Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Callum couldn’t believe he’d lost to Brynn at horseshoes. Not with so much riding on the outcome.
It would have been perfect, too. Parker had gone home with his parents. The plan was for the boy to spend the night and for his parents to bring him home tomorrow around lunchtime.
When his parents had come up with the plan and asked if it would be all right, Callum had nearly said no. Parker was just getting used to having his own bedroom, and Callum hadn’t had a chance to prepare him for spending the night with his grandparents.
But Parker had begged to go with them, saying Papa had a whole box of cool action figures and had promised to bring them out and play with him.
“Please, Callum,” his mother softly whispered in his ear. “Your dad and I would love this chance to get to know our grandson better.”
The boy would be in good hands with them. Of that, Callum had no doubt. His hesitation had surprised him. Even though Brynn seemed to think he was a laissez-faire dad, he truly cared about Parker’s well-being .
In the end, he’d said yes. Now, he was with Brynn, facing a night free from children.
Her hand settled on his arm as he pulled into her driveway.
Callum killed the engine and shifted in his seat to face her. “I lost the bet.”
“No worries.” Pushing the car door open, she stepped out.
Callum was out of the car in a flash and at her side. “The bet was if I won the game, I wouldn’t have to sleep on the sofa tonight.”
“The way I see it, if I held us to that bet, I’d have lost, too.” She patted him on the cheek, then leaned over and kissed him. “Let’s go inside.”
The second the door closed behind them, Callum’s arms were around her, pulling her close, his mouth on hers.
Slipping her fingers through his hair, Brynn reveled in the silky softness of the strands and the feel of his firm, warm lips on hers.
They kissed for the longest time before she took a step back. “I…I think I’d like a glass of wine.”
Brynn didn’t really need wine as much as she needed to catch her breath.
He twined a lock of hair around his fingers and kissed the underside of her jaw. “You can have whatever you want. All you have to do is ask.”
Can I have you? Forever?
The questions remained unspoken as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I want you. I?—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish her thought or even have a second to breathe, because his lips were on hers again, exquisitely gentle and achingly tender .
A smoldering heat flared through Brynn, a sensation she didn’t bother to fight.
She planted a kiss at the base of his neck, his skin salty beneath her lips.
Callum folded her more fully into his arms, anchoring her against his chest as his mouth covered hers in a deep, compelling kiss.
Dreamily, she stroked his thick hair. She loved how he smelled. That mysterious citrusy scent brought a tingle to her lips and sent heat percolating low in her belly.
He pressed his lips lightly to hers teasingly, his mouth never pulling away. When he teased the fullness of her lower lip with his tongue, Brynn parted her lips.
Callum immediately changed the angle of the kiss and plunged inside, claiming her mouth. His tongue circled and danced with hers. She did the same to him, each touch, each tingle reinforcing the possibilities.
Her fingers trembled as she caressed his face and his hair. Her head spun. Her knees went weak. If she weren’t in his arms, she’d have lost her footing.
Then the kiss ended, and her head was on his shoulder. The only thing she was aware of was the beating of her heart mingling with his.
Brynn had learned long ago that regret over something you wished you’d said or done but no longer had the chance to do was its own kind of hell. She would not let this opportunity pass her by.
“I want you to touch me.” Her voice sounded tinny, as if it came from far away. But the need inside her, hot and demanding, coursed strong.
“Next time, don’t wear a dress,” he murmured as he scattered kisses up her neck before nipping her ear.
“Because it’s not sexy? ”
“Everything you wear is sexy.” He laughed. “Because it takes more work to get out of.”
Then he stepped back and kept her hand firmly in his as he started down the hall. “Time to check out the bedroom and get rid of this sexy dress.”
Brynn smiled. “I like the way you think.”
Brynn woke in her bed the next morning. Only this time, she wasn’t alone. She let her gaze linger on the naked man sleeping beside her. His lips turned slightly upward as if he was having a lovely dream.
She wondered if he was thinking about her and how perfect it had been. Last night’s lovemaking had blown her out of the water. She’d had sex before, but being with Callum had been different.
I love him .
The realization circled in her mind.
What she was going to do about it, well, that was better left for a time with no distractions, when they weren’t both naked in bed, until?—
As she started to slip out of bed, a hand settling on her arm had her jolting.
“You’re not leaving me?”
As she gazed into his sleepy blue eyes, her heart flip-flopped.
“Move over.” She made a motion with her hand. “It’s chilly.”
“I suppose it is with no clothes.” His heated gaze traveled up and down her bare body, leaving gooseflesh in its wake.
When he lifted the light spread, it gave her a stellar view of his lean, muscular body. A body that last night she’d explored thoroughly and one she now knew intimately.
Slipping in beside him, she kissed him lightly on the lips. “Good morning. ”
His lips curved in an easy smile as his arms encircled her. “This is a stellar way to start the day.”
She slid her fingers into his hair. “With a kiss?”
Tightening his hold, he gazed into her eyes, the blue depths holding a wicked gleam.
“With a kiss?” she repeated, her fingers toying with a lock of his hair.
“And so much more.”
She heard the question as desire surged, hot and demanding. “I’ll take two helpings, please.”
He laughed and pulled her on top of him.
Callum glanced at Brynn as he poured them each a bowl of cereal. She sat at the table, looking like a goddess in an oversized T-shirt, waves of golden silk cascading over her shoulders.
She’d taken a brush to her hair. When she’d grown frustrated, he’d taken the brush from her hand and discovered brushing hair could be a sensual experience.
“You look amazing,” he said, setting the bowl before her and placing the carton of milk in the center of the table.
“You’re very sweet.” After setting down her mug of just-brewed coffee, Brynn added milk to the bowl. A second later, the coffee mug was back in her hand. She took a long sip and then looked up. “This tastes amazing.”
“It’s a blend from the Daily Grind. Ryder told me it was one of their own.” Callum dropped into the chair opposite her at the small table. “I like it better than Starbucks, and it takes a lot for me to say that.”
Zoe’s father owned a string of coffee shops. The Good Hope location was the only one he managed himself.
Brynn set her cup down and covered a yawn with the tips of her fingers. “It’s crazy. You look ready to rock and roll, while my body says it’s time for bed.”
“I’m up for more bedtime,” he told her.
“Up?” She laughed and shot him a wicked smile. “I could get behind that.”
They finished the cereal and were enjoying a second cup of coffee when Callum heard the sound of an engine.
Brynn must have heard it, too.
She turned to him. “Are we expecting someone?”
He shook his head just as the front door creaked open.
“Callum. Brynn. It’s just us,” his mother called.
Callum swore under his breath.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brynn briefly close her eyes.
Callum pushed to his feet and glanced back at her. “You know, we really are going to have to start locking that door.”
All Brynn could figure was they’d left the door unlocked when they’d come inside last night. No biggie, except his parents’ unexpected arrival gave her no room to?—
What? Run? Hide in the bedroom? Even if she’d had time, that wouldn’t be her style.
With a resigned sigh, she pushed to her feet and plastered a welcoming smile on her face.
“Daddy.”
She wasn’t certain who was more surprised, her or Callum, when Parker bolted into the room and flung himself against his dad, clinging tightly.
“I woke up. You weren’t there.” Parker’s words ran together as tears slipped down his cheeks. “I thought you left me.”
Callum glanced at his parents, who stood in the doorway to the kitchen, taking in the scene and missing nothing .
Not Brynn’s sleep shirt and bare feet. Not Callum’s disheveled hair—oh, how she loved running her fingers through the silky strands—or his pajama pants and T-shirt.
To their credit, their expressions gave nothing away.
“Brynn, it’s nice to see you,” Prim said before her gaze shifted to her son, who was comforting Parker.
“I’m sorry you were scared.” Callum ran his hands up and down the boy’s back and continued to hold him close.
Brynn half expected him to remind the child they’d talked about him spending the night and coming back at lunchtime.
As if instinctively knowing that would serve no purpose, he only continued to hold the boy tightly and murmur reassuring words.
“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” Brynn asked, slipping into the role of hostess.
Prim and Max exchanged glances. Max gave a nod.
“That would be nice,” Prim said, then added, “If you have enough, that is.”
“Callum brewed an entire pot this morning, so we have enough.” When she lifted their empty cereal bowls from the table, Brynn glanced at Parker. “Parker, honey, would you like some cereal?”
She pointed to the box of Muesli still sitting on the table.
Parker lifted his tear-streaked face from Callum’s chest and sniffled. “Cocoa Puffs?”
Obviously, the healthy cereal she and Callum had enjoyed this morning wasn’t a consideration.
“You know, I think I saw a box in the cupboard.” Brynn offered the boy a reassuring smile. “I’ll get you some.”
Parker tightened his hold on Callum before nodding.
“Why don’t we all have a seat?” Callum started to set Parker down.
He didn’t get far.
“No!” Parker screamed the word. “Don’t let go of me. ”
“Your dad isn’t going anywhere.” Max stepped forward and spoke reassuringly, gesturing to a chair. “He’s going to sit right there and…” Max pulled a chair right up to the one he’d just indicated. “You’ll be right next to him.”
“That’s right, Parker.” Callum spoke in the same hearty tone. “And Brynn is getting your Cocoa Puffs. I bet you’re hungry.”
Parker gave a grudging nod. “I never had anything yet.”
“I offered to make French toast.” Prim’s gaze met Callum’s, the look in her hazel eyes conveying a wealth of information. “But Parker was eager to get home.”
“Here you go.” Brynn carefully placed the bowl of Cocoa Puffs on the table in front of the chair Max had indicated. “Just for you.”
This time, when Callum set the boy in the chair, Parker didn’t protest. But neither did he relax until Callum sat beside him.
“Can I get either of you anything more than coffee?” Brynn asked Callum’s parents.
Prim pulled her worried gaze from her grandson. “Thank you, Brynn, but Max and I are fine.”
Once everyone was at the table, coffee mugs full and in front of them, Brynn warred with herself on what to say and ask.
This morning had definitely been traumatic for Parker, but a few well-thought-out questions might add clarity that could prove beneficial in the future.
Brynn brought the mug to her lips but didn’t take a drink. She studied the small boy, who was intently shoveling in cereal while casting frequent sideways glances at his dad as if to reassure himself Callum was still there.
“Did you two have fun last night?” Max asked before Brynn had a chance to formulate a question.
“Max,” Prim hissed.
Brynn sucked in a breath. How did she answer such a question? Yes, the sex was amazing. It was better than I thought it could ever be. Oh, and by the way, I’m in love with your son .
“We did,” Callum said absently before his dad could backtrack.
The conversation remained light for the next ten minutes. During that time, Brynn watched Parker visibly relax.
The boy finished his Cocoa Puffs and now sat with his head resting against Callum’s shoulder.
“Can I ask you a question, Parker?” Brynn kept her tone easy.
The boy’s blue eyes, so like his father’s, met hers. He gave a cautious nod.
“Sounds as if you were scared this morning, worried your dad had left you.”
Parker pressed even tighter against Callum.
Callum inhaled a breath and shot her a sharp look.
Brynn merely continued in the same easy, conversational tone. “Can you tell me what made you worry that he’d left?”
She didn’t remind the boy that he’d been told he’d be returning home later in the day or that he’d been the one who’d begged to spend the night with his grandparents.
All those facts hadn’t been enough to contain the boy’s fears.
Callum wrapped an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “You can tell Brynn anything, Parker. She’ll understand.”
Brynn experienced a surge of warmth at the confidence he had just placed in her.
“My mommy left me.” The boy’s lower lip began to tremble.
Callum planted a kiss on top of his son’s head but said nothing.
Sympathy filled Prim’s hazel eyes.
Max’s gaze remained watchful.
“She…she didn’t tell me she was leaving.” His red brows pulled together, and his freckles shone bright against his pale skin. “I don’t think she told me. Maybe she did. I was little, and I don’t ’member.”
“You didn’t know she was leaving,” Brynn repeated.
“Grammy said my mommy loved me, but she left me.” Parker’ s lips curved downward like a sad clown’s. When he shut his eyes, tears seeped past the closed lids. “She never came back.”
Brynn acknowledged the sentiment with a nod to show she was listening.
“Grammy loved me, but she got sick.” Parker expelled a shuddering breath. “Daddy, he…he hasn’t said he loves me. I don’t think he wanted to take me, but Grammy made him.”
“Which is why you were afraid that your daddy left you.”
Parker nodded and avoided looking at his father.
“Parker,” Callum began, his voice thick with emotion.
Hearing his father speak had the boy springing into action. He twisted to face Callum. “I’ll be really, really good. I promise. Just don’t leave me.”
“Parky Sharky.” Callum’s voice quivered with intensity as he pulled the boy tightly against him. “You don’t need to worry. You’re my son. I love you so much. You and I are a team, and I won’t ever leave and never come back. I promise.”
The child met his gaze for several long seconds before holding out his hand. “Pinkie swear?”
Callum solemnly joined his smallest finger to his son’s. “Pinkie swear.”