Forty-Five - Callum
It’s been four days since we went all in, diving head-first back into this little thing we call a relationship.
Well, not little. This is huge. Monumental. Our girl is finally ours again and within our grasp.
It feels damn good to have her back in my arms.
We’ve all fallen back into our regular routines. Us, as a band, going to morning practices and therapy sessions.
And River, acting as our manager. The boss in charge.
Since our return, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions. For me, I realized what I lost when I left her behind. Her. Lyric. All the love we had together.
Now, it’s reignited into something bigger and more beautiful.
This is our new normal. Together. All five of us. Plus, our daughter who hasn’t stopped smiling since we sat her down and told her we’re together now. And she’ll be seeing a lot more of us.
My new normal tonight includes taking my daughter to a book reading of some book she’s been desperate for me to read. Later, I’ll tuck her into bed and kiss her goodnight. Like I do every night.
This is a dream come true. It’s my everything. From the time I was a kid, this is everything I always wanted. Family. A wife. And children.
“What book is this again?” I whisper, frantically darting my eyes around the massive crowd gathering outside the downtown library, chatting before they step inside.
River snorts as we walk through the front entrance. I cringe at the mere size of the people huddling together in small groups. Someone is bound to recognize me. Everywhere I look, unfamiliar faces greet me with big smiles and heated cheeks. Their eyes drift over my face, recognizing me from a mile away—the one downside to being famous. I can’t walk into a room, especially in this town, without someone pointing at me. Or wanting an autograph.
“My favorite, Daddy,” Lyric replies, tugging at my hand with renewed vigor, grunting at me when I don’t move quickly enough.
River chuckles, clutching my other hand as we walk further into the large East Point library built to impress. Marble floors. Large ceilings. Hell, it even has tall columns holding up the balconies above our heads.
“Oh, my God! It’s Callum Rose!” a woman’s voice squeals as I pass by a group of girls huddled together near the entrance. “Callum! Can I get your autograph?” Her voice echoes, following me until I stop and turn with a tight smile, greeting the red-faced woman, clutching a pen and notepad to her chest. “Please?” she whispers, flicking her long brown hair over her shoulder.
“Sure,” is my clipped response.
I get it. I really do. They see a celebrity they love and automatically want an autograph. Or a picture together. Or to beg one of us to crawl under the sheets for a good time.
Never happened. Not for me, at least.
But today.
I’m here with my family. Ready to enjoy a reading of Lyric’s new favorite series. The last thing I want to do is stop hanging out with my family to sign her notebook.
“But, Daddy! We gots to get good seats,” Lyric whines beside me, tugging at my hand with impatience.
My eyes dart to Lyric as her bottom lip puffs out. Little tears glisten in her eyes as she watches me grasp the notebook.
“I know, Ladybug. Give me just a second, okay?”
“It’ll be ok, Ly,” River whispers, taking Lyric’s hand from mine and forcing her to face River. “Daddy just has to do this, and then we’ll find our seats.” Lyric huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
“So, it’s true,” the fan sneers in River’s direction with disbelief.
I blink several times, watching the woman’s face morph from a smile to a deep frown, forming wrinkles on her forehead.
I don’t dignify a response to the fan’s question. It’s none of her business. In fact, it’s no one’s business. They can be as upset as they want to be. Just like our PR manager was.
They can all shove it up their asses and keep their opinions to themselves. We’re happy, and that’s all that matters.
“Here,” I grunt, handing her back the notebook with my tiny signature decorating the page.
“Thank you so much!” she giggles, running her finger over my writing. Leaning in as if she’s about to whisper something, she says, “If you don’t feel like sharing anymore, I’m available. Only whores share.” The bold fan sniffs, sticking her nose in the air with a tiny smirk like she’s won something over on River, who snorts beside me.
“I’ll take that,” I grunt, ripping the page from her notebook and shoving it in my pocket.
“What?” she gasps with big eyes, reaching out to take the paper from me. “But you…”
“That was before you insulted my girlfriend. In front of my daughter, might I add. It was nice of me to even stop and sign this for you. I’m trying to have a nice night with my family, but I stopped because…”
I don’t know why I stopped. I suppose it’s instinct now. I hear my name, and I stop for signatures. Not anymore. Not when I’m with my girls. I’m here to protect them from everything. And that includes the disapproving look she’s giving us.
“I stopped because I thought it would be nice. This is the love of my life. So, have a good night.” I don’t bother giving her another look as she stands there, staring at me with wide, unblinking eyes.
She could be crying. Or giving me dirty looks. Maybe she’ll stay there all night glued to the spot, thinking about the day she stopped Callum Rose and was an asshole. I don’t care anymore. No one insults my Little Star without consequence. No one.
The fallout of our announcement hasn’t gone exactly bad. Well, until tonight. I guess.
But not good either.
The press is having a hay day with our unusual relationship. That’s what they call it, at least. Haven’t they seen a poly relationship before? Apparently, not. They’re always snapping pictures anywhere they can find us. If we leave the house anymore. It’s only been a few days, but we’re the talk of the nation.
River doesn’t seem to give a shit as long as Ly is safe from harm. So, whenever we’re out, I try to cover Lyric as best I can. She shouldn’t have to endure public life at such a young age because of us.
River clings to my side as she reclaims my hand, gently squeezing. “Poor girl,” she hums with sarcasm lacing her tone.
I snort. “Right. Poor thing.”
River grins, looking at me from beneath her lashes. “Kinda sexy how you stood up for me.”
Fuck. My cheeks heat when she nibbles her bottom lip. I swear my stomach bottoms out, swirling into a mass of lust as she bats her eyelashes in my direction. If she’s not careful, I’ll salute the entire crowd.
“Stop it, Little Star,” I whisper, leaning over so my lips brush against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “We’re in public,” I murmur.
“Have you ever…” she trails off, looking around the large library with a mischievous grin. “You know, they’ll let all the kids sit in a circle around the narrator. We could sneak away and give the books a show.”
Fuck. Me.
“No,” I choke out, kissing her cheek. “Stop it.” Little fucking tease. She giggles, shrugging.
And to think, Rad begged to come with us. He wanted in on the action of hanging out with Lyric. But I wanted this time to myself. Them to myself. Like the selfish bastard I am. Now, I’m kind of wishing I wasn’t so selfish so he could sit with Lyric, and I could fuck River over a stack of books in the hidden part of the library.
Maybe later.
As we walk further through the loitering crowd, people of all ages hang around the large, open reading room, murmuring to each other. Thankfully, no one else notices who I am.
A single chair rests at the front of the room reserved for the children’s librarian giving the people of East Point a treat for tonight.
“You sit here, Daddy!” Lyric says, bouncing on her toes and pointing to two chairs sitting side by side. “Mommy here. Daddy here,” she demands.
If there’s one thing I’ve come to know about my daughter, it’s that she’s a bossy little thing. One day she’ll grow up to be the leader of something. A business. A CEO. A band. Hell, she could form her own army, and everyone would listen to her. She has that kind of presence.
All I know is I’m nurturing her bossy side and helping her turn it into something powerful.
“And what about Lyric?” River hums, settling into a plastic chair with a grin. Looking up at me, she pats the spot next to her.
I grin when I sit, and Lyric happily climbs into my lap, situating herself so she’s staring at the front.
Ah. That’s where she wanted to be.
“This is book three, Daddy. It continues where we left off last night,” she squeals, clapping her hands with such glee I can’t help myself.
Her joy infects me. Fills me up with her laughter and claps. Watching her light up as the librarian comes out with the third installment nestled beneath her arms has my hair standing on end.
This is my time with her. Our love for this simple book about a murderous archer, who protects the people around her as she gallivants trying to find a cure for her mother’s mystery illness, has me in a chokehold.
One day they’ll make this into a movie, and I’ll be the first in line with Lyric to watch as they hopefully don’t butcher it.
Lyric softly snores in my lap, never having made it to the small circle of kids gathered around the librarian.
I chuckle, running a finger down her reddened cheek as she lets out another tiny snore in front of the crowded room, intently listening as the story continues.
She barely lasted twenty minutes.
The snores are something she swears she doesn’t do. Mostly, she blames me or one of the others for waking her up. Little does my baby know she’s the one responsible for all the noise.
“She’s out,” I murmur into River’s hair as she rests her head on my shoulder.
I could get used to this. Every night having them by my side, snuggling me until they each fall asleep.
“Let’s roll,” she murmurs softly, gesturing toward the exit.
You don’t have to tell me twice. If Lyric is out, then I can tuck her into bed. After that, I’m going to tie my Little Star up and fuck her into oblivion.
Those remarks from earlier sit fresh in my mind, creating fiery ideas. Her. Me. My mouth between her legs, licking the repeated orgasms from her slick pussy. Fuck. I shake the thoughts from my head and save them for later.
As quietly as we can, we exit the reading without disturbing Lyric and successfully put her into her booster seat in the back of River’s car.
“It must have felt like bedtime,” River chuckles, leaning against the passenger’s side door with crossed arms, staring up at the stars beaming down on us.
A cold chill flows with the tiny wisps of wind, blowing the leaves on the trees. Goosebumps pucker at River’s skin, but she doesn’t pay it any mind.
“Must have,” I say, softly closing the door after buckling Lyric in.
“Did you see the way that lady looked at me when we walked out?” she asks, licking her lips. “I think your groupies might claw my eyes out and try to steal you from me.”
“Fuck them,” I murmur, crowding her against the car with a smirk. “You’re the only one who matters, Little Star.”
“Hmm. Is that so?” she hums with sass, staring straight into my eyes.
“It is.”
Before she can blink, I brush my lips against hers, leaning into her. Mine. All fucking mine.
Butterflies swoop in my belly every time I’m around her like it’s the first time all over again. Something that will never go away.
Every time I’m in her vicinity, my internal wounds stitch back together even more than before. She’s the balm necessary for my healing.
Even when she used to be the reason I fell. Now, she lifts me.
“You and Ly and the guys are the only family I need,” I whisper against her lips with a grin. “Should we get home?” A soft moan falls from her lips when my hips brush against hers, letting her know how desperate I am to get her to bed. “Those little comments from earlier really stirred something up,” I murmur, kissing her one last time.
Out of the corner of my eye, something flashes in the distance, repeatedly going off. I sigh. There they are again, following our every move. Even at the library, we’re not allowed peace by the paparazzi. They can follow us to the end of the world, though. I’ll never stop kissing my girl out in public. This is our life.
“Yeah? And what do you want to do to me?” she rasps, oblivious to the cameras documenting our make out session against her car.
I lick my lips when she challenges me with one look.
“I’ll catch you,” I whisper directly into her ear. “No matter where you run off to.” And that’s a goddamn promise. She can run as fast or as far as she wants, but River West will always be caught by me. Or the others.
“Sounds like a fun game,” she says with a wink, pushing me away from her playfully. “Take us home now, Cal.”
God. I wish she’d say my name like that all the time. All breathy and deep, just begging me to take her right now. If we weren’t in public, I’d rail her against the car. Fuck that camera still flashing.
River’s brows furrow as alarm widens her eyes, focusing on something behind us. My heart rate kicks into overdrive. Her stalker might be gone, but we’ve all been on high alert, scanning for any more threats. Who is to say that he was the only one coming after her? He had friends, after all. Three of them, to be exact. What if they’re upset that their friend is dead because of River?
Swiveling around, I cover her with my body, facing the person who has somehow snuck up on us.
The man grins, plucking a toothpick from between his teeth. His head nods in greeting as a smirk pulls at his lips.
Fuck. I let out a breath but don’t move from in front of River. I’ll protect her from anyone. Even if I know who they are.
“Jesus, Ruthless,” I shudder, blowing out a breath at my former fight organizer.
“Sorry to interrupt, Kid. Saw you over here with your lady friend and thought I’d stop by and say hello.” Ruthless offers us a toothy grin as he holds his hands up in surrender.
“Do you come to the library often?” I quip, shaking off the adrenaline pouring through my veins.
Ruthless snorts, nodding to the little person clinging to his hand. “My kid likes the readings. But something came up.” He shrugs. “Haven’t seen you around much,” he says, twirling the toothpick with his tongue. “The crowds miss you. Want you back.” He raises an intimidating brow, prodding me for information.
The moment River told me that Lyric didn’t like the marks on my face, I quit. No questions asked. I’d do anything for them. Besides, I couldn’t stand to see Lyric cry anymore for me than she had. It broke me to wipe her tears away, knowing I was the reason that I had bruises on my face.
So, much to Ruthless’ dismay, I talked to him and let him know I was done. Out. No more.
I know he misses the attention I brought to the ring. The money, too. I was Rock Star. One of his best fighters. And I loved it while I did it. But I’m done with that life now. It’s in the past. Just like a slew of other things.
“I’ve found peace,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’t need to fight anymore.”
“Can see that,” he says with a shrug. “If you ever change your mind…” he trails off, grinning more at something behind me. “Ah, you’re the little lady from the crowd.”
River snorts without fear. “Something like that.”
“If your man here ever needs to let out some aggression, well. I got him covered,” Ruthless’s deep voice breaks through the darkness, sending anxious shivers down my spine.
He stares at me like a piece of meat. Like I owe him something. Maybe I do. He saved me from a life of drug consumption. Instead, giving me a way to let it all out in the octagon. I’m forever thankful he stepped in and stopped my self-destruction. But I won’t risk making my daughter cry again.
“It was nice seeing you, Ruthless. But I’m out.”
His dark eyes assess me, and he nods. “Sure thing, Kid. I’m always around. You know where I’ll be.”
I nod. “Of course…” I trail off, thinking about the last time I stepped foot into the old school.
I won’t. That life is behind me. Just like everything that happened before. It’s in the past. The old Callum. I’m new again. With a brand-new outlook on life. I don’t need to ram my fists into anyone’s skull to feel better. All I need is my girl, my brothers, and my daughter.
End of story.
I nod. “Of course. Thanks for the opportunities, man,” I say, holding out my hand.
“You’re a good kid,” he mumbles, clasping my hand with his, and we shake on it. “Miss seeing you around.”
I lick my lips when he walks away, holding tight to his kid. Together, they lean in and have a discussion before disappearing into the parking lot.
“He seems lovely,” River quips, watching as he leaves.
“Lovely and him don’t mix. He’s a solid dude. Good fight coordinator…” And he saved my life. But I won’t go into that detail just yet. “How about we get her home?”
River and I get into the car and take a long way home, enjoying the ocean views. Her hand slips into mine over the center console, squeezing as we take several turns, enjoying the silence. And each other’s company. Finally, after twenty minutes, we pull into her driveway, and I park the car.
“Want to put her to bed?” she asks, inspecting my face in the shadows of the car.
“I’ll put her to bed.” A smile grows across my face when I bring our conjoined hands to my lips and lay a gentle kiss along her flesh. “And then I’ll put you to bed.”
Through the darkness, I only hear a sharp intake of breath before I get out and collect a still-sleeping Lyric. I waste zero time getting this show on the road. My girl needs me. I can practically taste it in the air.
When River unlocks the front door, I follow her all the way back to Lyric’s room, where I lay her down on her bed.
“Good night, Ladybug,” I murmur, kissing her head as River undoes her shoes.
“Daddy,” she says with a groggy voice. “Don’t leave.” Her tiny hand shoots out with deadly accuracy, grabbing me by the shirt.
“Ly,” River sighs, throwing her shoes near her white closet doors.
“It’s okay. You go to bed; I’ll only be a minute.” River raises a brow at my demand, but she does as I say and leaves the room.
“Daddy, the monsters are back,” Lyric mumbles, yawning as she snuggles deeper into her bed.
“The monsters?” I question, peeling her fingers away from my shirt. Without a fuss, she lets me pull the purple comforter over her legs and up to her chin.
“Mmhmm. Tap. Tap. Tap,” she mumbles as her little eyelashes flutter again.
“I won’t let the monsters get you.” Leaning forward, I brush another kiss on her cheek.
“Night, Daddy,” she mumbles just before the snores start and sleep takes hold.
I could stay like this forever at her bedside. Watching her rest so peacefully is the greatest joy.
But I have other plans to follow through on. In detail. With my tongue. And other things.
On my tippy toes, I sneak out of Lyric’s room. Determination takes hold as I march across the hall and walk straight into River’s room, stopping dead at the gorgeous sight before me.
My heart rate accelerates, pumping blood straight to my dick and hardening it in an instant. She doesn’t have to touch me to have this effect on me.
Fuck. She will be the death of me.
There’s my girl lying back on her bed. Completely and utterly fucking naked. Displaying her body for me like a treat I can’t wait to savor. Saliva pools in my mouth the moment I visualize my tongue running over every surface of her body, worshiping her like the goddess she is.
My Little Star is mine right now. No one else’s. They aren’t here to disturb us or join. So, I’ll take my time with her. Hours, if I have to.
I lick my lips, reaching behind me, shutting, and locking the door. If Lyric needs any assistance, she can knock. But hopefully, she’s sound asleep and will be for the next few hours.
“I heard you wanted to put me to bed,” she says in a sultry voice, running her fingertips over the cool sheets of her bed.
“Oh, do I ever, Little Star. Look at you.” My eyes travel up and down her body, memorizing it for later. “You’re ready for me,” I say, taking a deep breath as heat rushes up my neck. “Are you wet for me already?”
Lust dilates her eyes to saucers. Her labored breath pours from between her parted lips. Just as she slowly trails her fingers down her abdomen with deliberate strokes. Forcing my eyes to watch her every move. Leaning back onto the bed, she peels her legs apart, displaying her wet, pink pussy to me.
“I might be,” she says on an exhale, keeping her gaze connected with mine.
I sharply inhale as her fingers slowly spread her lips, and her fingers plunge inside her, moving in and out.
“Oh, yeah, Callum,” she moans breathily. “I think I am. Why don’t you come over here and find out?”
I don’t have to be told twice.
As I march toward her, I throw my shirt on the floor, kick my shoes off, and undo my jeans, taking everything off until I’m throbbing and hard, landing on her bed. A primal feeling to take her rushes through me, begging to be where her fingers move in and out.
I watch with rapt attention, barely daring to breathe as she continues her movements. I’m transfixed. By her motions. By the breathy little sounds coming from her throat and softly filling the room. Everything about her draws me in. And it’s worse than before. I want to wrap myself in her and never leave.
I throb against her comforter, not daring to make a move. Her toes curl in the sheets, and her body stiffens until I grab her wrist, stopping her movements. She can’t get off unless I’m the one making her cum with my name on her lips.
I ache to bring her pleasure.
“My turn,” I whisper, slowly bringing her fingers out of her pussy. I groan when her wetness coats them, and then I lick them, savoring the flavor of my girl on my tongue.
My tongue swirls around her fingers until I let them go, letting her hand drop onto the sheets.
“I’m going to eat my dessert now,” I whisper, leaning in closer to her pussy until I’m face-to-face with it. My warm breaths blow over her soaked cunt. “Say my name, Little Star.”
My name falls from River’s lips over and over when I plunge my tongue deep into her pussy, carving my name into her spasming walls. Fuck. She tastes so goddamn good.
Her back practically arches off the bed when I remove my tongue from her pussy and swirl it wildly around her clit. Over and over again, I make circles and thrust my three fingers deep inside her.
“Callum,” she gasps, gripping my hair when she comes around my fingers, squeezing them tight.
“You’re more delicious than I remember,” I murmur, pressing my lips to her pussy one last time. Slowly, I work my lips up her body until I’m hovering above her, lining my dick up with her pussy. “Sometimes I think you were meant for me.”
She smiles, running her fingers through my hair and down my jaw, wiping away the moisture pooling on my chin. In unison, we groan when I slowly enter her.
My eyes roll into the back of my head when her softness wraps around me, squeezing when I bottom out.
“Oh, Little Star,” I moan, pulling out and slowly working myself back in. “I’m going to take this slow,” I murmur, resting my forehead against hers. “Maybe all night.”
She moans, bringing her lips to mine, and thrusts her tongue into my mouth. Intertwining together and slowly dancing. Nothing about our connection is hurried. Minutes pass, and an hour ticks by.
She gets on top, riding me with her head thrown back and her tits bouncing with every thrust. Yet, I hang on. I don’t blow my load.
Sweat coats every inch of our flesh when I throw her onto her back again, feeling the familiar tingle working down my spine. My balls tighten when I thrust back inside her, working myself in and out at a steady pace.
River moans, throwing her head back when my fingers brush against her clit, turning heavy circles.
“Cum for me, Little Star,” I murmur, sucking her nipple into my mouth until she’s squeezing around me and calling out my name. “River,” I cry out, stopping my thrusts as I cum deep inside her, coating her spasming walls. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” I whisper, kissing her lips again. “Twice over. I wouldn’t give you up for the world.”
She smiles, grabbing my hand when I fall to her side, curling myself around her. “I wouldn’t give you up, either. We’re meant for this life.”
“We are. Now, how about we take a hot shower?” I ask, brushing her hair from her face.
A tired grin pulls at her lips. “Okay,” she hums with a yawn.
Over the next hour, I take my time washing her body. When I said I’d worship her like she deserves, I meant it. In and out of the bedroom. She’ll never wonder again if we’re for real. Or if we love her. We do. I do. She’s my forever girl, and I tell her so when we fall asleep on fresh sheets after getting cleaned up.
River falls asleep quickly, cuddling her face into my chest. Through the darkness, I watch her bare chest expand and deflate with her breaths. Some would say it’s creepy, but I want to memorize what peace looks like drifting over her face when she’s lost in dreamland.
I hold her close when her bedroom door opens, revealing a grinning figure standing in the hall.
“Dude,” I mutter, shaking my head when Rad waltzes through the room with slumped shoulders.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he mutters, taking off his layers of clothes, only leaving his boxers.
“You’re lucky we unlocked that door,” I say with a pointed look as he slips into bed and curls around the backside of her body with a satisfied sigh.
“Yup. Now, I can sleep,” he murmurs, kissing her cheek.
“How the hell did you get in here?” she rasps without opening her eyes.
“I have a key.”
That makes her peek open an eye. Turning her head, she looks at him with furrowed brows.
“A key? I never gave you a key.”
My gaze snaps to him when he chuckles. “You didn’t have to give me a key, Pretty Girl. I always find a way in.”
“That’s creepy, Rad,” she grumbles, shaking her head.
He grins more, curling his hand around her waist. “Nah. Not creepy. It’s for your protection. What if you needed me, and I couldn’t get in? I couldn’t let that happen. So, I stole your key and made myself a copy before you even noticed.”
River stiffens. “Yeah. Totally not creepy,” she mutters with a sigh.
“Besides, I had a brilliant idea come to me. So, I couldn’t sleep either. I missed you today. Cal hogged you, and it made me sad.”
“Sharing is caring,” I say, flicking his ear.
“When did you become so mean?” he whines, covering his ear.
“What’s your idea? I’m awake now,” River grumbles into my chest.
“Do you have any plans for our baby girl’s birthday? Because I have the best damn idea on the fucking planet.” Pride leaks into his tone when he grins so bright it’s visible in the darkness of the room. “I’m taking your silence as a go-on moment. How about we rent out the East Point Amusement Park? It has that cute little unicorn section for kids and maybe some roller coasters for us adults. What do you think?”
“Not a bad idea,” she says. “But let’s smooth over the details later. I’m tired again.”