Chapter 95: Embarrassed

Chapter 95: Embarrassed Stefan took a sip of his drink. "I don’t know what you mean." "You don’t?" she asked, tilting her head. "Are you always this reserved?" Stefan leaned against the counter, watching her with a knowing expression. "Reserved in what sense?" "I’ve noticed you being so respectful and gentlemanly and keeping your distance all day. And even now you’re acting this way. Why is that?" She asked, embarrassed. "You’d rather I disrespect you and act like an hormone-driven teenager?" He asked, confused by her reasoning even though he knew what she was saying. Her brows pulled together. "No. That’s not what I mean. I mean... there’s nothing wrong in holding my hands or..." she trailed off, not knowing how to say it without sounding stupid. "Or?" Stefan asked, his brows cocked. "We are close, right? And today was interesting. We had fun. We enjoyed each other’s company. We clicked. I’m just saying I wouldn’t mind if you took things further a bit," she said, feeling herself flush under his scrutiny. "You want me to take things further?" He asked, and she shrugged. "Only if you want to," she said, and Stefan said nothing for a moment as he raised his glass to his lips. He took a sip as his gaze remained on her and he tried to figure out the best way to talk some sense into her since it seemed her past experiences hadn’t taught her much. Genevieve’s heart raced as she waited for his response. She had seduced and had sex with her fair share of guys, yet standing here in front of him she wasn’t feeling very confident. "Let’s sit down," he suggested, leading the way to the couch. He exhaled as he sat down and then swirled the wine in his glass before setting it down. "What is it you want, Genevieve?" She sat down beside him and her fingers trailed lightly over the lapel of his shirt, playing with the fabric. "I think you already know." "So, you think we need to have sex because we had fun and clicked?" He asked bluntly. Genevieve felt her face heat at the directness of his words. She had expected a little pushback, maybe even playful teasing, but not this level of cold rationality. She let out a small laugh, but it came out forced. "That’s not exactly what I meant..." Stefan’s gaze remained unyielding. "Then what did you mean?" Genevieve bit her lip, suddenly regretting bringing this up. She wasn’t used to this. Men usually gave in easily to her seduction. But Stefan wasn’t playing along. He was challenging her. She straightened, tucking her hair behind her ear, searching for the right words. "I just meant that... I think there’s chemistry between us." Stefan leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Let’s say there is. Chemistry doesn’t always have to lead somewhere. Else you’d have sex with everyone single person you feel the slightest attraction for." Before she could respond, he exhaled, shaking his head. "Did you really learn nothing about me all day?" Stefan asked and her brows pulled together in confusion. "I told you at the restaurant. I’m not going to let you cross any boundaries. This is one of those boundaries, Genevieve," he said, his voice calm, "I don’t know what kind of men you’ve been around, but I’m not the type to let a good time dictate my actions. Just because we had fun today doesn’t mean I’m suddenly going to take you to bed." She swallowed, shifting slightly, feeling embarrassment creeping up her spine. "I didn’t mean to sound... forward." "You did, but that’s okay," Stefan said, his tone lighter now. "I just think you should ask yourself why you feel the need to take things there. You said you wanted to live differently. This doesn’t show that you are trying to be different. You are beautiful and smart. There’s more to you than your body. Don’t insult or abuse yourself by offering your body this way to anyone." Genevieve didn’t have an answer for that. She was used to using sex as a way to maintain control and to feel wanted. But she had wanted it this time for a different reason. It was because she liked him. She let out a breath and sat back. "I think I just embarrassed myself once again in front of you." "A little," Stefan admitted with a low chuckle, but there was no malice in his tone. If anything, there was something almost... kind in his eyes. "But it’s fine. No harm done." Stefan didn’t move away. He studied her for a moment, searching her face. Before she could say anything, he spoke again. "Zip up your dress. It’s soaked now and getting dry already. I’ll drive you home. If you’re so worried about the dress, I’ll pay for it. Let’s go," Stefan said as he rose. Away from there, After Jamal hung up the call with the group, Emily and Mari continued chatting as Emily resumed her shopping and after a while Mari hung up so she could return to her assigned tasks for the day. Just as Emily got into her car after shopping, her phone rang out before she could shut the door, startling her. She shut the door before taking out the phone and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller’s identity. Callan. Why was Callan calling her? Did he butt-dial her line? She mused, her heart racing as she wondered whether to receive the call or pretend she didn’t see it. Talking with Callan could be so exasperating some times and she’d rather not get into it now. She needed to hurry home so she could catch her flight. Just before the call ended, she received the call quickly, "Did you dial my line by mistake?" She asked before she could stop herself. Hearing her question, Callan smirked. It had taken him some time to decide whether or not to dial her line, and hearing her question, he couldn’t help but be amused. "Why do you ask? Are you that star struck that I dialed your line and you think it had to be by mistake?" He asked dryly, and she snorted. "Star struck? That’s assuming you were a star. Don’t be delusional, Callan Quinn. You’re not even a flashlight," she retorted and scowled when he chuckled. She hated that he found what she said amusing. "So, why did you text me, Princess Emily? Is there something her highness wants to be put in place before her arrival? Perhaps you need me to get maids to tend to your needs for the next six months?" He asked sweetly. Her scowl deepened. "Why did you agree to accommodate me? We both know we can’t live under the same roof..." "We both know? I don’t know any such thing. There is no reason why I can’t live under the same roof with my cousin," Callan said, and she rolled her eyes. "Really? You can live with me for six months?" She asked, and Callan shrugged. "I don’t see why not. As long as you stay in your side of the house and stay away from mine, I believe we will be fine," he said, and she sighed. "Callan..." "Was that the reason you texted? I thought you were texting to thank me for being so kind," he said, and she pulled back her phone from her ear to glare at it. "We can’t live together," she said flatly. "Why? Do you have some fancy plans for your training? Don’t tell me you have a man you wanna shack up with?" He asked, his tone teasing. "It seems you’re beginning to think everyone is as irresponsible as you!" She hissed. "Right. Princess Emily would never live with a guy she’s not married to. Do you have a boyfriend now? Maybe when you come I can introduce you to some..." Emily took in a deep breath, "Callan, I hope you realize I’m not going to let you womanize while I’m there?" She asked, cutting off what he had to say, "For your own good I suggest you let my father know we can’t live together. I do not want to live with you." "Then tell him that. Isn’t he your Dad? Why do I have to say anything when you’re an adult? Stop being such a good girl and protest. Say no," Callan said, and Emily scowled. "You think I didn’t try?" She asked, and he smirked. "Then rebel. When you arrive refuse to come over to the house. Make other arrangements for yourself and when he asks you, let him know it is what you want," Callan advised in a matter of fact tone. Emily wrinkled her nose. "I wasn’t asking for your advice on how to be a bad daughter. All I need you to do is..." "I don’t care what you need. I’m not doing a thing about it if you won’t. Let me know the details of your flight unless you decide to finally stop being such a good girl," Callan said, and without letting her put in another word, he hung up the call. Emily scowled with annoyance. She had wanted to end the call first. How dare he hang up before her? She mused as she dialed his line again. Callan chuckled when he saw her call, and knowing the reason why she was calling again, he received the call, and before she could say anything or hang up, he laughed and hung up again. Seeing that he had done it for the second time, Emily rested her head on her steering, "BASTARD!" She screamed in frustration before throwing her phone on the passenger seat. She was going to make sure the next six months would be the worst months of Callan’s life. She would make his life hell.