CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I grind into the softness beneath me. Pressure builds as the promise of relief nears. Just as I’m cresting the peak, something strange prods at the blurred edges of my brain. That nudge bleeds to awareness and I groan into the pillow.
My blissed-out state fizzles, taking pleasure along with it. I roll flat onto my back while simultaneously stretching. Several joints creak and pop in the process. Then it’s silent.
The remnants of the dream taunt me. A hollow pang replaces the warmth that consumed me moments ago. My arm flops into the empty space beside me, confirming Callie isn’t in my bed. The sheets are cold and untouched rather than tangled between a shapely pair of legs. I long for the day when she’ll be cuddled against me every night.
Rather than dwell on wishful thinking, I grab my phone and unlock the screen to open our thread.
Me:good morning, sweetness
Callie: Hey, boyfriend. Right on time. You’re more reliable than an alarm clock.
Me:damn straight
Callie: Your texts are the best way to start my day. I always wake up with a smile on my face. Thanks for that, along with everything else.
Me:no need to thank me. it’s an honor I take very seriously
Me:how’d you sleep?
Callie:Very soundly thanks to my new favorite nightgown.
Callie:*image attached*
The phone slips from my grip and smacks me in the forehead. I barely register the sting as I straighten to get a better look at the picture. It”s her under the covers, with just the hint of my jersey visible. I bite my knuckles to muffle a grunt, as if I’ll disrupt the scene. The rush of heat in my blood demands that I palm my cock through my boxers. A rough squeeze makes me dizzy, and I need more.
I stare at the photo Callie sent. My arousal stirs from slumber and I’m instantly hard again. Not that I’m surprised. There’s an unfulfilled hunger gnashing inside of me whenever this woman is involved. It’s been less than ten hours since I kissed her goodnight and held her in my arms where she belongs but it feels like a week of tortured separation has passed.
After stacking the pillows, I prop myself into relaxed a position. My cock strains for attention within the confines of my shorts. I tug down the elastic waistband to free myself, and then fist the solid length. A hint of vanilla teases my nostrils as I begin a lazy pace. Another groan escapes me, but this one is heavy with promise of release.
Callie: Are you still there? Did you fall back asleep?
Me:nah, but I’m still in bed
Callie:What are you doing?
Me:just staring at you in my jersey
Me:might make it my wallpaper
Callie:LOL You really like seeing me in something of yours, huh?
Me:that visual speaks to my primal urges
Me:like I’ve gone feral and lost common decency
Me:I wanna dress you in my shit so other men don’t get any ideas
Callie:Oh, that reminds me. Did you buy the cactus mat for my porch?
Me:sure did
Callie:Is that a message to keep other guys away from me?
Me:would it bother you if it was?
Callie:Not at all. You’re the only man for me.
Me:telling me that is only gonna make my possessive streak worse
Callie:Is that a promise?
I choke on several expletives. If only this woman knew the force she wields over me. Protective instincts combine with burning lust. It’s beyond my control. She’d be scandalized to witness me jerking off. I slowly pump my shaft while thinking about her lying next to me. My jersey protects her modesty, but it’s too easy to imagine her naked underneath the mesh fabric. The fantasy is quick to take shape like every other morning. Callie”s hand soon replaces mine, the grip delicate yet firm and confident. My eyes slide shut as the visual takes over.
Me:fuck, sweetness. what’re you doing to me?
Callie:The same thing that you’re doing to me. Can I see your tattoo again?
As if I would deny her. I pause my absent stroking to oblige. A pic of the healing ink appears in our chat. The design is simple, but the statement is bold.
Callie:Thanks for that. It’s beautiful. I still can’t believe you put my name on your body. Permanently. You can’t just wash it off. Or maybe it’s temporary. I didn’t consider that before. It would make more sense if you were just testing out the design. Maybe to gauge my reaction. But by now, you’re definitely aware how I feel about it.
Me:you’re too cute, sweetness. it’s very permanent. just like you are in my life
Callie:Wow. I’m a bit speechless, which doesn’t happen often while we text.
Me:your approval is all I need
Callie:Well, you obviously have that. The fact that you… branded yourself for me is very… stimulating. Is this similar to how you feel about me wearing your jersey?
Me:yes. I’m extremely stimulated right now
Callie:Oh, my. This is beginning to remind me of a dream. Do you remember yours?
Me:only the ones that matter
Callie:What are those usually about?
Me:you
Callie:Me?
Me:it’s always you, sweetness. I’m ruled by thoughts of you. awake or not
On cue, my dick twitches in my grip. She could tell me to come, and I’d climax without hesitation. The temptation to request her permission fondles me until I’m compelled to beg. But her reply distracts me.
Callie:You think of me that often?
Me:it borders on obsession
Me:I’m desperate to give you whatever your heart desires. whether that’s kindness or protection or passion
Callie:Passion?
Me:that’s the best part imo
Me:you’re already my passion. it’s only fair that I return the favor
Callie:This is definitely beginning to sound like a dream I just had.
Me:tell me about it
Callie:I’m not sure that I can.
Me:haven’t we been over this? you can tell me anything
Callie:But this is difficult for me to talk about.
A shudder ripples through me as the possibilities assault my dirty mind. The screen goes fuzzy while I try to regain composure. It’s a struggle, especially when my hips thrust into my fist.
Callie:Did you get up?
Me:probably not in the way you mean
Callie:How else do you interpret getting up other than out of bed?
Me:very easily when you’re involved
Callie:I’m not sure I understand. Can you clarify?
Me:I’d rather show you. once you’re ready
Callie:Funny you should mention that, boyfriend. It’s actually what I wanted to discuss with you…
Me:now you need to offer more clarity
Callie:I’m ready for more… than kisses.
My focus is locked on her response. There’s static where my normal functioning is meant to be. I’m too absorbed in trying to form a proper response. That’s the only excuse for why I flinch when Callie’s gorgeous face appears on the screen. The only improvement to this sight will be once I update my background. I swipe to answer and put the call on speaker.
“Sweetness?”
“Hello, Ridge.” Her tone is a soft caress against my hard flesh.
I shiver despite the heat rushing through me. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
She hums. “I figured it was my turn to call you.”
“You’ll never hear me complain about listening to your voice,” I murmur.
“Okay, good.” Callie’s exhale is a loud puff. “What I have to say doesn’t belong in our text thread. Then I won’t have to type the words. I probably wouldn’t send it.”
“You think I”d use it against you?” I chuckle at what can only be a joke.
She laughs like I intended. “Nothing like that. But I might be humiliated reading it back to myself. It would be better not to have written proof. For my sake. Once I blurt it out, I don”t have to reflect on the evidence of my impulsiveness.”
My languid strokes pause from the concern in her explanation. “The suspense you’re building is very intriguing. You have my full attention.”
Callie blows out another heavy breath. “I”ve been having these… urges.”
I squeeze my cock to the point of pain. That twinge tethers me to reality. Otherwise, I could be convinced I fell back into a fantasy.
“Urges?” I eventually croak.
“Uh-huh,” she murmurs. “Whenever I think about you, there’s this… longing. It’s like an ache in my lower belly. Does that make sense? Harper—”
“Let’s not discuss her right now,” I rush to say.
“Oh… um, all right. Well, anyway, I was having a conversation about this yesterday. I’ve determined that yearning, down below, is desire for you.”
Desperation distorts my vision and I falter. “Do you feel it now?”
“Yes,” she answers immediately.
“Have you tried to ease the ache?”
Callie’s inhale hitches. “No.”
“Would you like to?”
She’s quiet for several seconds. “Yes.”
“That’s good, sweetness. We’re making progress. Have you ever touched yourself?”
There’s another breathy pause. “What do you mean?”
I resume fucking my fist as if she can see me. “When you feel these urges, do you ever touch yourself where the throb is?”
She gasps. “No.”
“What if we did it together? Right now,” I add.
“Isn’t that meant to be… private?”
“I’d much rather masturbate with you. Mutually.” A tug party with Callie is the invite I’ve been waiting for.
“Mutual masturbation,” she muses.
“Sounds fun, right?”
“But I wouldn’t know where to start.” The fact she’s even willing to entertain the idea is a major win.
I don’t bother masking my groan. “Are you blushing?”
“Yes, but that’s nothing new. It’s bound to happen when we’re discussing such a delicate subject.”
Heat rushes under my skin. “Are you warm in other areas?”
“I’m hot all over. It’s never been this intense. Maybe I have a fever.”
“That’s just your body responding to the situation. It’s totally normal. There’s nothing to worry about,” I promise.
“Why is there such a strong insistence? This hollowness demands to be filled.” The slight whine in her voice could send me over the edge.
“That’s what happens when you’re ready.”
“Like you’ve been hinting at for weeks?” Her huff is pure frustration.
“Yes, sweetness. You’ve reached a point where you want to explore these urges.”
“But I don’t know what I’m doing,” she whimpers.
“You’ll figure it out. Trust me. Should we play a bit and see what you like?”
“Only if you take charge.”
“Gladly,” I grunt and increase my pace.
The power she just handed over is a stronger adrenaline rush than being on the ice. Her request is like giving me free access to control every element. She might as well be beside me, studying my powerful strokes, with the amount of testosterone flowing through my veins.
I blindly grab for the lotion on my nightstand and squirt a blob into my palm. The lubricant heightens the sensation. My grip turns slick, mirroring the slippery warmth of her pussy as I slide deep. Friction pushes and pulls while she clenches around me. The visual is so vivid, wrenching a curse from my parted lips.
“Ridge?”
“Mhmmm?” I don’t trust myself to speak more than that.
“Are you okay? It sounds like you’re panting.”
“What if I told you that I’m already touching myself?”
She sucks in a sharp breath. “You are?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I groan. “I don’t fight my urges when it comes to you, sweetness. Instead, I satisfy them. Often.”
“There’s much to learn,” Callie mewls.
Those little noises are raw lust that I feed on. “I’ve got you. Want me to set the scene for us to do this together?”