Catalyst (Savior Complex #1)

15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Callie

T he idea of opening the letter tormented me for the entire night. Did I want to know what was inside? Yes! How could I not? But I didn’t trust Vexxas . Why would he want to talk about his son with me ? And how was I supposed to trust someone the entire world had branded as evil?

Someone who tried to kill my father?

That’s why it was best for me to ignore the letter. But the feeling of not knowing what Vexxas had to say kept me awake. A little past midnight, I crawled out of bed, hoping a shower would help me fall asleep.

Sulien’s room had a private bathroom, but the hot water didn’t work. I didn’t mind it back when I was pyromancer temperature, but now that my fever had broken, just the idea of standing under cold water made me shiver.

The apartment was quiet, save for the low hum of the refrigerator in the background. Shadows stretched along the walls, and the stillness made the place feel eerie in a way I couldn’t explain. It was the same apartment as always, but at night, it felt different—almost scary. I couldn’t tell if it was the dark playing tricks on me or if I was just wired and paranoid from lack of sleep. Either way, I shook off the feeling to better focus on staying quiet. I’d heard Jace leave for work about an hour ago, but Kane was still home, and I didn’t want to wake him.

I padded softly down the hall toward the main bathroom. Once inside, I flicked on the bathroom light, squinting as the brightness chased away the shadows. For a moment, I stood there, letting my eyes adjust before turning on the water as hot as it would go.

I shut the door, waiting as steam filled the room, softening the edges around me and dulling the corners. Once the mirror fogged over, I removed my clothes, stretching as I did. Sawyer stirred as I yawned, and I gently patted my stomach as if to tell him shhh .

I’d known for a while I was going to be a mom; that’s what happened when you got a positive pregnancy test. But… for the first time in my pregnancy, I was getting excited about my baby. And not in the I can’t wait to not be pregnant way, but in the oh my god, I’m having a baby way.

I just needed to get ready for him… and that was a whole separate issue. Sure, I was staying here, and even though I had grown very attached to Jace and Kane, this wasn’t my home. Not yet, at least.

Jace loved me; that much was clear. Allegedly, Kane felt the same, but with nothing to back up those thoughts, I couldn’t know for sure. I just wished he’d actually show me how he felt. That way, I could get comfortable enough to stay for good.

But all of that was a problem for tomorrow. Right now, the goal was to slip into the shower and relax enough to sleep. Just as I stepped into the tub and reached for the shower curtain, the bathroom door flew open. Kane stumbled in wearing nothing except his boxers. The sight caused my heart to skip. I stood as still as a statue as he yawned and walked directly to the toilet.

Instinctively, I wrapped one arm over my chest, the other remaining stuck to the curtain. Kane grunted as he lifted the lid and dropped his boxers to his ankles. He had to be half asleep–if not sleepwalking–to not have noticed the light or the running water.

He fumbled slightly, propping one hand on the wall, and I heard the unmistakable sound of him starting to relieve himself. Embarrassed laughter rose in my throat, but I held my breath, not daring to make a sound. This was the type of awkward moment that I’d never, ever imagined happening.

The seconds ticked on like minutes as I stared at him, unable to look away even though I knew this was definitely a violation of privacy… even if he started it. He let out a contented sigh as he dropped the lid and moved to pull up his boxers, but just as his tattooed fingers met the waistband, consciousness seemed to hit Kane like a truck.

His shoulders stiffened, and then his gaze lifted, catching mine in the fogged-up mirror. His eyes went wide as the realization he wasn’t alone dawned on him. Slowly, he turned to look at me, his jaw dropping slightly.

His mouth moved wordlessly for a moment before he managed a gruff, “Callie?”

I nodded twice, my heart thundering in my chest.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and I wondered how quickly I could sprint back to the safety of Sulien’s bedroom. Like if I ran fast enough, he and I could pretend I didn’t watch him pee.

“Y-you should flush.” I tried to manage a joke, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Kane’s face rapidly shifted through emotions–All of which were some flavor of shock or embarrassment–before settling on a pained grimace.

“Oh my God–Why didn’t you say something?” His voice was rough with horror.

“I thought you’d figure it out!”

“Well, I didn’t!”

“I know that now!”

He and I stared at each other like stray cats in an alleyway. And after a beat of uncomfortable silence, an idea struck. One that I wouldn’t have normally offered, but between the delirium of night and the shock of the moment, I realized I really didn’t have anything to lose.

“Do you want to join me?” I asked softly.

Kane blinked before staring at me like I’d just spoken Latin.

“I–Really?” He asked, his face pinching with confusion.

I nodded, unable to do much more. Heat rose to my cheeks, but I didn’t back down. After a moment, Kane slipped off his boxers.

Once he was as naked as the day he was born, he climbed into the shower with me. I backed further into the hot water, hoping he’d shuffle closer and enjoy the warmth with me.

Instead, he reached out, resting a hand on my stomach.

The touch was unexpected. Normally, it took Kane a few minutes to warm up to the idea of putting his hand on me. Even then, he preferred to use his shadows to touch me. He spread his fingers wider, never looking up, his brow knitting together as he studied me.

“You’re getting bigger.” He muttered, his spine ratcheting straight the second the words fell from his lips. “I mean, he’s getting bigger! Sawyer . I just–you’ve only been here two weeks and…”

A subtle blush crept up his neck as he trailed off, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re starting to sound like Jace.” I teased, reaching to cover his hand with mine. “And you’re right–I am… but that’s kind of the point.”

“I–” He stopped, softly rubbing circles on my skin before poking me like he was trying to make Sawyer move. “Is this weird for you too? I mean, you’re only nineteen.”

I shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

He nodded slowly, finally stepping closer. A dull heat pooled low in my stomach.

“Should I be more careful with you?” He asked almost shyly.

“Why would you do that?”

“I don’t know,” he murmured. “You’re… young and pregnant, and I guess…” He trailed off, his other hand finding my hip. “I guess part of me just doesn’t want to fuck this up. You know–with you and Sawyer. I’m not exactly the daddy type.”

A smile twisted my lips as I reached up to cup his chin. “When we first met, you also told me you were a villain.”

“I am.”

“You’re not .” I ran a finger along his stubble. “Villains hurt people. All you’ve done is help me.”

He melted into my touch, bringing his hand up to cup mine.

“The legal classification of a villain is anyone over the age of eighteen who engages in immoral activities for personal gain ,” he said calmly. “I steal wallets for money. I’m a villain.”

Realistically, I should have been paying attention to what he said and maybe even argued a bit. But the second he finished speaking, he grabbed me by the fingers, dragging the heel of my palm to his lips.

The action caused the barely there heat in my core to ache. Not an ache that hurt, but the almost pleasant kind that made you want to cross your legs and squirm a bit.

“That was hot,” I said before I could think better of it.

Kane’s eyes widened as he kept his mouth close to my hand.

“This?” His eyes didn’t leave mine as he pressed another slow kiss to my palm, his lips warm and soft against my skin.

I swallowed hard, suddenly forgetting how to breathe.

“Yeah,” I said, barely able to get the word out, thanks to the pounding of my heart. “It’s sexy.”

A slow, almost predatory smile spread across his lips as his fingers wrapped around my wrist.

“So, since moving in, you’ve been fed while getting fucked and spit roasted, and this –” He kissed me once more. “Is what gets you going?”

I wondered if I should tell him about the time Jace made me come while barely touching me, but I was worried that would get me in trouble.

“I really liked the first one, too,” I whispered.

“We’ll circle back to that one another time, I promise.” His grin deepened. “But… right now, do you mind if we go a little further?”

I heaved in a breath, wondering if he could hear the thundering of my heart. The way he talked to me, looked at me and touched me made every nerve ending in my body come alive. Right now, I was putty in his hands.

“Please?” That was all I could manage.

Kane chuckled against my skin before pressing his lips again. This time, his lips moved higher and higher with each kiss before pinning me against the faux tiles in the shower. His free hand was planted by my cheek as he lowered his lips to my neck.

My breath hitched as I turned my head to the side, making more room for his exploration.

“Normally, this is where I’d bend Jace over and fuck him.” Kane rasped before his lips met my jaw.

“Yeah?” I asked breathlessly, eagerly awaiting that .

“But…” He ran his fingers across my clit, causing me to jerk. “You’re too short for me to do that in any safe way.”

My heart nearly lept out of my chest as I leaned against him for support. “What the fuck do you mean?”

My snap came out sharper than I meant for it to, but Kane seemed to revel in my misplaced anger. His teeth glinted as he laughed at me before rudely withdrawing his touch from my pussy. Slowly, he rested a hand on the curve of my stomach, rubbing the curve softly as if to remind me I was pregnant.

“You’re carrying my best friend’s son; I’m not risking you falling, sweetheart.”

My jaw almost dropped. “I’m not going to fall!”

Kane shook his head as a low chuckle reverted from his chest and into mine. My brow lowered as I shot him a look to tell him this wasn’t funny. “Sorry–I just, Jace said you were spoiled, and I didn’t believe him.”

“I’m not spoiled!” I just knew what I wanted.

“You are… but that’s how I want you.” He rasped, rubbing the tip of his nose to mine.

His laughter faded, but that damn smirk stayed. And, unfortunately, I had to fight back a smile. Why the fuck did he have to be so handsome? It was incredibly difficult to stay mad at pretty people.

After what felt like an endless staring contest, he slowly leaned in, pressing his lips to mine. And I didn’t fight him, even though I really wanted to, just because he called me spoiled. Unfortunately, my body reacted the way it was biologically supposed to.

He deepened the kiss, pressing his chest against me as one of his hands swiped down my side. I bit back a moan as he grabbed my breasts. My head tipped back just to catch my breath, but as he moved his lips back to my neck, a low vibration filled the air.

My eyes snapped open to see Kane brandishing a blue and white toothbrush. Slowly, my gaze slid to his.

“What’s that for?” I asked, slightly fearing the answer.

He shrugged. “Gotta keep you on your toes.”

He paused a moment, bringing the back of the toothbrush to his lips as if to test the vibrations. After a moment of consideration, he mumbled a low.

“Yeah, that should work.” Before touching it to my hip.

A warm tingle swept up my chest as I looked down at the toothbrush like I’d never seen one in my life.

“... Can you sexually brush someone’s teeth?” My head tipped to the side, causing wet strands of hair to fall onto my shoulder.

His dark brows inched toward his hairline as he looked at me like he couldn’t tell if I was serious or not.

“Uhh, not that I know of. I was thinking of doing something a little different .” He laughed, slowly dragging the vibrating end of the toothbrush across my skin.

“What are you– oh .” I gasped as he swiped it across my clit, jolting me forward.

“Yeah.” He smirked, rocking the plastic back and forth.

The heat in my stomach climbed up my chest, and I gripped his biceps to keep myself steady. My breathing turned to ragged gasps as he pushed it inside of me.

“Not what you expected–right?” He taunted.

I shook my head as I pulled my lower lip through my teeth. Holy shit, I was being fucked by a toothbrush. Was this normal? Did people do this?

“Go ahead, sweet girl, let go for me.” He rasped, brushing his lips to the shell of my ear.

And I tried to fight it, but my knees went weak. I tipped my head back as my lips parted, allowing my moans to echo just above the sound of the water. Kane held me steady as my orgasm pulsed through me in waves. When the ecstasy finally wore off, I tried to pretend like nothing had happened… but I was a little disappointed.

“What?” He asked, putting the toothbrush down and grabbing a bottle of shampoo.

“I just–no dick?” I panted, still trying to make sense of his unorthodox use of that specific tool.

Kane shrugged as he smirked. “Maybe later, you just looked like you needed to feel good.”

He cracked the cap open and poured the soap on my hair before working his fingers against my scalp. Somehow, Kane washing my hair felt better than the orgasm. I wrapped my arms around him before resting my head against his chest.

His whole body stiffened as I tried to enjoy the rhythmic pounding of his heart.

“How could you tell?” I groaned as he guided me under the water to rinse the soap out.

“Just had that look on your face.”

The warm water ran down my back as I snuggled as close to Kane as possible. But, as my belly pressed into him, Sawyer protested the action. Three somewhat angry thumps came in quick succession, and I pulled away.

“Sorry.” I breathed, rubbing the spot. “Now that I don't have a fever, he's getting a bit of a personality.”

I was slightly embarrassed by Sawyer so obviously protesting the closeness… but, Kane didn't seem to mind. Instead, his hand drifted to cover mine.

“…Is there anything specific that makes him do that?” he asked slowly, his eyes never leaving my stomach.

I hesitated a minute, hoping Sawyer would kick him again just to prove he could. Instead, I felt the gentle wiggle of him getting comfortable.

“I ate a bowl of ice cream before bed yesterday, and it felt like he was doing gymnastics,” I admitted.

A sly smile tugged at Kane’s lips as he rubbed my stomach once more.

“So… what would you say to ice cream and then maybe sleeping in my bed?”

I paused, my stomach flipping in a much different way. “Like… with you?”

Kane nodded. “Preferably…. but if you're not comfortable, you don't have to.”

Once again, I rested my head on his chest, just happy to have him close.

“I'd like that.”