers here?” He quirked an eyebrow as he extended the offer.

“I could,” replied Alicia. She nodded slowly as if contemplating his proposal, her lips twitching. “Now, no getting hot and dirty in the shower thinking of me.” She leant over and kissed him deeply, which did absolutely nothing to stop ideas flooding into his thoughts. “I’ll call you later.” With a last lingering look, she headed out the door.

“Jesus!” Callan collapsed back on the bed and shouted at the ceiling. His phone’s alarm chimed, and he knew he had to get ready for work. Despite Alicia’s instruction, he couldn’t help enjoying a little self-love, the release setting him up to take on the rest of the day.

Callan stopped by Books ’n’ Beans for a coffee before heading into the shop. Wren was there, smiling and chatting to the customers as always.

“Afternoon, honey, you look chirpy. It’s good to see.” She leaned over the counter and gave his arm a quick squeeze. “Any reason?”

If he told Wren about Alicia, Aidy would know about it within the space of five seconds. He knew he hadn’t been completely honest with his best friend about why he initially favoured Alicia for the job at The Unbound Soul. For him to hear about it from Wren wouldn’t be fair. “Just happy to see my favourite woman today,” he said, realising that the statement could apply to Wren as well as Alicia.

“Aw, thanks, Callan.” Wren grinned. “I mean it. It’s great to see you happy again.”

He nodded as Wren passed him his coffee. “I’ll catch you later.” Callan continued the short walk along Fosse Arcade, his eyes darting around, wondering if he might catch a glimpse of Alicia. He was already looking forward to the evening.

Aidy was with a client when Callan walked in. “All right, Callan? What did you get up to last night? You look suspiciously cheerful.”

“I didn’t realise it was a crime. Your lovely fiancée has said pretty much the same thing. Although without the reference to what I did last night.”

“Or should that be who you did last night? Finally got Isobel out of your system?”

Callan pretended not to have heard him as he checked the appointments book to remind himself of what he was doing. His afternoon appeared to be peppered with short slots, which were either for existing clients or women who seemed to want a tiny star or moon on their ankle. He didn’t mind doing those cheaper, less intensive, pieces of work, particularly when he felt like he had the attention span of a gnat that day. Alicia had such an effect on him.

It was getting on for half four when he came downstairs after his last scheduled appointment. A smile crept across his face as he saw Alicia standing at the reception podium. She glanced over in his direction and winked.

“All right, boss? How’s your day been?” she asked.

“Got off to a dreadful start,” he teased. “And it’s been a long afternoon.” Callan slipped in behind her, trapping her body between him and the desk. It felt so good to be close to her again. He restrained himself from burying his face in her hair and kissing her neck—just. She twisted around so she faced him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Must have been such a hard day.”

Callan felt his cock twitch in response. Hard didn’t begin to describe it. He was suddenly aware of Aidy’s gaze on them and quickly put distance between himself and Alicia. “Good of you to pop in to check up on next week’s roster though, thanks,” he said, loudly.

Alicia quirked an eyebrow at him, then followed the direction of his look towards Aidy. She nodded almost imperceptibly, as if understanding what he meant. “Oh, it was nothing. I was passing on my way to meet Nell. I’ll catch up with you another time about swapping that shift.”

It was Callan’s turn to act confused, before he realised she was playing along with him.

She briefly gave his hand a squeeze. “See you later,” she said.

As she walked out of the shop, Callan watched her leave, images of the previous evening playing through his head like a movie. He wondered if they would have the chance to replicate them that night.

“You want to tell me what that’s all about?”

Aidy’s voice cut into Callan’s thoughts.

“No idea what you’re talking about, mate,” Callan blustered. He headed up to the office, but Aidy followed him and shut the door.

“You and Alicia seem quite friendly. I’ve noticed the lingering looks and whispered conversations too.”

It appeared he wasn’t going to let it lie.

“If I remember rightly, you were acting oddly when she came in for her interview,” Aidy went on. He scratched his beard and frowned. “I asked you then if you knew her and you denied it.”

Callan thought for a moment. If he did want to make a go of a relationship with Alicia, then he also had to be honest with Aidy. “Okay, I may not have been completely truthful.”

“So, you had met her before?”

“Um, well, yes, sort of.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I slept with her the night before Xander’s funeral.” He couldn’t bring himself to meet Aidy’s eyes. “And again, last night.”

There was a long silence as his words sunk in.

“You’re kidding me?”

“Aidy, I wouldn’t joke about something like that.”

His best friend sank down onto the chair and let out a hard breath. “Is this Isobel all over again?”

The situation was nothing like it had been between him and Isobel. She had been the one to do all the running, making it obvious she was interested in him, doing everything she could to make him go out with her. He wondered if she’d been the same way with Xander. He and Alicia had gravitated together, two lost souls who needed each other at exactly the right time. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to make it official, to let everyone know that he had been able to move on.

“It’s nothing like that, Aidy,” he said. “Alicia came into my life at a point where I was really, really low. You know how I was after Xander died. When I met her, she seemed to breathe new life into me, made me laugh, have fun, everything I hadn’t been doing. I couldn’t tell you that after her interview because I didn’t know if she’d get the job or if I’d ever see her again. The more time we spend together, the more I want it to work out. She’s so different to Isobel.” He paused. “And at least I don’t have to worry about her getting it on with my brother.” Callan gave a harsh laugh, amused at his own dark humour.

“Then I’m happy for you, Cal, I really am.” Aidy stood up and went over to Callan, embracing him in a man-hug. “You do seem much happier now,” he added, releasing his friend. “Can I tell Wren about it?”

“I nearly told her earlier, so I’m glad you know now. You needed to hear it from me first.”

“Damn right I did!” Aidy’s face took on a serious expression. “Make sure that you don’t let it impact on the business too much, like you did before.”

“Of course, mate, you won’t notice any difference in our working relationship.”

“Glad to hear it, Cal, glad to hear it.”