Page 120 of Poison and Wine
“Me either.”
After eyeing his phone, he grunted. “I have to get a move on.”
“Me too. Today’s my biology lab.”
Callum scowled at the mention of me being on campus. Although four months had passed since he’d been shot, my father and his regime still remained a threat. Regardless of his efforts, Callum had been unable to kill my father. He hadn’t been seen in New York since the day of Callum’s shooting. Rumors from all sides indicated that he’d gone underground. Some said he was working on alliances from Sicily.
With my father still a threat, I’d resorted to as many online classes as possible for the spring semester. The only time I had to go on campus was for the assigned labs for my biology class, which Kellan audited so someone could be at my side at all times. My professor and the other students would’ve been shocked to know Kellan was heavily armed beneath his preppy boy appearance.
“It’s only one day a week,” I protested.
“I still don’t like it.”
“Kellan is very capable of protecting me.”
With a growl, he nipped at my neck–his teeth sliding along my sensitive flesh. As I shivered, he replied, “I still don’t fucking like it.”
“You’re such a caveman,” I mused.
He jerked his head up to pin me with a stare. “Just because I want to protect you doesn’t make me a caveman.”
“It does when you want to chain me to the furniture and keep me locked in the house.”
Callum waggled his brows at me. “I like the idea of you tied up.”
With an exasperated huff, I replied, “Would you please focus?”
He shot me a wicked grin. “I am focusing. Are you opposed to us using handcuffs and a blindfold?”
“You’re impossible,” I grunted.
“Actually, I like the idea of you in satin scarves.” He brought my hand to his lips. “I don’t want to do anything to mar your beautiful skin.”
I gave him a pointed look. “I’ll let you tie me up if you’ll ease up on the protectiveness.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
My brows shot up in surprise. “Seriously?”
“I’ll try.”
“I look forward to it.”
He smacked my ass playfully before he got up. “I’m starving. While I grab breakfast, do you want the shower first?”
“Yes, sir.”
Callum’s blue eyes flashed. “Mm, I like the sound of that word on your lips.”
I laughed as I pulled myself off the mattress. “Don’t get any more BDSM ideas.”
With a wink, he replied, “A man can dream.”
Chapter Thirty-Four: Caterina
As I stood underneath the stream of the shower head, I reflected on the past four months. How quickly Autumn had melted into winter, and before I knew it, Callum and I had celebrated six months together. When I was in the order, time seemed to stretch on endlessly. But now there was so much going on that time practically flew by.
While I lathered up my hair, I smiled at the memories from December. For the first time in three years, I’d celebrated a traditional Christmas. Well, considering it was an Irish Christmas, it was different from the Christmases I’d grown up with. Orla, Maeve, and Eamon had flown over, and the house was filled with love and laughter. The women and I decorated the house within an inch of its life as well as baking sweets constantly. I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever been so happy.