Chapter 19 Callum #2
“But what we did in the storage room? That was hotter than anything I’ve ever done. And I wasn’t even inside you.”
If anything, feeling her give in once had only ignited my need instead of extinguishing it.
“You’re nowhere near out of my system,” I said. “It’s like all other women have ceased to exist. As far as sexual attraction goes, anyway. You’re the only one I want.”
Her eyes searched mine. “I want you too. But this, us…I don’t know what this is.”
“I don’t either.” I stroked my thumb across her cheekbone. “I just know it feels really fucking good to have you close to me. It’s nearly impossible not to kiss you.”
“Then do it.”
I leaned in and tasted her, slow and deliberate. Eased my tongue between her lips. This wasn’t like any of our desperate kisses before. This was deeper, more significant, though I couldn’t put a name to what it meant.
She’d just gotten out of a bad relationship, and I’d never even had one. Then there was the whole competing over a job thing, where I was far more likely to get burned if this went wrong.
But the thought of not kissing her was like thinking of not breathing. Why choose to suffer when the oxygen, the very thing I needed, was right there?
Then the sounds of shuffling feet and a throat clearing made us both look up.
Connor was smirking, while Niko just looked exhausted and bewildered. They must’ve gotten home at the same time.
“Darius made coffee if either of you want some.” I grabbed Z’s hand, tugging her to stand beside me.
“That’s Zandra, by the way,” Darius said.
Niko’s eyes widened. “Oooh. I get it now. Hi, Zandra. Nice to finally meet you. Niko.”
She waved. “Hey. Glad you’re all safe after the fire.”
Darius shrugged. “It wasn’t a bad one.”
“We were just heading to bed.” I pulled Z toward my room. She gave me a skeptical look, and I smiled sweetly at her. “You didn’t think you were leaving tonight, did you?”
Zandra had been to my room once before, on her last visit here. I brought her inside and flipped on the light. Shut the door.
Opening a drawer in my dresser, I handed her a soft T-shirt and a pair of sweats. “Change into these. I need to shower.”
“I don’t know if…”
I leaned in to kiss her forehead. “We’re just going to sleep. We can talk more in the morning.”
She exhaled, taking the clothes from my hand. “Okay.”
Then I headed for the bathroom, ready to wash away the grime and smoke of the day. And even more ready to get into bed with Z. This was about to be a cuddle fest.
After the quickest shower possible, given how dirty I was, I stepped back into my bedroom wrapped in a towel. “You can brush your teeth with my toothbrush.” I dug into my dresser drawer.
“I am not using your toothbrush.”
“Alright, if you want to be wasteful, I guess you can use the new toothbrush I set out on the counter.” With a flick of my wrist, my towel fell to the rug.
Zandra made a small, choked sound. And when I glanced over my shoulder at her, I was gratified to find her gaze glued to my bare ass. As my grin spread, I wiggled my hips.
“Like what you see?”
“I’ve stared at your butt plenty of times before. You know that. This is just a clearer view.”
“Shocking, Z. Sounds like workplace harassment to me.”
“Please. You’d pay a hundred bucks for me to harass you. On top of the hundred you already owe me.”
“Truth.”
“I’ll add it to your tab.” Her gaze moved down again, and her tongue darted over her lips.
Warmth spread through me, briefly chasing away the exhaustion as my cock swelled. But I really was too worn down to get fully hard.
Felt good to be admired, though. And so good to hear that sexy sarcasm back in her voice.
I pulled on a pair of pajama pants, going commando, and crossed toward her.
“You tired?” I asked, thinking I could get her off, if she wanted.
Lay back and let her ride my tongue. I could just imagine her breasts swaying under that T-shirt.
It was obvious she’d taken off her bra in preparation for bed. She’d braided her long hair too.
But she responded with a nod and a yawn. “Caffeine didn’t even make a dent. I’m wiped.”
Maybe tomorrow then.
After we’d both brushed our teeth, we crawled under the covers. I pulled her close. She fit perfectly against my side, her head on my chest, one hand resting over my heart.
“Love when you wear my clothes,” I murmured. Sometimes women tried to steal my T-shirts or hoodies, and I’d let it slide, even though it had annoyed me. Not with Z, though. I wanted her to shop from my closet.
Wondered how she’d look in my underwear. Probably hot. Definitely hot.
“I like it too. It’s weird.” She rubbed her face against me. “I like you,” she added, quieter.
“I know, Sunflower. I like you too.” I kissed the top of her head, savoring the sweetness of the moment. There was no way I could’ve predicted any of this. But I loved it.
Reaching toward my nightstand, I flicked off the lamp. Snuggled into her. “Thank you for making me stay, Callum,” she whispered into the darkness. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
I tightened my arms around her. “We both are. And we’ll both stay that way. I’ll make sure of it. Now go to sleep.” My eyelids were heavy. But I stayed awake long after she drifted off, marveling at how right it felt to have her here.
Honestly, I couldn’t remember a woman sleeping in my bed unless she was naked, and we’d just had sex. Z and I had barely done more than kiss tonight. But this, with Zandra, it was…
Better. So much better than anyone had ever felt in my arms.
I didn’t know what this woman was doing to me. Yet I already knew I’d give just about anything to keep this feeling going.