Page 52 of Callum

"I am sure she will turn around and kiss it after." Liam Moses gave him an amused look.

"I might have to be the one to do the kissing." Adam glanced over at Callum. "You have been raking in all of the winnings, my friend. Want to tell us your secret?"

"I don't have a wife to kick my ass, and I believe in concentrating on the game. Full house." He fanned his cards out and had the others groaning in defeat. "Why don't I assuage your pride by springing for drinks? My treat."

"Of course, it would be since you cleaned us out," Liam told him mildly.

Pushing back the chairs, the men rose and left the table littered with the cards, various chips, and cigars smoldering in crystal ashtrays to make their way into the dining area a few feet away.

The signature colors of gold and blue could be seen in the drapes covering the windows, the carpet on the floor, and the diningroom chairs. Bypassing the tables set for the morning meals, the men made their way to the bar. The staff were few at this time of the night as most of the members had turned in for the night.

Classical music was filtered into the room courtesy of the excellent sound system in various places, hidden from sight. The men took their seats and were served with an efficiency that was the club's trademark. Nursing his bourbon, Callum looked around the vast room with a slight smile touching his lips.

"What's going on with you?" David's voice jarred him from reverie and brought him back to earth.

"This place." His eyes swung to David. "You were born a member."

The other man's brows lifted as he sipped his drink. "I guess you could say that. Generations of Synder's were members."

"Because of the name." Callum flicked a glance at the others. "That includes Adam and Liam."

"I guess so," David murmured as he looked at the other men involved in a lively discussion about some racehorses they own. "What brought that on?"

"Just thinking how things have changed."

"Membership in the very distant past had only been extended to men, and those men had to be established - old money, so to speak."

"Membership is still extended to men."

"But the difference is - our wives have now become a significant part of the goings on. Most of the functions are arranged by them; from what I gathered, that would not have been the case before."

"Hmm." Callum sipped the drink and felt the emptiness inside his chest. He thought coming here for the weekend would have made him feel marginally better, but it did not. And David's next question only made it worse.

"I thought you were seeing some actress? Lynn Peterson."

The sound of her name had his heart twisting inside his chest. "I am."

"Where is she?"

"Out of town." Tossing back the drink, he slammed the glass down and rose. "I am turning in."

David looked at the other two men. "I think I just put my foot in my mouth."

"It seems to be a constant condition with you," Liam said mildly as they watched Callum leave the room. "I hear that Bianca Bellacort is in town."

"Ah." David shook his head at that. "That explains it."

As soon as he entered his room, he sprung for another drink and locked the door behind him. There was no appreciation for the lovely decor as he walked right over to the cabinet and made his selection.

A headache was brewing, and he recalled not eating much at supper. His appetite was non-existent, and there was a funny hollow in the pit of his stomach.

Taking the drink with him, he went to stand by the window, staring blindly out at the encroaching darkness, the glitter of snow on the trees and covering the various brushes. Bracing a hand on the window frame, he sipped the drink, his mind drifting to her as usual.

The lovemaking that had blown him out of the water, the feel of her against him. Was she thinking of him? Because he was undoubtedly - could certainly not think of anything else but her. And it was time to stop thinking and do something about it.

Chapter 11

By the time the week had rolled in, he was fit to be tied. He had sent out searchers for her, to no avail. It was as if she had vanished off the face of the earth. On Wednesday, he took matters into his own hands and saw her brother.