Page 27 of Callum

"I insist that you make time. This calls for champagne. Dom Perignon, at least."

Chapter 6

"I don't have time-"

"I am making time, and so should you."

To her surprise, she saw when he plucked a bottle and two glasses from behind his back and strode into the room. She watched him pop the cork, ignoring the froth running over the lip. Pouring the bubbly, he moved to hand her a glass before settling on one of the small sofas in the room.

His eyes sparkled. "We are seriously rich, Lynn. You should be dancing around the room. I did some dancing myself when I came here with a big fat check from your admirer."

She was careful to keep her expression blank. Jason was a notorious gossip and had friends in various magazines. "Which one?"

He cast her a look and took a long swallow of his champagne. "Like you don't know. Callum Hammond asked to meet me at Cassie's earlier today. I did not want to say anything in case it was to turn me down. I have a contract and a check with enough zeros to carry us until-" he flung a hand wide. "Let's just say it is more than enough."

"I see." She wondered why he was so high-handed and expecting her to jump through his hoops.

"You don't sound too enthusiastic." He accused his brow pleating.

"I am dancing on the inside. What does he expect from us?"

"You sound very suspicious."

"And you are way too trusting." Putting down the glass, she returned to start with her makeup to get into character. "The man is a multi-billionaire who will expect swift returns on his considerable investment."

"He has a personal interest."

"Oh?" She was careful to keep her voice neutral.

"He said so himself. He is very interested in you, Lynn."

"You are leading me to believe that a man of Mr. Hammond's ilk invested money into the play because what? Like me?"

"I would think there is more to it than that." He eyed her curiously. "I have asked you what transpired between you, and you are not telling."

"That's because it's none of your business."

"Your name is on the contract."

Her reaction, this time, could not be hidden. "What?"

"Thought that would get a rise out of you. I read the basics when he handed it to me, but I took the time to peruse further after he left. It clearly states that you are to be given creative freedom."

"What the hell does that mean?" She demanded.

"It means darling that the man more than likes you. He invested mostly because of you. What did you do to earn such ... ardency?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." She went back to putting on her makeup.

"Have it your way." With fluid grace, he rose and left the champagne within reach. "But thanks for whatever you did. It worked."

Damn him! Damn him! Damn him! she fumed as she put away the rouge and eyeliner. She was going to have words with him.

*****

Callum sat in the board meeting and listened with half an ear to the conversations around him. He had issued her an ultimatum and was sitting here nervous it would blow up in his face. He had known about the function tonight for some time and had deliberately not mentioned it to her while they had been together.

The reasons were simple. He had not wanted business to intrude on their time together, and he knew she wanted to keep them a secret, something he disagreed with. So, he had waited until he could call and order - he shook his head mentally.