After he got back from work, Callan spent around an hour making sure the flat was as tidy as possible. He changed the bedding, shoved a load of crap into the cupboard in the hallway, and pushed a vacuum cleaner around. He changed into a pair of faded jeans that hung off his hips and a v-neck t-shirt that clung to his muscular torso. The intercom went as he was contemplating whether to light some candles.

“Come on up,” he answered, as Alicia’s voice floated into the room.

He went to the door and opened it, waiting for her to arrive. She appeared moments later, clutching a bottle of red wine in one hand.

“Hey, I’m glad you came.” Callan kissed her on both cheeks and ushered her through the door and into the living room. He took the bottle from her as she shrugged off her coat. “Do you want a glass now? I ordered us some pizza. It should be here soon.”

“Sounds good.”

He took her coat and dropped it on the bed, then went to the kitchen. As he sorted the wine out, he observed Alicia. She was dressed in blue jeans and a slightly oversized off-the-shoulder jumper, which exposed her skin. Her hair was loose, and she wore simple silver earrings. Her back was to him as she stood admiring the view from the window. What he wanted to do was go over to her, slip his arms around her waist, kiss her neck, and apologise for being an idiot. He needed to explain everything about Isobel and Xander and how that had affected him. Then he wanted to take her to bed.

Callan took the two glasses over and handed one to Alicia. “Shall we sit down?”

They both perched on the edge of the sofa. It seemed such a formal situation, almost as if they didn’t know each other. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Alicia giggled.

“What’s funny?” asked Callan.

Alicia waved her glass around. “This. Us. I mean, it’s not like we haven’t well, you know?”

She was right, thought Callan, as his mouth curved into a smile. “Mmm, it does feel a little strange, doesn’t it?” He paused. “I really do want to apologise for last night. Ned can be a total douche sometimes.”

“I’m not going to argue with either of those things.”

Their eyes met, and Callan leaned towards Alicia, bringing his hand up to stroke her cheek. His thumb traced a line across her lips, and her breath hitched.

The intercom buzzed again, breaking the moment.

“I guess that’ll be dinner then.”

Callan reluctantly broke away and went to let in the pizza delivery guy. His stomach growled. He hadn’t managed to eat anything all day and was looking forward to the food. He set the boxes down on the low coffee table in front of the sofa.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I got a meat feast and a vegetarian. Nothing too spicy though.”

“Both good choices. I’m starving.” She broke open one of the boxes and grabbed a slice.

Callan followed suit and shoved almost an entire slice into his mouth. It tasted like heaven.

They ate and talked, discussing The Unbound Soul, the potential promotions and marketing they could do; Aidy and Wren’s upcoming wedding the following week—anything except them and what had happened the previous evening.

“I can’t eat anymore.” Alicia sat back on the sofa, holding her stomach, after they’d polished off about three quarters of the food. “Not sure there’s much left for our breakfast.”

“Oh, it’s our breakfast is it? Who said you could stay over?” teased Callan.

Alicia’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away. “Oh, um, I thought…”

“I think I need to explain some things first. Then you can decide if that’s still what you want to do.” He cleared away the boxes, refilled their glasses, and sat down on the sofa, facing towards Alicia, his back against the arm.

He took a deep breath. “As you know, Isobel used to work at the shop. She was the receptionist, much as you are now though she doesn’t have your excellent marketing brain.” He smiled, trying to lighten the explanation. “She was also my girlfriend.”

He watched as Alicia nodded and sipped her wine, listening intently.

“I think I get why you reacted to Ned as you did,” she said. “She must have been important to you.”

“Yeah, I was so important to her that she was shagging my brother.” A horrible, bitter taste filled Callan’s mouth as he said the words.

Alicia’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide. “How long were you and Isobel together?”

“Nearly a year.” Callan gulped down some wine. “Although for the last three months of that, she and Xander were having an affair. I found them together, in this flat, in my bed.”

Alicia shifted until she was mirroring Callan’s position. She reached out and placed a hand on his knee. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I. My brother died in an accident on his way to see his girlfriend, my ex. He was on his way to meet her when he wrapped his bike around a tree. How fucked up is that?” He could see tears shining in Alicia’s eyes. He covered her hand with his. “I’m sorry for what happened with Ned last night. I let my feelings get the better of me, and I didn’t think of you. I got wrapped up in the past again.” His fingers caressed her knuckles, and he was pleased that she responded in the same way.

“Oh.” Alicia’s tone registered disappointment, and she pulled her hand away a little.

Callan took a deep breath as he externalised the words he had been mulling around ever since the early hours of the morning. “It’s time I looked to the future and made a fresh start.” Being around Alicia was the best thing that had happened to him in a long while. She made him feel better, lighter. “What I’m trying to say is that despite the weird, fucked up way in which we met, doing everything the wrong way around, I think we’re pretty good together. The way you fit in seamlessly to The Unbound Soul, the way you already seem to get me.” He pulled her towards him. “What do you think? Do you want to take a chance on whatever this thing is?”

He looked into Alicia’s eyes, seeing the green flash that little bit brighter, her pupils dilating as his gaze dropped to her lips. She leaned forward and met his, her tongue gently teasing as they kissed. It was the briefest of kisses, though Callan felt it right to his very core. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Alicia shuffled forward and wrapped her legs around his waist, so she was straddling him, her arse in the space between his knees. Her lips crashed against his, kissing him with the intense passion he remembered from their first time together, as her hands slid under his t-shirt, grabbing the hem and pulling it over his head. Callan manoeuvred Alicia so she was lying on her back on the sofa, her dark brown hair fanned across the cushions, her green eyes full of longing. He eased off her jumper and bent his head to the line of her cleavage, hearing her sigh as he placed a succession of kisses there. His cock strained painfully, and he reached down to free himself as Alicia wriggled out of her own clothes. He admired her smooth, naked skin, free of any inks, so different to his own marked and branded flesh.

Callan licked the tip of one of his fingers and lightly stroked a line between Alicia’s folds, avoiding directly touching her clit, feeling her wetness. She squirmed underneath his touch, a hiss of breath escaping her as she clutched at the edge of the sofa. He quickened the movement and moved his other hand to her face, tracing her lips and inserting a finger into her mouth. Involuntarily, she started to suck, her tongue swirling around. Callan imagined she were doing the same to his dick, and he felt himself pulse, needing to be inside her. He pulled his hands away and shifted position, thrusting into her in one sweet movement, Alicia’s slickness providing him ease of entry. She gasped as he rocked backwards and forwards, building up to a powerful, almost painful release. As he heard Alicia cry out, he was so close to the edge, it was excruciating. With a final grunt he gave one last thrust and collapsed on top of her, gulping for air.

“Ouch! You’re heavy!” Alicia wriggled out from underneath Callan, her bra awry, skin sweaty from their exertions. She propped herself up on one side, her head resting on her hand.

Callan turned to face her, hitching a leg between hers. He replicated the smile on her face. “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure you’re on top next time.”

Alicia’s eyes glinted wickedly as she moved to mount him, placing a knee either side of his hips. She towered above him, her voluptuous breasts encased in sheer lace and embellished with satin bows. “Like this?” she suggested, quirking an eyebrow at him.

He didn’t think he’d be ready to go again in such a short time, but Callan felt his cock hardening for the second time as Alicia’s hand travelled down her body and reached between her legs. “Oh, exactly like that, Ali. Exactly like that.”