Forty-One
forty-one
LET ME LOVE YOU - NE-YO
CALLIE - JULY 27, 2014
T he sunlight streaming through the window warms my skin, pulling me gently from sleep. My body feels deliciously sore, every inch of me still humming from last night. The memories come flooding back, Owen’s hands on me, his mouth everywhere, the way he whispered my name.
I stretch lazily, the sheets shifting over my bare skin, and turn to look at him. He’s still asleep, his face relaxed, his lips parted slightly as he breathes deeply. His hair is a tousled mess, his stubble catching the golden light pouring into the room. He looks so peaceful, so utterly perfect, that my chest tightens with emotion.
My husband.
The thought makes my heart swell, the reality of it settling into my bones. This man—the one who held me so tenderly yet utterly consumed me last night—is mine. I’ll never tire of that.
My fingers twitch with the urge to reach out and touch him. I give in, letting my hand drift over the hard lines of his chest, the warmth of his skin under my palm sending a spark of anticipation through me. He doesn’t stir, but his lips twitch into the smallest hint of a smile, like he knows I’m watching him.
Last night wasn’t just intense—it was transcendent. It wasn’t just the way he touched me or how he made me feel like I was the only person in the world. It was the way he looked at me—like I was his everything. Like he would do anything to make me happy.
My hand continues its slow exploration, gliding over the ridges of his abdomen, tracing the line of his hip. I can feel the heat building in me again, the ache that never quite went away. He stirs slightly, a soft groan escaping his lips as my fingers drift lower, brushing over the the sheet that’s barely covering him.
“You’re playing with fire, Kitty,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep, his eyes still closed.
The sound of his voice sends a shiver through me. I lean down, pressing my lips to his chest, letting them linger. “Good morning,” I whisper, my voice soft and teasing.
He shifts beneath me, his eyes fluttering open, and the grin that spreads across his face is slow and lazy, like he’s savoring the moment. “Good morning, Mrs. Klein.”
The way he says it, his voice full of warmth and pride, makes my breath hitch. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my lips. “Good morning,” I reply softly, brushing my lips against his.
His hand slides into my hair, his fingers tangling gently as he deepens the kiss. It starts slowly, unhurried, and the heat between us builds. His tongue teases mine, his free hand sliding down my back, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice low and full of reverence.
I feel myself blushing, but I don’t look away. “You make me feel beautiful,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You are,” he says firmly, his hand cupping my cheek as he looks into my eyes. “Every inch of you.”
His words send a rush of emotion through me, and I kiss him again, pouring everything I feel into it. He responds in kind, his body shifting so he’s leaning over me, his weight pressing me into the mattress in the best way.
He trails kisses along my jaw, down my neck, his stubble scratching deliciously against my skin. His lips find my collarbone, then the swell of my breast, and I arch into him, my hands tangling in his hair.
“Owen,” I breathe, his name falling from my lips like a prayer.
His mouth closes around my nipple, his tongue teasing, and my body reacts instantly, heat pooling low in my belly. His hand slides down my side, his touch firm but gentle, until he reaches the place where I need him most.
“You’re already so wet for me,” he murmurs, his voice rough as his fingers slip between my thighs.
I gasp at the sensation, my hips rising to meet his touch. He takes his time, teasing me, circling my clit before sliding two fingers inside me. He curls them just right, and I’m already trembling beneath him, the pressure building with every stroke.
“Owen, please,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
He chuckles softly, the sound vibrating against my skin as he kisses his way back up to my lips. “Patience, Mrs. Klein,” he murmurs, his voice full of affection and heat.
I don’t want to be patient. I reach down, wrapping my hand around him, and he groans, his head dropping to my shoulder.
“Fuck,” he mutters, his control wavering as I guide him to me. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
“Then what a way to go,” I tease, my voice breathless.
He lines himself up, his eyes locking with mine as he slowly pushes inside. The stretch is exquisite, and I can’t help the moan that escapes me as he fills me completely.
“You feel so good,” he says, his voice rough, his movements slow and deliberate as he begins to thrust.
I cling to him, my nails digging into his shoulders, every nerve in my body on fire. He moves like he has all the time in the world, his hips rolling with a precision that leaves me gasping.
His hand slides between us, his thumb finding my clit, and the combination is almost too much. I’m spiraling, the pressure building to a crescendo that has me clutching at him, my breath coming in short, desperate gasps.
“Let go for me, Kitty,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’ve got you.”
His words are my undoing. The climax crashes over me, and I cry out, my body arching into his as the waves of pleasure consume me. He doesn’t stop, drawing it out, his own release following moments later as he thrusts deep, groaning my name.
He collapses beside me, pulling me into his arms, our bodies still tangled together. His hand strokes my back in lazy circles, his lips pressing soft kisses to my temple.
“I could stay here forever,” he murmurs, his voice soft and full of love.
I smile, my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “Well that’s good,” I whisper, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin. “Because you’re stuck with me.”
As the morning light fills the room, I can’t help but think that this quiet, intimate moment with him is everything I’ve ever wanted.
The late morning sun spills across the room, casting a soft glow on everything it touches. I’m curled up against Owen, my head resting on his chest as his hand moves in slow, soothing patterns over my back. The comfort of the moment should be enough to quiet my thoughts, but a small voice nags at the back of my mind, one I can’t ignore.
I try to stay present, to focus on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat,, the warmth of his skin, the feel of his touch. As much as I want to sink into the peace of it, a lingering thought pressing at the edges of my mind.
I shift, turning my face up to look at him. His eyes meet mine, and I know he can sense something’s on my mind.
“What’s going on, Dollface?” he asks, his voice low like he’s trying not to spook me.
Dollface. The nickname makes me smile, even now. My words catch in my throat, heavy and uncertain. I hesitate, suddenly unsure how to start. “I’ve just been thinking,” I begin, biting my lip. My fingers trace idle patterns on his chest, more for my own comfort than his.
“About last night,” I add, my voice hesitant.
He raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching like he’s fighting a smile. “It was a good night,” he teases, though his eyes hold a flicker of curiosity.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the small smile that slips out. “You know what I mean, Owen.”
His expression softens immediately, the teasing melting away as he shifts onto his side. He props himself up on one elbow so he’s looking down at me, his brows drawing together slightly in concern. “I do,” he says. “What’s on your mind?”
I take a deep breath. My chest tightens at the thought, a knot of worry forming in the pit of my stomach.
“We didn’t use any protection,” I say finally.
His hand moves to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing over my skin with a gentle touch that makes me feel safe. “I know,” he says, his tone full of calm assurance.
I search his face for any sign of concern, but all I see is confidence, the steadiness that anchors me. I still need to explain, to make sure we’re on the same page.
“I just… I know we’ve always been careful before,” I say. “And now…”
His thumb continues its soothing path across my cheek as his lips curve into a small smile. “I understood the risks, Callie. I wouldn’t change a thing about last night.”
My breath hitches, relief loosening the knot in my chest. “You wouldn’t?”
“No,” he says firmly, leaning down so our faces are level. “To be honest, I wouldn’t mind seeing you pregnant again sometime soon.”
His words hit me like a bolt of lightning, a mix of surprise and warmth spreading through me. “You wouldn’t mind?” I repeat, my voice barely audible.
He shakes his head, his hand slipping to rest on my hip. “I loved watching you carry Ruby,” he says, his voice low and sincere. “You were radiant. Strong. And seeing you as a mom… it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I bite my lip to keep them at bay. “Owen,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
He brushes his lips softly against mine, lingering as if to let his words settle. “It’s up to you, though,” he continues, his tone gentle but resolute. “If you want to take the morning-after pill, I’ll support that. If you don’t, I’ll support that too. Either way, we’ll figure it out together.”
The sincerity in his voice wraps around me like a warm blanket, easing the last of my worry. “I’m not worried,” I admit softly, my hand coming up to rest over his on my hip. “I just… needed to hear how you felt about it.”
His smile widens slightly, his thumb brushing across my skin again. “I feel like I’m the luckiest man alive,” he says. “Whatever happens next, we can handle it together.”
Emotion wells up in my chest, threatening to spill over. “I love you,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
“I love you too,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion.
I curl closer to him, letting my head rest against his chest again. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat calms me completely, and for the first time since the thought crept into my mind, I feel truly at ease.
The sun climbs higher in the sky, bathing us in its warmth. There’s no place I’d rather be than right here, in his arms, dreaming of our future together.