A loud gasp came from me when Callum parked and I saw where he was taking me. “Wow. You go all out, don’t you?” I was beyond impressed.

The man simply gave me a smirk before he let himself out, rounded to open my door and offered his hand to help me out of the vehicle. “It’s our first date. A man’s got to take extra care to make the first impression last a lifetime.”

He was guiding me towards the entrance of the London Aquarium. It truly was nice. “Well, you’ve definitely accomplished just that.” I leaned over and kissed his lips. It had been over twenty-four hours now from our first make-out session, and still, I couldn’t get over the fact that I loved kissing him whenever I felt the need to be close to him.

Two personal staff greeted us at the door. We were then escorted towards a dark room with several lit candles on a dining table with the large wall-to-wall aquarium next to us. The soft azure glow it gave to the room made it cozy, intimate and beyond a doubt enchanting. The heady smell of candles and their incandescent glow just added more to the effects of intoxicating seduction and romance.

Now seated, Callum took charge of serving the chilled Magnum. “I don’t think I’ve romanced anyone like this.” He grinned as he handed me a flute with the bubblies in it.

“I should feel special then,” I murmured before taking a lengthy sip of my drink.

“You should,” Callum mused, looking like a ravishing beast out on a hunt.

What did I say to that? Thank you? Breaking our eye contact, I decided not to respond to him. Callum was a difficult man to read and I’d rather not get into the habit of trying to break into his thoughts because I’d inevitably lose.

Nursing my drink, I focused on the soft sounds of Chris Botti echoing in the background while I watched the fish dance about their way in the large tank.

Callum remained silent and, before long, our servers carried out the first course.

We were on our second course when I noticed something different about Callum. In fact, he had totally abandoned his meal, much to my confusion.

What I found most disconcerting was the fact that he was leaning against his chair, staring at me with a whimsical look on his face.

“What?” I asked before I took a bite of the scrumptious meal. When he didn’t respond, I carefully placed my utensils on the sides of the plate as I cautiously inserted the stem of my flute in between my fingers and slightly shook it in tiny circles.

“I’m watching the candlelight’s reflection as it dances on your face,” Callum finally found his tongue.

Great. Was he making fun of me? “Lovely,” I muttered as dryly as possible.

“It is. It highlights your face superbly…” Our gazes locked and I felt the air leave my body when he finished his sentence. “I’m mesmerized by its beauty.”

Gah… how the heck was I supposed to swallow this lamb chop in my mouth without choking? He was making me beyond aware.

I was so aware that I could feel the heat of his gaze stroking my face. It was diffusing my brain. It was uncontrollably liquefying my vagina. I was thrilled and petrified when he looked at me with that predatory gleam in his eyes.

“More champagne?” he broke my running thoughts.

I could only nod.

Callum’s eyes danced as he took note of my reaction to him. The smug bastard even smirked when he refilled my flute.

Damn him. He knew the effect he had on me and he was using that to drive me insane. Couldn’t he have waited until after the meal? It was hard enough to concentrate on anything, let alone focus on getting through course after course with a sex-god of a man across the table, undressing you before his very eyes.

“Hungry for some more… or dessert, darling?” Callum went on, hidden meaning and all.

He sure was having a ball. Well, I suppose I could enjoy this meal the way he did as well.

“I’m always hungry for anything sweet and creamy, Callum,” I responded provocatively.

His eyes darkened as they dropped towards my breasts, probably noticing the outline of my constrained peaks. I was a jittery mess while Callum looked completely menacing.

When servers came to gather our dishes, not once did he lift his eyes off me.

When one of the waiters came back to ask what we wanted for dessert, Callum interrupted him mid-sentence.

“Anything sweet and creamy should do. Right, darling?” Callum’s gaze was unwavering.

The waiter opened his mouth then closed it again while I blushed from the root of my hair to my toes. “Right away, sir.” Thank goodness the waiter was able to compose himself.

I was beyond mortified.

Those formidable darkened orbs didn’t leave me when he decided to stand up and circled the table to stand before me, offering his hand. “I believe you still owe me a dance.”

That made me grin. Rejecting him for Hugh was still unforgotten. “Lead me away,” I said as I accepted his hand.

He led us close to the fish tank, holding me in a tight embrace. My body swayed with his, but I couldn’t hear the music because my heartbeat was becoming so erratic, it reverberated loudly in my ears.

“Do you know how you affect me with your teasing?” He placed his leg in between mine, pressing it against my heat so I could feel his erection. “I can’t get enough of you, Stella,” Callum declared before capturing my lips, kissing me senseless.

Mother hell, he was becoming too much. Small doses were good. Large doses were somewhat manageable, but this, this was frightening. I loved the man but if he kept going like this, I might end up thinking that he was reciprocating my feelings. I couldn’t have that. Caring for me was what I wanted and aimed for, but his heart belonged to Zara, simple as that.