Chapter 27 "We put Dixie Craze on the stage first because she can get the crowd going. That girl is like a windup toy. With that raspy voice and energy, it's straight fire. That way the arena is good and heated by the time Frisco Bay Gypsies roll out, it'll explode. You think? Callum?" Noah's voice is white noise. While we sit at Bluefin Sushi one day during lunch, my brain is everywhere but work. "Yeah, yeah, that sounds good," I agree, reaching for a dumpling. "Did you even hear anything I said?" "You want to throw that Dixie girl on first to get the crowd going. I'm paying attention." "Right," he studies me. I hate when Noah studies me. Because he's not just trying to figure out what I'm thinking. No, no. Noah comes with a wrecking ball in his back pocket, ready to blast away several layers of the cement around the bunker of my personal life. I hate it. He loves it. "I didn't suggest we leave the office for lunch just so we can talk about work more," I bark out. "I'm not talking about work. I'm talking about music. But if you'd rather talk about something else...something like, oh I don't know-" "Don't you fucking say it." I point a chopstick at him. "Amanda." "I told you not to say it. Also, that's work, and music related." Noah grins, popping a piece of a spicy tuna roll in his mouth. "It's work and music adjacent. So, it doesn't count." "I still don't want to talk about her," I say, dipping a piece of sashimi in wasabi soy sauce. The surge of heat in my mouth helps with the heat that's had itself firmly planted in my groin since I woke up in a puddle of my own dirty, wet thoughts this morning after what might have been the best dream I've ever had. "Why not? I know that's what you're thinking about. Who you're thinking about..." "Because Amanda is..." I trail off and he dips his chin in, waiting for the rest of that sentence. But honestly, I don't know what the rest of the sentence is. That's what I've been trying to figure out. "Complicated," I finally say. Noah rolls his eyes. "Bullshit." "Excuse me?" "I call bullshit. It's not complicated at all." I set my chopsticks down and reach for my beer. "You do remember that night in Vegas right? How you paraded me around like a poodle on that stage, shoved me onto a date with her, only for us to get drunk enough to sign papers we thought were fake and then realize she is Hardin's new songwriter? All of that happened." "I know, and it's great," he chuckles, taking another bite. "It's insane and it's my real life. It's complicated." Noah shakes his head and finishes chewing before going on. "But the way you feel about her, that's not complicated." "I'm sorry, the way I fucking feel about her? What the fuck are you talking about?" I am practically growling at him at this point. If it weren't for the table between us I would probably have him by the scruff right now. But Noah doesn't look fazed. "Please. You two might have done everything you did by accident but the way you look at each other is obvious, and the chemistry is real." "There is no chemistry," I state. But even as I say the words, I know they're untrue. Noah sees the realization on my face and his grin softens but doesn't fully fade. "Why are you fighting it so much? You're already married. Giving in to the reality of it would make it that much more authentic and therefore more believable. You want the Hardin throne, give in to your feelings for Amanda." I study him and let my guard down a little. He is one of the only people on the planet I can do that with. And for all of two seconds, I lower the wall just an inch. Just enough to consider what he is saying. Immediately, I get a chill. Fuck. "So, what if I do have feelings for her?" I ask quietly. "Then I'd say you hit the jackpot in Vegas, brother." "But she's my employee. It looks bad." "Pshh," Noah waves a hand around in the air between us. "Nobody gives a fuck." "HR might," I add. But even I know that HR has little sway with me. They deal with so much of Avery's shit that we've grown to have the kind of relationship where we do each other favors. I come up with another excuse. "I'm a lot older than she is." "No shit, Sherlock," he snorts. "And that might look bad." "Not for you. Fuck, it looks great for you. Business tycoon bags hot, younger girl in the office-" "Watch your mouth," I bark. "Chill out," he laughs. "She's not my type. I'm just saying. Image is not going to be a problem. Face it, bro. When it comes to you and Amanda falling in love, there is no downside." I take another slug from my beer bottle, wishing it were whiskey. I'm not going to lie...I am having a hard time seeing a downside. That evening, I leave the office early. We have a meeting with that Dixie girl, but I duck out. They don't need me there anyways, especially if Noah, Cass and Amanda are sitting in. I actually make a point of making sure that Amanda is sitting in. I want to get home before she does. When the door to the penthouse opens, I turn down the music in the kitchen. I always listen to music when I cook. "That smells amazing," Amanda calls out, kicking her shoes off by the door. Something in her voice sounds different and I worry that I've been working her too hard. It's Friday, which is nice, but earlier this week, she was sick as a dog. "You hungry?" I ask. Amanda walks into the kitchen, setting her bag down on one of the barstools. "Starving." "Good," I say. "Because I made chicken caprese." "I didn't know you could cook," she says, eyeing the food on the counter. I also sliced bread and set out a plate of olive oil and herbs for dunking. "I am actually a pretty great chef. I just don't have time usually." "And you have time today?" she asks, sitting down at the counter. "What's the catch?" I give her a funny look. "What makes you think there's a catch?" "I don't know," she shrugs, reaching for a slice of bread. "You left work early. You never leave work early." "I had to stop at Whole Foods to get the ingredients. I also got dessert. Chocolate chip cannoli's.' "See! A catch. It's one thing to wine and dine your fake wife. It's another to buy her rich, creamy Italian desserts. What are you up to, Callum Hardin?" I grab a bottle of chardonnay from the ice bucket and pour two glasses. Then I round the counter and stand right in front of her. "There is no catch. I wanted to surprise you with dinner, so I left work early." I hold out a glass and she reluctantly takes it. Her gaze zeros in on the glass and she swirls it in her hand. "I need to talk to you about something." "And I need to talk to you about something. But first," I spin her stool so that she is facing me. Then I clip her chin in my fingers and gently tug her attention up to me. "I want you to relax. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. And I drew you a bath." "A bath?" she asks incredulously and I fucking love it. The way she asks the question you'd think I just told her I booked us a trip to Tahiti. "Yes. Lavender infused." I tug on her hand and lead her to the master bath where the room is humid, and the lights are low, and the water is hot and ready. "Why are you doing all of this for me?" she asks, looking around before looking up at me. I pull her against me and brush her hair from her face. Then I press my lips to hers. I don't answer the question with words, I just kiss her. She melts against me even though the kiss is closed and soft. When I pull away, her lips stay parted. "The towels are heated. Take your time," with that, I close the door to check on the chicken. I can't help the smirk on my face. I've never considered myself a romantic. But I know for a fact, I'm not a fuckboy. That was always Avery's MO. I've always prided myself in being better than that. And something about Amanda makes me want to be better still. Her confusion is cute. The way she can't quite figure out what I'm up to. I love that I can keep her guessing. The game is fun. Like a chase. But by the end of tonight, I don't want her to be confused. I don't want her to question anything at all. I want her to know exactly how I feel. Thirty minutes or so later, just as I light the candles at the table, I hear the bathtub draining upstairs and I smile. About ten minutes after that, she comes padding down the stairs in a pink tank top and black satin shorts. Her hair is wet, and she smells like plumeria and coconut. "Oh," her voice lifts and then falls again when she sees the table set for dinner. "I'm sorry, I think I lost track of time. You have the most epic bathtub up there." "You can use it any time you want," I say softly. And I mean it. Then I pull out the chair for her. Amanda walks over, her eyes trailing over everything I've set on the table-two plates thoughtfully loaded with chicken caprese, smaller chilled plates with a fresh greens salad and more bread in the middle of the table. There are also glasses of wine, though I notice she still hasn't finished or even touched the one from before. "If I had known it was going to be so fancy, I would have dressed for the occasion," she smiles. She starts to sit down but I catch her cheek in my palm before she does. Once her eyes reach mine, I kiss her. Then I let her sit. "I like what you're wearing," I say, rounding the table to join her. "Pajamas?" she giggles. "I like that you are comfortable in my home. Our home." I pick up my fork and knife to dig in, but Amanda is staring at me with narrowed eyes and a quirky smile. "What's going on with you?" "What do you mean?" I take a bite. "You're acting...weird." "Weird how?" "You made me dinner. You are calling your fancy ass house our home." "Do you like it?" I ask, nodding towards her plate. She takes a bite and does a full body sigh, practically melting into her seat. "It's amazing. But for real. You pay me enough, Callum. Shit you pay me way more than enough. You don't have to-" she stops. "Thank you." I smile. That's all I wanted. During dinner, we can't help ourselves. Our knees continue to bump under the table, a game I think we've started to play on purpose now. Our hands brush on the table and when we laugh, we hold each other's eyes for a moment longer than necessary. There is a happy hum in the room, even though she has yet to touch her wine. I take the hint that maybe she's not a heavy drinker. That maybe the girl I met in Vegas was a version of her forced by her sister and the real Amanda is more reserved than that. Except for when we talk about music, which we find ourselves doing automatically every time we are together. I clear the plates, and we make our way to the couch, glasses of iced tea in hand. "You can drink the wine," she tells me. "I'm just not really feeling it right now." "I don't need to drink alcohol to enjoy spending time with you, Amanda." I face her on the couch, reaching over to brush her hair behind her ear. "You're gorgeous, you know that?" Her face flushes and she smiles modestly. "Okay." "Okay? Is that your normal response to being told how beautiful you are?" Amanda half shrugs. "I guess I'm not used to being told that. Aside from catcalls, I don't get a lot of attention, especially when Kate is around." "We aren't going to talk about Kate," I frown. Or the catcalls. The thought of it makes me want to throat punch people. "You really didn't have to do all of this," she says again. "You're already doing so much for me." "I'm doing it because you are doing me a favor. Because I enjoy being around you. Because you make my life not boring. Nothing kills love for music like working in the music industry. You've brought the joy back into it. I haven't touched a guitar in years and now, I can't seem to keep my hands from fidgeting to play more. You've brought a spark back into my life, Amanda, and I just-" "What are you trying to say?" she asks quietly, and I can practically see her heart pounding in her chest. "I think you're amazing, Amanda. You make me feel things I didn't know I ever would. I've been with a small handful of women throughout the years, but I never thought, never assumed, that I would ever feel anything. My mom wasn't around. I grew up having no idea what love looks like and with you, I think I've figured it out. I see light and I feel excited and that's saying a lot for me," I sort of laugh. I can't believe the way I am talking right now. "I just...I have never felt like this." "Like what?" her words come out breathy. "Like I am falling for you. Hard. Everything about you takes my breath away." Amanda's eyes are alive with color and emotion and even though she is smiling, her chin quivers slightly and I frown. "Did I say something wrong?" I ask, suddenly worried. "No. Not at all. I just...I feel the same way." Amanda smiles and a smirk pulls at the corners of my lips too and I lean in. "Enough talking about it then. I want to show you." I grab her by the hips and tug her down to me. She falls on her back on the couch with a small shriek as I begin to kiss her everywhere. I start with her knee, making her giggle and work my way up her soft thigh. She smells like lavender and bathwater but as I get closer to her pussy, even through the satin shorts, I can smell her want for me. I can tell she is already wet, and I am suddenly dying of thirst. I tug the shorts off and toss them aside. "No panties?" I ask and she shakes her head slowly, biting her lip. "Naughty girl." "Is that bad?" she purrs, and I groan, a fire building deep in my stomach and spreading elsewhere. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were expecting this. Expecting to make love to me." "Is that what we are calling it now? Making love?" she asks, her tone bratty as fuck. I love it. "We will call it whatever I say we will call it. Your job is to moan." With that, I yank her hips up to my face and devour her, covering her sweet, ready pussy with my mouth. "Fuck!" she cries out. I lap my tongue over her, from her clit to her slit, making it open more with each lick. She is absolutely dripping, and I can't get enough. Sweet, hot, tangy. It's like a drug the way it makes me high, the way it makes me go crazy. The way I cannot get enough. I press the tip of my tongue inside her and she moans. I need to taste her. More and more, deeper and deeper. I lick and swirl my tongue inside of her before pressing my mouth hard against her and suck. "Callum. Oh fuck. Callum..." Amanda is writhing on the couch, her eyes closed, her cheeks flushed, her mouth popped open in a perfect O. I could stick my dick inside that O. Her lips were made to be wrapped around my cock. But I won't. Right now, I want her to feel all the pleasure. I want it to be all about her. I continue to suckle on her, my top lip purposely massaging into her clit. I can tell by the way she is shuddering under my touch that the sensations, all different and all crashing together, are sending her into a frenzy. But I don't want her to come. Not yet. Not for a long time. "Slow down, baby girl. I'm not letting you spiral that fast. Not tonight. Tonight, I want you to feel every sensation," I pull her tank top up, revealing no bra (fucking tease) and I kiss my way up to her breasts. I cover one nipple with my mouth, my tongue flicking and teasing it until it's rock hard between my lips. Then I switch to the other, pampering each one, back and forth and back and forth until her hips grind up against me, desperate for contact. Desperate for something hard. Desperate for friction. "You are impatient, little minx. But tonight is all about pleasure." "I need to get off," she begs. I chuckle, a low raspy sound that comes from a darker place inside of me. A place that loves domming her. Loves when that otherwise saucy mouth of hers is stuck in a permanent O, save for when she bites her lip, needing something to chew on while I push her towards the edge and then reel her back in. "You will come when I am ready for you to come. And not a moment sooner." With that, I tease both of her nipples in my fingers. Her body dances on the couch in a mock orgasm because nipple play is enough to drive her positively crazy but not actually get her off and I fucking love it. Amanda bucks her hips up into me and her pussy rubs against my hard cock. Even through my slacks I can feel her, hot, pulsing, needy and now that I have felt it, I am not going to be able to pull back. I need the contact too. "Let me," she undoes the button and zipper on my pants and shoves her hand inside. But before she can take hold of me, I pull her hand back out. "No. Not yet. You will do as I say." "But I want to feel you," she snaps back, and I love that she is getting feisty. She's all teeth right now and I fucking love it. "You want to feel me? Feel this, sweetheart." sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒind ηøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I flip her over on her hands and knees and yank her hips into the air. Her pink, wet pussy is on full display between her soft peachy thighs. My God I'd love to eat her out from this angle. Just spread her wide and feast. But I'm pretty sure that if I even dare. She is going to come almost immediately. And I don't want that. Instead, I lose the slacks and shirt, then I get back on my knees behind her. "Are you ready for it?" I ask. "Yes," she nods, her head against the pillow on the couch and her ass mounted high. "You want to feel it?" I ask. "Yes," she says more urgently than before. I smirk and raise my hand, slapping her across the ass hard. She yips in surprise before moaning in satisfaction. "You like that?" I ask, kissing the spot where a red handprint is already forming. "Mmhmm..." "You are a bad girl," I say grittily against her thigh. "Only for you." Fuck me.... That earns her another spank, on the other cheek of course. And with that, her pussy drips. Goddamn...she is a kinky girl. I will tuck that away for later. Right now, if my dick remains this hard for any longer, it's going to crack. I palm her ass cheeks in my hands and grip before spreading her wide, opening her eager pussy up for me. Then I drive myself inside and both of us moan. "Fuck you feel so good," she whimpers. "And you are fucking unreal," I tell her, spanking her ass one last time. Then I pump into her, thrusting my cock deeper and deeper until she is full of me and I'm buried in her. "You have the tightest, sweetest pussy I have ever felt, baby girl." "It's all yours," she says breathily. Her cheeks are flushed, and I can't help but smirk at that. Two sets of pink cheeks. God, she is delicious. "Say that again." "My pussy is yours." "Again." "I am yours." I flip her over and lower down to her, my eyes locked on hers, my lips brushing her own. "Again," I whisper gruffly. "I am all yours, Callum Hardin." "And I am yours." I kiss her deeply, slowly, intentionally. She wraps her arms and legs around me and for a moment, it's all warm skin, nothing between us. Just all of her pressed against all of me. And despite loving the foreplay, loving the tease and the game and the excitement of it all, if I could stay like this...doing this...forever, I would. I want this forever. It's not a thought I've ever felt. But it's real. Right now, with her, kissing on the couch is the realest thing I've ever felt. We roll to the side and when we do, she shifts her weight, so I am on the bottom, and she is sitting on top of me. Then, she mounts me, my dick thrusting deep inside of her. "Fuck me," I let out gripping her love handles in my hands. "That was the plan," she teases with a smirk and just for that, I buck my hips up, driving me deeper into her and making her moan. After that, she rides me, hard and rhythmic. And goddamn, this woman just keeps getting better and better with every position. I know what Sam Hunt was singing about now. If bodies are like backroads, this woman is Tennessee. One, slow, gorgeous curve after another. Suddenly, I realize I am going to come. It's racing through my veins fast and hard. "Amanda...baby..." "I know, me too..." she lets out and just like that, we both go over the edge. It's like our bodies and our souls link hands and spiral down, over and over, wave after wave until crashing into the warm sea, taking us both alive. Title: Accidental Billionaire Bride Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, CEO, Sweet Romance, Modern, Romantic, Office Status: ongoing In "Accidental Billionaire Bride" by CrushReel, a surprising twist reveals that she unknowingly married a billionaire. As they navigate through misunderstandings, their hearts slowly intertwine. With the wise guidance of his grandmother, their journey unfolds in unexpected ways. This sweet romance novel delves into themes of unexpected love and the complexities of relationships in a modern office setting. The characters' gradual emotional evolution adds depth to the narrative, making it a captivating read for fans of CEO romances and contemporary love stories. What sets this story apart is its delicate balance between heartwarming moments and intriguing plot twists. Dive into the world of "Accidental Billionaire Bride" on CrushReel for a delightful escape into a tale where love finds its way amidst unforeseen circumstances. Available to read at CrushReel.