Chapter 13
Yours, Actually
? Take Me Away - Morgan Wade
Fifteen years ago
Callie
I cling to a pillow as Clio frantically stuffs more clothes into her backpack.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
She ruffles my hair like she always does. I flinch, remembering how much it hurts when Rodney pulls on it.
“I have to find us a new home. I'll come back for you. I promise.”
There’s something she’s not saying. I can feel it.
Tears line my eyes as she takes her favorite teddy bear and the only family photo with our real dad. I don’t have very many memories of him, but Clio says he was a good man.
She reaches for something on her nightstand. I grab her hand before she can get there. “You said we’d stay together forever.”
“I know, but I have to go for a little while. You can be brave for me, can’t you, Copycat?”
I shake my head and bury my face in my blanket. "I c-can't."
She kneels beside the bed and holds my face in her hands. Hot, wet tears stream down my cheeks. “You can. You're the strongest girl I know. Stronger than even me.”
Clio is my best friend—my protector. Without her, I don’t know what will happen. It won’t be good. Rodney doesn’t like me. He doesn’t like anyone. And Mom… she doesn’t care anymore. Maybe she never did.
A tear falls down her cheek. She swipes it away, zips her hoodie, and slings her backpack over her shoulder. “Stay here, ok? Don't make a sound. If you hear anything, hide. Get in the closet and do not come out. Got it?”
“But…”
“I promise I'll come back for you. I’ll get us both out of here. You just have to trust me.”
“Please don’t go. I need you.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, her voice strangled. “I have to, or he’ll kill me.” Clio pulls me into her arms and kisses the top of my head. “Be brave, Copycat.”
I can’t see through the tears anymore. She turns to leave, and I reach for her, my fist closing around her sleeve. Without looking back, she pulls herself free and slides open the window.
“Cee Cee,” I cry. “Come back.”
But she’s already gone.
Present Day
I sink into the massive soaker tub and let the bubbles surround me. Lavender and vanilla seep into the room, wrapping me in a cocoon of pure bliss. My muscles relax until my limbs are like limp noodles, and years’ worth of aches and pains evaporate with the steam billowing off the water.
Being around Jaxon’s family has stirred up a lifetime of memories I tried to bury.
I didn’t grow up with a white picket fence and parents who loved each other.
After Clio left, I learned to take care of myself.
There was no one there to comfort me when I was sad, no one to have family dinners with, or celebrate my birthday.
My life is marked by hardship and resilience.
I was forced to grow up too soon, and it shaped who I am, for better or worse.
This family, this house, the man who’s offering me immeasurable kindness—all of it feels too good to be true. It probably is. I can’t stay here forever. Someday, Jaxon will find someone he wants to spend his life with, and I’ll be a burden to cast aside. Like I’ve always been.
I close my eyes and lean my head back against the rim of the tub, abandoning all thoughts of the future, resolved to let time pass without a care for what comes next. I stay like that until the water becomes tepid and the bubbles have all but disappeared.
There’s a massive fluffy towel hanging on the hook, and I’m shocked when I find it actually wraps all the way around my body. The soft fabric feels luxurious against my skin.
A girl could get used to this.
I change into my favorite—and only—pajamas, which are little more than a pair of purple flannel pants and a ratty ‘hot girls read’ tee leftover from a library fundraiser last year.
After quickly towel drying my hair, I head into the guest bedroom and settle back against the headboard.
I’m not tired in the least, but I’m not comfortable walking around Jaxon’s house like I own the place.
It took me two days to get up the nerve to use the tub.
I pull out my phone, intending to read one of the books waiting for me in my library app, but my attention snags on the Pleasure Peak logo.
I stare for a long moment, my thumb hovering over the icon as I debate whether I can afford to splurge on the twenty-dollar subscription fee.
Unable to resist the pull, I open the app and scroll down to the renewal button, thrilled to find that they’re running a sale through the end of the week.
Maybe it’s kismet, or maybe I’m just a slut who probably would’ve paid full price anyway.
When the payment goes through, my inbox lights up with a series of unread messages.
Hey Alley Kat,
I should probably apologize for overstepping the other day, but I can’t. I meant every word of what I said. Maybe that scared you, or maybe I’m reading too much into things. I just wanted you to know that you mean something to me.
I hope you’re ok.
-Cowboy
Alley Kat,
It’s my birthday tomorrow. I miss you. I hope you’re somewhere celebrating, even if it’s not really for me. Happy New Year.
Yours,
Cowboy
Kat,
It’s been months since we last talked. I don’t know if I want to do this anymore. Every time I log on and you’re not here, I feel your absence more than anything. Come back to me.
Your Cowboy
My chest tightens with each fervent confession. I’ve never had someone care for me this way—enough to leave a message I might never even receive. Two words reverberate through my head in a voice I haven’t heard in far too long.
Your Cowboy.
My stomach twists as my past wars with my present.
If I’m honest with myself, I still have feelings for the faceless stranger who calls himself mine, but they now coexist alongside these newer feelings for Jaxon.
I don’t know how to cope with the conflicting emotions, but I don’t have time to dwell on it.
My cowboy is online right now, and I can either walk away and let these feelings fade with time, or I can give in and figure out the rest later.
I think I’ve deprived myself enough lately.
Jaxon
With my bandana in place, I set my camera in the usual spot and hit the live stream button for the first time in weeks. Having Callie living on the ranch has me wound up tighter than a barbed wire fence. Every day is a goddam test of wills.
I'm constantly fighting the urge to walk across the hall, sweep her into my arms, and take her right then and there. The only thing stopping me is the knowledge that she has no clue who I am. Would she want me if she knew?
Several screen names appear in the chat box as the live stream begins. I recognize a few, but none of them is the one I want to see most. Knowing it’s been Callie all along has only intensified that longing.
I reach one hand back and tug my shirt off over my head.
The thirst comments come flooding in faster than I can read them, and I can’t help but feed off their energy.
Who doesn’t love having their ego stroked every now and again?
It activates my online persona, and I turn up the heat, slowly unzipping my jeans.
They’re here for a show, and I’m here to relieve some tension. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. It’s not about the money for me. I get off on this as much as they do.
With my gaze focused on the screen, I wrap my fist around my cock.
“Did you miss me?” I ask in a low, gravelly voice.
The comment section turns from playful to downright filthy in a blink.
Mercy_squirt: I want you to rearrange my guts like an excel spreadsheet
Jorkingking: Named my throat daycare, feel free to drop your children off there.
Smuthunny69: My jaw dropped... like in preparation.
kittykisser80085: I just know it hits the cervix.
Omega_vers: The things I'd let this man do to me...
I stroke my shaft from root to tip, paying special attention to the row of barbells along the underside.
My mind instantly conjures images of Callie lying on my bed, naked and begging me to take her.
I can’t help but envision myself sinking inside of her slowly, one inch at a time, as her lush body molds to mine.
I replay the memory of her quiet sighs and whimpers of ecstasy, and my cock grows impossibly hard.
I groan, working myself faster. “God. Your perfect cunt feels so fucking good wrapped around my cock.”
At first, it was strange to roleplay fucking strangers on the internet, but it got easier over time. Now it's like a fun game I get to play with them.
“Fuuuuuck, baby. I’m gonna come so hard. Fill you up so good you’ll be dripping.”
My heart stutters as another subscriber joins the stream.
“Hey, Alley Kat,” I whisper seductively.
I never call out anyone by name, but I can’t fucking resist her. Not anymore. Knowing she’s just across the hall adds a whole new level of danger to what we’re doing, and Callie has no fucking idea.
I zero in on her response, ignoring the rest of the commentary.
Alley_Kat: Hey Cowboy.
Fuck me.
I can’t help but imagine those words coming from Callie’s perfect fucking mouth. What I wouldn’t give to have her with me right now. Is she lying in bed across the goddamn hall, all splayed out on the mattress with her gorgeous curves on display?
If I keep up this line of thinking, I’ll come way too soon. I slow my movements. “Are you touching yourself for me?”
Alley_Kat: Do you want me to?
Fuck. She has me on the edge without trying. “More than you know, baby.”
The comments respond to the overtly personal interaction, reminding me we aren’t alone.
Omega_vers: Is that his girlfriend?
Mercy_squirt: I’m so jealous.
Smuthunny69: Holy shit, this is so hot.
The pang of guilt doesn’t stop me from giving Callie my undivided attention; it only encourages me to be more subtle about it. I want to play with her. Give her clues and see if she figures out who she’s been talking to all these years.
“I wanna show you what this mouth can do,” I say gruffly, echoing something I said to her when she first arrived at the ranch. “Just say the word.”
I place one hand behind my head, flexing my muscles like some preening peacock trying to lure her in. It’s ridiculous, but I’m willing to try just about anything.
“I wanna devour that perfect pussy until you’re squirming beneath me, begging for release.
I wouldn't let you come until you were crying from the intensity. Then I’d slip inside of you while you’re on the brink of your first orgasm.
I’d make you count each piercing. Every inch. How does that sound?”
Alley_Kat: Sounds like empty promises.
I can vividly picture her teasing tone and the crooked smile I’ve come to expect when she’s being playful. They’re few and far between, but they light up my whole fucking day.
“I’d never leave you empty, baby. I’d fill you so fucking good.”
Mercy_Squirt: If you don’t take him up on the offer, I will.
Smuthunny69: I’m totally going to ship this.
I close my eyes and groan as pleasure shoots up my spine. “Come for me, baby,” I say gruffly, working myself faster. “Right fucking now.” The statement comes out as a feral growl as my release tears through me, ropes of cum shooting violently across my chest and abs.
“That’s my girl,” I murmur breathlessly.
I clean myself up and return to the stream fully clothed. Users drop off instantly, but I interact with the ones who are left, fielding a few questions and avoiding the personal ones.
“Alright, I'm gonna call it a night.”
I end the live stream and wait, hoping like hell she decides to stick around. I’m not disappointed.
Alley_Kat has requested a private chat.
“I knew you couldn’t stay away. Where have you been?”
“I’m sorry I ghosted again. Work has been really busy lately.” She lies so effortlessly.
“Your dream job, right? Is it everything you hoped it would be?”
She sighs. “It's amazing. I started taking on extra work. Just once a week, but it’s been great.”
“You seem happier.”
There’s a beat of silence, and it feels like it goes on forever. “I'm not sure I know what happiness is.”
It's a confession, more honest than maybe any other interaction we’ve had. She’s no longer fine or ok. She’s flaying herself open for a stranger, and fuck, I wish it was for me.
I guess, in a roundabout way, it is, but I can’t take it and claim it for myself.
Suddenly, this feels a whole lot like deception.
I know I’m not being fair to Callie, but if this is the only way I can have her, I can’t deny it.
To hell with the consequences. Maybe it won’t be so terrible if I give her a piece of myself in return.
“I used to, I think. It's been a long time.”
“Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt so connected to you,” she says. “Kindred spirits.”
“You mean it’s not my devastating good looks?”
She laughs, and I swear I can hear it reverberating through my bedroom door. “You could be a total butter face.”
“I can assure you, the face is just as good as everything else.”
“Prove it.”
My spine stiffens. I wish I could come clean, but I don’t want to risk ruining what we have. “I can't do that. I’m sorry.”
She plays it off like a joke, but there’s something else beneath the surface—something like disappointment. “I know. Maybe someday.”
The hopefulness in her voice pierces through me, like a tug at the tether connecting us.
I can’t hold back. I want more. It’s desperate, like I might die if I ignore it.
“I’ve missed you, Kat. When you left, I thought about giving this up.
The only thing that kept me coming back was the possibility that maybe you would come back, too. ”
Silence stretches. I’ve said too much.
“I—I should go.”
“Ok. I won't keep you. You know how to reach me when you need me.”
“Goodnight, Cowboy.”
The line goes dead before I can respond, and my heart leaps into my throat. I want to throw caution to the wind, stride across the hall, and wrench open her door. I want to give in to all these years of pent-up feelings and show her how much she fucking means to me, but I can’t. Not yet.