Chapter 30
Lana
Two weeks later, everything seemed to have settled into this unspoken rhythm between Callan and me.
We fell into a pattern of stolen moments and late-night talks, and we seemed to only exist within the walls of this house.
It was terrifying and exciting at the same time, because every time I was away from him, I wondered what we had slipped into.
I had no explanation for it. I felt too much, yet tried not to feel anything at all, knowing there could be many different outcomes that could leave me hurting. For now, I was enjoying the time with him, trying not to read too much into it. And I was sure he was doing the same.
I got my essay back from Professor Hayes this afternoon. The grade at the top was the highest I could’ve received, and while it was enough to prove that I had done a good job with this essay, it was the comment scrawled beneath it in his red ink that made my heart pound.
Exceptionally powerful work. The raw honesty of your perspective is compelling.
After class, Hayes kept me back. He asked a dozen questions about the set, the logistics, and the atmosphere.
It was clear he was fascinated by it all, especially the behind-the-scenes mechanics of an industry he’d never dipped his toes in himself.
I answered what I could, but I had only been an observer.
Okay, that was only half-true. But I couldn’t tell my professor the truth about fluffing up my stepdad for his scenes.
When his question became too detailed, I had to stop the questioning.
“There’s really only one person who can give you the insight you’re looking for,” I finally said, fishing a pen out of my bag.
I scribbled Callan’s email on the corner of my notebook, then ripped it out to hand it to him.
“I’m sure he will answer your questions. ”
Professor Hayes looked at the email address as if it were a priceless artifact. “Thank you, Lana.”
It was amusing to say the least. I never imagined him being this intrigued, but I was glad my essay touched him in a way.
When I got home that afternoon, I was determined to make myself a sweet snack and head upstairs to watch a movie, but when I walked into the house, I found Callan on the couch, and my plan changed.
He was sitting there, leaning back and looking completely at ease.
Beside him, looking just as comfortable, was Rocco.
They were laughing about something, and for a moment, I considered just slipping to the kitchen, not wanting to intrude on their space, but Callan’s eyes found mine instantly.
“Lana,” he said, his smile warm. He patted the empty cushion next to him. “Come here.”
I dropped my tote bag and jacket on the bottom step of the stairs and walked over to sit down.
I left a few inches of space between us, unsure where he truly wanted me.
My eyes darted to Rocco, who was watching me with an amused, knowing smirk.
“Holland says hi,” I offered, letting him know that Holland and I had been talking today.
His smirk widened into a full-blown grin. “Hi back,” he said, his voice charming as ever. I had no idea what their status was, but from the easy energy between them, I guessed they were just…having fun.
“How was your day?” Callan asked, his attention shifting from Rocco to me.
“Good,” I smiled, the tension in my shoulders easing. “Hayes loved the essay.”
“That’s great. I’m proud of you.” As he said it, he reached out and placed his hand on my thigh, his fingers wrapping around it and giving it a gentle, almost possessive squeeze.
“Thanks,” I managed. “He, uh…wants to ask you questions. I gave him your email, if that’s okay.”
“Sure.” He seemed unfazed by it. “Not a problem.”
Just then, Rocco’s phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at it, and a smile spread across his face. “Well, duty calls,” he said, standing up and stretching. “Looks like someone’s missing me.” He shot me a wink.
And with a clap on Callan’s shoulder, he was gone.
The moment the front door clicked shut, the atmosphere shifted. Callan’s hand tightened on my thigh. He didn’t say a word, just tugged me toward him. I didn’t resist. I let him pull me across the empty space until I was straddling his lap, my knees sinking into the couch on either side of his hips.
His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. “Hi,” he murmured, his eyes dark and locked on mine.
“Hi,” I whispered back.
“I missed you today,” he told me, making my heart do a flip.
I bit my bottom lip and dropped my gaze to his chest for a moment before I met his eyes again. “You did?”
He nodded and leaned in to brush the tip of his nose along the side of my neck. “Yeah. Wished you were here.”
I closed my eyes, moving my hands up to hold on to his shoulders. “I’m here now,” I whispered, pressing my hips forward.
“Good,” he murmured, pressing a kiss just below my ear. Then he moved back to look at me again, and shortly after, he leaned in to kiss me. He claimed my mouth in a hungry kiss, and I melted into him instantly.
His tongue swept into my mouth, tasting and exploring me with a lazy confidence that made my toes curl.
His hands roamed up my back, one tangling in my hair, holding me in place as he deepened the kiss.
My arms wrapped around his neck, my fingers grazing the short hair at his nape.
I could feel him hardening beneath me, and my body responded by pressing against him harder.
He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine, both of us breathing heavily. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” he admitted, his voice rough.
I couldn’t speak. I didn’t want to. I just leaned in and kissed him again, pouring all the confusing, terrifying, wonderful emotions of the last few weeks into it.
I kissed him passionately, unable to stop.
And in that moment, with his strong arms holding me tight, I finally had to admit it to myself.
The walls I’d built, the rules I’d set, the emotional distance I’d tried to maintain—it was all a lie.
I was falling for him. Hard. And I was terrified.
His hands moved from my waist, sliding down to grip my ass and pull me even tighter against the hard ridge of his erection.
A low groan rumbled in his chest, and the sound vibrated through me, making my own body ache with a matching desperation.
The kiss deepened further, growing messy and frantic. It wasn’t enough though.
He broke the kiss then, his chest heaving. “Right here,” he commanded. “Now.”
My eyes widened slightly. Here? Knowing his friends and co-workers, anyone could walk in unannounced. As much as I didn’t want to get caught having sex, it thrilled me just enough not to care.
I just nodded.
His hands were already moving, tugging my shirt over my head.
He threw it aside before his fingers went to the button of my jeans.
His knuckles brushing against my stomach sent a shiver through me.
He made quick work of them, pushing them down my hips.
I lifted myself slightly, letting him tug them over my knees and off, leaving me in just a simple lace bra and panties.
His gaze felt like a physical touch. He reached around me, unhooking my bra with a practiced flick of his fingers and tossing it aside.
His eyes lingered on my breasts for a heartbeat before he cupped them.
He squeezed gently, pinching my nipples between his fingers and thumbs.
I cried out and arched my back to press them more into his palms.
“You like when I play with your tits, don’t you?” It wasn’t really a question. He already knew the answer.
“I do.”
He leaned in and pulled one nipple into his mouth. I looked down and watched his suck hard, and I squirmed when he swirled his tongue around it while looking up at me.
I bit my bottom lip and moaned when he did the same to the other nipple. After letting it pop out of his mouth, he made me stand up before he hooked his thumbs into the sides of my panties, slowly dragging them down my legs.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he breathed.
He stood briefly, shedding his own clothes. His shirt was pulled over his head, revealing his hard chest and abs. He pushed his jeans and boxers down next, kicking them away, and he was standing before me fully erect.
He didn’t give me time to admire him. He sat back down and pulled me on top of him again, my knees sinking into the couch on either side of his thighs.
His hard, thick length was pressed against my folds, and the contact alone made me gasp.
His hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as his gaze locked on mine.
“Ride me, Lana. Show me how much you want me.”
It was more of a challenge than a request, but I had done this with him before.
I was more than ready to accept. I braced one hand on his shoulder, feeling the muscles hard and solid beneath my palm.
I lifted my hips and reached between us to guide the head of his cock to my entrance.
I teased us both for a moment, rubbing him through my wetness, coating him in my arousal.
His jaw tightened. “Little tease,” he murmured, adjusting himself beneath me. “Take me, Lana. All of me.”
Then, slowly, I sank down.
I took him inch by inch, with my head falling back as I was stretched and filled to the absolute limit.
A long moan escaped my lips as I reached the base, my hips flush against his.
He was so deep, so thick, I could feel him everywhere.
And thanks to his curved shaft, I felt his tip press against my belly’s wall from the inside.
The sensation was overwhelming, making my inner muscles clench around him.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his eyes wandering down my body for a second before he focused on my face again. “You feel…Christ, you feel perfect.”