Chapter 8 Callan
Callan
She’s so tight. Every time my hips roll forward, it feels like she’s going to suck me inside and never let me leave. And after feeling this warm, perfect embrace, I don’t think I want to leave, either. Not ever.
I know I should be careful with her—she’s still healing—but the sounds she’s making, the way her nails are digging into my shoulders, the way her eyes are half-closed and glazed with pleasure… slowing down isn’t an option. It’s not possible. Not when she’s looking at me like that.
But I’m getting close. Too close. The pressure is building at the base of my spine, a familiar coil tightening with every stroke. I need more. I need to be in her, completely.
In a daze, I pull back just enough to loosen her grip on me. Unhooking her legs, I fight to catch my breath.
“Need deeper,” I manage to grunt, already reaching for her ankle.
Without waiting for a response, I bend her uninjured leg toward her chest. The new angle is immediate, devastating. She gasps, a sharp, breathy cry, as I sink into her again. I thrust harder, faster, chasing that edge.
Her pleasured cries flood the room as I angle her just right, hitting the spot I know will soon be bringing stars to her vision.
From the way my cock is pulsating and my balls are tightening, I’ve hit my limit. I last three, no, four more thrusts before I sink as deep as she’ll let me go.
Her inner muscles clench and flutter as I bury myself to the hilt, and come so hard that my vision whites out and a high-pitched ringing fills my ears, drowning out everything but the frantic beat of my own heart.
For a moment, I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I just hover above her, trembling, lost in the aftershocks. When the ringing fades, the first thing I hear is her soft, ragged breathing. The first thing I see is her face, flushed and beautiful, her lips parted.
I lower myself, bracing my weight on my elbows, and I kiss her. It’s not like the frantic, hungry kisses from before. This one is slow. Deep. I try to pour everything I’m feeling—the awe, the gratitude, the overwhelming tenderness—into it.
I’m not a man good with words, but I can pour all my love into a kiss. That’s not hard. Separating from her is far more challenging.
I pull back just enough to look at her. Her skin is dewy, a fine sheen of sweat making her glow in the dim light. A few strands of hair are plastered to her temple, her cheeks are pink, and her eyes are soft and shining. She looks so fucking beautiful.
Carefully, I ease out of her and lie down beside her, my body still humming. I reach out and tuck that damp strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on the curve of it.
There’s no doubt that I’ll be sticking around on this bed now. Even with my concerns lingering in the back of my mind, experiencing Emery like this, I know I’m staying.
I shift onto my side and pull her toward me, settling her against my chest. It feels natural, like my body was molded to fit hers. She’s completely naked, her soft curves pressed against me. I’m still wearing my clothes, and I can already tell she’s thinking the same thing I am.
She stirs, a small wiggle, and starts to pull away, a hint of shyness in the movement. “Callan, I—”
I tighten my arm, stopping her. “I like this more,” I murmur against her hair.
She goes still for a second, then I feel the heat of a blush against my skin. A soft, surprised giggle escapes her, the sound vibrating through my chest. She just nods, a tiny movement, and relaxes against me.
Once the light is off and she’s perfectly secure in my arms, I don’t think sleep comes to me as fast as it does tonight.
* * *
When I woke up, the first thing I wanted to do was kiss Emery. However, finding the spot next to me empty is all it takes for such a greeting to disintegrate. Sitting up quickly, I look around the room like she’ll suddenly appear out of thin air.
“Emery?” Calling out her name and getting silence in return, that’s all it takes before I’m on my feet. Leaving the room, every worst thought hits me all at once.
What if something happened to her? What if my medical work failed me and she got an infection? What if, after last night, she didn’t like what I had to offer overall? What if… she left?
For all I know, she could already be at the base of the mountain with the intention of never coming back up again.
Cursing, I look for any signs of life. As far as I can tell, my home is empty. The fire has long gone out, leaving the room cooler, even more now that I’m alone. Stopping in the kitchen, the unsettling feeling hits me in the stomach when I see that even her camera is nowhere to be found.
She’s gone, just like that.
As the realization hits me, a large boom echoes in the distance. Harsh enough to rattle the walls of the cabin. It’s a miracle it’s not from my knees giving out. Trying to steady my breathing, I hear the rain outside. I don’t know when it started, but it sounds like it’s coming down hard.
Fuck, what if she’s still out there, still walking? I knew we’d get a rainstorm, but I doubt she’d have a clue.
I need to find her. Even if I can’t steal her away back to my cabin, and even if it tears me in two, I can already go out and look for her. Make sure she made it home safe, wherever home is.
I don’t think. I just grab my truck keys and shove my feet into my boots as my heart continues to race.
One step out on the porch, and I think the poor lump in my chest finally stops.
Emery pauses mid-drink of the cup in her hands. Seeing me in such a panicked mode, she lifts a brow before giving me another one of her damn smiles. “Are you alright?”
So much better now that I know my world isn’t about to end because I let the greatest thing to come my way slip through my fingers.
“Yeah.” Struggling to find my voice, I nod. “Yeah, I’m alright.”
Approaching her, I see her camera is tucked at her side. If I have to guess, she must’ve wanted to snag some photos of the rain coming down. Out here, the air is much cooler despite the summer air.
Wearing a different shirt, one she must’ve snagged from my closet, her legs are still bare and prickly.
“I found your coffee stash. Holding out on me?”
Sinking down next to her, I can’t help but let out the breath I’ve got trapped in my lungs. “Traded a neighbor for some tomatoes, that’s all.” Rubbing my face, I can’t help but smile. “I thought you left.”
Another roll of thunder travels past us before I feel one of her hands pat my thigh. Then I feel the weight of her body against my side as she uses my body for support.
“I don’t think I’m going anywhere any time soon. Not with this weather.” Sipping at the rest of her drink, she sets the cup down before tilting her head to look at me. “But, um, I was thinking… What if…”
“Don’t leave.” The words leave me first, all because I never want to experience such a scare again. “Stay here and get all the photos you need.”
It’s a crazy demand, but I’m crazy enough to make it.
Her brows lift up in surprise before she makes a sound of relief, followed by a laugh. “I spent all this time thinking of how I was going to convince you into letting me stick around, and in two seconds, you took care of it, huh?”
Reaching for her cheek, I cradle her face. “I’ll take care of you, Emery, and everything that comes with it. I swear by it.”
I love how easy it is to make her skin flush. However, she gets her revenge by leaning up to brush her mouth against mine.
“You’d better. While you’re at it, you’ve got to show me all the hot spots for these guys. I’m sure you know this patch of mountain better than anyone.”
Rumbling with approval, I know I’d go through hell and back if it meant keeping her by my side. Finding animals is a piece of cake.
With a flash of lightning striking the sky and a promised day of being trapped inside my cabin, I plan on doing nothing but backing up my claims with solid, undeniable proof.
From the way she’s grinning against my lips, I’m sure she’ll love every minute of it.