My Best Years

Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

Callum

Eighteen Years Old

“I missed you,” Birdie murmurs as she peppers kisses along my cheek and jaw.

“I missed you too.” I dip my head to capture her lips. “So much.”

I kiss her slowly, savoring her addictive taste. Occasionally, I pull back to tug her bottom lip between my teeth. I can’t seem to get enough of her heart-shaped lips. Birdie lets out a sexy moan when I suck on them, sending all of my blood rushing south.

I just got back tonight from an out-of-town tennis tournament. I was in a shit mood on the bus ride home for two reasons. One, we lost right before the championship game, and two, I haven’t seen Birdie in five days.

Five days seem like nothing in the grand scheme of time, but I’m used to seeing Birdie every day. Things have been bad at home, and she’s my only sense of peace in my fucked up life .

I guess things could be worse, because my father’s been paying less attention to me and my mom. Let’s be honest, the asshole never pays attention to me unless he’s drunk. He’s never even been to one of my tennis matches.

But he hasn’t been taking his anger out on me like he usually does. I’m used to him coming home shitfaced, terrified that he’ll use me as a punching bag. Though lately, instead of picking a fight or ramming his fist through a wall, he’s been treating me and my mother like we’re invisible. Completely ignoring us, which I don’t mind at all. It’s better off that way.

But he also hasn’t been home much. I’ve barely seen him over the past six months. Mom said he called to let her know he would be out of town this weekend. When she told me, I could hear the hurt in her voice.

I think we both know what kind of work he’s referring to. He’s gone almost every weekend on mysterious business trips.

I’ll never understand why she loves him so much or why she’s stayed with him this long. You would think his cheating on her would be a blessing in disguise. It would give her a clear way out—a reason to leave.

But in all reality, if she were to leave him, it would tear his cookie-cutter image to shreds. The picture-perfect family he tries so hard to portray would be exposed as a facade. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already tried to leave, and it ended in him threatening her.

Just like he’s threatened me more times than I can count.

Mom texted me this afternoon to let me know that she’s going away for the weekend. She decided to visit her best friend, who lives a couple of hours away in Charleston. Even though I don’t have a great relationship with my mom, I’m happy that she’s getting out of the house for a few days.

Lately, she’s seemed…depressed. Some days, she struggles to just get out of bed .

Birdie and I started officially dating a year ago, and for the first time, I have the house all to myself. We’re together almost every day, but we rarely have a chance to be alone. When we’re at her parent's house, her mom and dad are always keeping an eye on us. Birdie’s parents are down-to-earth and super cool, but they’re very protective over her. When we’re in her room, the door has to be open at all times.

Not only is tonight the first time Birdie’s staying over, but it’s also the first time she’s ever stepped foot in my house. She knows I have a strained relationship with my parents; she just doesn't know the extent of it all. I wouldn’t dare bring her here if my mom and dad were around.

They don’t even know that she’s my girlfriend. And truthfully, I want to keep it that way. I want to keep Birdie as far from my father as possible. If he weren’t away for the weekend, there’s no chance in hell that we would even be here, lying in my bed together.

Moonlight illuminates the dark room, shining in through the sheer curtains covering the window. Birdie’s body is sprawled out against my chest as she rotates between kissing my neck, face, and lips. Her fingers are in my hair, continuously running through my thick curls as her smooth legs tangle with mine.

She hasn’t stopped touching me since she showed up, which has me achingly hard against her soft belly.

I want to feel her skin against mine so badly, not just her arms and legs. I want to feel all of her, every inch of her naked body pressed against mine. We’ve had countless intimate moments together since we started dating, but we’ve never been fully exposed and vulnerable with each other.

We’ve done everything but sex, and after a year of messing around, I’m dying to know what it feels like to be inside of her. She tells me all the time how much she wants me, begging me to fuck her every time things get heated between us.

I want nothing more than to sink inside of her, but when we finally do it, it will be a first for both of us. And I refuse to take Birdie’s virginity in the back of a truck.

She deserves so much more than that.

I want her to remember it. I want to take my time and show her how much I love her. I want her never to want another man inside her body but me.

“Cal?” Birdie hums before reaching up to kiss the corner of my mouth.

I can’t help the smile that curves my lips.

“Yeah, baby?” I rub my fingers up and down her back.

“How was your tournament?”

The second Birdie walked through my front door, my lips found hers. She didn’t care about the extravagant foyer, the immaculate marble floors, or the grand staircase. She just wanted me.

We kissed up the stairs, down the hall, and fell straight into my bed together. Aside from our moans and groans, there hasn't been much talking between the two of us tonight.

“It was rough,” I sigh. “We got eliminated before the championship match.”

She lifts her head and rests her chin on my chest before pushing out her bottom lip.

“I’m sorry,” she mutters sadly. “I wish I could have been there.”

I smile down at her and place a kiss to the top of her head.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, babe. The tournament was three hours away.”

“Yeah,” she agrees, regret lacing her tone. “I still wanted to be there.”

“I’m just happy to be home. To be here with you,” I assure her. “Plus, there’s still half a season left. There’s plenty of matches you can come to.”

A bittersweet feeling floods my chest each time I think about this being my last high school season before graduation.

“Speaking of tennis,” Birdie starts, “have you thought any more about college?”

Over the past two years, I’ve had three D1 scouts interested in signing me for a tennis scholarship. I haven’t made a decision yet because I want to be wherever Birdie is. Even if that means not playing tennis. I know that lots of couples make long-distance relationships work, especially in college, but I couldn't imagine being hours away from Birdie on a daily basis.

“I’m kind of waiting to see where you’re gonna go.”

She purses her lips together, looking disappointed.

“Cal…” she exhales. “Please don’t miss out on an opportunity to play collegiate tennis because of me. It’s been your dream since you started playing. No matter what, we’re going to be okay.”

“I’ll still play tennis,” I shrug. “Most colleges have walk-on tryouts. And even if that doesn't work out, I’ll play on an intramural team. As long as I have a ball and racket, I’ll be happy.”

Her lips turn up in a soft smile, causing her cute dimples to appear.

“I trust you to do whatever feels right for you,” she replies. “And if that means going to a different college than me, I will still support you one hundred percent. You deserve anything you want, Cal. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are now.”

God, I love her.

I love her so much.

I slowly trail my fingers down her back before taking her ass in my palm, giving it a light squeeze.

“Well, it looks like I’ve already made my mind up,” I grin. “ Because what I want is you . Every second of every day. I just want to be with you, Birdie.”

A moan pushes past her lips as she leans up and tugs my earlobe between her teeth. She bites down, sending a jolt of electricity straight to cock.

“Callum…” she breathes against my skin. She tightens her fingers in my hair before peppering open-mouthed kisses down my neck.

“Birdie,” I groan, pushing my hips up into hers so she can feel what she does to me.

Her mouth finds mine before she parts my lips with her tongue and angles her head, gaining deeper access. I brush my tongue against hers as our kiss turns frantic, unable to get enough. She tastes so damn sweet. So perfect.

When Birdie pulls back, she’s breathless, panting, and staring down at me through hooded eyes. Her pink lips are swollen and wet, making me want them all over my body. A lock of blonde hair hangs down in front of her eyes, and I reach up to gently tuck it behind her ear.

Birdie Wren is the most beautiful, mesmerizing human I’ve ever laid eyes on. And she’s here with me. Wanting me .

“Callum,” she repeats my name before slipping her hands beneath my T-shirt and skimming her fingers over my abs.

“I don’t want to wait anymore,” she adds, holding my stare. “I want you, Cal. I want all of you. Tonight.”

Unable to control my physical reaction to the words she just uttered, my erection twitches beneath her. I know she feels it by the way she bites down on her bottom lip.

“Birdie…” I trail off. “Are you sure? We don’t have to do this until you’re ready.”

I’ll never forget Birdie telling me how she hated dating Mason because he was so pushy with her. When she was only fifteen, he was begging her to have sex with him. Even though they didn’t do it, she felt pressured and uncomfortable. If it weren’t for Birdie begging me not to, I would have fucking killed the guy.

I would never want to make her feel that way.

Birdie places her palms on either side of my head and pushes off the pillow until she's straddling me. I sit up and lean against the headboard until I’m looking directly into her eyes.

“Do you want me , Cal?”

I hold her gaze before cupping her pretty face between my palms.

“Of course I want you, baby,” I croak, brushing my thumbs along her cheeks.

A beat of silence passes before she whispers a question that will forever change everything between us.

“But do you want to have sex with me?”

Even in the dark room, I see her skin flush with heat.

“God, yes,” I admit. “I think about it every day. All the time, Birdie. But I need you to know that we can wait until you’re ready–”

“I’m ready,” she cuts me off. “I’ve been ready. I want you so bad, Cal. I’m aching for you.”

I stop breathing as she slowly reaches for the hem of her shirt and drags it up her torso. My hands move to her waist, fingers trembling against her warm skin as she tosses her shirt to the floor, leaving her in a pair of jean shorts and a white bra.

The tops of her round breasts spill out above the ivory fabric, rising and falling with her heavy breaths. The outline of her swollen nipples poke through the thin bra as goosebumps pebble her skin.

I want to kiss her there. I want to kiss her beneath that bra. I want to kiss her everywhere.

“Jesus, Birdie,” I exhale, my voice shaky. “You’re so damn beautiful.” I lift a hand and trail the pads of my fingers from her belly to her ribcage.

My cock pulses against her core as she reaches behind her back and unclasps her bra. It slides down her arms before falling to the mattress, leaving her bare from the waist up.

Her nipples pucker, hardening into little buds that beg to be sucked. Her pale breasts are illuminated by a strip of moonlight, honey soft and so fucking perfect.

“ Fuck ,” I curse as she rolls her body against my hard length.

I’ve fantasized about this moment for so fucking long. This is going to be the death of me.

Birdie throws her head back and moans as I lean forward and take one of her rose-tipped nipples into my mouth. Her neck strains as her pulse drums against her delicate skin. She tastes so sweet around my tongue, like coconut and citrus on a hot summer day.

I take my time kissing each of her breasts, sucking and licking as I swirl my tongue around her sensitive tips. I could spend all night like this, worshiping her body while listening to her whimper and moan.

When I pull back, she’s staring down at me with her brows pinched together in pleasure. Her breasts are flushed and marked with coin-sized hickeys surrounding her wet nipples. It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I could come right now, just from the mere sight of her.

“Birdie,” I utter, my tone gravelly. “I need you. I need you right now.”

One day, I want to make love to her entire body before I make love to her. I want to kiss every inch of her, watch her come over and over again before I slip inside of her. But right now, I’m too worked up to do that. Even if I tried, I would embarrass myself before I could get a condom on .

“You have me.” She lowers her hands to my jeans and pops open the button. “I’m yours.”

I lean up and capture her lips, groaning into her mouth as she lowers my zipper and starts tugging my pants down. She climbs off of me, and I raise my hips so she can pull the denim from my legs. Once they’re off, Birdie stands beside the bed and tosses my discarded pants to the floor.

I move to sit on the edge of the mattress and quickly reach for the hem of my T-shirt, yanking it off before letting it fall at her feet.

Birdie’s eyes lower to the outline of my erection protruding through my boxers, widening with anticipation when she sees how hard and ready I am for her. I don’t think she realizes she’s doing it, but she licks her lips. And it makes me want her tongue on the very spot she’s gazing at.

It’s clear that she’s excited but still a little nervous about all of this. Hell, I am, too. Sex is a first for both of us. So I decide to get naked first, hoping it will make her feel more comfortable.

I swallow thickly, my gaze locked on hers as I dip my thumbs into the waistband of my boxers. Without stopping, I pull them down my legs until they drop at my feet. My hard length bobs against my lower belly, painfully stiff as Birdie’s eyes widen.

I lower my hand, pumping myself a few times as she watches.

Shit …touching myself while she watches already has my balls tightening.

“Cal…” she murmurs. “Do you…think it will hurt much?”

Silence falls between us as I prepare to give her an honest answer.

“Probably not for me,” I shake my head. “Actually, I know it’s going to feel really damn good for me. But for you…” I pause, then nod my head. “Yes, it might hurt, baby. Which is wh y I’m going to do my best to go slow. As slow as you need me to.”

She nods as her eyes fill with confidence and security, which is exactly how I want her to feel.

My eyes follow her hands as she unbuttons her shorts and drags them down her legs. Her panties go with them, leaving her fully naked in front of me. Her creamy skin is pale in the dim lighting, looking so smooth and soft. The space between her legs is so fucking beautiful. Bare and glistening with need.

I’ve never needed anything more in my entire life. I feel like I could die if I don’t have her in my arms in the next two seconds.

“ God, Birdie ,” I groan, lowering my hand and squeezing my balls in an attempt to hold off my arousal. I’ve never been this turned on before, so filled with dire need.

“How do you want to do this?” My voice is weak as I gaze at her naked body. “Because this may end up being a letdown if we don’t start now,” I half joke.

A small chuckle leaves her lips as a bead of precum pushes past my tip.

“You’re killing me, Birdie,” I breathe. “You’re so fucking sexy, baby. I can’t believe that you’re mine.”

She bats her eyes as her cheeks turn pink.

“How uh…” she trails off nervously. “How do you suggest we start?”

My heart clenches at how much she trusts me.

I hold her gaze and scoot back on the bed until my shoulders rest against the headboard. She watches me with a puzzled look.

“Like this,” I answer. “With you on top of me. That way, you can be in control. If it hurts, you decide if we go slower. If it feels good, then you can watch as I lose my mind beneath you. I just want you to do what feels right, and I’ll be right here with you.”

Her chest rises and falls with slow, thick breaths.

“But,” she swallows, “what if it doesn't feel good for you–”

“Come here,” I interject.

She reaches for me, and I grab her hand, pulling her on top of me until she’s straddling my waist. Her naked center presses against my sensitive shaft, and we both draw in a sharp breath at the mind-blowing friction. It feels too fucking good.

I lift a shaky hand, tangle my fingers in her hair, and pull her forehead to mine.

“There’s no way that it won’t feel good for me, baby,” I rasp against her lips. “I’m already losing my shit, and I’m not even inside of you yet. I’m going to lose my mind, Birdie. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, so don’t think about anything else but that. Okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers before pressing a featherlight kiss to my lips.

“Let me get you ready.” I lower my head and suck one of her puckered nipples into my mouth. “Lift your hips,” I instruct, lightly tapping her hip.

“Callum,” she pouts. “I don’t want to wait any longer.”

“Trust me, I don’t want to either,” I chuckle at her defiance. “But this will help it not hurt as bad. It’ll make it better for you, I promise.”

“Fine,” she huffs and lifts her hips.

“Just enjoy it, baby,” I say before slipping a hand between her legs. “And know that it will be my dick filling you instead of my fingers in a few minutes.”

“ God, Cal ,” she whimpers, mindlessly jutting her hips and seeking out my hand.

A seductive moan slips past her lips, her mouth opening wide as I slide two fingers inside her wet entrance. My cock leaks against my stomach when I feel how soaked she is for me. Her pussy sucks me in, so tight and warm around my fingers. I can’t wait to bury myself in her. She makes the sexiest noises as I thrust in and out, fucking her harder by the second.

“Callum!” she cries out when I add a third finger, stretching her so she’s ready for me.

Instead of me fingering her, she’s fucking my hand now. Rocking her hips and riding my fingers like her life depends on it. I bite down on my lower lip until I taste blood, trying to keep my erection at bay while her naked breasts jiggle as she bounces up and down.

“Do you want me to fuck you, baby?” I grit out, watching my girl take my hand so well. “Do you want me inside of you, Birdie?”

She nods, her eyes rolling back at my question.

“God, yes,” she whimpers as I bring my thumb to her clit and rub in little circles. “Please, do it now. I want to come with you, Cal. Not like this. I want it to be with you inside me this time.”

Shit.

She doesn't have to ask me twice.

I would give Birdie Wren anything she wants. She has me whipped, and I don’t care who knows it.

I slide my fingers from her core and wrap my hand around my cock, rubbing her arousal up and down my shaft before reaching inside my bedside table to fish out a condom. I swifty rip open the package and roll it down my length.

Birdie’s gaze is glued to me, watching me like a hawk through lust-filled eyes.

I can practically hear our hearts beating in tandem as I sit up and take her face between my palms.

“Are you ready, baby?” My lips graze hers with each word .

“Yes,” she breathes, nodding against my forehead. “So ready.”

I press my lips to hers, kissing her long and hard before she completely wrecks me.

I kiss her bottom lip before leaning back against the headboard and positioning my hands on her soft hips. Instinctively, she lifts up high enough for me to wrap my fingers around the base of my length and position my tip at her entrance. We both gasp when the head of my cock nudges her opening, breaching her for the very first time.

My jaw clenches, my ab muscles flexing as my body tries to prepare for a moment that I’ve imagined at least a million times.

I can’t believe this is actually happening. I’m about to be inside Birdie Wren.

My mouth opens wide with pleasure and shock as Birdie places her hands on my chest and slides down an inch. She’s not even halfway down, and she’s already squeezing me like a fucking glove.

I’ve never felt anything like this in my entire life.

It’s fucking mindblowing.

“You good?” she pants, digging her nails into my chest before pulling out to the tip and pushing back down again. She’s slowly fucking just the tip, going at her own pace.

Am I good?

I almost laugh at her question because this feels too damn good. I’m barely hanging on by a thread here.

“Yes, baby,” I manage to say through clenched teeth. I skim my fingers up her toned belly before taking her breasts in my palms. “So good.”

She whimpers, her nails digging into my chest as I massage her sensitive tits.

“Are you good? ”

She nods, looking down at me with her lips parted like she’s at a loss for words.

“I’m…” she exhales, pushing down another inch. “Aahh…” she trails off as she sucks me in deeper.

Her brows pinch together in an emotion that looks like pain.

“Birdie,” I say sharply, trying so hard to keep my mind on track as her pussy drinks in my cock. “Take your time. Stop if you need to. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She shakes her head before lowering her hips and fully seating herself on my length. Her ass hits the tops of my legs as my dick bottoms out inside of her.

And I see fucking stars.

I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Nothing—and I mean nothing —could be better than this.

“ Fuckkkkk ,” I growl, digging my fingers into her hips. “Birdie, oh my Godddd .”

She lifts up before sinking down again, straight up fucking me now. She slides up and down my length, gliding so effortlessly with how wet she is for me.

She’s still taking it slow, gasping each time she buries me to the hilt.

“Baby,” I pant, needing to know that she’s okay. “Look at me.”

Her eyes snap up to mine, silver clouds foggy with lust.

I tighten my grip on her waist, halting her movements as I hold her gaze. She furrows her brows like she doesn't understand why I stopped her.

“I need to know that you’re okay before we keep going,” I say, my tone serious. “And don’t lie to me, Birdie.”

As amazing as this feels for me, it would make me a complete asshole to ignore her pain at the expense of my own pleasure. I want this to feel just as good for her .

She answers my question by chewing on her bottom lip and sinking back down the length of my cock. A sensual moan leaves her throat as I fill her.

“I’m more than okay,” she breathes as I watch her pull out to the tip again. “At first, it hurt. It felt sore…like a punch to the gut. But now,” she whimpers, dropping back down on my cock, “it’s starting to feel so good. And…”

She loses all train of thought as I pinch one of her nipples between my fingers, unable to keep my hands off of her.

“And what, baby?”

“And…” she replies breathlessly. “I want you to fuck me back, Callum.”

Jesus Christ.

I’m a dead man.

“ Birdie Wren ,” I groan her name. “Come here.” I tangle my fingers in her golden hair and pull her closer until she’s lying on top of me, chest to chest.

With one hand in her hair, I lower the other to her waist and begin thrusting up into her. Her lips find mine, moaning into my mouth as I fuck her, pumping my hips slow then fast. Our sweaty bodies grind together as I lose track of time, sinking into her tight core over and over again.

Our damp skin slaps together, mixing with the sounds of our pleasure. She takes me so well, like our bodies were made for one another.

I suck on the delicate skin of her neck as her fingers disappear into my hair, clawing at my skull as she loses control on top of me.

I obviously don’t know what it feels like to have a woman come around my cock, but with Birdie’s squeezing me tighter and tighter by the second, I have a feeling I’m about to. My thrusts grow frantic as she clenches around me .

“Cal!” she cries out. “You feel so good… It’s so good… I’m going to…”

And then, I feel it.

Without her saying it, I fucking know.

Her core spasms, milking my shaft as jumbled moans and whimpers fall from her lips. Her limbs shake as she lets go, giving me all she has.

It’s such a fucking honor to have her like this. Out of all the people in the world, Birdie chose me. She’s mine, and that’s what sends me over the edge.

Within seconds, I let go. Hot streams of cum fill the condom as I continue thrusting inside of her, trying to make this moment last as long as possible.

I never want this to end.

I already want to go again. After tonight, it’ll be torture trying to keep my hands off of Birdie. I want to watch her fall apart in every corner of the universe.

“God, Birdie,” I exhale, brows furrowed as we ride out the last of our release. “You’re my girl. I love you. I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you, Cal,” she rasps as we slowly rock against each other. “I’ll never love anyone but you.”

I’ll never love anyone but you.

Those were the exact words that played on a loop in my mind as I held Birdie’s naked body against my chest that night.

I watched her sleep, unable to contain my smile as I stared down at the love of my life. The woman that I would marry one day, have babies, and grow old with.

She chose me. And no matter where life takes us, I will always choose her.

I had no idea that would be the last night I would see Birdie Wren.

If I had, I would have never let her go. I would have convinced her to leave with me in the middle of the night and go to a place where he could never find us.

Little did I know that after the best night of my life, the worst day would follow.

In the blink of an eye, my entire world came crashing down.

In less than twenty-four hours, it was all over.