Callum by Melissa Schroeder Read Free Book Online Page A

understand that I don’t often work without written agreement other than for payment. Also, I am not only talking of you, but of others. The book is worth a lot of money—one reason we haven’t told the staff about it. Anyone with a brain might think to take it.”
    When she smiled at him, a full smile with dimples and teeth, he knew she would agree. She thought she’d won. Which, he conceded, she had. But he would do everything to make sure it was on his terms.
    “You will not have possession of the book unless I am present. You are only allowed a minimal amount of notes when you leave, and I will review all of those.”
    Phoebe nodded. “Agreed. Can I see it?”
    Her eagerness made him uneasy. Why would she agree so quickly and without haggling?
    “Don’t you think it is a little late to start?” He glanced at his watch. “I assumed you would like a night’s rest before you start.”
    She sighed again, the sound as arousing as it was irritating. “Okay, I’ll wait.”
    He could tell she wasn’t happy. Callum didn’t care. He needed a break from her presence before he made a bigger ass out of himself.
    “Breakfast is usually served at six sharp. I’ll meet you here.” He glanced at her plate and noticed she had finished her meal, the napkin lying over the china. He buzzed for Belvidore, who arrived immediately. Knowing his distrust of anyone not in the Lennon family, the butler was probably waiting by the door.
    “Please show Dr. Chilton to her room.”
    Amazingly, she didn’t argue with him. She stood, her smile telling him she was satisfied. “Thank you. Mr. Lennon.”
    After the door shut behind them, Callum leaned back in his chair and growled. What the hell was wrong with him? Not only did he give in on an issue, which he never allowed, he now had condemned himself to her presence. All day, every day, until she left.
    Damn . He’d be barmy by the time she finished.
    Not that he had to be physically in the office, and there were times he would have to be gone. Perhaps Angus could watch over her. As quickly as he thought of it, Callum dismissed that notion unless completely necessary. He couldn’t allow any of the others to spend too much time with her. She might start digging into their past too much, and Angus tended to have a loose tongue, especially around women. Anice would be a poor choice because she would probably spill all their secrets over chocolate.
    Logan and Fletcher were both completely unacceptable. Known seducers, caging them in a room with a woman as pretty as Phoebe… He shook his head. No. That he could not allow. Their existence, such as it was, depended on the façade he’d created several years ago. One crack and they would be doomed to live in this hell for eternity.
    Which meant he was stuck working with a woman he wanted beneath him, above him—hell, he would take her every way possible, and he was certain it wouldn’t be enough. He scrubbed his hand over his face and prayed for patience. He was going to need it.
     
* * * *
     
    Phoebe breezed into the dining room behind Belvidore and smiled at Callum. He noted her presence with a nod and a frown. Did the man ever smile?
    Callum stood, always the proper Scot. “Good morning, Dr. Chilton. I’d like you to meet my cousin, Logan Lennon.”
    It was then she noticed the man standing next to Callum. Amazing, she hadn’t even known another person was in the room. She had to be going mental to miss this one. Almost as tall as his older cousin—although all four men appeared to be about the same age—the last male cousin was gorgeous, just like the other three. His hair was a darker blond than Angus’s, curling over his ears and the collar of his shirt telling her he was late for a trim.
    She smiled at him, and he responded in kind. Oh, what a delicious smile. While there was a strong resemblance amongst all the Lennon men, there was definitely something different about each of them. This one could hold his own in the