I'm flabbergasted.

Completely blown away.

Callum just slid a ring on my finger that he claims isn't an engagement ring but a promise ring that looks to have cost more than my townhouse. But most importantly, when in the world did he buy me this?

I held up my hand, rocking it from side to side, studying the ring in awe. An exquisite corset resembling the lacing of a couture gown. A pear-shaped diamond center stone draped between two interlacing purple diamond ribbons.

He gently took my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissed the top of my hand, then lowered it to eye the beautiful hardware he just gave me for no reason. "The jeweler explained to me this ring symbolizes two souls becoming one. And that's where I see us heading—it's what I'm hoping for, at least." He slid the ring from side to side, the street lights bouncing off the ring, brightly twinkling as we drove past them. "The center stone is a 5.70-carat diamond, and the other diamonds weigh in at about one carat—a total of one hundred and thirteen diamonds are on this ring, secured magnificently on a platinum band. And the purple diamonds are to remind you that your brother is still with you," he added, my nose stinging from the tears that wished to assault my face.

"Callum... thank you," I said, choked up. "This is beautiful," I said, bringing my gaze to his. "When in the world did you get this, and where did you get this?"

His hand formed on my head, and he pulled me to his mouth. Kissing me passionately that excited my ovaries so much, my pussy pulsated to beat the band. "When we were in New York last, and you were busy looking at the jewelry, I pulled a jeweler to the side, told him what I wanted to be done, and said if he could have the ring made and done by the time of the gala, they'd receive a bonus. So when I got a call yesterday morning that the ring was ready, I asked that they deliver it to the hotel, letting them know there would be another bonus if they were to deliver it personally to me. So they made out handsomely on this ring," Callum proudly enlightened.

"But how did you know about my brother? I never told you about him then."

"No, you didn't. Initially, the ring was for you to add to your ensemble tonight. That's why the purple diamonds are cascading on either side of the pear-shaped diamond. However, when we were in Hawaii, and you were in awe about the sunset showing those beautiful colors and saying how the purple hues in the sky reminded you of your brother, I wondered then if epilepsy was what caused his death. Then, when you mentioned to Mack and Marissa that your brother had passed away from a seizure, I knew it was the perfect ring to give you. And it made me even more satisfied that I had it made for you."

I hugged him, fighting back the tears that wanted to expose themselves as I whispered, "Thank you."

He kissed my lips. "You're welcome." He looked out the window and then returned his eyes to me. "We should be pulling up to the venue any second." He caressed the left side of my face and smiled. "I should warn you, though. The paparazzi will bombard us once we pull up to the red carpet and step out of this limo."

After reading about it in my romance novels and seeing it in movies, I was afraid that would happen. So I'm prepared for it.

"So, we'll be posing for photos as we walk the red carpet, making our way into the venue. There will also be a lot of questions flying our way. But don't be overwhelmed by it all. They know who I am and know I never come to events with a woman by my side. The paparazzi have also labeled me numerous times as the hottest eligible bachelor on the planet."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"However, because I have paid millions of dollars to keep my face out of the spotlight in all the photos they have posted about me, you won't have to worry about women flocking to my feet. They'll know me by name, not by face. So when we work the floor introducing ourselves, you'll be known as my girlfriend, all while flashing a ring on your delicate finger, showing we're not just there together as a forefront to my company but a serious item. So the women should leave us alone."

"I don't want anything to drink tonight."

He chuckled as the limo started slowing down. "Why?"

"Because I don't want to have to use the restroom where some psycho female will follow me in there and start some shit, pissing me off where it'll cause you and me to fight."

He softly chuckled, kissed my lips, and smiled. "Don't worry, hun. If you need to use the ladies' room, I'll go with you and wait outside the door. That is, if you want me to. I'll even inspect the restroom before you head in there to ensure nobody is waiting inside for you, if that's what you'd like me to do as well."

That's so sweet of him. But I can't have him do that for me. It just makes me look like I'm weak.

"You won't have to do that. I think I can handle my own battles. I handled you, didn't I?" I reminded him, a smirk following my remark.

A stern look formed in his eye. "I want no issues, Eloise. If you have to use the ladies' room tonight, I will ensure you'll be okay, and no foolish woman will upset my girl. I didn't ask you to attend the gala with me for you to have to put up with women trying to stir the pot when it comes to me. I asked you to come along because I wanted you by my side, and you deserved to attend. This is your baby. You put this all together." He leaned forward, his nose touching mine as his eyes gazed heavily into mine. "You did that. You have every right to be here and enjoy your first time attending a gala—the one you put your heart and soul into. You also have every right to enjoy your night with me. Understood?"

It took me a minute to take in everything he said, and finally, I nodded.

He kissed my lips. "Good. Now let's enjoy the evening, educate everyone on epilepsy, and bring in all the donations we can to make this night a success."

Our door finally opened. Callum stepped out, then offered his hand to help me out of the limo, immediately enveloping his arm around me as we started making our way on the red carpet and through the mounds of the paparazzi, snapping pictures and shouting questions for Callum to answer.

"Who's the girl attached to your hip?"

"Is this your new girlfriend?"

"What's the woman's name?"

"Are you no longer the most hottest eligible billionaire bachelor in the United States?"

The paparazzi's questions spilled off their lips when we started walking away from our vehicle. Callum leaned to my ear, whispering, "Don't worry about answering any of their questions; I'll answer them. All I need you to do is stay by my side, smile, and proudly pose for them to take our photos."

Knowing Callum paid millions of dollars to keep his face off the Internet, and how I'm experiencing what I am now, and how he made things official with us, I'm curious if he'll allow them to post pictures of us on the Internet. Because if he wants everyone to know he's no longer a single man, show everyone I'm his girl and wants us to work out as he claims he does, he needs to show me to the world.

Curious to see what he'd say, I leaned to him, stretching my lips into a smile as I asked, "Are you going to allow them to post our pictures on the Internet? This time without faces being hidden?"

His head turned my way. "Is that what you want? Your face out there for everyone to see?"

Not really. But I do because it concerns Callum, and I'm his girl. And since I don't want to deal with women trying to throw themselves at him, I want the world to see he chose me to be his girl. "Yes."

"Then, abso-fucking-lutely, I'll allow it to happen." He leaned to my ear and whispered, "However, I want you to know that if, and I mean if, we ever have children, they will be blurred."

My belly just dived...

Did he just bring up us having children... already?

I'm not ready for kids now, but wow... this is huge... Callum's already thinking about our future, and that tells me he's coming around, and I may just finally hear what happened to his ex.

Maybe...

"Yes, this is my girlfriend," Callum admitted to one of the female paparazzi that asked the question again. "I'm no longer a bachelor, and I haven't been one for five months now."

Five months... he really wasn't lying when he said he considered me his girl since our night in Florida.

"What's her name?"

"Eloise," Callum responded, guiding me closer to the steps, keeping me as close to him as possible.

"Are you engaged to the woman attached to your hip?" a male photographer asked as Callum turned us to face another group of paparazzi taking pictures.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he chortled, a mischievous grin taking over his lips. He raised my hand with the ring he had slid on earlier and kissed the top of my hand, making sure the ring was in full view for all to see. "You can decide the answer to that on your own," Callum told them, facing us back to the stairway and walking us up the steps, securing me to his side to ensure I don't make a fool of myself by falling on my face.

When we made it inside, we were greeted by a server holding a tray of flutes filled with champagne. Callum removed two, handing me one before he guided me into the one-hundred-thirty-some-year-old majestic ballroom. And I was immediately wowed by the old opulent decor, high ceilings, stunning chandeliers, and palatial windows overlooking Fifth Avenue. It was literally breathtaking. And so was Callum, with his tux and black bow tie. The man seriously looks sexy in everything he wears and knows how to turn heads everywhere we go.

Isabelle was right. The man could seriously walk into any establishment requiring a shirt and shoes and still be served without wearing the required attire.

Men are gawking at me. And Callum knows it—feeding off it. Anytime he sees a man's eyes fixated on me, he becomes affectionate. Kissing my cheek, the corner of my mouth, my hand, my lips, my temple; occasionally, his lips will find my shoulder, exciting my lady parts each time.

And I'm soaking up all the attention he's giving me in front of everyone—absolutely loving it.

Then there are women giving me the stink eye. Marissa is one of them—and all I can do is smile.

That's right, ladies—and Marissa. Callum is mine.

Of all the people Callum has introduced me to so far, I don't remember one of their names. But I sure do know the man walking our way as Callum finishes conversing with Jake from Malt-o-meal.

"There's the mastermind behind this wonderful event," Mack happily said when he approached Callum and me. His eyes wandered around the room. Then he turned, looked some more, and returned to face me. "Looks to be a good turnout. You must be proud," he said to me.

My arm around Callum's waist tightened, and I smiled when he did the same to me. "I'm very proud. But I'll admit I wasn't sure what to expect."

Mack's mouth curved upward, and he had a specific look—a lust-filled look in his eye that made my stomach twist. "You did a wonderful job setting this all up. And the turnout is the best it's been in years." Then his hand reached for me, rested the palm of his hand on my face, and how he was touching me made me uncomfortable, especially with Callum in my arm, that I turned my face to the side to ward off his hand.

"Hey, Mack. Do you always go around touching other men's women?" Callum snapped, and I secretly smiled. "Isn't there somewhere you need to be? Like talking with the event coordinator and making sure everything is set for us to speak?" Callum leaned forward, getting in Mack's face. "Something other than putting the moves on a woman who happens to be mine."

A warning—a reminder Mack needed to hear.

His hands went up, palms facing us. "Hey, I was only trying to tell Eloise how proud I am and how astonished I am that she was able to pull this off in only four months."

"Well, you said what you needed to say; now go do something you're supposed to be doing. Let us continue moving around the room so I can continue introducing Eloise to all the head honchos, who'll be doing any donating."

Callum's lips found my cheek, kissing it before saying, "I should fire his ass."

"You don't have to fire him. He probably didn't believe you when you told him I was your girl, with your history and all. Plus, he's excited about the turnout and that someone from Amazon is attending."

Hmm, he hummed. "If his hands end back on you tonight, he's fired. I won't put up with men touching what's mine."

Okay then.

I didn't like how Mack touched me or the look in his eye when he was eying me. But with Callum having me all dolled up like a fucking queen, I can see why he and others can't take their eyes off me. Hell, I couldn't take my eyes off myself after I looked in the mirror and saw how the woman from the salon did my hair and makeup on top of this sexy and exquisite dress and jewelry Callum bought me.

I don't even look like me.

But I feel the most sexist I've ever felt. Even sexier than how Callum made me feel in Hawaii.

A girl could get used to this kind of spoiling from Callum.

Hopefully, he and I work out because if we don't, that means, between the gifts, the sex, the way he looks and touches me, and how special he makes me feel, considering how we started off, Callum ruined my expectations for all other men.

Callum continued walking me around the room, introducing me to all the important people he wanted me to meet until they announced we were to take our seats so they could start serving our meals.

Of course, they seated Marissa beside Callum and Mack beside me. Occasionally, out of the corner of my eye during the meal, I'd catch Marissa trying to touch Callum somehow.

It could just be me being paranoid, but I don't think I am. If Callum had his hand formed around his glass, she'd grab her wine glass, making sure her hand rubbed against his when she lifted it.

She'd also try rubbing her body on him if she turned to talk to the person on her other side or to talk to our server.

If she laughed at something, her hand would rest somewhere on his arm—even his leg.

However, I give him credit. Anytime she touched him, he was quick to move away from her. And the last time she put her hand on his back, he asked her nicely to keep her hands off him.

Mack, though. He surprised me. He was on his best behavior after Callum got on his ass earlier in the evening. He was polite, made small talk, and kept his eyes off me and my chest.

When Callum was called up to the podium, he leaned into my ear, saying, "You should come up there with me."

My eyes widened, and I shook my head. I've never been nervous speaking in front of a large crowd, but tonight. My nerves are telling me they're not in the mood to be in the spotlight of thousands of people.

"Where's my strong girl at?"

"Right here. But I can't go up there. Not tonight."

"That's fine. Then you'll be stuck sitting beside Marissa and Mack. And all the other women you've been watching, watching me."

Fucker. He knew exactly what to say to get me to change my mind. I wasn't worried about Mack. I worry about Marissa and what sorts of things she'll say to me with Callum not attached to my hip.

I threw my napkin over my plate and stood. "Fine. I'll go up there with you."

Callum rose from his chair, proudly smiling, knowing he won. He kissed my lips, then lowered his hand to the small of my back and guided me to the stage.

"I'll do the speech you wrote, but I'd like you to be the one to educate everyone on epilepsy. Be the epilepsy awareness ambassador tonight—for Max."

For Max, I repeated in my mind.

That just changed everything—my nerves, heart, and mind. I did this night for Max; he deserves to be the spotlight of tonight's event—just like I promised my family I'd do.

And Max...

"Good evening, everyone. Thank you for attending tonight's gala," Callum began. "The stunning, gorgeous woman standing beside me, Eloise McKnight. I'd like if everyone could give her a round of applause for her tireless work on putting together tonight's event."

On top of everyone applauding, there was whistling. And the whistles caused my cheeks to heat.

"Eloise worked her ass off, and as you can see, she did one hell of a job. Good job, sweetheart," he said, kissing my cheek.

I guess who doesn't know already knows now that Callum and I are a couple.

"Anyway... after my speech, I'm having Eloise explain why she chose tonight's event to focus on the importance of epilepsy."

Callum maneuvered around me twenty minutes later, pushing me to step up to the microphone.

Max.

Do this for Max, I reminded myself.

"Good evening, everyone; the reason I chose to bring awareness to epilepsy is because of my brother. Four years ago, he lost his life due to a grand mal seizure while swimming—alone. He was only twenty-nine years old. And since his death, I decided to go on a mission to educate everyone about the brain disorder that affects about three and a half million Americans. And about fifty million people worldwide."

I paused, my eyes scanning the silent room, where everyone's eyes were heavily on me.

I faced Callum to see his eyes were on me. When he jutted his chin toward everyone, I returned my gaze to the crowd and continued selling all the reasons why everyone attending the gala should consider donating to the awareness. Where it could help bring more resources to schools, places of business, and anyone suffering from the neurological brain disorder. I also adamantly explained the importance of one with epilepsy, that they should never swim or bathe when home alone—meaning baths. That it could cost you your life as it had my brother's.

While explaining my reasoning of why one with a history of epilepsy should never be in the water alone, I relived the horrific moment of finding my brother at the bottom of the pool, and I broke down, causing Callum to step in to finish for me.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have known not to have you speak in front of everybody like that," he said, walking us off the stage.

"It's okay. I needed to do it. It's been a long time since I talked about that day, and talking about it seemed to have lifted the weight I've been carrying on my shoulders these last four years," I told him, hinting he'd feel better if he did the same.

Instead of sticking around to watch donations pour in, Callum thought it would be best if we went back to our hotel room. So, after sharing a couple of dances and saying our goodbyes, we left the gala, hoping to raise more than we spent, which was one million.

"Back to the hotel, please," Callum instructed our driver before he shut our door.

"We didn't have to leave," I said, lowering my cheek to his shoulder.

His hand raised, resting it on my exposed cheek. "Yes, we did." He lowered his mouth to my temple, kissing it. "I didn't want to see the disappointment on your face if our goal wasn't met after they totaled the donation numbers."

I tilted my head back a little to see his face. "I'll still get an email with the numbers, Callum. What's the difference?"

"You broke down in front of them once, and I feared if you heard your goal wasn't met, you'd break down in front of them again." He curled his finger under my chin and lifted it as he lowered his mouth to mine, gently kissing them. "I was only looking out for you. Plus, I guess you could call me a weakling when it comes to a woman in tears. I hate seeing them upset."

"I have a strong feeling we'll meet our goal."

He arched a brow. "Oh? Why's that?"

"Woman's intuition," I smiled. "Plus, I overheard someone telling Mack they had written a check for a million when we were leaving."

"Who?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea. I met so many people tonight I forgot his name. You introduced me to him when we had first arrived; I want to say his name was Ian or something along those lines. And I believe he was an owner of an art museum. I think it was."

He smiled. "Ah, yes. Ian. He's got an amazing museum. He, too, throws galas once a year. I should bring you to one sometime. His wife is an artist and has a strong gift for her creations. As a matter of fact, I have one of her paintings hanging in my living room—an original that is worth millions..."

My eyes widened. "Really? She's that good?"

He nodded. "Very. And one of their daughters is just as good as she is. It's insane."

"How old is she?"

"I believe the adorable Eliana is seven now."

His face just lit up like a Christmas tree while talking about someone's child. And oddly enough, that warmed me. I never thought kids would ever be in the cards for me, and I never expected it to be for Callum, either. But now, as I sit and think about everything. After what he did for the family in San Francisco, his business for what he raises money for, spends his money on, and how he just talked about someone else's young child, I think his having kids is something he would like to have someday.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

I lifted my head and looked him in the eye, asking, "Have you ever wanted kids?"

He nodded. "Yes." He shifted to face me. Then he grabbed my hips and pulled me onto his lap. "Victoria and I had a plan," he quietly admitted. "We wanted kids and talked about having anywhere from three to five of them. But we also talked about being happy with whatever we'd be blessed with, and we were supposed to start trying the night of our wedding," he admitted, pain in his eyes and voice.

I think I'm finally getting somewhere with him. He's opening up more about his ex, but this is one admission I wasn't expecting.

"You wanted them then. But what about now? Do you still want them?"

He nodded, "Someday. What about you?"

I bit my lip. I do, but I don't. But with Callum? I think I would. He'd make beautiful babies.

"I think so. I love kids, don't get me wrong. I just worry about the responsibilities that come along with them."

He pulled me to his mouth. "I think you'd be a wonderful mother. And if I could choose who to have kids with, it would be you." My stomach just flip-flopped. "I know you, and I would make beautiful babies." He cupped either side of my face and smiled against my lips. "Put it this way. If you told me you wanted to have a baby with me right now, I wouldn't hesitate to give you what you want. You want to know why?"

Flames of desire ignited in his eyes, making me swallow before asking, "Why?"

His lips gently crushed mine, and the passion in his kiss sent everything inside me to excitement. But what made me even more exhilarated was what he told me next. "Because I've fallen hard for you, Eloise. So hard that my heart is telling me I'm in love. I'm in love, Eloise... with you."

My entire body went numb.

I was shocked.

More so, I'm surprised. This was not what I expected to hear coming from his mouth this soon in our relationship.

"I love you, Eloise."

I'm so shocked; I have no idea what to say in return.

I do feel lots of love for Callum, and I feel in my heart that I have also fallen in love with him. But I'm frightened to say it in return, worried it will come back to bite me in the ass.

Instead of saying those three big words I thought about saying, something else left my lips that I didn't mean to say, shocking Callum with my response, "Ditto."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!! 🤞🤞