[4 Seasons 01] Seducing Summer by Serenity Woods

was to take
them both out, he would have done it by now. He wants to scare them, to make
them live in fear for a while. But ultimately I think he’ll come after them.
And we have to be ready when that happens.” He spoke to himself more than Kev.
He had to remain focused.
    “Saffie spotted that guy again outside her
house,” Kev advised. “She’s taken more photos and distributed them around the
team, and we’ve sent them to the STG. Don’t worry, boss. They’ll catch him.”
    “Yeah. Okay, thanks. Keep me informed on
any developments, okay?”
    “Sure thing. See ya.”
    Gene hung up and tossed his phone onto the
bed. Of course, he had to know all the details about what was happening back at
the office. But part of him wished that for once he could leave it all to
someone else and just concentrate on being with Callie.
    He leaned his forehead on the cool glass
and closed his eyes.
     

Chapter Ten
    Callie’s next two appointments went even
better than the previous one. Lingerie Plus were thrilled to discover a new
line of generously proportioned underwear, and their manager—a young woman
around the same age as Callie—loved Rowan’s designs and bought some items for
herself on the spot. The best thing was that the store had branches in all the
major cities, and the manager promised to bring the Four Seasons brand up at
the next head office meeting and spread the word.
    JimJam’s was similarly as successful.
Primarily a sleepwear shop, they fell in love with Rowan’s large collection of
nightwear and pajamas, and agreed to stock all of her designs, as well as a few
pieces of lingerie.
    By the end of the day, a buzz of excitement
had begun to grow in Callie’s stomach. She hadn’t imagined it all. Four Seasons
really was going to be as successful as she’d hoped. She couldn’t wait to tell
the others.
    “What now?” she asked Gene as they got in
the car. “Snazzy restaurant and a nightclub?”
    “I’m far too old for that,” he said wryly.
“Plus, you need your rest—we have a long drive tomorrow. Back to the hotel,
dinner, and bed for you, young lady.”
    She stuck out her tongue. The corner of his
mouth curved up, but he didn’t say anything. He’d been quiet since they’d
arrived at the hotel. She suspected it had been something to do with the phone
call he’d ignored in the car and presumably taken in his room. He seemed preoccupied,
solemn. And that wouldn’t do at all.
    “I might go on my own,” she said. “I feel
like dancing.”
    His eyes widened with alarm. “Please don’t.
Because then I’ll have to go with you, and I don’t dance.”
    “You don’t dance?”
    “Nope. And don’t think I don’t read in your
eyes how much you’d enjoy torturing me by making me do it. I beg you, dinner,
then bed.”
    “If you insist,” she said.
    His gaze slid from the road to her.
“Alone,” he clarified after meeting her eyes.
    “I’m to be alone at dinner, or alone in bed?”
    He sighed. “I’m happy to accompany you to
dinner.”
    “Aw, Gene. You’re such a spoilsport.”
    “And you’re a terrible tease.”
    “Well, you look so serious. In fact, I
shall call you Mr. Serious from now on.”
    “I’ve been called worse.” He pulled into
the car park. “What time do you want dinner?”
    “I’m starving. Let’s eat early.”
    “Okay, five thirty?”
    “Great. It’ll give me time to get changed.”
    They returned to their rooms, and Callie
took a shower, then chose a pretty summer dress to wear to dinner. Rowan had
made it for her in a stunning, silky fabric covered with orange and red
flowers. Callie felt that it complemented the summer weather, which seemed to
be turning hotter by the hour. As she listened to the TV while she got ready,
she heard the weatherman say that almost the whole country was experiencing a
heatwave that showed no signs of moving at the moment. Thank God the hotels and
the car had air conditioning, she thought, knowing that it would only