Chapter 18
Oliver
It’s official—I never want to wake up without Calloway Rutherford draped across me ever again.
Whether we stay in this moment forever, we’re married with kids or we’re old and gray, I want Callie by my side.
I spend my working life listening to families spill their unhappiness about their situation so I can give them the tools to make a change for the better.
People tell me about finding an ideal life and goals that they’ll spend a lifetime chasing.
My new life snores softly on my chest as the Christmas morning light shines through the curtains.
Checking the time on my phone, I can’t believe we haven’t heard Marigold running down the hall declaring it’s time to open gifts.
Maybe the soundproofing really is that good.
Judging from how loud we got last night, and the fact that no one came running, I guess it is.
Smirking to myself at the memories, I draw circles on Callie’s bare back while I check messages from my family.
Mom’s eighteen pictures of Boston at Christmas and my grandma’s house decorated for the holiday remind me that I still need to wrap their gifts for when we have our holiday celebration after they return.
Dad’s messages talk about some less than stellar meatloaf they ate for dinner the night before and how he’s out of antacids.
Blythe sent a picture of a small Christmas tree next to a palm tree along with one of her and another girl in dresses on the beach, both flanked by guys in pants and Hawaiian shirts.
Annoyingly, I don’t recognize the guy with his arm around my sister.
My neighbor, Cory, has sent me no less than twenty pictures of Nacho by his Christmas tree, having breakfast, being walked around the town square and enjoying countless treats.
Messages from John and Rindy also demand attention, letting me know they’re having lunch today in the restaurant of the main building of the hotel, and asking if we’d want to join them.
Callie’s hair tickles my chest as she stirs. Her eyes open, heavy with sleep as she looks around. Gaze landing on me, a lazy smile spreads across her face. “Good morning, Dr. Rhodes.”
Replacing my phone on the nightstand, I turn my full attention to the enchanting woman before me. “Merry Christmas, Ms. Rutherford.”
Those delicate ruby brows raise as she looks toward the balcony. “It’s Christmas morning.”
“Yep.”
“Hm,” Callie says, tapping her chin. Propping herself up on her elbows, her breasts graze my torso.
I shift so that my erection doesn’t make her uncomfortable. Clearly, I have nothing to worry about since Callie drags a foot up my leg before tossing her entire limb over my waist—all the while rubbing whatever part of her is closest along my hardened length.
“I don’t know about you,” she continues, “but I kinda feel like I got my gift last night.” Callie grins at me. “A few times.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “Actually, I have something else for you, too,” I admit sheepishly.
Callie’s grin widens. “I know. I can feel it.”
“Not that,” I laugh, “but hold on to that thought.” Bracing her with one arm, I shift to grab the gift box from my nightstand. Holding the little box wrapped in green paper featuring cartoon plants, I offer it to her. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
Callie leans onto her side, taking the gift. Big doe eyes meet mine. Her silent question emanates from every feature.
Tucking her in close with my palm already on her back, I grasp her hip with the other. One deep breath, and here goes nothing. “I love you, Callie.”
“You love me?”
The disbelief still lingering in her voice takes hold of my heart.
Channeling all my love for her into my grip, I pull Callie flush to me.
I make sure I have this woman’s full attention before continuing.
“I do, Calloway,” I nod, “I really do. I love you.” My chest feels a little lighter each time I utter the words.
So I don’t stop.
“I. Love. You, Callie,” I whisper, a smile taking over my face.
Tender eyes trace my eyes, nose, and lips.
“And I don’t want you to feel like you have to say anything—”
“I love you, too,” Callie beams, “so much.” A breath of sweet relief rushes from her lips, as if she’s been holding in a secret that’s desperately wanted out.
My answering grin nearly splits my face in two. Unable to help myself, I crush her to my chest, Callie’s arms winding around my neck in the process. Pressing a kiss into her hair, I exhale my own sigh of relief. “So this is real?” I ask, just to be sure.
Callie giggles. “This is real, Oliver.” Pillowy lips stamp a tender kiss over my heart.
Her leg still draped over my waist, I help her resituate to a sitting position so that she’s straddling me. My fingertips graze her flushed cheek, and Callie’s empty hand steadies herself on my abs. “Open it,” I say, nodding to the box.
Callie leans back, excitedly untying the green velvet ribbon.
She slips a thumbnail under the paper, carefully removing it, and by the time only the unwrapped box remains, we could reuse the silly gift wrap if we wanted.
She opens the green velvet box and gasps.
“Oliver, it’s beautiful.” Callie gingerly lifts the necklace from its holder, placing the box on the nightstand.
Her bright smile shines my way. “Help me put it on?”
Taking the delicate chain from her, I secure it around her neck as she holds her hair out of the way.
The yellow gold of the four-point star shimmers off her skin, perfectly highlighting the superimposed half carat marquis ruby.
The short chain allows it to lay just below her collarbone, glimmering with every movement.
“The stone reminded me of your hair,” I admit.
Tipping her chin to get a better look, her fingers gently brush the pendant.
“It’s absolutely stunning, Oliver, really,” she gushes, “thank you.” Callie leans down so that our lips meet in the small amount of space I’ve allowed to remain between us.
When she pulls back, a beautiful blush stains her cheeks.
“I actually have something for you, too.”
Curiosity gets the best of me as I lift my brows.
“But there’s something I’d like to take care of first,” she says, a wicked grin taking over my sweet girl’s face.
Heat races through my system, my entire body flushing with anticipation. “Callie … ” I warn. But my grin doesn’t falter.
Walking her hands up my chest, one wraps around the nape of my neck as she pulls me into a kiss.
The other grabs the last unopened foil packet from my nightstand.
Breaking the kiss, Callie rips the pack open with her teeth.
I help lift her so she can roll on the condom before she sits back down, sheathing me within her warmth.
“That’s the last one,” I tell her.
Callie smiles, the backs of her fingers brushing along my face. “Then we’d better make it count.”
When we’re both spent once more and Callie has collapsed on top of me, my love runs her hand through my hair. “You’re in pretty good shape, you know.”
Snorting, I rub my palms along her back. “Gee, thanks.”
“You just seem to be busy,” she says, adjusting so that I can get up to take care of the aftermath. Callie wraps the blanket around herself as I head into the bathroom. “I guess I’m just surprised you have time to go to the gym.”
Twisting the shower knob, warm water sprays to life. “I get the feeling I’m about to have a lot less time,” I call.
The sound of mattress springs whining rings through the air as Callie gets up, joining me in the bathroom.
Her necklace glistens even in the fluorescent bathroom lighting.
“Only if I can help it.” She grins up at me as she slips past and gets into the steamy shower, gathering her long hair into a bun.
The shower door remains open, and my love bats criminally long eyelashes at me.
Shaking my head, I groan. “If I get in that shower with you, we’ll never make it downstairs.”
“Maybe that’s the point.”
A gruff chuckle slips between my lips. “As tempting as that is, we’re out of protection.”
Callie scrunches her nose in acknowledgment. “Should’ve brought more, Rhodes. Did you … plan on getting lucky?” she asks hesitantly, eyes dropping.
Marching forward, I grasp her chin between my fingers and bring her gaze to mine.
“Believe me, I never dreamed I’d get this lucky.
” Pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose, I smile down at the woman I love.
“But we do need to hurry—we’ve got a lunch date with John, Rindy and Jo at the lodge after the family stuff. ”
Callie salutes me before shutting the shower door. “On it, Rhodes.”
We’re both showered and dressed in record time, with jeans and ugly Christmas sweaters on full display. Between the two of us, Callie’s hot pink top with a raccoon holding a present definitely beats out my sweater with a llama in a Santa hat.
Flicking off the light in the bathroom, I’m met with the most amazing woman waiting for me with a small gift box in those precious hands.
My love beams. “Merry Christmas, Oliver.”
Even after everything we’ve already shared, pink still tints my freshly-shaven face at the thought of her taking the time for something so thoughtful.
And just for me.
Callie holds out the box, that glorious grin widening with every passing moment. “Open it.”
Turning the box over in my hands, I examine the paper she’s chosen. “Brown?” I laugh, my brow lifting.
She shrugs. “It’s your favorite color.”
I laugh, nodding.
“Um, why exactly do you have such an exciting color choice as your favorite?” she asks, pressing her lips together. She’s clearly trying not to judge and failing miserably.
A soft smile takes residence on my face as I look into my favorite eyes in the entire world. “Reminds me of someone I love.”