What a Westmoreland Wants Part 11

A frown deepened her brow. "And how do you figure that?"

He came to a stop in front of her. "First of all, on a business level, before I do business with anyone I expect the company to be financially sound. In other words, Gemma, I figured that you had enough funds in your bank account to cover the initial outlay for this decorating job."

She placed her hands on her hips. "I didn't have to worry about that since you gave me such a huge advance."

"And what if I hadn't done that? Would you have been able to take the job here?"

Gemma didn't have to think about the answer to that. "No, but-"

"No, buts, Gemma." He didn't say anything for a minute and it seemed as if he was struggling not to smile. That only fueled her anger. What did he find so amusing?

Before she could ask, he spoke. "And it's personal, Gemma, because it's you. I don't like the idea of anyone taking advantage of you. Does Ramsey know?"

Boy, that did it! "I own Designs by Gems-not Ramsey. It's my business and whatever problems crop up are my my problems. I know I made a mistake in hiring Niecee. I see that now and I should have listened to Ramsey and Dillon and done a background check on her, as they suggested. I didn't and I regret it. But at least I'm-" problems. I know I made a mistake in hiring Niecee. I see that now and I should have listened to Ramsey and Dillon and done a background check on her, as they suggested. I didn't and I regret it. But at least I'm-"

"Handling your business." He glanced at his watch. "Ready to go?" he asked, walking away and heading for the door, turning off the light switch in the process. "There's a nice restaurant not far from here that I think you'll like."

Gemma spun around to face him. "I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm mad."

Callum flashed her a smile. "Then get over it."

Gemma was too undone...and totally confused. "I won't be getting over it."

He nodded. "Okay, let's talk about it then."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't want to talk about it, because it's none of your business."

Callum threw his head back and laughed. "We're back to that again?"

Gemma glared at him. "We need to get a few things straight, Callum."

He nodded. "Yes, we do." He walked back over to her. "I've already told you why it's my business and from a business perspective you see that I'm right, don't you?"

It took her a full minute, but she finally said, "Yes, all right. I see that. I'll admit that you are right from a business perspective. That's not the way I usually operate but..."

"You were robbing Peter to pay Paul, I know. However, I don't like being Peter or Paul. Now, as far as it being personal, you you were right." were right."

She lifted a brow. "I was?"

"Yes. It was your business and not Ramsey's concern. I admitted it and told you that you handled it. That was the end of it," he said.

She gave herself a mental shake, trying to keep up with him. He had scolded her on one hand, but complimented her way of handling things on the other. "So you won't mention it to Ramsey?"

"No. It's not my place to do that...unless your life is in danger or something equally as dire, and it's not." He looked down at her and smiled. "As I said, from the sound of the conversation you just had with Megan, you handled this matter in an expeditious manner. By all accounts, you will be getting your money back. Kudos for you."

A smile crossed Gemma's lips. She was proud of herself. "Yes, kudos for me." Her eyes narrowed. "And just what did you find amusing earlier?"

"How quickly you can get angry just for the sake of doing so. I'd heard about your unique temperament but never experienced it before."

"Did it bother you?"

"No."

Gemma frowned, not sure how she felt about that. In a way she liked that Callum didn't run for cover when her temper exploded, as it did at times. Zane, Derringer and the twins were known to have had a plate aimed at their heads once or twice, and knew to be ready to duck if they gave her sufficient cause.

"However, I would like you to make me a promise," he said, breaking into her thoughts.

She lifted a curious brow. "What?"

"Promise that if you ever find yourself in a bind again, financial or otherwise, you'll let me know."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't need another older brother, Callum."

He smiled and his teeth flashed a bright white against his brown skin. "There's no way you can think we have anything close to a brother-sister relations.h.i.+p after last night. But just in case you need a little reminder..."

He pulled her into his arms, lowered his head and captured her mouth with his.

Twelve

Gemma's face blushed with antic.i.p.ation as she walked into Callum's condo. Dinner was fantastic, but she liked being back here alone with him.

"Are you tired, Gemma?"

He had to be kidding. She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a wry look. He was closing the door and locking it. "What makes you think that?" She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a wry look. He was closing the door and locking it. "What makes you think that?"

"You were kind of quiet at dinner."

She chuckled. "Not hardly. I nearly talked your ears off."

"And I nearly talked yours off, too."

She shook her head. "No, you didn't. You were sharing how your day went, and basically, I was doing the same." While sitting there nearly drooling over you from across the table. While sitting there nearly drooling over you from across the table. Now that they were alone, she wondered if she would have to tell him what she wanted or if he already had a clue. Now that they were alone, she wondered if she would have to tell him what she wanted or if he already had a clue.

"So Kathleen worked out well for you?"

"Yes," she said, easing out of her shoes. "She's a sweetheart and so efficient. She was able to find all the fabric I need and the cost of s.h.i.+pping won't be bad. I really hadn't expected you to set up the office like that. Thanks again for the roses. They were beautiful."

"You thanked me already for the flowers, and I'm glad you liked them. I plan to take you to the movies this weekend, but how would you like to watch a DVD now?"

She studied his features as he walked into the living room. Was that what he really wanted to do? "A movie on DVD sounds fine."

"You got a favorite?"

She chuckled as she dropped down on the sofa. "And if I do, should I just a.s.sume you have it here?"

He sat in the wingback chair across from her. "No, but I'm sure it can be ordered through my cable company. As I said, whatever you want, I will make it happen."

In that case. She stood from the sofa and in bare feet she slowly crossed the room and came to a stop between his opened legs. "Make love to me, Callum." She stood from the sofa and in bare feet she slowly crossed the room and came to a stop between his opened legs. "Make love to me, Callum."

Callum didn't hesitate to pull Gemma down into his lap. He had been thinking about making love to her all day. That kiss in her office had whet his appet.i.te and now he was about to be appeased. But first he had to tell her something before he forgot.

"Mom called. She's invited you to have lunch and go shopping with her, my sister and my sisters-in-law next Friday."

Surprise shone on Gemma's face. She twisted around in his arms to look up at him. "She did?"

"Yes."

"But why? I'm here to decorate your house. Why would they want to spend time with me?"

Callum chuckled. "Why wouldn't they? You've never been to Australia and I gather from the conversations the other day they figured you like to shop like most other women."

"The same way men like watching sports. I understand that sports are just as popular here in this country as in the States."

"Yes, I played Australian rules football a lot growing up. Not sure how my body would handle it now, though," he said, adjusting her in his lap to place the top of his chin on the crown of her head. "I also like playing cricket. One day I'm going to teach you how to play."

"Well, you must have plans to do that during the time I'm here, because once I return home it's back to tennis for me."

Callum knew Gemma played tennis and that she was good at it. But what stuck out more than anything was her mentioning returning home. He didn't intend for that to happen, at least not on a permanent basis. "How can you think of returning to Denver when you still have so much to do here?"

She smiled. "Hey, give me a break. Today was my first full day on the job. Besides, you hired Kathleen for me. She placed all the orders and I even hired the company to come in and hang the drapes and pictures. Everything is moving smoothly. Piece of cake. I'll have that place decorated and be out of here in no time."

He didn't say anything for a moment, thinking he definitely didn't like the sound of that. Then he turned her in his arms. "I think we got sidetracked."

She looked up at him. "Did we?"

"Yes. You wanted to make love."

She tilted her head. "Umm, did I?"

"Yes."

She shook her head, trying to hide a grin, which he saw anyway. "Sorry, your time is up."

He stood with her in his arms. "I don't think so."

Callum carried her over to the sofa and sat down with her in his arms. "We have more room here," he said, adjusting her body in his lap to face him. "Now tell me what you want again."

"I don't remember," she said, amus.e.m.e.nt s.h.i.+ning in her gaze.

"Sounds like you need another reminder," he said, standing.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Now where are you taking me?"

"To the kitchen. I think I'd like you for dessert."

"What! You're kidding, aren't you?"

"No. Watch me."

And she did. Gemma sat on the kitchen counter, where he placed her, while he rummaged through his refrigerator looking for G.o.d knows what. But she didn't mind, since she was getting a real nice view of his backside.

"Don't go anywhere. I'll have everything I need in a sec," he called out, still bent over, scouring his fridge.

"Oh, don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'm enjoying the view," she said, smiling, her gaze still glued to his taut tush.

"The view is nice this time of night, isn't it?" he asked over his shoulder.

She grinned as she studied how the denim of his jeans stretched over his b.u.t.t. He thought she was talking about the view of the ocean outside the window. "I think this particular view is nice anytime. Day or night."

"You're probably right."

"I know I am," Gemma said, fighting to keep the smile out of her voice.

Moments later Callum turned away from the refrigerator and closed the door with his hands full of items. He glanced over at Gemma. She was smiling. He arched a brow. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. What you got there?"

"See for yourself," he said, placing all the items on the counter next to her.

She picked up a jar. "Cherries?"

A slow smile touched his lips at the same time she saw a hint of heat fill his green eyes. "My favorite fruit."

"Yeah, I'll bet."

She picked up another item. "Whipped cream?"

"For the topping."

She shook her head as she placed the whipped cream back on the counter and selected another item. "Nuts?"

"They go well with cherries," he said, laughing.

"You're awful."

"No, I'm not.

She picked up the final item. "Chocolate syrup?"

"That's a must," he said, rolling up his sleeve.