Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
KEEGAN
T he reception site is famous for its food, but the only thing I want to feast on is Callista. Normally, the thrill fades as soon as I blow my load.
Not this time.
My only regret from our earlier encounter? That I didn't get to explore every inch of her.
But I will. No doubt about that. After this evening, there won't be an inch of her I don't know intimately.
Christ, she felt good, her pussy so tight and wet around me, her body threatening to drive me out of my mind with every thrust.
I gaze over at Calli and shoot her a soft smile, all the while praying she doesn't regret our earlier actions. After all, sex against a hotel wall wasn't on our itinerary. "How's your food?"
"Delicious."
I lean over, grazing my lips against the soft skin of her neck. "You're delicious." I grin as a blush colors Calli’s cheeks, then catch sight of my mother waving to me from an adjacent table. "Looks like I'm being paged. "
"Groomsmen duties. Can't be a slacker."
I press a kiss to Callista's hand. "Save me a dance?"
Her gray eyes perk with mischief as she bites her lip, considering my offer. "I'll have to see, Dr. Russo. My dance card is awfully full."
"Find some room."
“For you? Always.”
My mother gestures at me again, and I walk over, chuckling when she reaches up to straighten my collar and bowtie. Once a mother, always a mother. "What in the world have you been doing?"
My eyes widen at her question, even if it is innocent.
Trust me, Mom, you don't want the details.
"Am I that disheveled?"
"You're in love. That's what you are." Her eyes gauge me, awaiting my response. "I'm right, aren't I?"
I can deny it, claim Callista is nothing more than a passing fancy. But my mother has always seen through my facade. "You are. Do you like her?"
"She's wonderful, Keegan. The entire family approves. Even Mrs. Jones raved about her.”
“Likely because she held Calli hostage for an hour, discussing garden vegetables.”
My mother shakes her head and laughs. “And she’s still here? That’s saying something. Callista has already earned rank in the family for that sacrifice.”
I scan the room for my date and find her at one of the portable bars, chatting with Jane. Calli does fit in with us, and we’re a crazy bunch. Lovable and fun, but tiptoeing the border of sanity most days.
“So, when can I expect some wedding news on your end? You’ve got the perfect woman. Now, can you two please get married and have a few babies? "
I groan, pulling her into a hug. "You know my rules about marriage and children."
"It's a crap rule."
"Not to me." Yes, it's a dick response, but it's been my standard reply for the last decade.
She pulls back, squeezing my arms. "Keegan, what happens when Calli wants a future? What if she gets pregnant?"
Her questions slam into me like a boxer’s fist.
I never truly considered a future with anyone before Calli. Most of the women I dated were shallow, clingy, or some obnoxious combination of the two. But they were easy, and I don’t mean pliable in bed—though that was never an issue. Like Megan, they were content to exist on my arm, being wined and dined.
Most were social climbers, looking for the deepest pockets and fanciest homes.
They didn’t love me. I didn’t love them.
But finding love with Calli isn’t the issue.
She already has plans in place. She wants a baby, using her late husband’s sperm. The only reason I know the woman is because of this desire and outside of being her doctor, I don’t figure anywhere into her life equation. That concept grows increasingly difficult to stomach every day.
I love her. She still loves her husband.
“It’s complicated, Mom.” Hopefully that will dissuade her from any additional questions.
It doesn’t.
“Love always is, but it’s worth fighting for.”
I rub my hand along the back of my neck. This is not something I want to discuss right now.
Or at all.
“Calli was married.”
My mom shrugs. “So were a lot of people. ”
I shake my head and clear my throat. “Her husband died. She’s having a hard time with that.”
My mother pauses, her gaze resting on my date across the room. A soft smile plays on her mouth when Calli looks up and waves, a big grin on her face. “She’s having a good time with you. Look at her. She’s happy, Keegan. You have so much to do with that.”
Might be the afterglow. God knows I’m still reeling from how good she felt.
A sudden realization knocks me off kilter: our tryst only an hour earlier was completely lacking any sort of protection.
I should be ashamed of my impetuous actions. Mortified that I didn't take any precautions.
But I’m not.
Calli’s body feels like home—warm and inviting. All I want to do is sink inside her again and again.
Caution be damned.
I cough and shift my weight, adjusting myself.
Time to change the subject before the raging hard-on in my pants gets the best of me. That's the last thing my mother needs to see. “I assume there's a point to all this primping?"
"Of course. A plethora of photos, followed by the standard bridal party dances. Nadia has been chattering all evening about dancing with you. Apparently, you having a girlfriend is not a deterrent in her eyes."
I smirk at the blonde seated at an adjacent table. "I see your feelings for Nadia haven't warmed in the last few years."
My mother waves off my comment, a smile on her lips. "I have no issue with Nadia, but she's always behaved like a spoiled child. I'm just glad you found a woman worth your time and energy for once. Don't let Callista go, Keegan. Women like that don't come along every day, and I see how she looks at you. She loves you, too."
No, Mom, she doesn't .
The idea guts me, so I slide on my practiced smile. Let's move this conversation train into the next station.
I know Callista isn't for keeps. But I'm sure as hell not ready to let her go just yet.
Callista and I return to our room after the reception, riding up in the same elevator where we damn near consummated our relationship earlier that day.
Trust me, I’m tempted as hell to hike up her skirt and take her from behind, but I manage to keep my libido in check and our clothes on.
With one exception.
Calli shucked off her shoes the second we left the ballroom, opting to swing them in one hand. Our height difference is even more noticeable now, but it only ups her appeal.
She’s by far the most adorable woman I've ever met.
Along with gorgeous, sexy and delicious. There's an array of adjectives to describe the petite beauty.
“How did I do?” she inquires with a grin.
“Mom wants to adopt you. She says anyone who can tolerate an hour with Mrs. Jones deserves instant status in the family.”
Calli’s eyes twinkle as she traces a finger down the front of my shirt. “So, I’m an honorary Russo now.”
Her words catch me off guard and I half laugh, half choke at her retort. “I suppose so.”
She’s in one hell of a playful mood as she drags her hands lower. “Does that make me your stepsister?”
“Don’t even start with that shit.”
“Hmm. I do declare, I have the sexiest brother known to man. ”
I back her against the hallway wall, swooping in to steal a kiss. “Will you be quiet?”
“No, because I want you to keep kissing me.”
Maybe it’s the way she keeps biting her lower lip while gazing up at me through dark lashes.
Or the way I feel when I am close to her.
I almost say those fateful words again.
Almost.
But right before I open my mouth, I remember the look on her face when I told her how I felt—the confusion, the uneasiness—and hold back.
If she didn’t want to hear them last night, she definitely doesn’t want to hear them now.
I won’t make the same mistake twice.
I will, however, take full advantage of her flirty nature. My plan for the remainder of the weekend? Calli and I naked in bed while I explore every inch of her body.
“Where did you go?” Calli asks, tracing a finger along my jaw. “Are you okay?”
“More than,” I reply, before swinging her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold and earning a delighted squeal of approval.
I open the door to our room and deposit Calli on the bed, before grabbing the bottle of wine I left chilling in the fridge.
Our party is far from over.
Calli groans as she massages the ball of her foot. “I should have made you carry me like that all night. Heels are the devil.”
“All you had to do was ask.” I pop the cork on the wine bottle and pour us each a glass. “Maybe this will take the edge off.”
She accepts the glass with a smile. “Never hurts. Thank you for inviting me this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding.”
“And you were a most beautiful addition.”
She flushes, but I'm not sure if it's because of my heated stare or that she's noticed my rapidly swelling erection. "I'm going to pop into the shower, change into comfortable clothes."
I sip my wine and place the glass on the table before moving to her side. “Or … we shower together, and then I spend the rest of the night exploring your incredible body. We rushed the first time. I want to take my time with you now.”
"I like the way you think." Standing in front of me, she pulls her hair to one side. "Unzip me?"
I lower the zipper and slide my hands beneath the panels of her dress to caress her skin before sliding the material down the length of her body. Then I flick open her bra clasp and let it glide down her arms, leaving her wearing only a smile and a lacy g-string.
My hands caress the length of her body, before hooking in her underwear.
"Think you can keep this pair intact, Dr. Russo?" she purrs, a husky giggle escaping her throat.
I chuckle against her skin, my mouth nipping gently at her nape. "No promises."
Although it's tempting as hell to rip the fabric from her body, I opt to let them survive another day.
Sinking to my knees, I push them down her legs while my tongue traces the line of her hips and ass.
“Lie on the bed,” I growl, delivering a bite to her firm peach.
"What about our shower?"
"I can't wait that long." To prove my point, I flip her around to face me and bury my head between her thighs as my tongue flicks against her clit.
"Holy hell, Keegan." Calli pants out my name, her voice breaking as she threads her fingers in my hair. But she isn’t stopping me. Far from it.
She widens her stance, arching her hips as she holds my head firmly against her pussy. Begging me to continue my carnal assault on her body and growing wetter by the second.
Fuck, but she’s irresistible. Every inch of her real and utterly delicious.
I work Calli over, my fingers pushing deep inside her as my tongue teases her open. "I'm going to make you come so many times tonight," I murmur, delivering a bite to her thigh as she writhes against my hand. "I want you screaming my name."
She backs up a step and climbs onto the mattress. Crooking her finger at me, Calli rises up on her knees, those nimble fingers making quick work of the buttons on my shirt. Her tongue flicks against my skin, dancing across my chest as she pulls off my belt.
An out of control hunger rages through me, desperate to own every inch of her, but my woman enjoys riding this edge with me.
I shuck my pants, bucking against her hand as she strokes my cock, her slender fingers wrapping around my shaft. I run a finger along her lower lip, groaning when she sucks the digit into her mouth, her tongue twirling along the tip.
Somehow, I knew she'd be this sexually free, and that idea only makes me hotter. She's a lady to the outside world and totally uninhibited in the bedroom.
Yep, I'm definitely in love.
“Lie down,” she murmurs, nipping at my lower lip.
“I wasn’t finished.”
“Too fucking bad. It’s my turn.”
Who am I to argue?
When she lowers her head to my cock, the sweet suction of her mouth damn near makes me come right then and there. Her talented tongue traces along my length, those gray eyes sparkling with passion as she drives me out of my mind.
The woman is fucking amazing at giving head. Her mouth is tireless, working me over from base to tip, and it's taking everything in me not to blow my load.
But we have all night, and I plan on stretching out the pleasure for hours.
"I need inside you," I murmur, watching her face alight as she slides up the bed and spreads her legs, a seductive pout playing on her lips.
"Take me, then." It's such a simple command. Permission to do whatever I want.
Grasping Calli around the waist, I flip her on top of me, my mouth once again licking that magnificent pussy. Her hips gyrate against me as my fingers sink inside her. A soft moan leaves her mouth as I tongue-fuck her, bringing her closer and closer to the edge.
Without warning, she slides down my body, sinking down on my cock in one smooth movement. She clutches my hands, her movements slow and deep as she rides me.
My toes curl from the rising tension, and I try to stamp it down, but Calli senses my need. Leaning forward, her delicious mouth hovers near mine, a coy smile on her face.
"I thought I told you to take me."
A feral growl flies from my lips at her demand. She wants it all. I’ll give her everything. Gripping her ass, I pound into her, deeper and deeper with every thrust. I hold nothing back.
Her whimpers increase as I maintain the tempo. She's so close. I feel her tremble around me as the pleasure rips through her. With a final thrust, she screams out my name, and I empty myself inside her.
Callista collapses on top of me, our bodies sweaty, sticky, and fully satiated.
She’s pure perfection. Calli is my new favorite drug.
"I was wondering where you'd gone." The relief is evident on Calli's face as I walk back into the hotel room. "I thought maybe you'd snuck away in the middle of the night again.”
"Trust me, I didn't want to leave that bed."
She sits up, clasping the sheet to her naked body. “Then why did you?"
I'm thrilled she's still upbeat and flirty after yesterday.
My biggest worry was that instead of basking in a post-coital glow, Calli would regret everything. Every touch, every moment, all etched with remorse instead of rapture.
I've never dated a widow before, but I've gone out with my fair share of divorcees. I've been privy to their vacillating emotions and guilt over relations with a new man, even when their ex-husband was shit on a stick.
Charlie was her definition of perfection, and he didn't abandon her. He was torn from her life.
There is some level of martyrdom that occurs when a person dies young or in a tragic fashion. The flaws are forgotten, and what remains is a conglomerate of their best qualities. Some call it a coping mechanism for those left behind. I call it insurmountable odds that I’ll ever measure up to Calli’s late husband. But Lord knows I’m trying. She deserves all that, and more.
"I made plans for us today. It's gorgeous and unseasonably warm, so I thought a picnic by the ocean might be nice."
Am I trepidatious about this maneuver? Absolutely. I’m smooth with women, charming and affable. Plus, my pedigree never hurts. But romance has never been my strong suit, and after my bumbling verbal disaster the other night, I’m at a bit of a loss.
Here’s hoping she’s on board.
I don’t have to wait long for the answer.
"I love that idea." She slips from the bed, the sheet falling away to expose all of her delectable curves .
Then, she closes the distance between us, running her hands along my chest as she rises on tiptoe to press a lingering kiss to my lips.
Just her simple gesture is enough to get my dick ready for round two. Or round six, but who’s counting?
Calli shoots off a smirk when her gaze falls to my erection, her nails dragging over my hardened cock. She knows the effect she has on me, and she is using it to her full advantage.
Fuck, but I love that so much.
Before I toss her onto the bed and have my way with her her— again —my brain bursts into the party, reminding me that Calli and I need to have a serious conversation.
Might as well get it out of the way now.
I gesture to one of the wingback chairs in the suite. “Have a seat. Just for a minute."
The flirty smile slides from her face. “Uh-oh. Are we having the talk?"
"Kind of, yeah."
She runs a hand over her brow, her exhalation audible. "Can't wait."
"I need you to know something.”
“Hang on. Let me put on clothes. This is not a conversation you have naked.” Calli licks her lip, a nervous laugh escaping her mouth and she hurries to slip on a cotton robe. "Let me guess. You're secretly married … to three women."
I chuckle at her absurd answer. “What? No.” Running my hand through my hair, I grin. "Definitely not married, nor do I have a harem that I'm aware of."
Calli perches on the edge of the bed and quirks her brow in my direction. “So, what's this talk then?"
I hate seeing anything but excitement and passion in Calli’s face, and now, it's creased with worry.
Time to remedy that situation .
Sinking next to her on the bed, I clasp her hands. "I want you to know I'm clean."
Her brow furrows before a look of realization passes over her face. "I figured you were, but damn … we didn't use anything."
"None of the times."
A flush climbs her cheeks as she chews her lower lip. "God, I look terrible, don't I? I don't do that, Keegan. Hell, I haven't had sex in years."
Pride swells in my chest, knowing that besides her husband, no other man has touched her in a decade. I'm the first. "Actually, you had sex about eight hours ago."
Calli smacks my chest, pulling me to her for another kiss. “Not true. We did not just have sex. We had incredible sex.”
No arguments there. She’s the best I’ve ever had. Times a million.
I tuck her head under my chin and press my lips to her hair, falling more deeply for her with every passing moment.
Linking our fingers together, I trace gentle patterns on her palm. "I don't do that either, Calli. I've never done that before."
My blunt admission is unexpected, to say the least, as her head flies up, those round eyes focused on me. "You're joking.”
"I'm not. I've always been careful."
A soft smile plays on her lips as she strokes her hand along my bearded cheek. "Are you okay with what we did?"
"Absolutely."
I’m not lying. With any other woman, we’d be driving to the store for a morning-after pill. But with Callista, it’s not even a thought.
"Besides, the added perk of being your doctor is I know we're safe. Well, a one percent chance or some such number."
Her fingers pause in their exploration, and her smile falters. "Right. Definite perk. We'll just have to be careful in the future. "
Doesn't that sound fucking terrible? Sorry, but it's true. After taking her raw, the idea of wrapping a piece of latex around my cock is torturous. Apparently, it shows on my face. Either that or my bitter scoff gives it away.
"What did I say?"
I scrub my face with my hands and lie back on the bed with a grunt. "Not a damn thing. You're the most amazing thing I've ever felt, and I'm spoiled now, is all."
Calli leans over me, her tongue tracing the outline of my lips. "You're in trouble then."
"Am I?" I maintain a casual tone, even though she’s hit the nail on the head.
Tell me something I don’t know .
I'm desperately in love with the woman, but I won’t declare my affections aloud again. My ego and heart are still recovering.
“You are indeed, because you’re the most amazing thing I've ever felt, and I don't like to share. I want all of you, all the time.”
Those words from a former date would have sent me dashing to the nearest exit.
But, fuck, I love Calli’s possessive streak.
Grasping her face, I lock her into a kiss, groaning as her hand skates along my shaft. At this rate, we’re never leaving the suite—not that I'm complaining. “Woman, are you trying to seduce me?"
"Is it working?"
I motion to my erection, straining against my pants. "What do you think?"
She sheds the robe and straddles me, a sexy smile on her lips as she loosens my belt. "I think I'm very lucky indeed.”
Oh no, Calli. I'm definitely the lucky one.
Turns out, my romantic endeavors only work when Mother Nature cooperates.
We sit perched on a bluff overlooking the water, a blanket shielding us from the ocean wind.
Unseasonably warm, my ass. It’s downright freezing, and Calli is turning blue.
"Screw this," I mumble as I gather up our picnic lunch and hustle us back to the Jeep.
Calli slides into her seat with a giggle. "An A for effort, Keegan, even if I do have frostbite."
"Best laid plans."
"No reason we can't enjoy our picnic here." Calli opens the bag and pulls out the food containers. "Besides, I'm starving, and these dishes look mighty tasty."
"You look mighty tasty." I nip her fingers, smiling at her delighted squeal.
Whenever I'm near this woman, I feel whole.
I've never felt this way before.
It terrifies the fuck out of me.
"What time are we leaving today?" Callista pushes a dark russet strand of hair from her eyes, burrowing deeper into her coat.
I bump up the heat, my gaze intent on the ocean waves. “In a few hours. I have a busy week. A lot of late nights."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"Back to reality."
"Exactly. But this was a nice distraction. You had fun, right?”
But Calli focuses her gaze downward as she fingers the edge of her plate. "Sure."
Not the response I want. At all.
I pray regret isn't settling in now that she's had a few hours to mull over what happened between us .
"With that level of excitement, I hardly believe you.”
She forces a smile, but the air remains thick with tension. Time to get out a knife and cut through this crap.
Even if I don’t want to hear her answer.
"Callista, what's wrong?"
A soft sigh sounds from her mouth, and she rolls her shoulders, her gaze focused out the window. "Did you mean what you said the other night?"
I pause with the food halfway to my mouth, my throat as dry as the Sahara. She's wading right into the serious side of the conversation. No training wheels needed. Most women play coy, forcing you to pull the reason from them. Not Calli. "You mean the night we arrived?"
“Yes. Were you drunk?"
"I was drunk," I begin, watching her face fall, "but I meant every word."
Okay, I had not planned on admitting that again, but how I can deny her the truth?
Hell, how can I deny her anything?
“I needed to know that. I needed to know I wasn't just a weekend rendezvous." She rubs her palms together, but it’s obvious something else is on her mind.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about this weekend."
I catch the roll of her eyes, despite her best effort to maintain a neutral expression. "I already know, Keegan."
"I somehow doubt you do."
“Let’s see how I do.” She pivots in her seat, her eyes bright with emotion. "Back to reality, right? You're footloose and fancy-free, dating all sorts of women. You’re not looking for anything, but you hope I understand and don't take it to heart."
I bite back a smile. Talk about being way off.
“You find this funny?” she demands, and now her gray eyes thunder with barely restrained anger .
I cup her face, sliding my fingers along her jaw. “A little, because despite being brilliant, you’re also dead wrong.”
"I am?"
“I don’t want this weekend to be the end of us, because I enjoy every second with you. You make me happy, and you're a goddess in bed, which sure as hell doesn't hurt."
Her smile will be the death of me. It not only lights her up, it shines brightly onto everything around her. "I am pretty great if I do say so myself."
"You're fabulous." I twine our fingers, pressing a kiss to her palm. "What do you say, Calli? Be my girlfriend for real this time?"
"You know, I wondered how I would feel the first time someone asked me that question. Would I feel guilt, anger, or sorrow? But I feel none of those. Not with you. You make me happy, too. So, yes, I'd love to be your girlfriend for real. However, I do have one request.”
Oh, boy.
“Go ahead.”
She jerks her chin toward the backseat. “I’m still a bit chilly. Any chance you might warm me up back there?”
The woman is demanding I fuck her in broad daylight in a public parking lot with zero tint on my windows.
There is only one possible reply to her request.
A smile cuts across my face as I hop out and settle into the backseat, shooting her a smirk. “I’m waiting on you, beautiful.”
Yes, I’m calling her bluff, but when she climbs into the backseat and straddles my lap, I know one thing is for certain.
This relationship will never lack for sexy surprises.
Moms are always right. Just don't tell my mother that, because she'll never let me live it down. She claimed when I met the right woman, I’d know immediately and all those things that seemed so terrifying would cease to be an issue.
Talk about a dead on balls accurate statement.
I didn't fall in love with Callista the moment we met. But she intrigued me, which is more than I can say for most of the women parading through my life. The more time I spent with her, the more intriguing she became. And beautiful. And intelligent. The list goes on and on.
Before I knew it, I was in love with Calli. Even though I regret telling her when I was halfway in the bag, I never regret saying the words. She deserves to know she's adored.
We've been dating for two months now, and although she has yet to utter those fateful words, I know she cares about me. She shows me in a million different ways.
By far, this woman is the most fun I've ever had and judging by her smile whenever she sees me, I know the feeling is mutual.
Please, God, don't let me be reading this wrong.
Thankfully, I have Shawn and Suzanne's blessing to date their dear friend. Now, we spend one night per week with them, sharing dinners or a few drinks at the bar.
They’re good people, and I’m blessed to have their approval. Hey, I get it. They adore Calli and want to keep her safe. The fact that they think I fit the bill is icing on the cake.
The weirdest thing? I never grow tired of Callista’s company. I can spend the entire day with her, and all I want is her cuddled in my arms that night.
Doesn’t hurt that her bedroom acrobatics are outstanding. She wasn’t kidding about being flexible and I’ve put that theory to the test numerous times.
We've been careful since our insanely wonderful romp on Long Island, although I can't tell you the number of times I've been tempted to throw caution to the wind and toss out my box of condoms. There's been a few times we've come close, too, but at the last minute, I always err on the side of caution.
I'm tired of being cautious. I argue with myself regularly over it.
What's the worst that can happen? Calli gets pregnant? I wait for the feeling of dread associated with that idea, but it never arrives.
I still cling to my whole no marriage or kids scenario, but my resolve weakens every time that ivory-skinned beauty smiles in my direction.
But Callista never mentions a future. It's as though she fears planning for anything beyond the here and now. I get it; she planned everything with Charlie. Look where that got her.
I strive daily to be the man she deserves. The man who's worthy of her love. I want to be her forever.
As far as our doctor/patient relationship, it unofficially ended when our relationship began. She’s never asked about the results of Charlie's sperm DNA fragmentation test, even though they came back weeks ago.
I just won’t look at them.
Funny. It’s as though I worry I’ll jinx my relationship with Calli by opening that door. My very own Pandora’s box.
Perhaps some part of her doesn't want to know, either. Or maybe she's growing attached to the idea of a future with me, letting go of the one she couldn't have with Charlie.
Am I wrong to hope for that? I know she cares about me, but I wish she'd give me the reassurance I'm too chicken shit to ask for.
I need to hear her say the words.
Tell me she loves me . Tell me she chooses me . Perhaps then, the fear will dissipate, and our future will no longer seem so unattainable—for either of us.
But I have a plan. The last few weeks have been a hamster wheel of appointments and procedures. Too many late nights and far too few minutes with the woman I love.
So this weekend, I'm going all out—a cottage in Mystic, away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. I plan to spoil her and shower her with all the affection she’s spent the last two years denying herself.
She's worth it.
She's worth everything .
Now I just pray she feels the same.