21. Eli
twenty-one
Eli
“Please.”
This woman. What the hell am I going to do with her?
I’m on the precipice, and one wrong move—one wrong word—could fuck everything up with Callie.
The way her pretty eyes are begging me to look at her, to see past her nakedness and really see her, pushes me close to the edge of saying “fuck it”.
Not yet.
“Behave, princess.” The admonishment does what I want as Callie stares at me with shocked, wide doe eyes.
For her sake—and my sanity—I grip the edges of the terry cloth towel gathered at her chest and tug it tight, hiding her body.
Her mouth moves to protest.
I press my index finger against her lips and shake my head. “First, I’m going to get you all dried up and into some warm, clean clothes before you get cold. Then, we are going to have a little chat.”
My cock jerks as her teeth bite into that perfectly plump bottom lip of hers. Fuck, I can’t wait to suck that lip between my teeth and nip it before soothing it with my tongue.
I rip her lip from her mouth before I come in my pants.
“Fine,” Callie mumbles, looking away.
I grip her chin and turn her face to mine, forcing her to look me in the eye. I search her face, and the disappointment in her eyes guts me.
“Baby steps,” I tell her.
A scrap of fabric is all that separates Callie’s glorious body from mine. She thinks I didn’t peek at her perky tits, honey-colored nipples, and bare pussy. My cock has been weeping since I slid those baggy sweatpants down her thighs.
I felt the sparks fly, saw the heated look in her eyes, and smelled her sweet arousal as I kneeled before her, ceremoniously bowing to her magnificence. I want her so fucking badly I ache when I’m near her.
My chest pinches, and my heart pumps rapidly. I’m afraid it’s going to fly out of my body.
I desperately want to explore every inch of her smooth skin with my hands and mouth. I want to swallow the sexy, soft moans that escape her throat as I make her come as many times as her body will allow me to take her over the edge.
I want everything with her.
One drink from her lips is all it will take for me to break. One kiss will lead to more. More will turn into forever.
She doesn’t understand. The only reason I’ve stayed in control this long is because I’ve kept her at arm’s length. As soon as we cross the line, I won’t be able to stop consuming her until I’m buried balls deep in her tight, hot pussy, ruining her with my cock until I’m all she needs in this world to survive.
Baby steps , I chant to myself, thinking about the blue and purple bruises covering her lower back and ass. It’s a miracle she didn’t break from the impact.
I slide my arm under her knees and across her back as I lift her into my arms. The towel falls around her like a curtain as I carry her to the bedroom and set her feet on the carpet.
“I’m going to ruin the carpet.” Callie looks panicked as rivulets of water drip down her legs and pool around her feet.
“I don’t give a fuck about the carpet. I’m not risking you falling on the tiles in the bathroom.”
“But—”
“No,” I snap. “I can replace the carpet, princess. I can’t replace you.”
Callie’s mouth forms a perfect little O as she stares at me in shock. Before she can think too hard and break herself worse, I hustle to the bathroom to grab the towel I used for her hair from the floor. I spot the brace and snatch that up too. Without a word, I toss the brace on the bed and resume my squatting position, drying her feet and legs.
“Better?” I ask, watching her chest rise and fall above me.
“Better,” she squeaks.
I smirk at her, loving that I’m knocking her off kilter with the change in my attitude. Callie brings out this overprotective side of me I didn’t know I had.
“Can you manage the rest while I get your bag, or do you need me to wipe the wetness off the rest of your body?”
Callie’s breath hitches in her throat, and her cheeks turn pink at my deliberate choice of words. Trying to hide her reaction, she pulls back her shoulders and lifts her chin like the royalty she is. “I can manage.”
“That’s my girl,” I purr.
I leave her to ruminate on my words and walk to her bag in the corner of the room. Searching through the few things I grabbed, I realize there isn’t much for her to sleep in. The only pair of pants in her dressing room were the sweatpants she already wore and a pair of jeans.
Fuck .
Glancing at Cam’s dresser to my left, a surge of rage and jealousy swirl in my gut. Nope. Not going to happen. The only man’s clothes she’ll be wearing are mine.
Marching to the living room, I dig through my bag and pull out one of my clean shirts and a pair of flannel pants. They’ll be huge on her, but at least they are clean.
And mine.
The possessive beast in me approves with a satisfied growl as he curls up like a happy puppy in my chest.
When I return to the bedroom, Callie is sitting on the bed with the damp towel draped across her chest. My eyes glance at the reflection of her naked back in the mirror behind her.
My brain conjures up lewd images of Callie as I take her from behind, one hand between her legs working her clit as the other grips her throat. I make a mental note to buy a standing mirror for my room back home.
“There wasn’t much in your dressing room, but I have this for you to wear.” I hand Callie the shirt and pants.
A small smile lifts her lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Would you mind helping me?”
“Did you think I was going to let you get dressed alone?” I grab the white shirt from her hands.
“I, uh, I don’t know.”
“You’ll learn.” I slip the collar around her neck, and she pulls her arms through the holes. The fabric falls to the tops of her thighs, covering her just enough that when the towel slides to the floor, her pussy is covered.
Callie looks at me with probing eyes. “What will I learn, Eli?”
Next, I grab the blue flannel pajama pants and squat down. Holding open the leg holes, she slides her legs into pants, and the unfamiliar fragrance of vanilla and lemon wafting off her skin makes my nose itch. I miss her sweet wildflowers and sugar signature scent.
I make a mental note to order the toiletries she likes, so she doesn’t have to smell like the handmade shit my sister-in-law’s mother makes. I want Callie to be comfortable while she recovers.
“To let me take care of you.” My knees crack as I stand, and it’s a staunch reminder of my age. I glance down at Callie’s youthful, innocent features and shake the negative thought away.
With all I’ve got, I recall the feelings of fear and remorse that shook me when I thought I was going to lose her. If I let her slip through my fingers, I know I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
Callie’s it for me , I remind myself.
“But—”
“Enough,” I cut her off, pulling back the duvet and pointing at the pillows. “It’s time for bed.”
“You can’t just tell me what to do and expect me to do it.”
Oh, but I do, princess. Especially in the bedroom. You’ll learn.
Callie crosses her arms under her tits, pushing them up, waiting for me to respond. I stare her dead in the face even though I can see her hard nipples poking through the fabric of my shirt. Any other time, I would relish her fight. Hell, it gets my blood pumping and my dick hard when she pushes back. Not today. She needs rest.
“Calliope,” I growl her name.
“Don’t you say my name like that, Elijiah Miller.”
“Get your sexy fucking ass in the bed.”
“Or?” she hisses.
If her ass wasn’t black and blue, I’d redden it with my palm. The little brat. I don’t think she comprehends what her body went through.
“You are trying my patience, little girl.”
“You are trying my nerves, old man,” she shoots back.
“That’s it.” I lift the brace off the bed and, in a flash, wrap it around her neck like a collar. My dick jerks at the thought of Callie permanently wearing my mark.
Jesus fuck, what is wrong with me?
I table those thoughts to analyze for another day. In two strides, I’m at Callie’s side, scooping her into my arms and carrying her to the bathroom. I carefully place her on her feet, facing away from the mirror over the sink.
“Stay.” My voice is all bark as I march back into the bedroom, lift the standing mirror in the corner, and lug it to the bathroom, placing it in front of my stubborn girl.
“What the hell are you doing, Eli?” Callie looks like an angry kitten as she narrows her eyes at me.
“Showing you why you need to rest. Then maybe you can stop fighting with me over every little thing.” Blocking the mirror, I grip the hem of my shirt she is wearing. “May I?”
Curious, she nods, letting me drag the material up. With one hand, I hold it up, while the other travels down and rests at the waistband. I arch a brow at her, waiting for her to let me pull the pants down. She nods, giving me the green light to slide the waistband over the perfect globes of her ass.
“Look,” I demand, stepping aside. Her eyes slide toward the mirror in front of her. I know the moment understanding settles over her. The color blanches from her face, and her hands cover her mouth in shock. “Do you see now?”
She nods as a single tear dribbles down her cheek. Her eyes take in the swelling and the swirl of blue, purple, green, and yellow covering her lower back and butt cheeks. The horrible images of her tarnished backside will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Every organ in my torso twinges as a heavyweight settles between my ribs. The painful mix of anger, fear, regret, and misery makes me feel sick to my stomach as I watch every emotion flit across her face.
This is why, for as much as I want Callie, I won’t go there until she’s healed.
“I didn’t realize,” she says.
I drop the shirt and delicately pull the pants up, covering the bruises. “I know. I didn’t want to show you, but you were being so damn stubborn.”
She huffs a sad laugh. “I’m sorry for being a brat.”
“No need to apologize.” A lock of her hair falls forward over her eyes. I reach out to grip the silky strands between my fingers and push it back behind her ear. “I’m going to take care of you, but you have to trust me.”
“Okay.” She places her hand on my still-naked chest. Her touch is a match to the tinder box below the surface of my skin, lighting me up like a bonfire covered in gasoline.
Callie flinches at the burn but doesn’t remove her hand as she experiences the same heat shooting through her. Her breaths come out in small pants, making me worry she’s going to pass out.
She licks her lips while dropping her hand from my chest. “I think I’m ready for that ibuprofen and rest now.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” With all the care in the world, I gingerly sweep her lithe body into my arms and carry her to the bedroom. I place her injured body onto the bed, and hand her the painkillers and a glass of water I placed on the side table while she was in the shower.
She swallows the pills down and lies back with a wince as I pull the blanket over her body, tucking her in. Her hair is a halo splattered across the pillow as she stares up at me.
After experiencing a horrific accident, she should look more broken and vulnerable. Instead, when I look at her, all I see is strength.
“Get some rest, Cal. We can talk in the morning.”
“Wait.”
My hand freezes on the lamp beside the bed. “What’s wrong?” She needs rest, but I’m selfishly stalling. I don’t want the night to be over. The idea of letting her out of my sight doesn’t sit right with me.
“Um… Nothing, it’s just... This is a new place.” Callie nervously nibbles her lips again.
“And? You can tell me.” Placing my hand on her thigh, I run my hand back and forth in assurance.
“I-I’m scared to sleep alone,” she stutters with a deep sigh.
My inner beast and I perk up, pausing to allow her time to gather her thoughts.
Ask me to stay, Callie. It’s just a whisper in my head that silently screams for her to ask me. I know that makes no sense, but that’s typical when I’m around this woman. She has the ability to make me lose all common sense.
“Will you stay with me?” she asks under her breath, looking away.
Warmth swells in my chest and spreads to my extremities. My presence brings her security. Me. The guy who’s been a total jackass to her on more occasions than I want to admit, and yet she still wants me.
“Yes, I’ll stay with you.”
“Really?” She looks up at me in shock.
Princess, you can ask for anything your heart desires, and I’ll give it to you on a silver platter.
I bite back the thought and answer, “Really. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
A pink blush spreads across Callie’s cheeks as her eyes dip to my chest like they did when she was in the shower. I fight the urge to flex as I slip off my jeans and kick them aside.
The gulp of air she swallows down is loud in the quiet room as she looks up at me with wide eyes. “You’re going to sleep like that?” She points at my nearly naked body, eyes on my lowers abs.
Go on. Get your fill, baby .
I’ve always known Callie finds me attractive. It used to turn me into a raging asshole because it was a reminder of all the ways I couldn’t have her.
Now?
I fucking love the way she’s looking at me. Wanton. Aroused. Compliant. I want to pound on my chest like the king of the jungle.
“You’re wearing my pajamas, Callie. What else am I supposed to wear?” The lie slips easily off my tongue as I smirk down at her.
She glances at the shirt and pants I gave her. The pink tint in her cheeks deepens as her tongue swipes across her bottom lip, making it glisten. My cock thickens as I fend off the desire to kiss her luscious mouth and taste her.
Since we met, all of our interactions have been professional. I know my less-than-professional behavior these last few hours is confusing the hell out of her, but she needs to get used to it. Everything is about change and get a lot more unprofessional between us. And soon.
“Scooch over.” Not wanting her to see the growing erection in my boxer briefs, I click off the light and quickly slide under the covers beside her.
Our arms brush as I lie beside her rigid body. I can practically hear her thoughts as she freaks out beside me in the pitch-black room.
“Stop thinking so hard.” The less she thinks about this new situation, the better.
“Sorry,” she whispers into the dark.
“Why are you whispering?” I murmur back. Okay, why the fuck am I whispering now?
Her shoulder shrugs, brushing mine in the process. as she whispers again, “I don’t know.”
With a chuckle, I roll to my side and face her. My eyes adjust to the dark, allowing me to make out her blonde hair on the pillow. “Can you roll onto your side and face the wall?”
“I think so.” She rolls and brings us chest to back.
Callie’s body is stiff at first and I worry I moved her too soon. “Does it hurt, or do you feel comfortable?”
She relaxes and wiggles, testing the position. “I’m okay.”
“Good.” Throwing my arm over her waist, I inch forward, snake my body around her curves, and spoon her.
Callie’s body locks up again, but she settles after a few breaths and melts into my arms.
Her body fits perfectly against mine. I breathe her in and pull her a fraction closer as I move my hips back, doing my damnedest to keep my dick away from her perfect peach-shaped ass.
Callie’s breathing evens out, but just when I think she’s asleep, she breaks the silence. “Eli?”
“Callie?”
“You checked out my ass.”
I sure as fuck did. Ass, tits, pussy… I saw it all.
A grin splits my face as I bury my nose in her hair, breathing her in deep. I was wondering if she noticed the slip when I showed her the bruising on her back.
“I did,” I concede. There’s no point in denying it. As soon as she’s healed, I plan on getting really acquainted with that delicious ass of hers.
“That’s not very gentlemanly.”
“It was not.”
“I forgive you.”
“You do, huh? Why’s that?” I ask, curious about her reasoning.
“Because I checked you out too. Nice tat, by the way.”
A bark of jovial laughter booms out of me at her confession. “Thanks. Tat for butt seems fair.”
“Yeah.” She sighs wistfully, like she is picturing me half naked again.
Unbidden images of water pouring down her silky skin make my cock harden. “Go to sleep, Callie.”
“Goodnight, Eli.”
“Goodnight, princess.”
I don’t know how long I lie awake, listening to Callie sleep, but when sleep finally takes me, it’s in a new position with Callie’s head on my chest and her legs tangled around mine.