CHAPTER FIVE
Sweat beads on my forehead from the pressure to finish in such a short amount of time. I didn’t think it would be this hard. The final touch is applied with an upward stroke. Relief fondles me while my knees hit the porch floor. Pride soon follows. A slow exhale grants me a moment’s reprieve.
My task is complete, and I wasn’t caught in the process. The surface is smooth, wet, and covered in its entirety. Just as I’m about to straighten and inspect my handiwork, a gasp confronts me.
Spoke too soon.
I’m on my feet and turn to face her judgment. Callie stares at the fast motion through unblinking eyes. The sight of her in front of me is staggering and I almost fall flat on my ass. At the last second, I grab onto the railing for support. This leaned position gives me a calm and confident appearance. Or I look ready to pounce. Nobody could blame me for acting like an alpha male in the presence of his mate.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. The early afternoon sun sparkles in her dark hair. My hands curl into fists, desperate to comb through those glossy strands. I bet she feels like silk. Everywhere.
There’s a twinkle in her gaze that remains fastened on me. The blue is soothing and offers me peace even though my heart is racing.It also spurs me into action.
I take a chance and step off the porch, closing our distance until a few long strides separate us. She watches me approach but doesn’t move otherwise. Fresh paint dances in the wind along with a vanilla sweetness that I can only assume comes from Callie. I want to drag her scent deep into my lungs until she’s all I breathe. The temptation dangles on the next breeze, stirring my arousal.
Through the haze, a thought occurs to me. We’ve never been alone until now. It appears that the same realization strikes her as she glances at the quiet street. I should probably excuse myself and stop making her uncomfortable, but my soles are rooted to the ground.Callie’s wide astonishment returns to me, and I’m lost.
As a former professional athlete, I know how it feels to be put on a pedestal. Fans still flock to me when I’m out in public. Those years in the league also taught me what it feels like to be put on the spot and handle the stress that accompanies such a bright spotlight.
I was always able to manage the chaos in a packed arena. Block out the noise to get the win. Nothing could shake me. Past tense.
As it turns out, silence from Calliope Porter is what tests my limits. This timid woman snatches every ounce of composure I possess just by giving me her attention.
The quiet yawns and stretches, then demands a snack after such a lengthy nap. My jaw itches and I scrub at the stubble there. I need to say something. She just stumbled upon me painting her front door. This was her idea. Kind of. But that’s not the point. As the trespasser, it’s my responsibility to explain myself.
My tongue swells to the point where speech is impossible. Only a muffled grunt is audible from me. Real fucking eloquent. I clear my throat and try again.
“Hey, Callie.” My palm lifts to wave at her as if that small gesture will ease the tension. “As you can see, I went ahead and took care of the update you suggested. Now you don’t have to get your hands dirty. Not that it would be a bad thing if you did. It wasn’t my intention to cross a line. I just wanted to handle the project for you. Consider it a housewarming gift. A personal touch from me to you.”
That’s not grounds for calling the cops or anything. I tuck my chin and fire off a round of foul expletives aimed directly at my mouth. The fact I’m stumbling over my words like a toddler in ice stakes isn’t doing me any favors. As if agreeing, Callie’s lips twitch in what I trick myself into believing is amusement. At least I’m useful for something.
The affirmation—self-proclaimed or not—loosens the strain in my lungs, allowing me to breathe freely. “I meant to have this done before you got home.”
A crease appears between her brows. She still doesn’t speak, which is a stark contrast to the girl who has been rambling to me over text messages longer than my dick. This timid version can barely look me in the eye. It seems her fondness for conversation is reserved for our text thread. That’s just fine. I’m the one who sprung this unannounced visit on her.
“This isn’t how I planned for us to officially meet,” I rush to explain. “But here we are. I saw you leave and figured the time was right. It was meant to be a surprise. Guess I took longer than necessary to finish.”
Callie peers around me to inspect my artistic ability. The hint of a smile from earlier expands into a full grin.
I follow her line of sight to stop myself from gawking. The effort is commendable, but worthless. My focus returns to her within seconds. “Do you like it?”
A soft hum is paired with a nod.
“If the shade isn’t right—”
“No!” She startles at her own voice. “It’s perfect.”
And just like that, I feel ten feet tall and capable of anything. “Good. That’s, uh… really good.” I scrub at the prickles spreading across the back of my neck. “I’m glad.”
“Thank you,” Callie murmurs. She dips her face, but there’s no hiding the smile that’s likely to spark a heatwave. Or the way she bites her bottom lip.
It’s no wonder that I find myself staring at her. Shamelessly. But I quickly recall how our exchange began. Those handful of utterances she gave me are a big step. I won’t test my luck.
“Um. Is there anything else I can do for you? While I’m here, I mean?” The initial deed is done, but I’ll gladly stick around for more.
Red splotches appear on her cheeks. Before my mind can take a dirty turn trying to picture what’s causing that blush, she shakes her head.
I shove my hands in my pockets and prepare to leave. “Well, I did what I came to do. I’ll be next door if you need me.”
Callie peeks at me from beneath her lowered lashes. “Bye, Ridge.”
My foot catches in the grass and I barely keep myself upright. Damn, I’ve been waiting a long time to hear that. What I’ve been imagining doesn’t come close to the real deal. My name from her lips is a burst of sweetness wrapped in sinful delight. I’m already addicted and thinking of ways to have her call out to me on repeat.
But first, I need to regain control of myself. Weak knees and an elevated heart rate aren’t the physical responses I’m concerned about. A groan threatens to expose my desire. There’s no concealing the hard bulge in my jeans, which means I need to put distance between us. Now.
I glance back at her over my shoulder, keeping my cock pointing in the opposite direction. “See you soon, sweetness.”
And that’s the extent of my restraint.
Once I’ve crossed from her property to mine and shut myself inside, I wait for the frenzied lust to fade. But clarity doesn’t return. The solid surface at my back doesn’t add stability. All I hear is my name spilling from Callie’s lips like a chant.
My boots hammer on wood as I rush upstairs. Arousal chases me faster with each step. This intensity is foreign and reserved strictly for her. There’s a singular goal leading me to the spot that connects her home to mine. That section of wall above our attached garages has become a sanctuary of sorts. As I enter my room and reach that place, the desperation has grown into a caged beast.
I rip open my pants to free the insistent throb. Relief wheezes from me while I get a solid grip. I begin to fuck my fist and plant the other palm firmly on the wall. That contact grounds me. My mind makes quick work of picturing Callie on the opposite side. The visual is enough to fuel my desire to intoxicating levels.
My hips thrust at a feverish pace. I’m already teetering near the edge from visions of her hand replacing mine. I pump my dick harder at the fantasy. It takes true shape in the form of her lush mouth while she beckons for more. There’s a sweet scent floating in the air that has my mouth watering. I’m compelled to increase the speed, rolling my wrist until the motions are a blur. Shivers ripple over me and I expel the groan trapped from earlier.
“Fuck,” I grunt. “Almost there.”
Need thrashes under my skin, tightening until it’s difficult to breath. Just a few more strokes. The peak appears when I squeeze my base and give a final upward tug. Heat bursts forward, shooting out with the force of my climax. That warmth crashes in waves from one to the next until I’m dizzy. Pressure flows from me in a steady stream until I’m sagging under the weight. My fingers curl along the wall as if I can anchor myself. But the release is too powerful.
White spots speckle my vision as the last of my pleasure is wrung dry. I rest my forehead on the wall while my chest heaves. There’s an empty ache in my balls as if this process hasn’t been a daily occurrence since Callie showed up in Knox Creek.
My ears are ringing when reality comes into focus. I soon realize the sound is from a notification alert and the mess on the floor becomes an afterthought. There’s a tremble in my hand when I tug my pants up and grab my phone. Through a bleary squint, I manage to read the text.
Callie:Hello, Ridge. I wanted to thank you again for painting the door. It’s perfect, just like I told you. Did you get permission from the owner? Or maybe you didn’t need to ask because you’re him. Is that jumping to conclusions? Hopefully not. Either way, you’ve made my day. You’ve also made me curious. I’m almost certain you’re not only my neighbor, but also my landlord.
Callie:Oh, I almost forgot. It was lovely talking to you. Even if I didn’t say much. You kind of caught me off guard, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Other than maybe speaking a bit more. I was struck silent by your presence, if you couldn’t tell. In a really good way. Being that close to you alone had me tongue tied. I’ll do better next time.
I smile into the afterglow. My eyes still struggle to focus as I reply.
Me:hey, you. glad you like the door. it was the least I could do after everything you’ve done for me. just let me know about any other changes you want to make. as your neighbor and landlord, but hopefully as a more significant role soon. it seems promising and likely considering you’re already thinking about next time
Me:also, I’m always struck by you
Callie:Um, wow.
Callie:You made me speechless again.
Callie:Okay, I’ve recovered. Mostly. That’s just really nice to hear. It’s like my feelings are validated, or I’m jumping to more conclusions. But I’m not sure I understand. What have I done for you?
Me:gave me a purpose. revived my passion. made me smile. just to name a few
Callie:I did those things for you?
Me:only you, sweetness
Callie:There’s something I want to ask, but I’m not sure I should.
Me:you can ask me anything
Callie:Okay, remember you said that. Do you have plans tomorrow? Can you come over for dinner? I’d like to cook for you. As a show of gratitude, but also as more. Like maybe a date? If you’re interested. Gosh, I can’t believe I typed that. I’m going to send this before I second guess myself and delete it.
My stare locks on the screen. She’s not the only one who needs to recover after such a huge blow. It takes several seconds for her message to register.
Me:you wanna go on a date with me?
Callie:Yes. Very much so. The maybe I included might’ve led you to believe I was unsure. That’s not the case. I’m extremely interested in you. That’s why I’d like you to come over for dinner.
Me:are you ready for that? to have a man in your home
Callie:You’re not any man, silly. The invitation is extended to you. Only you.
I’m depleted, or so I thought. The significance in her text grasps me in a gentle hold. Her trust is precious, and I clutch those delicate threads to my chest. A wide smile forms on my lips as I bask in the moment.She only wants me. Damn, that sounds better than a fantasy. My dick is suddenly rising to the occasion, eager for round two as if coaxed from slumber.
Me:I’ll be there