16. Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Callum

The last couple of weeks had been some of the hardest and also some of the best weeks of Callum's life. He would never have imagined that so much good could come out of a disaster that wreaked havoc on so many lives. He should have regretted the fire that destroyed so much bushland and property, even his own home and possessions, but it was hard to regret something that had changed his life in the best way possible.

He rolled his shoulders to ease the ache in his muscles from wielding the pressure washer all day, but he was thankful to be able to do the job. Hard work felt good, cathartic, reminding him he was fit and healthy, apart from the healing burn on his arm that was almost back to normal albeit with a scar.

Entering the kitchen, the aroma of spices wafted over him. Trent looked up from the stove, a smile lighting his face, and Callum couldn't resist crossing the room to drop a kiss to his lips. He loved the newfound affection between the two of them, loved the way he could touch Trent to his heart's content instead of pining over him from afar. Trent placed a hand at his nape, fingers tangling in his hair, and deepened the kiss with a sensual stroke of his tongue. His stomach fluttered at the sudden flush of warmth. He closed his eyes and soaked up the moment.

"Did you get it finished?" Trent asked when they eventually parted.

Callum blinked, mind still on the kiss. "Oh," he said, finally getting it together. "Another couple of hours should do it."

A frown creased Trent's forehead. "You've been out there all day today. Don't overdo it, okay?"

Callum hated seeing the concern etching his face—he'd been on eggshells since the fire, and although he didn't nag Callum too much, he knew the effort it took for Trent to let him do his thing. "I'm taking it easy. Haven't started anything too strenuous yet, but I'm itching to get stuck into it."

Trent's expression softened, and he reached up to brush a smudge of dirt from Callum's cheek. "Sometimes I think this place means more to you than it does to me. You've done so much already. I just want you to take it slow."

"Yes, sir." Callum winked and raised a hand in salute.

Trent chuckled, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Dinner's almost ready. Why don't you grab a quick shower and we can eat in front of the TV."

Callum did as suggested and before too long, he was sitting on the couch getting stuck into the enormous bowl of green chicken curry and rice that Trent had shoved into his hands. The television played quietly in the background, but he ignored the program, instead listening to Trent chatter about his day.

"I spoke to the insurance company today and things are looking promising. The guy said the claim should go through soon. We'll have enough to do repairs and be ready to reopen to guests in a few months."

He couldn't help smiling at Trent's use of the word "we", as if they were a team in this together. "That's awesome."

Trent nodded. "Yeah, it is. And I was thinking, this might be a chance to get ahead on the renovation. You know, get all the things done we wanted to get done before guests return."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea." He smiled at Trent's enthusiasm. It was great to see him excited about the future and not focused on the current loss of business—his emotions had been up and down lately.

"Obviously money is still a concern, but we may as well think positive, right? And Mum's birthday is coming up next month," Trent continued. "So it's good to know I can head down for the party without worrying about having to take care of guests here. Hey, I was thinking, maybe you'd like to join us for the celebration?"

Callum paused, curry-laden fork halfway to his mouth. Meet Trent's mother? What did that mean? As his partner, or as his friend? His heart skipped a beat. "Come and meet your mum?"

Trent placed his bowl on the coffee table and turned to face him. "She's been curious to meet you for ages. I guess I've been talking about you a lot lately. I know we haven't had the talk yet, but I was sort of hoping we might make things official between us. If you want to, that is."

Heat crept up his neck. If I want to. As if there was any question. He abandoned his meal and took Trent's hand. "You're serious about this, aren't you? About us?"

"Of course I am." Trent's eyes were soft, earnest. "Aren't you?"

"Yes," he said at once. "Absolutely. I just didn't expect…"

"It feels right," Trent said, voicing Callum's thoughts. "Maybe we're rushing things a bit, but we've been on slow simmer for so long that the rapid boil now makes perfect sense."

Callum chuckled and looked at their hands, fingers wound together perfectly. "I'm glad the fire brought us together like this. If it hadn't been for that kick in the arse, we might have kept ignoring what was right in front of us."

"I'm just glad you took a chance with me," Trent said.

Callum tugged him into a kiss, then wrapped his arms around him, pulling him closer until there wasn't an inch of space between them. Trent made a soft sound against his mouth and shifted onto his lap. Callum groaned. He wanted this man with an intensity that frightened and thrilled him all at once. The physical feelings were all so new. It was as if he'd gone from zero to one hundred in the blink of an eye. Callum shivered, heat pooling low in his belly, then claimed Trent's mouth in another searing kiss.

When they finally broke apart, Callum searched Trent's face. His pupils were blown wide, lips kiss-swollen. He smiled as he reached up, his fingers warm as he caressed Callum's cheek. "God, you're gorgeous," he whispered. "Truly special. I feel so bloody lucky to have you here."

A lump rose in his throat as emotion swelled inside him. He bent to press a soft kiss to Trent's forehead, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face.