eyes of a gorgeous redhead. ‘No. I’m Callie—’ Then she remembered that she was supposed to be married and flushed with embarrassment. Her brain kicked up a gear as she tried to explain her gaffe. ‘Sorry—I’m still operating on my own name.’
The redhead grinned. ‘I absolutely understand; I’m recently married myself. I’m Clem—welcome to the Two B.’
Callie had read her fair share of celebrity magazines and instantly recognised this ex-model, who’d once been engaged to one of the world’s most notorious musicians. From socialite to living on an upmarket game reserve. Now that was a life-change.
‘Thank you. It’s beautiful.’
Clem sighed. ‘It really is. I’m still in awe of what Nick’s managed to build here.’
Clem jammed her hands in her khaki shorts and gestured to a dark-haired man who stood at the other end of the veranda, talking to a man dressed in the same uniform of khaki shorts and navy polo shirt.
‘That’s Nick and his right-hand man, Jabu. They are the heart and soul of the Two B. Sorry, that’s what we call this place. The Baobab and Buffalo is such a mouthful.’
Callie watched as Nick and his wife exchanged a look across the veranda that blazed with passion and lust. Callie felt as if she needed a fan or a long drink of water when they finally looked away from each other, but Clem turned back to Callie, acting as if she hadn’t just eye-bonked her husband.
‘What are you hoping to do here? Or are you just planning to hibernate in your room and … well, do what honeymooners do?’
How the hell was she supposed to answer that question? She didn’t even know the answer to any of the questions she had with regard to her and Finn’s relationship—the fake one or the real one!
Were they going to sleep with each other? Duh. That was a no-brainer—as soon as they had to share a bed they’d be all over each other … there was no way they’d be able to resist. And that would be the start of their three-week fling. It would be hot and sexy and rollercoaster-crazy and she had to remember to keep her emotional distance. No spilling the secrets of your soul, Hollis!
Callie frowned at the rogue thought. What was wrong with her? She had always been able to separate sex and emotion—why was she worried that she wouldn’t be able to do it with Finn? Because you like him, Callie admitted reluctantly. Because you’d like to be his friend, have him be yours. And that meant taking a step away from being ‘safe’ and unattached; it would take her into uncharted territory …
‘Callie?’
Callie blinked at her hostess. ‘Sorry, I zoned out. Tired …’
Clem laughed and patted her arm again. ‘No problem—I understand. I was so exhausted after my wedding day I could barely string a sentence together.’
Yeah, that wasn’t it. Looking into Clem’s beautiful, open, happy face, Callie felt the urge to spill her secrets.
Actually, I’m not really married. I’m running away from reconnecting with my long-absent mother.
And I want to sleep with Finn; he’s exciting and intriguing and the first man in for ever who I can imagine myself falling for. But I’m scared that he’s the one man that I will like more after I’ve slept with him—not less. I already like him more than I should. Hell, I knew that I liked him more than was wise on the plane home from JFK—and this is all very scary for me. And he’s on the rebound and I never, repeat never, sleep with men I can fall for.
So I’m confused. And more than little terrified.
And I really don’t like being either.
Callie suspected that Clem would understand.
Callie sighed her relief as she saw Finn walking towards them, a Two B butler two steps behind. She gathered her wits and made the introductions. ‘Finn Banning—meet Clem. She and her husband own and run the Baobab and Buffalo.’
Clem’s eyes narrowed slightly and her smile was a little cool. ‘You’re the journalist doing an article on us?’
Hmm, it seemed that the fiery redhead wasn’t fond of journalists—then again, with her history with the profession Callie couldn’t blame her.
‘I am,’ Finn said easily, his hand resting low on Callie’s back, his fingers just above her butt cheek. It was a very possessive, familiar gesture—one perfectly suited to a newly married man.
‘We don’t normally allow reporters to write about the Two B; we’re booked for years in advance and don’t need the publicity. We’re doing this as a favour to the owner of Go Travel who’s a regular visitor.’
Clem kept the smile on her face but there was a note of protectiveness in her voice that was unmistakable. Finn’s fingers flexed on Callie’s back and Callie knew that he’d heard Clem’s warning too.
Finn sent her an easy smile. ‘I’m morally bound to write on my personal experiences and I already know that my experience here will be utterly fantastic. We’re so lucky to start off our honeymoon here.’
Clem relaxed and Callie released her pent-up breath. Finn casually sipped from the glass of champagne he’d been handed on walking through the front door.
Clem nodded at the papers in his hand. ‘I’ve tweaked your itinerary to showcase the best of what we can offer honeymooners—which is an utterly unique and memorable experience.’ Clem pulled a face, humour back in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry, it doesn’t leave much time for long, lazy mornings spent in bed, but it will be exciting and amazing.’
Wow. If all the lodges were going to pull out the stops the way Clem was doing then Callie was in for one hell of a holiday.
‘We’re grateful for your personal touch,’ said Mr Charmer at her side.
‘Then Sarah, your personal butler, will take it from here. Enjoy your stay,’ Clem said, before turning away to walk towards her husband.
Nick immediately opened his arms and Clem snuggled up into his side. Callie briefly wondered what it would feel like to love a man like that—to be loved like that. To feel so absolutely, utterly secure in yourself and in his love that you could slide into a conversation and into his arms without either of you missing a beat, as if it was the most natural action in the world.
Love, it seemed, could work for some. But Callie knew that she wasn’t one of the lucky few. No, she was better off on her own, walking her own path.
That way she could be in control and could stop her heart from walking off the side of a cliff and splattering on the rocks below.
INSTEAD OF WALKING them to their room, as he’d expected, Sarah led Finn and Callie to an open game-viewing vehicle and invited them to climb inside. As he hoisted himself up into the vehicle he noticed that their luggage was neatly stowed in the back of the vehicle, just behind the second row of bench seats.
Finn
