Tit for Tat Baby, page 6
She pushed away from the wall and winced when a burning pain shot through her core. She clenched her teeth and slowly walked to her room.
Let that be a lesson, Jenna. Don’t play with the big boys!
But oh lord, it was so satisfying! She did not even want to think how it would feel if he was to actually seduce her. With the aim to give her pleasure, his mouth and lips all over her body, his tongue dipping and tasting her.
Stop it Jenna!
Chapter Six
Jenna sank slowly into the hot bubble bath she ran and cried out when the hot water burned her sheath. She hung suspended with her hands on the side of the tub, biting her lip. She panted through the pain and then lowered into the tub. She leaned back and forced all her muscles to relax.
The next moment she shot upright and cried out at the sudden pain deep inside her with the quick movement. Callum stormed through the door he just flung open with a crash. He cringed when he heard her cry and stopped next to the tub.
He twirled the bubbles out of the way and cursed. Jenna looked down and noticed the water was stained red with her blood. What the devil did he expect?
“Go away!”
“You were not a virgin, Jenna. How long has it been since you’ve been with someone?”
“I said, go away!”
“How long?”
“What does it matter? You hardly gave me time to adjust to your size. Just go away. I am fine.”
“Get out of the tub. I want to see if you’re still bleeding.”
“Oh for heaven sake! No, I am not.”
“Jenna, get out of the tub!”
“I am not bleeding anymore, Callum!”
He cursed and reached down and yanked her from the tub. She cried and clutched at his arms, clenching her teeth. He cursed again, picked up a towel and stormed into her room. He lowered her legs gently to the carpet and she stood upright. He dried her quickly and ignored her complaints. He pulled the bedding to the end of the bed and turned to her.
“Get on the bed.”
She glared at him.
“Stop ordering me around. I am not sick, McGregor. I am not goin … eek!”
He picked her up, gently this time and placed her carefully on the bed. He looked at her and the expression on his face warned her he was not going to accept any resistance.
“I am going to check if you are still bleeding. If you resist, you will hurt yourself, so keep still.”
She gasped when he took her knee in his hand and started to pull her leg over his lap. She stiffened and begged him softly.
“Please don’t. I am not bleeding anymore!”
“I need to be sure.”
“Let me do it then.”
He speared her a glance, but continued to pull her leg over his lap. She closed her eyes and moaned when she felt him push his finger gently inside her channel as far as he could. She was mortified when she felt her inner muscles react and clamp around his finger. His breath hitched in his throat when he felt it too and smiled. He withdrew his finger and was relieved when there was no sign of blood.
He dropped his hand on her belly. Jenna opened her eyes and it was caught by his.
“How much pain are you in?”
“I’ll survive.”
“Stop being so nonchalant, woman and answer me!”
“Well, wonders never cease to happen! He called me a woman!”
He leaned forward and his lips caressed hers softly, sweeping back and forth, then he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and she moaned.
“Oh, yes, little painter … you are all woman!”
She blushed, very aware of his hot hand still on her belly, gently stroking slow circles on her quivering skin.
“Now answer my question.”
“It is more a burning sensation than constant pain. It only hurts when I move too quickly. I am fine. Please leave so that I can get dressed.”
“No, you are staying in bed for the rest of the day. Megan will bring you lunch.”
“Meg … Megan is here? Oh lord! What did you tell her?”
“Nothing yet. But maybe she will know what I can get from the chemist for you.”
She sat up and winced when a sharp pain pinched inside her.
“Don’t you dare, do you hear me. Callum McGregor! If you say one word to Megan I am on the next flight out of here. I will never be able to look her in the eyes again! I have some pain tablets and a general antibiotic.”
“I need to get you something, Jenna.”
“No, you don’t.” Jenna sighed realizing he was adamant. “Let’s make a deal. If I am not better in the morning, you can go and get something from the chemist. For now, I will take my tablets and no, I am NOT staying in bed. How will we explain that to Megan?”
“We don’t need to offer any explanation.”
She frowned and glared at him.
“What the devil are you doing here anyway?”
“Megan asked me to meet her here. It is Liam’s birthday next month and she wants my help with his gift.”
“You could have warned me,” she mumbled.
“I could have, but then Megan and I would have missed out on your … performance.”
“Megan was there?”
Callum nodded and she groaned. She frowned and then glared at him.
“Why … did she leave?”
“Because I told her to.”
“You … told her … oh lord! What must she think?”
“Most probably exactly what happened.”
Jenna shrieked and slapped him on his arm. Her eyes incinerated him.
“Are you telling me you make a habit of … of …?”
“Having sex in the ballroom?”
If looks could kill, he would have been dead on the spot.
“No … this was the first time.”
He looked down to where his hand rested on her belly and then slowly over the rest of her naked body. He drew a deep breath. She was absolutely exquisite. His rising shaft concurred with his thought.
“I am not sorry for what I did, nor am I going to apologize, little painter, although I regret that I hurt you.” His eyes burned into hers. “I will make sure you are ready the next time I go that deep.”
She blushed and glowered at him.
“There is not going to be a next time, McGregor. I am here to work, not to be your convenient sex partner.”
He rose and looked down at her. Her nipples shriveled up and her breasts quivered. His face was inscrutable and his eyes burnt into hers.
“We’ll see about that, little painter … woman.”
Callum did not go to the office at all, nor the next day. He watched Jenna like a hawk the whole day. She spent the rest of the day in the workshop, starting the cleaning process on the paintings from the entrance hall. At least she sat down and kept the door closed, hoping to keep him out.
She refused to put the overalls back on and wore a knee length denim and loose tee-shirt already stained with paint. She was busy to carefully clean the painting of the castle with a special soap solution and a sponge when Megan knocked and walked in when she called out.
She blushed the moment she saw it was her, and kept her head lowered over the painting, trying to curb her embarrassment.
“Hi Jenna. Am I bothering you?”
“Of course not, please come in.”
“Are you okay? Callum can be a bit of a bore when he is angry.”
She glanced at her and smiled.
“I am fine. How’s the twins?”
“Full of energy as usual. They’re with a playgroup three days of the week. Specifically so that they learn to interact with other kids. In all honesty … some days I need the break!”
“They are quite a handful, but they are beautiful kids. Did you manage to decide on a gift for Liam?”
“Yes. Liam and Callum grew up together and are best friends, so Callum knows better than anyone what to get him. Without fail, every year he has been very happy with his gift.”
“Now I understand why the two of them get along so well.”
“Yes … and can be quite annoying as well when they’re together.”
“Callum seems to be a different person when you are all together.”
“It is the only time he allows himself to really relax. Other times he is really grumpy and tends to be a bit arrogant. He is one of the best businessmen there is, but in the corporate world he is known as ruthless, but also a man of integrity and honesty. Not many people would oppose him. He is said to be a force to be reckoned with.”
You can say that again!
Jenna cleaned the sponge and pressed all the excess water out and left it out to dry.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Jenna? You look a bit pale.”
Jenna groaned softly when Callum walked in just as Megan asked the question and he looked at her searchingly, his jaw rigid.
“I always get a bit of a headache when I work with this soap solution. I should ideally wear a mask, but I tend to forget.”
“Are you sure it is only the headache?”
Jenna glared at Callum and felt like throwing him with the wet sponge. Megan noticed the secret message between them and wondered for the first time what Callum did to Jenna when she left the Ballroom.
“Yes, I am sure!”
His eyes narrowed on her and his lips flattened. He looked at Megan.
“Are you planning on sleeping over, Megs? It is already quite late.”
“Well, I guess that is a direct hint that it is time for me to leave. I am on my way. Liam has already collected the twins from their playgroup. We are going to his parents for the weekend. I hope your headache clears soon Jenna and don’t work too hard. And you … leave her be. She can’t work if you hover over her the whole day.”
Callum raised his eyebrows at his sister and she tsk’ed at him as she walked out the door. His eyes immediately caught Jenna’s again.
“I am taking you to the doctor.”
“Oh for heaven sake! I really do have a headache.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He walked closer and picked her up in his arms and started walking to the door.
“You are not serious! Put me down, McGregor!”
“I am taking you to the doctor!”
“Please Callum, I don’t want to go!”
“You’re hurt, Baby. We need to have it looked at.”
Her heart tingled at the easy way baby fell from his lips.
“Callum, please. It is going to be too embarrassing. I promise it is the headache more than … that I am suffering from at the moment.”
“Fine, then I am taking you to your room for a nap.”
She sighed and resignedly looped her arms around his neck. He ran up the stairs as if she weighed nothing at all and was not even breathing hard when he lowered her on the bed.
“Where are your pain tablets?”
“On the dressing table.”
He poured some water from the carafe on the corner desk and handed her two tablets and the glass. She swallowed them down and lay down, watching him as he carried the glass back to the corner table. He walked back to her and stood looking down at her. He frowned, then turned and walked to the walk in cupboard. He returned with one of her large oversized tee-shirts.
“Put this on. The smell of the soap solution is on your clothes.”
She did not even think about that, but realized he was right and if she wanted to be rid of the headache, she would have to change. She took the shirt.
“Thank you.”
He remained next to the bed and she glared at him.
“You can go, Callum. I will change once you have.”
“It’s not as though I haven’t seen you naked, Baby.”
She blushed and he chuckled. Amazed that she blushed after he carried her around naked and examined her intimately. He leaned over and took her lips in an intimate passionate kiss. She was still breathing hard when he closed the door behind him.
Jenna closed her eyes. This had to stop. No matter how much her body craved his touch and his kisses, she could not allow this to continue. She was here to do a job. She would just have to stay out of his way and make sure there were no further temptations that could end up as it did that morning.
As predicted Jenna was much better the following day and by Saturday did not even wince anymore. Callum could relax and spent most of the weekend working in his study.
Jenna informed Ronan that she was going into town to explore on Saturday after breakfast, which she ate alone. Callum apparently went jogging and indicated he would have breakfast later. Jenna was relieved. His brooding eyes were on her all the time and he was back to his old grumpy, arrogant self.
She drove around town and just enjoyed exploring. She walked through the Newtown Abby Superstore, from there she explored the Valley Leisure Centre. She bought a sandwich, fruit and juice and went to the Hazel bank Park and found a bench to sit and relax. She ate her lunch and gazed out to the sea. She took out her sketchbook and sat drawing the dragon and fairy the twins asked her for. When a church bell chimed in the background, she realized with a start that it was already six o’clock. She quickly packed everything away and was soon on her way back to the castle.
Callum was just getting into his Aston Martin One sports car when she drove up the driveway and parked the rental. He slammed the door shut and she winced. He stomped around the car and flung the door open.
“Where the hell have you been all day?”
“I … Ronan knew where I was.”
“Exploring yes! Why did you not answer your phone?”
“Ehm … probably because I don’t have it with me.”
“Probably? Do you or don’t you have it with you?”
“I don’t. I tend to leave my cell all over the place and forget about it.”
“That is very irresponsible. You can’t just drive off in a strange city without being contactable! What if something happened?”
“Were you on your way somewhere, honeybuns? Please don’t let me keep you.”
“Yes … I was on my way to look for you! I don’t know why the hell I even bothered to worry! You clearly couldn’t care less!”
She gaped at him. She turned sideways and dropped her legs out of the car and he stepped back. She got out and he towered over her. She had to twist her head back to look up at him.
“I am sorry. I am not used to reporting my every move!
“Did you meet your Titanic toy boy?”
Jenna was flabbergasted at the anger that tightened his whole body and flashed from his eyes.
“That, McGregor, is none of your business.”
She took a step sideways with the intention of walking around him, but he followed, his eyes shooting arrows at her.
“I am making it my business.”
She humpfh’d and crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.
“I am hungry, would you please let me pass? Or are we going to stand here until I pass out?”
His grin was arrogant. He leaned closer and said against her lips.
“Before this night is over, little painter … you will tell me.”
He turned and strolled away and disappeared through the front door with Jenna gaping after him. She did not like the veiled threat. Her stomach cramped with nervousness.
Chapter Seven
Jenna ate dinner alone. Callum caught up on the work he lost pacing the whole afternoon worrying about the damn painter girl … woman. He did not bother to try and decipher the anger at the thought that she might have spent the day with the young man he saw her with at the Titanic museum.
Ronan walked in with a tray and his dinner. He mumbled under his breath, but loud enough for Callum to hear.
“No’ righ’ that the little Lassie eat alone every nigh’.”
He plonked the tray on his desk with a loud bang and scowled at Callum.
“Anythin’ else, Laddy?”
“I don’t think I dare ask.”
“What yer mumblin’, Laddy?”
“No thanks, Ronan. I am fine. Thanks for dinner.”
He turned and mumbled on his way out.
“Should ‘ave let yer starve.”
Callum smiled and pulled the tray closer. Seems the little painter found a protector. He finished his dinner and devoted another two hours going through his e-mails. He frowned reading the mail from Giles Hannon, his business associate in Australia. The extended trip he planned was intended to set up a branch in Sydney. It seems the preparations and registrations he had to manage went quicker than they believed it would. Everything has been registered and certified and was ready. He sighed. This meant he needed to get there immediately and set the ball rolling.
Callum sat staring outside into the dark through the window, his mind racing. In the end he realized it would be best if he did go on a long trip immediately. He made a huge mistake taking Jenna in the ballroom. Since then she was constantly on his mind. He was in a semi-aroused state all the time. He knew he had to stay away from her. He also knew if he did not leave on this trip, he would not be able to.
He phoned his second in charge at his company at the Belfast office and made quick arrangements. He set up instructions and responsibility allocations. He had full confidence to leave his company in his hands. He was very capable and have always taken charge very successfully in the past. He contacted his executive assistant with instructions for flight and accommodation bookings.
Callum owned a Financial Services Company specializing in Insurance and Investments. McGregor Financial Services has been listed as one of the top most lucrative and sought after companies globally. His father taught him all about it when he was barely fourteen years old. It triggered his interest then and he has never looked back. He started the company on a small scale when he finished varsity. He continued his studies on a part time basis and achieved his MBA through Harvard and obtained his PhD in Financial Investments before he turned twenty seven.
Satisfied that all the arrangements have been made, he went to his room and packed his bags. It was already after eleven by the time he pulled on boxer shorts and towel dried his hair, staring at the stars glittering in the sky. He drew his hands through his hair and with a curse threw the towel on the chair and walked out of his room. He did not even hesitate in front of Jenna’s door. He pushed it open, walked in and closed it behind him.
