Chapter 10
CALLUM
SIX MONTHS LATER
Art lines every wall, but none of those pieces catch my attention like she does.
Piper stands in the center of the gallery, her smile bright but nervous as she talks to a cluster of art buyers. Every single one of her sketches has a red “sold” sticker beneath it.
Pride swells in my chest, so fierce it almost hurts. She did this. My Piper, turning her quiet passion into something the world can’t ignore.
Once she’s alone again, I weave through the crowd and reach her side, slipping an arm around her waist.
“You’re a fucking rock star.”
She laughs and nudges me with her elbow.
“Stop it,” she says, but her cheeks flush, and I know she loves it.
Mackenzie appears from the crowd. “Piper, you killed it,” she says, pulling her into a quick hug.
Then my sister turns to me and gives me a wink. It’s quick and imperceptible to Piper. Good.
“Ready to get out of here?” I ask Piper, already itching to have her to myself for our next activity.
We slip out of the gallery, the cool mountain air hitting us as we step onto the street. I lead her to my truck, opening the door for her, and she climbs in. I drive us out of town, up the winding road toward the trailhead.
“You’re being mysterious,” Piper says, glancing at me from the passenger seat. “Where are we going?”
I smirk, keeping my eyes on the road. “Just trust me.”
We park at the trailhead, the lot empty under the dark sky. I take her hand and lead her to the trail.
“I’m not exactly dressed for a hike.”
“It’s just up there,” I say, squeezing her hand. “Not far.”
We reach a clearing, a small plateau overlooking the valley, and I stop. She gasps, and I know she sees it.
Mackenzie outdid herself. Wildflowers are arranged in a loose circle, glowing under the flicker of candles tucked into the rocks. A blanket is spread out, a bottle of wine and two glasses waiting.
“Callum? What is this?”
I take both her hands, pulling her close. “Piper, you’re my everything.” I drop to one knee, pulling the small velvet box from my pocket. Her hands fly to her mouth as I open it. “I want you forever. Marry me.”
“Yes,” she says. “Yes, Callum, yes.”
I slide the ring onto her finger, and she’s in my arms before I can stand, kissing me hard.
“I love you,” I say against her lips, and she whispers it back.
We pull apart, and I glance around the clearing. It’s deserted, just as Mackenzie promised. Her boyfriend works as a park ranger here, and he made sure this section of the trail is closed to the public tonight. No one’s around for miles.
“You know, we’ve got this place to ourselves. Wanna celebrate?”
Her lips curve into that wicked smile I love, the one that says she’s all in. “What do you have in mind?”
I don’t answer with words. Instead, I kiss her again, rougher this time, my hands roaming her body. I grab the straps of her dress and pull it down, taking her bra and panties with it.
I strip quickly, tossing my shirt and pants aside. No one’s here to hear us, and that freedom sets something loose in me. A need to claim her right here in the most primal way.
“You’re mine. And I’m gonna make you scream for me tonight.”
I guide her toward a smooth, flat rock nearby. I spin her around, pressing her back against the rock, her ass perched on the edge.
“Spread your legs for me,” I command, and she does.
I drop to my knees and bury my face between her legs. My tongue flicks over her clit, tasting her sweetness, and she moans loudly, her hands tangling in my hair.
“Callum,” she shouts.
I love that she can be loud, that we don’t have to hide. I suck her clit gently, then harder, my fingers digging into her thighs as I hold her open. I slide two fingers inside her, curling them just right, and she cries out, her head tipping back against the rock.
“Fuck, don’t stop,” she begs, and I don’t, working her with my tongue and fingers until her thighs tremble.
But I want more than this.
I pull back, licking my lips, and she whimpers in protest.
“Not yet,” I say, standing and pulling her up. “You’ll come when I say.”
I guide her to a nearby tree. “Grab it,” I tell her, and she reaches up, her fingers wrapping around the rough bark.
I step behind her, running my hands over her ass.
“You’ve been teasing me all night in that dress. Time to pay for it.”
I bring my hand down, a sharp spank against her right cheek. She yelps.
“Louder,” I say, spanking her again, harder.
She screams this time, gripping the bark tighter, her ass arching toward me.
I spank her once more, and she cries out. My cock throbs, desperate to be inside her, but I’m not done playing. I press myself against her back, my erection nudging between her thighs, teasing her entrance without entering.
“You want this cock?”
“Yes,” she says, almost a shout.
I grab her hips, pulling her back slightly, and slide into her. She’s so tight, so wet.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” I growl. “My fiancée. Mine.”
“Yours,” she says, and it’s like gasoline on fire.
I thrust harder and deeper. I love the way her body stretches open for me, taking everything I give her.
I pull out, wanting to see her face when she comes.
“Turn around now,” I say, and she does, letting go of the tree and facing me.
I lift her, guiding her legs around my waist, and take her down to the ground. She wraps her arms around my neck as I slide back into her. This angle is tighter and she cries out, her nails raking down my back.
“Fuck,” I groan. “You feel so good.”
I thrust into her, hard and fast, her legs tightening around me.
“Let me hear you,” I say, slamming into her. “Scream for me.”
She does, her voice breaking as she calls my name.
“You love this, don’t you?” I say, pounding into her. “Taking my cock out here on this trail where anyone could see. Go ahead. Come.”
She does, her scream raw and unrestrained as her body convulses around me. I thrust deep, groaning loud enough to rival her, spilling inside her.
“Fuck, you’re mine,” I say, fucking her through our joint orgasms.
She looks up at me, the wildness giving way to something more tender.
“I love you,” I say, my thumb brushing her cheek. “And if I could carve it into the sky, I would. If I could tear down the mountain just to keep you safe, I’d already be bleeding.”
She smiles like she’d let me.
And I would. In a heartbeat.
THE END.