Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Callum
“You should have seen your face,” I throw my head back and belly laugh. “You were scared shitless.”
“No, I wasn’t!” Birdie retorts, scowling at me. “You’re over-exaggerating. I was just surprised by the drop.”
We just got off the Cliffhanger, one of the high-thrill rides at the Gulf Shores Summer Fair. The ride attendant buckles you up in a flimsy ass seat that takes you close to two hundred feet in the air before the chair drops when you least expect it. I love the adrenaline rush, but it’s also unsettling to think about how these carnival rides were assembled in less than twenty-four hours.
“You were scared,” I taunt. “Just admit it.”
“I was not.” Her brows furrow as she walks beside me. “As a matter of fact, you might want to check your pants—I think you pissed yourself. I heard you scream like a little girl when we dropped.”
Her lips turn up in a sly grin, proud of her comeback .
“Oh really?” I scoff. “Because I was hoping we could ride it a few more times before we leave.”
Birdie’s trying her best to act brave, but I don’t miss how her shoulders stiffen at the thought of going another round on the Cliffhanger. She doesn’t seem to pick up on my sarcasm because I don’t even want to ride that deathtrap again. It’s a matter of time until that rusty old thing breaks down.
“I doubt we’ll have time,” she shrugs off my suggestion. “We still haven’t ridden the ferris wheel. Have you seen the line for it?”
“No. I haven't really been paying attention to the lines.”
Because I haven’t been able to stop staring at her today.
She looks so damn beautiful. Her long hair hangs in a loose braid down her back, wild strands falling free as the day goes on. She’s in a pair of jean shorts and a little orange tank top that shows off her tan stomach and freckled shoulders.
A soft breeze gusts by, blowing a lock of golden hair across Birdie’s face. I almost groan when the lingering scent of her coconut shampoo fills my nostrils.
Fuck, that smell.
It takes me back to a few nights ago when I had her spread out on my kitchen counter. It took all of my self-control not to rip those flimsy panties from her body and bury myself in her tight pussy. Just feeling her surround my fingers had me ready to blow. She was so wet and snug, sucking me in as I finger fucked her into the hottest orgasm I’ve ever witnessed.
The needy sounds she made… Fuck , I need to hear those whimpers and moans again. All the blood in my body rushes south when I think about how incredible it felt to have her tongue rubbing against mine. Even though I jerked off in the shower this morning, painting the tiled wall with cum as I imagined her fist around my cock, it still didn’t come close to scratching the obsession I have with her .
Nothing could compare to the real thing. To the feeling of Birdie’s soft fingers stroking my length as she soaks my fingers and moans against my lips.
God, that night was so fucking hot. It’s all I’ve been able to think about. I feel like a horny teenager again, desperate to get off any chance I get. Just having Birdie walk beside me is setting all my senses on fire. Each time her arm brushes mine, it feels like a searing brand against my skin.
We’re trying to navigate this new path, but in truth, we’ve been playing this game for a long fucking time. Eleven years to be exact.
If I thought Birdie had wrecked me before, then I’m fucking obliterated now. I’m a pile of rubble, begging for Birdie to put me back together piece by piece. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
“Well, the line is extremely long,” she replies, pulling me back to reality. “It was wrapped around when we first got here. I’m sure it’s at least an hour wait.”
“Damn,” I exhale. “That makes sense though. Most people come to the fair just to ride the ferris wheel. But if you don’t want to wait in line, we can skip it. An hour’s a long time to stand around.”
She purses her lips together and thinks.
“I mean… You’ve ridden it, right? Is it worth it?”
“Yeah,” I nod. “Once before. And I can’t lie, it’s the best view of Gulf Shores I’ve ever seen. You have a bird’s-eye view of everything.”
Birdie turns her head, staring at the shore off in the distance. The sun is getting ready to begin its descent, which means we’re running out of time to see everything in broad daylight.
She turns back to me and flashes me a childlike smile. Her silver eyes sparkle as she reaches for my hand and threads our fingers together.
It’s the second time we’ve held hands today. The first time I initiated it, I was nervous about how she would feel about walking around hand in hand like a couple.
After what we did in my kitchen, I wouldn't think she’d mind. But in my opinion, holding hands is sometimes more intimate than the physical stuff. People fuck behind closed doors all the time. But stepping out in public and holding hands is a declaration of unity. And we haven't had any serious talks about our relationship beyond friendship…
Of course, I want more. I want so much more. I want a life with Birdie.
I’m just terrified of pushing her away when I just got her back.
“We’d better go get in line then,” Birdie grins.
Aside from a peck on the lips, I haven’t had a chance to really kiss Birdie today. I haven’t kissed her in the way she deserves to be kissed.
But I have a feeling that I’m about to have the perfect opportunity.
We walk hand in hand, strolling through the crowds of people as we head for the ferris wheel.
“This is breathtaking,” Birdie gasps as we ascend to the top of the ferris wheel. We’re in a small cart, sitting thigh to thigh with my arm wrapped around her shoulders.
We made it just before sunset, giving us an unbelievable view of Gulf Shores from above. To our left, soft waves crash against the distant shoreline. To our right, the fair is bustling with tourists, food trucks, and lively attractions. Beyond the rides and guests lies the scenic city of Gulf Shores. Slender palm trees, colorful buildings, and summer streets border the fair.
Everything about this moment is so surreal to me.
The first time I ever came to the fair, I dreamt of what it would be like to have Birdie here with me. It was nothing more than a fantasy to me because I never thought it could be a reality.
I still can’t believe that she’s here, nestled beneath my arm.
“Pretty amazing, huh?” I ask, giving her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
“Yeah,” she breathes, turning her gaze toward the ocean. “This is my favorite time of day. When the sky is pink and orange, and the ocean looks like waves of gold. Nothing beats it.”
I nod in agreement while lazily trailing my fingers up and down her bare shoulder.
“We couldn't have asked for better weather today. It even cooled off a few degrees.”
“Thank God,” she scoffs.
The heat has been brutal this summer.
“I still can’t believe this view,” she adds, shaking her head. “Gulf Shores really is stunning.”
“It sure is,” I mutter. “It’s easy to fall in love with this place.”
I think it’d be pretty easy to fall in love in this place too.
My spine tingles when Birdie lets out a relaxed sigh and rests her head on my shoulder. I tighten my hold on her, pulling her closer to me. I lose track of time as we ride in blissful silence, taking in the view as the cart gently sways back and forth.
When I spot a row of green squares way off in the distance, I squint my eyes to get a better look.
“Oh, shit,” I point at the familiar sports complex. “There’s the tennis courts I play at.”
How did I not notice them the last time I was up here?
Birdie’s gaze quickly turns to me. She sits up straight and furrows her brows.
“Wait. You still play?” Her tone is laced with surprise.
“I do,” I nod. “I’d probably go crazy if I didn’t. I’m usually in a rec league during the summer, but I’ve been swamped with work lately. If things start to slow down, I’ll see if they’ll let me join later in the season. But even when I’m not playing in a league, I still go to the court and practice. Tennis and Ollie are the two things that have kept me sane over the years.”
“A rec league? That sounds like fun,” she arches a brow. “I’m happy to hear that you didn’t give up tennis. Did you play in college?”
“Nah,” I shake my head. “When I wasn't in class or studying, I worked odd jobs. I pretty much worked full-time throughout my undergraduate years to save up for law school. But I did play on an intramural team for a few seasons since it’s more flexible. When you’re on an intramural team, it’s not a big deal if you miss a game. It’s just for fun, you know?”
Her eyes dart between mine as she slowly blinks. My heart sinks when her smile falls.
“Yeah…” she murmurs while looking down at her lap. “I just remember how hard you worked in high school. How badly you wanted to be a collegiate tennis player. I’m glad you still play, but I just hate that your dreams were taken from you.”
Her silver eyes find mine when I slip my fingers beneath her chin until she’s looking directly at me. She watches me intently as I shake my head.
“You think tennis was my dream?” I ask softly. “When I was a teenager, if someone would have asked me what my dream was, I would have told them it was you, Birdie. You were everything I ever wanted.”
I watch her throat bob as she swallows.
“How would you have known that?” she breathes. “You were just a teenager, Cal.”
“You’re right,” I nod. “I wasn’t sure of much, but I knew with my whole damn chest that I wanted a future with you. My dream has always been you, Birdie. Don’t get me wrong, I love tennis. But even in high school, when I looked twenty years into the future, I didn’t see my life revolving around tennis. I saw a life with you.”
Birdie’s eyes brim with affection as the air between us falls silent. My breath hitches when she reaches up and glides her thumb along my stubbled cheek.
“That’s sweet of you to say, Cal,” she smiles half-heartedly. “But what crushes me is that you could have had both. You could have had me and tennis. And your father ripped both away from you.”
I reach for her hand and slide my fingers through hers.
“I’m not disappointed with how my life turned out.” I place a kiss to her knuckles. “After I graduated high school, I was determined to take back the years of abuse from my father. And once I began my career as a child neglect and abuse lawyer, I didn’t feel like a victim anymore. I wake up every day and have the chance to make a difference in a young person’s life. Even though tennis didn’t work out for me, it all ended up being worth it. I couldn't ask for a more fulfilling career.”
Birdie’s rose-colored lips turn up in a sweet smile as she nods her head.
“You’re right,” she rasps. “I truly believe that every person has a calling. You’re doing exactly what you’re meant to do. Those kids are lucky to have you as their advocate.”
Those kids are lucky to have you as their advocate .
She has no idea what that sentence means to me. The kids I work with are my life’s purpose.
“Thanks, baby,” I reply while brushing my thumb along the back of her hand. “That means a lot.”
We’re locked in an intimate stare as the sun disappears behind the horizon, turning the sky a dark blue. The neon lights decorating the ferris wheel come alive, dancing off Birdie’s ivory skin. I lift my hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear before cupping her jaw.
“Have I told you how pretty you look tonight?”
A cute smile curls her lips.
“A couple of times.”
“Well, that’s not enough,” I retort. “Because you’re fucking stunning, Birdie. You take my breath away.”
Her cheeks turn bright pink as she chews on her bottom lip. God, those fucking lips . I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how they felt against mine.
I can’t wait any longer.
“I’m going to kiss you, Birdie Wren.”
I barely recognize my guttural tone. It’s low and desperate, full of desire.
Birdie surprises me by sliding her hands up my jaw and scooting so close that she’s practically on top of me.
“Not if I kiss you first,” she replies breathlessly.
Just as we reach the top of the ferris wheel, she crushes her lips to mine.
I instantly reach for Birdie, wrapping an arm around her waist and tangling my free hand in her hair. Our lips part at the same time as I tilt her head back, needing deeper access. She moans against my mouth as I rub my tongue against hers, tasting every bit of her.
The bright lights and sounds of amusement evaporate as our lips move in perfect motion. Everything ceases to exist but us.
Our kiss turns from soft to heated when Birdie sucks on my tongue, eliciting a deep groan from low in my chest. My cock stirs, coming alive when she bites down on my lower lip and tugs it between her teeth.
“Fuck,” I growl against her lips. She whimpers when I return the favor and suck her swollen lip into my mouth.
She’s pulling on the strands of my hair, ravaging me with kisses like she can’t get enough. And it’s so damn sexy.
My eyes roll back as she lowers her lips to my neck. My hands latches onto her thigh for support as she licks and sucks down the column of my throat.
Oh my fucking God. That feels so good.
I’m pretty sure she’s sucking hard enough to leave a hickey. Just the thought of her marking me has my cock twitching against her center.
If she keeps doing this, I’m going to walk off of this ride with a huge fucking boner.
“Birdie…” I rasp.
“Mmmmm?” she hums against my neck while rocking against me, oblivious to the fact that my dick is about to burst through my jeans.
“You have no idea what you do to me, baby,” I pant. “I’m so fucking obsessed with you.”
When she removes her lips from my neck and slowly leans back, I quickly go in for another kiss. But she pulls away.
What the hell?
Did I say something wrong?
Her eyes dart between mine as her brows draw together with emotion.
“Birdie?” I croak, panic filling my tone.
“Cal…” she tr ails off.
“What is it?” I reach for her, cradling her cheeks between my hands. “Talk to me, Birdie.”
She exhales a shaky breath before turning my fucking world upside down in the best way possible.
“I want you, Callum,” she confesses, entirely out of breath. “I want you so bad that I can’t think straight. It’s all I can think about since we had dinner at your house. I can’t focus on work. I can barely sleep at night. I wake up every morning with my hand between my thighs. I’m losing my mind, Callum. My body aches for you.”
I wake up every morning with my hand between my thighs.
My body aches for you.
The image of Birdie rubbing her pretty pussy to thoughts of me has me ready to rip her clothes off right here and now.
I know exactly what she wants, but I need to hear it to be sure. I need to know that she wants this as much as me.
“What are you saying, Birdie?” My voice comes out low and husky. “That you want to have sex?”
“No, Callum,” she deadpans. “I want you to fuck me. We’re not teenagers anymore. I don’t want you to go slow or easy. I want you to fuck me and not hold back.”
Holy fuck.
Fucking hell.
I think I might die of a heart attack right here on this Ferris wheel.
My jaw flexes as I reach for her ass and pull her against my rigid cock.
“Birdie Wren,” I groan against her lips. “We need to get the fuck out of here. Now .”