7. Darcy
7
DARCY
I felt my stomach flip at Callum’s words.
“Someone to celebrate with?” I asked, teasing him. “Is that what we’re doing?”
There was a flash in Callum’s eyes, though whether it was shock or desire I couldn’t tell. He nodded as his eyes slightly narrowed in my direction.
“Yes,” he said. “I would say we’re celebrating.”
The logical part of my brain told me I should get out of there. It was too warm and comfortable in this small room, and the man across from me was far too handsome. If I stayed we would probably pick up right where we left off in that storage room. But I was finding it all too easy to ignore that logical side of my brain.
Maybe you can just have some fun.
Liz’s words ran over and over in my head. Is that what I was doing? Having fun with Callum Jones? I looked across the couch to see Callum staring at me. What was he thinking? I felt pulled toward him, and all I could imagine was leaning forward to press my lips into his own.
Stop that, I told myself. But the image wouldn’t leave my mind.
A slight lean would press my knee into his … another few inches to close the gap …
No, I needed to break this spell. Forcing my eyes down to the plastic cup in my hand, I gulped my drink and tried to ignore the man across from me. But this move was disastrous. The alcohol burned my throat and caused a coughing fit that brought tears to my eyes.
“Are you alright?” Callum asked. He was up on his feet, filling a cup with water to bring over to me.
“My God, this stuff is bad,” I laughed through my coughing. I took the water from him and set the scotch on the ground.
“Sorry,” Callum said. “Usually, it’s a bit more … expensive.”
“I guess you can’t expect much in Maplewood,” I laughed. With the mood in the room lighter, Callum resumed his seat on the couch. I didn’t miss the fact he sat closer to me to let his knee touch mine. I also didn’t make any effort to move.
“I like this look,” Callum said, and I saw his eyes on my hair, my earrings, the makeup around my eyes. I tried not to squirm under his gaze.
“It was Liz,” I said. “She wanted us to look like part of your entourage.”
“My entourage?” he asked.
“Fans. Groupies. From all the pictures, you don’t seem to lack for admirers.”
“You’ve seen pictures?” Callum asked. I felt a flush of embarrassment as I chewed my bottom lip, embarrassed to have been found out.
“It’s not like I’m stalking you or anything.”
“I’m not with those girls, you know.” Callum said, and I saw him lean in slightly, shifting his arm closer to mine on the couch.
“What?”
“Any girls you see in those pictures. I’m not sleeping with them.”
“Oh,” I said. Once again, my body flushed as I heard Callum talk about sleeping with someone. He smirked at me, as if he could tell he was making me squirm. But I didn’t mind. In fact, I felt an overwhelming desire to hear more about this. What sort of relationships did Callum Jones have?
“I don’t believe you,” I said, and it was my turn to smile as Callum’s eyebrows flew up at my accusation. “It’s hard to believe you spend too many nights on your own.”
I put my arm on the back of the couch, and I was pleased when Callum understood the gesture. His hand was suddenly touching mine, making small circles on the back of my hand.
“You think I’m lying?” he asked. I could feel my heartbeat in the depths of my stomach, creeping lower to bring heat between my legs. God, I was playing with fire. But Liz’s reminder to have some fun kept running through my head.
“I’m not sure,” I said, answering truthfully. “But I can imagine there are times after a show, when the right person is around …”
I could hardly recognize myself. Who was this girl challenging and enticing the man sitting in front of her? It was thrilling to speak so boldly to him, to play the part of someone much more outspoken and confident. This was a woman who wanted something, and she was figuring out how to ask for it.
“The right person …” Callum repeated.
I watched desire flood into his eyes as Callum closed the gap between us. He dropped his mouth to mine, and I felt his hand grip hard on my forearm still on the back of the couch. His other hand found my knee, and he squeezed it as he pressed his mouth hard against mine. I opened my mouth to him, feeling the comfortable buzz of alcohol coursing through my veins, which made me more attuned to the pleasure running through me.
I moaned as I felt Callum’s tongue flick across my own.
“God, Darcy,” he gasped. He pulled away to look me in the eyes, and I saw my own hunger reflected there. I needed to be closer to him. I wanted to feel more of him. I sat up on my knees and Callum moved both feet to the floor so I could straddle him. I shivered as Callum’s hands slid to my thighs.
“God, yes,” he whispered. Callum pressed his hips up to me, and I could feel his growing hardness between my legs. It made me press against him with need, pleased to feel what I was doing to him. I kissed him as Callum’s strong hands on my thighs rocked me back and forth across his lap. Soon I had the rhythm all on my own, and Callum brought one hand to my ass while the other moved to my chest.
He felt me up through my shirt, first one breast and then the other, but it wasn’t enough. If I was going to be bold tonight, I would show this man exactly what I wanted. I took his hand and guided it to the hem of my shirt, wanting to feel Callum’s hand on me without the boundary of fabric. He obliged, running his hand up my stomach and then up to my bra. I gasped as his finger dipped down to circle my nipple, giving me exactly what I wanted.
I could feel warmth pooling between my legs as I pressed myself against him. His fingers on my nipples made me lightheaded, almost unable to keep up my passionate kissing. Shocks of pleasure were like lightning bolts all the way down to my toes. With a quick move, Callum slid an arm around my back and lifted me to lay me flat on my back on the couch.
“I really like this look,” Callum said again as he stared down at me, his voice breathless and deep. With conviction, he dropped down to take my mouth in his own. He had one knee between my legs, and I couldn’t help squeezing against him as he kissed me.
His hand was once more at the hem of my shirt, but this time I sat up and flipped it over my head. Then I slid my hands beneath Callum’s tight T-shirt, and in one swift move, it was off and cast to the floor. God, it felt good to put my hands on his smooth, broad chest. I pulled him down to me, wanting to feel his skin against my own.
I could feel Callum’s length straining beneath his jeans as I pressed my thigh into him. I was desperate to feel more. His mouth dipped down to my breast as his hand pulled aside my bra, and I felt his tongue press warm and hard against my nipple. I cried out at this contact, a spark of heat running straight from my breast to the place between my legs. I saw his eyes flick up to mine, a devilish grin on his face as he saw how much pleasure he was bringing me. In response, I reached up to release my bra to the floor, inviting Callum to have access.
As he played, I kissed his neck and even let my teeth nip at his jawline and his ear. From the gentle growls I heard, I could only imagine he was enjoying it. His hand snaked down my stomach, and I heard a soft pop as he expertly undid the button of my jeans. Callum lowered the zipper and then played his fingers around the top of my underwear.
“Callum,” I gasped, desperate for his touch. I knew how eager I was for him.
“Tell me what you need,” he growled into my ear.
“Please …” Darcy asked. “Please touch me.”
He slid his fingers down and quickly dipped into my wetness, surprising me with the speed of it. I was soaked for him, and Callum drew his finger up and down as I gasped. His head was tucked into my neck as he focused on pleasuring me. He increased his speed and brought his mouth back to my breasts, licking and sucking as his fingers began a rhythm that threatened to undo me.
“Keep going,” I cried, feeling tension build between my legs. I held onto Callum’s back as his fingers circled that most sensitive spot, driving me higher into pleasure. I closed my eyes and felt my body tense. His tongue circled my nipple as his fingers circled below, and I was soon crying out, exploding over the top of desire.
“Good girl,” Callum growled, and I could feel his smile against my chest. I couldn’t move. Pleasure was coursing through me, and I wanted to ride it. But there was more to explore, and after a moment I turned my eyes back to Callum, asking a silent question. He stood up from the couch, and I saw his dark eyes staring at me as he leaned back down and brought his hands to the waistband of my jeans. With a strong pull, he peeled the tight jeans off me, leaving me naked in front of him.
I delighted in the possessive look Callum gave as his eyes scanned my naked body. I allowed myself the same boldness as I watched Callum undo his belt and drop his jeans to the ground, sliding jeans and briefs in one go. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the hard length of him, eager and ready. He put a hand out to me and I eagerly took hold.
With decisive strength, he pulled me to standing, and then dragged my body to press against his own. I shivered as I felt every inch of him and felt his erection pressing between us. I expected him to be rough, but Callum kissed me sweetly, cupping my cheeks with both hands to draw my face closer to him.
“I want you,” he whispered. Callum’s kiss became more insistent, and he spun us so he could walk me backward to the other side of the room. I walked blindly, claiming his lips as we moved, until my ass bumped into the countertop. Callum’s hands slid down to my waist, and I let him lift me a few inches until I was resting on top of it. I gasped as I saw Callum’s hand between his legs. I couldn’t look away as he guided himself toward me. He stared at me, eyes locked, as he found my opening and rested there.
“Tell me what you need,” Callum said again. I was too desperate to have any sense of shame.
“Take me, please,” I said, ready to beg if I had to. Luckily, Callum did not make me wait. He thrust forward and entered me, pushing my back into the cold mirror behind me. I cried out as I felt the full length of him stretching inside me. As he began to move, Callum dipped his mouth down to kiss me. I brought my hands to his triceps, holding myself in place as Callum began to thrust faster, sliding my body across the countertop.
“Oh, Callum,” I cried out. I wrapped my legs around his upper thighs to hold tighter, giving him better purchase. I felt the strong muscles of his legs as he worked himself in and out of me.
“God, Darcy,” he said. “You drive me crazy.”
His rhythm increased, and I threw my head back against the mirror and simply tried to hold on, feeling pleasure course through my core as Callum took what he wanted.
“Darcy,” Callum said again, and there was desperation in his voice as he let the primal part of him take control, losing himself in the sensations. With a groan I felt Callum pull out of me, and then another cry as he rested his forehead against my chest, gasping for breath. He stayed like this, recovering, and I brought my hands to his back. I caressed the back of his neck as we came down from our high together.
“You’re wonderful,” he said, turning his face up to me. He put a hand on my cheek and kissed me gently. I was surprised by the tenderness of it. And I was suddenly unsure about standing here, kissing Callum. Something about that affectionate gesture burst me out of the spell, and I felt a sudden unease in my stomach as I took in the reality of what had just happened.
With a shaky breath, I dropped my feet to the floor. As Callum stepped away, I stood up.
You’re just like one of his groupies , I told myself. I wasn’t sure I liked the title. I was suddenly aware of how much more experience Callum likely had with these sorts of casual flings than I did.
“I should go,” I said, gathering my clothes from the ground to get dressed.
“Don’t,” he said, a lightness to his voice. “At least stay for another glass of horrible scotch.”
“I have to be up early tomorrow,” I said, glancing briefly at him. He seemed in no hurry to put his clothes on, and I felt my body flush all over again at the sight of him. I scrambled to gather my things and glanced at myself in the mirror. I was glad to see my eyeliner wasn’t running and my hair wasn’t too much of a mess.
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
I was kneeling to zip up my boot. I couldn’t look at him. He was clearly saying what he thought I wanted to hear, a script he followed after all his casual flings. I wouldn’t be part of the game or performance or whatever else he was playing.
“I know this was a one-time thing,” I announced, standing and putting a hand on the door handle. I wouldn’t let him think I was some naive girl expecting things from him. “You have a whole life on the road, and you’re not about to settle down. So, it’s alright. We don’t have to pretend this was anything more than it was.”
With that, I pushed my way out the door. I tried not to look but I caught a flash of a shocked expression on Callum’s face.