Chapter 18 #2
With Callan? The guy doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.
Not a single one. I’ve never heard him raise his voice, not even when some drunken idiot sloshed half of his beer all over his jacket.
He just laughed it off like it was nothing.
It’s so different, so much more peaceful.
If Callan were any more patient, he’d qualify for sainthood.
And yet…I’m leaving. We haven’t talked about what this is or what happens after I go.
Is he waiting for me to say something? Oh, shit.
He probably is. This sweet, damn near perfect gentleman has been treating me with such care, and instead of questioning why that feels so out of character for him, maybe I should’ve been asking myself why I haven’t been considering more.
Then the doubt fizzles out, and I think… What do I have to lose? What’s the worst that could happen if I go all in?
We couldn’t be in a more vulnerable position if we tried. Skin against skin, limbs tangled in a warm, sleepy knot. The sheets are a mess around us, his fingers idly tracing lazy circles on my arm.
My chest feels tight. Not in the scary I’m having a heart attack way, but more like what happens when you want to say something big. Something that could change everything.
I don’t know what I’m waiting for.
“Cal?”
His thumb pauses for a second. “Mm?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
That word lands heavy. It should be reassuring. It almost is.
“What happens when I leave?”
His arm tightens around me. “What do you want to happen?”
“I don’t know…” I whisper.
He shifts beside me, propping himself up on one elbow to look down at me.
“Brianna…”
I freeze. Brianna? My full name? I didn’t think he even knew my full name.
He’s looking at me with amusement and something more…intense. Then his hand moves to tilt my chin, bringing me face-to-face with him.
“You want me to tell you what I want first?”
It’s like he has me hypnotized right now. I couldn’t speak if I tried. All I can do is nod.
He chuckles. “Well, there’s a beautiful, golden-haired, blue-eyed, American lass who happens to have ruined me for anyone else.” He traces a finger down my jawline, eyes crinkling with mischief. “You’ve certainly gotten your money’s worth. I’ve never seen anyone so…enthusiastic.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “Are you actually teasing me about my sexual appetite right now?”
“Absolutely.” His grin is downright wicked. “I think my neighbors might have heard you last night.”
I swat at his chest, mortified but laughing. “You’re terrible! If I recall correctly, you weren’t exactly quiet yourself.”
“True enough.” His laughter rumbles through him, but then his expression shifts, growing more serious. “I wasn’t just talking about the sex, lass. Though that’s been,” he kisses my forehead, “quite remarkable.”
My heart stutters. “What were you talking about, then?”
He takes a deep breath. “I was talking about how I feel when I’m with you. And how I’m not ready for that to end just yet.”
“What are you saying, Cal?”
“I’m saying…” His thumb traces my lower lip, his gaze never wavering. “What if this doesn’t have to end tomorrow?”
“I have to go back. My flight—”
“I know you have to leave.” His voice is gentle but insistent. “I’m not asking you to cancel your flight. I’m asking if we could try.”
The unspoken question hangs between us. I know what he’s asking without him having to spell it out, but part of me needs to hear him say it.
“What exactly are you suggesting?” I whisper, my heart pounding so hard I’m sure he can feel it.
His fingers slide into my hair, cradling the back of my head. “I’m suggesting that maybe we don’t have to say goodbye. Not permanently.”
I swallow hard. “Long distance is…complicated.”
“Most things worth having are,” he counters. “Look, I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I’m willing to try if you are.”
Of course I’m willing to try. How could I not? I’m in love with the man.
This is terrifying. A leap without a net. Long distance is going to be a bitch. The timing sucks. Logistics will be a nightmare. But he’s here right now with his hand in my hair and hope in his voice, and I’d be an idiot to pretend that doesn’t mean everything.
Even with how uncertain this is, it might be the easiest yes I’ve ever said.
I smile. “I’m in.”
His brow lifts. “Aye?”
“Aye.”
He lets out a laugh that warms me from the inside out. “Thank god. I would not be okay if you went back to the States and started seeing someone else.”
“Oh. Well, that’s…a pretty intense way of telling me you have jealousy issues.”
His smirk is pure trouble. “Lass, I have exclusivity issues. Specifically, I need you to be exclusively mine.”
I don’t waste another second. I grab his face and crash my lips to his, pouring everything into the kiss. Every ounce of fear, longing, and hope I’ve been too afraid to put into words. I need him to feel it. “Say it again,” I murmur against his lips.
“You heard me just fine, love.”
“Then say it again,” I whisper.
He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “You’re mine,” he says, drawing each word out like he’s savoring the taste of it. “Want me to write it down? Maybe get it notarized?”
I laugh, pressing my forehead to his. “That’s actually a good idea. You should definitely do that.”
He grins. “Then let’s make it official, over and over again. Now get the fuck over here and get on top of me.”
A slow smirk tugs at my lips as warmth spreads through me, anticipation curling low in my stomach. “Yes, sir,” I purr, already moving. Already his.