Chapter 34
moving in
Cam stood at the grill, observing their main course with the intent stare of a battlefield medic.
Jess was inside prepping vegetables, but Callie had slipped out onto the deck with a glass of iced tea and a mission: to bother Cam in the exact way only someone slightly older, usually inappropriate, and increasingly accepted could get away with.
She sidled up to him, “You’re really committing to this,” she asked, eyeing the chicken gently charing, “Full flame, dramatic flipping, meat sweats pending.”
Cam gave a one-shoulder shrug, then nudged one of the chicken breasts with tongs, “Mom says I’m getting pretty good.”
Callie edged closer, “Uh huh. Are those…wait, are those the peanut butter ones?”
Cam turned, “What?”
She widened her eyes, “It’s a thing now. Peanut butter marinade. The sweet and savory, with a gentle Asian influence. There might be soy sauce involved. You should try it.”
Cam was dubious, “You’re messing with me.”
“Au contraire, mon frere,” Callie grinned, then pointed to one of the chicken pieces, “That one is a little out of the heat. Ya might-” In truth, it wasn’t, but Callie couldn’t help herself as she watched Cam shove the tongs into the meat.
“Whoa, dude,” Callie beamed, having set it perfectly, “Gentle with the breasts. A light touch to start.”
Cam immediately cleared his throat, but looked away, then turned back, “Breasts, breasts, and more breasts.” His brow cocked at Callie’s dropped jaw, “I’m not afraid to say it. So there.”
“Apparently,” she gulped, momentarily derailed, “but you said it all manly—bruhsts. Very hunter-gatherer of you.”
“God,” Cam muttered, but she saw the flush creep up his neck, “You are so weird.”
“Correct,” Callie chirped, taking a sip, “And hungry. Time to flip those boobs.”
He gave her a look, half deadpan, half reluctant amusement, then turned the meat with an extra flourish, “You’re not normal.”
“Nope,” she agreed, “But I’m very lovable.”
To her surprise, Cam nodded. “You are,” he said softly, then went back to watching the chicken.
Her breath caught, and Callie stepped back, not from emotion, just from surprise. Cam’s quietness always held weight. She smiled wider and then went back inside.
Dinner was perfect in the casual, unrepeatable way, with easy conversation, no shortage of stupid jokes with the occasional clink of forks, and shared glances around the table.
Cam ate fast and disappeared faster, announcing his post-dinner plans with classic teenage bluntness, “I’m gonna game tonight,” he said, standing with his plate, “Milo and his cousins are on from Europe. I told them I’d be on early, so-”
“Maybe shower tonight,” Jess suggested.
“I did,” he said defensively.
Callie wrinkled her nose. “Prove it.”
“No thanks,” he said, already halfway to the stairs, “You two are gross.”
“Not yet,” Jess called after him.
Callie’s head snapped toward her, “Jess.”
“What?” Jess returned, nonplussed, “he’s already upstairs and strapping in.”
“Jess,” Callie squeaked, her eyes swinging to the hallway, “God…”
“He’s got headphones…microphones, and all this wild gear going on,” Jess continued obliviously, “Wouldn’t surprise me if they’re reprogramming the space station.” She grinned, “Wash or dry?”
In the kitchen, they did dishes like they’d done it forever, elbows brushing, bodies bumping, and soapy water splashing onto the floor.
Jess rinsed a glass and handed it off with a smile that was just a little too coy.
Callie bumped her hip. “Don’t get smug.”
Jess bumped her back, “You love when I’m smug.”
Callie grinned, then grabbed the pull-out sprayer and flicked it lightly at Jess’s shirt. A dark bloom of water appeared above her breastbone.
Jess blinked, “You wanna go?”
Callie handed her the glass. “I always want to go.”
Jess lunged, and Callie shrieked, laughing as wet hands grabbed her waist and spun her into the counter. The kiss was instant, hot, hungry, a bit damp.
They broke apart, breathless.
“We should finish the dishes,” Callie said. Jess leaned close, “We should finish you first.”
Callie dropped the drying towel. “Okay. That was really good.”
Jess took her hand, and Callie followed.
They didn’t rush, not at first.
Callie undressed Jess slowly, savoring, already knowing there was beauty beneath the wrapping. The cotton shirt peeled off easily. The bra came next with a practiced flick. Jess’s body, strong and lean and flushed from laughing, pressed against hers.
They kissed like they didn’t know what time it was. Callie tasted mint and something warm, like cinnamon, and the scent of summer air. Jess’s hands found her back, her hips, then the curve of her ass, holding her like she might float away.
Callie was the first to guide them to bed. She pushed Jess down gently, following her to the sheets, her eyes never leaving Jess’s.
“You good?” Jess murmured, her voice growing thick with want.
Callie nodded, “More than.”
Their bodies met like a promise being kept. Jess’s hands were gentle, and Callie’s mouth was deliberate. She traced Jess’s skin with kisses…along her collarbone, ribs, and inner thigh.
Jess growled, arching into her. “God, Callie…”
Callie slid down, drawing a trembling moan as her tongue traced along Jess’s heat, slow and patient. She worked gently, fingers slipping in, lips teasing in a rhythm designed to undo.
Jess was close, panting, her hips rocking, but Callie paused. Just long enough.
“Callie,” Jess whined, but Callie was moving up the bed. Her fingers pulled away just long enough to prop herself up, her eyes locked on Jess’s. “I want to see your face.”
Jess nodded hurriedly, and her lashes fluttered as Callie’s fingers slid back in. Jess’s mouth opened in a wordless sound, her head tipped back, hair sticking to her cheeks. Callie rode the edge with her, steady, watching every tremor, every flick of pleasure.
“Look at me,” she whispered.
Jess did, and her climax came like a wave breaking free, powerful and silent at first, then loud, a choked sob of release as her body arched and curled.
Callie held her gaze the whole time. When it passed, when Jess collapsed on the bed, breathless and dazed, Callie kissed her slowly and curled beside her.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Jess touched her cheek, “Hey. Are you okay?”
Callie nodded and smiled, “Only because you are so beautiful.”
Jess pulled her closer, wrapping her arms around Callie like a lifeline.
They didn’t speak again for a while. Callie lay there, Jess’s heartbeat under her palm. If I go, at least I gave her this. And then, selfishly, God, don’t let this be the last time.
Callie stirred before opening her eyes.
She felt Jess first, spooned behind her, chest warm on her back. Jess had worked her arm under Callie’s pillow and brought her hand across Callie’s chest. Her other arm was draped over Callie’s waist, and then her fingers started moving.
Gentle at first, they traced the curve of her backside with slow, deliberate pressure. Not quite teasing, but definitely not polite. Jess’s touch moved like a slow drag of heat, trailing from hip to thigh and back again until Callie was arching her hips, offering without speaking.
Jess’s mouth pressed against her shoulder, lips parted, her breath warm and shaky. Callie bit down on a moan as she pushed her hips back, parting her legs.
Jess accepted Callie’s offer as her hand slipped between Callie’s legs, fingers seeking, parting the soft ache there, finding her already wet and certainly wanting. Jess inhaled sharply like she had been waiting to taste that need.
Callie rocked back into her hand, body glowing with sweat now in the warm room, the sheets clinging to her legs. Jess didn’t speed up; she went deeper, then pulled out, brushing ahead, before returning inside as Callie shivered under her.
“You’re so ready,” Jess whispered, “So tight and wet for me.”
Callie couldn’t speak. Her hips rolled in small, greedy motions, chasing every stroke. She found a sweet rhythm, taking a moment to clench down and groaning with a quiet rhythmic murmur. The moment of release arrived, and Callie felt herself teeter.
And then she turned.
Suddenly, she twisted in Jess’ arms, rolling to face her, locking eyes, and Jess saw it all. The rush, the tense moment when Callie’s body curled tight, the cessation, then the halting shudder of breath until the next wave.
Callie shook as Jess’s breath caught in her throat. Callie didn’t, couldn’t say a word. She just clung to her gaze. Jess thrust again, deeper, and Callie cried out, quietly but raw. Her thighs trembled, then went taut, her belly tight, Jess’s soaked fingers gripped with inside heat. She watched Jess as she came. Gasping, shuddering against Jess until the pulsing subsided.
Callie collapsed against her, damp and trembling and too quiet. Jess wrapped her up, as if she could hold her through whatever storm awaited. Their foreheads touched. “What,” Jess whispered in wonder, “was that?”
Callie swallowed and shook her head gently, “I just…wanted to see you.”
She kissed Jess hard, still feeling the tremors in her legs. The kiss was a revelation. Desperate and soft. Jess looked at her, dazed, “Why?”
Callie smiled, something in it almost too calm, “You say the most beautiful things when you forget how quiet you usually are.”
Jess woke slowly, her body tangled in sheets that smelled like sex and sweat. The light was muted with the blackout curtains open, and she lay there for a long moment, letting her senses stretch.
Next to her, Callie slept deeply. One arm flung over a pillow, the other curled across her chest. Her mouth was slightly open. Her brow furrowed faintly, but her breath was even.
Jess watched her for a full minute. And then, another.
Relief pulsed through Jess’s chest, heavy and unexplainable.
Why am I relieved? she thought, brushing a strand of hair from Callie’s face.
She didn’t have an answer. She’d only seen Callie’s face draw into a grimace while she was sleeping. Maybe an argument in a dream or the fending off of a muscle cramp, Jess didn’t know. Only that something tight had been in her chest when she opened her eyes, and now, seeing Callie, the tension, its source unknown, began to loosen.
Callie started to twitch, her shoulder moved, and her lashes fluttered. Callie blinked once, groggy, then turned her head.
Jess, still propped, smiled, “Morning.”
Callie smiled. But it was faintly tentative, “Hi,” she whispered.
“Sleep okay?”
Callie hesitated, just long enough, “Yeah,” she lied, “Like a rock.” And Jess didn’t believe her. She didn’t press; she just kept watching. Her eyes were soft as Callie stretched, her back arching, and her smile became a little more real. “You’re staring.”
“Can’t help it.”
“Lucky me,” Callie grinned, then yawned and reached under the sheets, fingers brushing along Jess’ hip, “did you need a little something this morning?”
Jess paused. For a second, her face flickered as if she were debating whether to lean into the moment or break it.
Then, “Yeah.”
Callie grinned, sliding closer, “Say the word.” Her hand was moving now, slow and skilled. Jess exhaled sharply as Callie slid her hand between her legs. But Jess caught Callie’s wrist gently but firmly, “Wait.”
Callie blinked, “You okay?”
Jess swallowed. She looked serious now. Awake in a way she rarely was this early.
“I need a favor,” she said barely above a whisper.
“Sure,” Callie said, shifting for a better angle, “but you’re ruining the rhythm here.”
Jess kept Callie’s hand still. “Move in.”
Callie froze and then blinked. She was now very awake as well.
Jess’s hand stroked softly to caress her cheek, “I know you’re already halfway here. Toothbrush. Socks. Your weird shampoo, but I want the rest. Your books and your cosplay stuff, of course.”
Jess’s smile blossomed, then faded slightly. “Your medal and your trophies. Everything.”
“Everything,” Callie repeated, her eyes flaring, “Even the…embarrassing stuff?”
Jess tried to tamp down a snort, “Especially the embarrassing stuff.” Jess looked down the length of Callie’s body, “Yes, my gushing girlfriend, the infamous velvet pouch, and you can have an extra dresser drawer. I want everything you are.”
Callie stared at her, and, for a moment, neither moved.
Then Callie laughed, light, startled, and thick with disbelief, “You’re serious.”
Jess nodded, and Callie kissed her like it was the only answer she could give.