Chapter 35 – Callie
Take time to appreciate a victory.
It’s late but sleep is the furthest thing from my mind. Wyatt and I had listened to Emmy”s podcast covering the game before it was time for Grumpy Bumpy. She’s still celebrating the win when I turn it off. I have a feeling the team will be receiving more cupcakes soon.
I pace around my apartment, impatient to see Ezra and thinking over the day. Chase signed those papers, surrendering his parental rights. Levi flew to Boston with him with hopes of getting him into a more comprehensive therapy program. It will only help if Chase is willing to make changes but I can’t blame his father for trying.
Right now, I know both brothers feel like they’ll never forgive each other for the things that have happened. Forever is a long time. Perhaps someday, Chase may grow into a better man. I will wish for that for the sake of his family, for all of us.
I asked Wyatt if he still had questions about his father when I tucked him in. He shrugged and reiterated that he likes living in San Francisco. He also informed me that birds and dinosaurs are related. I’d nodded and told him he can always ask me anything. He’d yawned and whispered, “Toodle-loo, Kangaroo.”
“Adios, Cinnamon Toast.”
My thoughts stray to Daisy and I realize I never got to question Grant again about his interaction with her. I decide to seek her out at work tomorrow just as a soft knock sends me rushing to the door. He’s here.
Opening the door, I find Ezra Sokolov on my doorstep wearing a hopeful smile and take a moment to admire him in all his gorgeous glory. “Victory looks good on you.”
Chuckling, he steps inside and pulls me into his arms. “I wasn’t on the ice and, while I’m happy for the team, I’m even happier to finally be here with you.”
My entire body relaxes in his embrace. “I like hearing that. I’ve missed you holding me.”
He lowers his mouth to mine and, when he’s less than an inch away, he murmurs, “I’ve missed all of you.” I expect a deep kiss but he only claims a soft, quick one before he takes me by the hand and leads me toward the sofa. “I think we should talk first.”
Grumbling, I allow him to pull me along. “I wanted to get laid tonight.”
“Oh, you will but this is important.”
“I hate that you’re being the rational one here.”
“No, you don’t.”
No, I don’t.
We sit but we sit close, our thighs touching and my hand still held by his. In typical Ezra style, he’s blunt and to the point.
“Callie, I love you.”
He’s also terribly smooth.
“I’ve been falling in love with you since the night I opened my brother’s door and found you on the other side of it, the first time I laid eyes on you. Every time I tripped over my own tongue, every time we bickered, even when I foolishly took his side and every year I spent apart from you, part of me still cried out for you, longed to love you. I always will, hummingbird. I want to be with you and only you.”
Unspeakable happiness spills over as my heart thump-thumps rapidly from his words. “I love you and want to be with you, too, Ezra. More than anything. But, I come with responsibilities and demands that other women might not.”
“I know that. You’re a package deal. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love your son and I want him to be my son in every way that matters.”
Cupping his face between my hands, I blink back happy tears. “Nothing could make me happier than for my little boy to have a daddy who will love him as fiercely as his mother always has. I’m so glad you’re that man.”
He smiles, the smile that makes my world melt, and I get a proper kiss, the one I’ve been waiting for. Ezra’s lips brush over mine, setting off tingles of desire all across my skin. I draw a quick breath right before he devours me. Full of passion and devotion, this kiss claims and fills my soul.
All the fear I felt for so many years about Chase and my secret and Ezra is gone. We’re safe and we’re loved by a man who’s shown himself worthy of us. I look forward to the future we may build together, the three of us.
Our kisses grow hungrier. Our eyes meet and we both know we want more. Ezra rises to his feet and lifts me off the sofa, carrying me to the bedroom. I press against him, savoring his warmth and strength, trusting him with all my heart.
The door makes a soft snicking sound and then he sets me on the bed, his eyes a dark forest of need which turns my insides to liquid heat. Slowly, he strips off his clothes, allowing me to relish the sight until his hands settle on the waist of my pajama bottoms. His nose nudges my cheek, making goosebumps break out all over. “Mine,” he growls, tugging the bottoms off.
My head lolls back, my body turning boneless with that single word. “Yours.”
The first swipe of his tongue has my toes curling in anticipation. He wants me to sing for him and I will. He worships me with his mouth and hands, working me up, climax upon climax until I break apart and fall for him. I’ve fallen so hard for this man and I don’t mind it one bit.
When I beg for him to claim me with his cock, he doesn’t hesitate. He crawls up the mattress, covering my body with his own and kisses me deeply, letting me taste my nectar on his tongue. “Sweet little bird,” he rumbles.
My hand dips down between us, lightly brushing the hummingbird tattoo. “Your sweet little hummingbird. And, are you mine, Big Bird?” I murmur, playfully.
“Always yours, darling. Only yours.”
My legs spread as he centers himself. He pushes forward, a swift thrust. I gasp and clutch his shoulders, savoring the burning pleasure. It’s perfect. We soon find our rhythm and seek the next release together.
He’s panting in my arms once he’s found his and then rolls over, dragging me on top of him. “I love that smile,” he says, tracing my lips with his finger.
“I love it, too,” I reply, mimicking his action. “Stay the night,” I tell him when my eyelids start to grow heavy with contentment at last.
He hums while gently caressing my belly. I don’t know if he realizes he”s stroking my C-section scar but he doesn’t care about that anyway. He loves me just as I am and I love him. “If I stay, what will we tell Wyatt in the morning?”
“You can tell him his birthday wish came true.”