Chapter 42
FORTY-TWO
SUTTON
- Present Day -
“ H oly shit. . . that was. . .” Cal’s voice is as breathless as I feel.
Heart pounding, my body is thrumming with energy even as it hangs on the verge of unconsciousness.
I’m so tired I can’t even be bothered to try and remove the silk tie that Jonah used to blindfold me.
My limbs are so shaky after that earth-shattering orgasm that I just collapsed into a heap on his bed, with Cal and Jonah still underneath me, my head resting on what I’m assuming is Cal’s very muscular thigh while they remain a tangle of limbs somewhere down between my legs.
Not that either of them seem to mind at the moment.
Fighting to stay awake, to catch my breath, I just lay there, silently taking it all in. The huge ramifications of what we just did . . . together.
I should be mortified. My cheeks are burning, but for once it’s from exertion rather than embarrassment.
For once in my life, I got so lost in the moment and what I was doing that I completely forgot to be self-conscious and worrying about how I look through their eyes, if my clothes were too tight, if my stomach wasn’t flat enough.
I was just. . . pure sensation, and it was euphoric.
Unable to fight the exhaustion any longer, I close my eyes as I listen to the sounds of labored breaths; my erratic heart finally calming in time to the symphony of our shared silence. Snuggling into the warmth of the body beneath me, I feel myself slip into a dreamless slumber.
“Shorty, I’m gonna head out.” The words are whispered, in what I’m assuming is an attempt not to wake me. It’s enough to pull me out of unconsciousness, but I don’t bother making any real effort to show that I’m now awake.
Movement underneath me causes my body to shift, and the comfortable heat is replaced with lukewarm sheets and a feeling of emptiness that goes beyond the spot left abandoned by him as I sink into the mattress.
Unable to contain it, a soft moan of protest escapes me.
I hear a soft chuckle at that, and a gentle kiss is pressed to my forehead.
With extreme reluctance, I crack one eye open, enough to confirm that my blindfold has in fact been removed, and look up to see Callum fully dressed as he stands next to my side of the bed.
“Don’t leave.”
My voice is hoarse as it comes out in a cracked whisper, my parched mouth moving more quickly than my brain, which happens to be screaming at me to shut the hell up.
I was so comfortable with both of them, having the best nap that I’ve experienced in years, that against my better judgement I let my guard down, a momentary vulnerability I normally try to contain.
“I’m sorry, Shorty. I have to go. Knowing the guys, I’m sure the party is still going back at my place, and people will start to wonder where I disappeared to if I’m gone for too long.”
His words are reasonable, and through my squinty gaze I can see the regret written all over his face as he looks down, eyes devouring my still-naked body. It doesn’t make his words hurt any less though.
“Okay.” Swallowing down the emotion that suddenly threatens to drown me, feeling too vulnerable in my exposed state, I roll over to face the wall, but instead am met with the warmth of Jonah’s broad chest as he slides in close, pulling me into his embrace.
“Sutton, I –” Cal’s voice is almost pleading, but I can’t bring myself to look in his direction.
Jonah’s arms tense around me, and I know he’s fighting against his protective instincts and probably wanting to punch Cal for hurting me again, but he just holds me instead.
“Just go.” His words are clipped as he speaks from over my head.
No one says another word. The air is thick with tension, the soothing calm from moments before vanished with a simple sentence spoken with regret.
Burying my head in his chest, I inhale deeply, breathing in Jonah’s soothing scent, and hold my breath.
Inhale. Calm . I wait, apprehension filling me as my lungs begin to burn.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the slow tread of footsteps signal his departure.
I breathe out. Cool. Jonah kisses my head softly and I breathe him in once more. Collected .