Hollywood House Call. Jules Bennett

about it, fantasized about it. Had taken the proverbial cold showers to prove it.

      Noah came to his feet, glancing inside at Callie, who was looking toward the doors, probably looking for him.

      “Listen, I need to go,” Noah said. “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what time I’ll be free.”

      After sliding the phone into his pocket, he went back inside. Callie’s smile across the crowded room did something funny to his chest…something he’d rather not explore.

      “I’m ready to cash in my winnings,” she told him, holding up her tickets. “I’ve got a hundred here and I think I gave you a hundred. Let’s go see what I can get.”

      Noah followed her as he pulled her tickets from his pocket. He still couldn’t believe this was her idea of celebrating. She certainly wasn’t like all the other women he knew. Their idea of celebrating would be to head to the most expensive restaurant and try to get into his bed afterward…not that he ever complained about those nights.

      But Callie was different—a fact he’d known from the first day of working with her. She was like a breath of fresh air. He never knew what to expect from her, but he knew it would be something great.

      After she chose her prizes—a hideous monkey with tiedyed fur and a flower-shaped eraser—he escorted her to the car and drove back to his office. Even though she was fairly silent during the ride, she was beaming from ear to ear.

      “You had a good time.”

      It wasn’t a question, more like an observation.

      “A blast,” she told him. “I’d always wanted to go to a place like that as a kid.”

      He threw her a glance as he pulled up beside her car. “Why didn’t you?”

      Callie’s smile faltered, and she toyed with the ear on the monkey. “I didn’t have a very pleasant childhood. And that’s the best way I can put it.”

      Noah put the car in Park and turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Callie. I didn’t mean to pry. You’ve worked for me for a while now and I don’t know much about your life before you came here.”

      She attempted a smile, but her sad gaze met his. “I’d rather focus on my life here than back home.”

      Wherever she came from, whatever she experienced must be painful because the L.A. Callie was a bright, bubbly woman who didn’t care to let everyone see how positive she was about life.

      “I can’t thank you enough for everything, Noah.” She reached out, placed a hand on his forearm. “You don’t know how much I value our friendship. At least, I like to think we’re friends.”

      “We are,” he said, cursing his voice when it cracked like some damn adolescent.

      Her dainty, warm hand on his arm really shouldn’t turn him on, but he’d been intrigued by her for a while now.

      “Good,” she said, smiling wider. “It’s nice to know I have people I can count on.”

      She leaned over and gave him an innocent, simple peck on his cheek, but as she pulled back, her face remained within a breath of his and she locked eyes with him again. He froze and was surprised when she placed a softer kiss on his lips, hesitating as if waiting for approval.

      “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Was that unprofessional?”

      “Not as much as this.”

      He cupped the side of her face and claimed her lips.

      Three

      Callie knew on some level this was wrong—that would be the professional level.

      But on a personal, feminine level, kissing Noah Foster was so, so perfectly right. There was no way she could not respond to such a blatant advance.

      His thumbs trailed along her jawline as he shifted and changed the angle. Mercy, this man could kiss her lips and she felt it all the way down to her toes…not to mention all the important spots in between.

      Callie grabbed hold of his biceps as the glorious assault on her mouth continued. This attraction wasn’t new on his side or he wouldn’t be devouring her mouth in such a way that had her limbs trembling and her thighs clenching.

      But before she could bask in the fact this was the best kiss she’d ever experienced, Noah pulled back.

      “God, Callie,” he all but growled. “I’m—”

      “No.” She shook her head, putting a bit of distance between them so she could look in his eyes. “Don’t say you’re sorry.”

      His eyes searched hers, that warm gaze dropping to her lips before coming back up. “I wasn’t. I was going to say I don’t know what came over me, but that would be a lie. I’ve wanted to do that for some time.”

      The revelation wasn’t surprising, but she was a little taken aback that he admitted it. Which brought to mind the all-important question: Why hadn’t they locked lips before now? Had she known he had such…talents, she would’ve taken charge months ago.

      Okay, well, maybe she would’ve held back since he was her boss, but she definitely would’ve fantasized about it more.

      “So have I,” she admitted.

      The corners of Noah’s sexy, and she could now add tasty, mouth lifted. “But you work for me.”

      “So now what?” she asked. God, that sounded lame. “I mean, I don’t have to quit, do I?”

      “Do you want to quit?”

      Callie quirked a brow. “Don’t answer my question with a question.”

      “Just trying to figure my way around this… .”

      She grinned. “By this, you mean the fact that I want you?”

      He studied her face. “Yes.”

      Callie’s hands slipped from his thick arms. “I won’t lie about my feelings, Noah. If that makes you uncomfortable…”

      “I’m not uncomfortable,” he told her. “I won’t deny the sexual tension between us.”

      The chubby girl who still lived deep inside her couldn’t believe this was happening. The new Callie, the one who took charge of her life and made things happen, knew this was a moment she’d remember forever.

      Noah Foster, one of the sexiest men she’d ever met, was admitting he was sexually attracted to her.

      “I don’t do relationships, but I can’t deny the chemistry is strong here. I’ve never been in this situation before, and I’m trying to keep this simple.”

      Intrigued, and a little surprised that he inadvertently admitted that she had the upper hand here, Callie grinned.

      “And what situation is that?” she asked. “Making out in your car with an employee?”

      With a sigh, Noah turned in his seat, laughed and shook his head. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”

      “What’s that?”

      Throwing her a glance and a wicked sideways smile, he said, “Oh, now you’re going to answer a question with a question.”

      “Touché.”

      “How about we go on a date and see where this leads?” he asked. “Since the attraction is mutual, I don’t see why we couldn’t.”

      Callie’s belly quivered. She had no doubt that if they went out they’d probably continue where they left off with that kiss. Because a kiss that held those kinds of promises was just a stepping-stone straight to the bedroom. The possibilities thrilled and aroused her, but she also had to be realistic. She didn’t want to cause any awkward moments in the office. Though