Catching Callie_A NEW ADULT & COLLEGE SUMMER SPORTS ROMANCE

by Claire Woods

  “I want you so bad, baby. But we’re going to take this slow, even if it kills me.” Taking her lips, my mouth crashes over her like a wave. She clutches my head kissing me back matching my tongue thrust for thrust. Her hips rock into mine. Making me want to break the promise I just made.

  “God baby, you feel so good. Taste so sweet. You’re doing wild things to me.”

  She pulls back, locking her feet tighter around my back. “You better not be feeding me lines. I’ve heard this kind of talk before.”

  My jaw clenches at the thought of another man’s hands on her. “I’m the real deal, sweetheart,” I breathe against her neck, sucking and biting the sweet spot on her collarbone. She gasps, hands clutching the back of my head as my lips kiss down the front of her body, tongue laving the pebbled peaks practically poking holes through my shirt.

  Setting her down, my hands at her waist, “We’ll get to this later. Every summer night I’m going to feast on you until you scream my name in your head so loud it’ will leave a scar in your brain. You won’t be able to think about sex or look at your naked body in the mirror without seeing my hands on you and feeling me here.” I reach down cupping her mound hard.

  Her hands grip me to keep from falling over. “I’ve always been a good girl. But you make me want to be so bad.”

  Stroking my hand slowly back and forth, I watch hypnotized as her eyes shut. “You’ll be my good girl. Just mine, Callie.”

  “Yes.” She moans, hips riding my hand. It feels so fucking good, commanding her body like this. But I need to stop.

  “No.”

  “No? Why?”

  “Do you need this baby?”

  “I do, so much. Please,” she whispers.

  Taking her mouth with mine, my hand slides down the soaked T-shirt skirts the hem and slips under. Finding the edge of her panties, my fingers jerk it aside, to run along her lips, spread them and find the pearl nestled inside.

  “You’re so wet. So, fucking wet for me, Callie. You want me to let you come?”

  “Do it. Please.” Her eyes flutter open, raw with need. My jaw ticks, I won’t deny her what she needs despite the nights I’ve denied myself.

  My fingers toy with her; drawing it out—making her pant hot little sweet breaths of need against my lips.

  My head lowers tongue sucking her nipple through the molded fabric on her skin. I won’t risk any early morning joggers seeing my girl, but damn, do I want to taste her bare tits again.

  My dick’s so hard despite the cold swirling surf. We’re both burning up, even though the sun’s rays have just barely peaked over the horizon.

  Quickening the pace, my fingers slide and swirl, pinch and twist her needy clit until she comes in my hand in a rush of throaty moans and jerking hips.

  Withdrawing, I carry her out of the water, placing her down in the sand.

  “I’ll see you later, baby. I’m taking you out tonight.”

  She smiles drowsily, still coming down from the orgasm that ripped through her.

  “I’ll pick you up at 6:30.” My hands grab her face for a quick kiss before they reluctantly drop. Turning back down the beach to finish my workout, I look over my shoulder at her feeling more of a champion then I did when we won the Rose Bowl sophomore year. She sinks in the sand on rubbery legs, sated and craving more, of me.

  When I’m out of sight, my hands fist pump in the air. This girl has wit, brains, a body that keeps me up at night, and tonight she’s all mine.

  Callie

  “HEY CALLIE,” SOPHIE CALLS out as I enter the café forty minutes late.

  She looks me over and puts a hand over her mouth, “You saw him, didn’t you?”

  I nod, moving behind the counter to put my apron on. “So?”

  “He’s… he’s … I can’t even explain it.”

  “I knew it.”

  “Knew what?”

  “That he’s what you need. You’ve been working your ass like a single mom whose husband left her a pile of debt, instead of a college girl home for summer.”

  “Um… I’m always home for summer, Soph. I live at home, remember?”

  “It’s an expression.” She gestures with the coffee pot in hand.

  “My stomach clenches every time I think about how he touched me. This thing between us is like nothing I’ve ever dared to dream about. He not only keeps me on my toes—he melts them.”

  “And that’s why I called Banger and told them who you were.”

  “I figured as much when he showed up at my house this morning.”

  “Oh? That’s a good excuse for the boss to be late.”

  Face on fire; I pick up a stack of menus walking over to the couple who just entered. Ignoring Soph’s knowing grin for the next half hour, I keep myself busy, too busy to think of his smoldering eyes and even hotter body until the buzz from my cell vibrates in my back pocket.

  My New Hot Boyfriend: I still taste you on my tongue.

  Blushing I type back,

  Who is this?

  My New Hot Boyfriend: Do I need to come to the café and remind you?

  Breath short, butterflies flying in my tummy, I type back.

  I DARE YOU.

  My New Hot Boyfriend: I’m placing my lunch order. You—with a side of fries.

  My eyes flit over to the clock my grand poppy hung when he opened this café forty years ago. Grinning my fingers tap out,

  Fries aren’t on the menu. How did you get my number?

  My New Hot Boyfriend: Swiped it from your back patio while you recovered from… me on the beach. You really should lock your phone. Especially if you’re going to text Soph how hot I am and how good my hands are.

  “Oh, my God!” Mortified, I know I need to clear out fast before he catches me.

  Untying my waitressing apron from around my waist, I type one last order into the computer for the cooks to read. I ordered him a surf and turf salad, crab cakes and a deluxe order of sweet potatoes fries. I cash out the order, using my tip money to pay for his lunch.

  Taking a pen and a blank sheet of paper from my ordering pad I write:

  With a grin, I call Sophie over. “When he comes in serve him the food from ticket number twenty-nine and hand him this.

  She reads the note shaking her head. “I need a summer romance like this.”

  “I thought you were done with summer boys.”

  “There is someone, but he doesn’t see me when he’s too busy staring at someone else.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m fine. Now go before he gets here.”

  Strapping on my fanny pack, unlocking my bike, I pedal hard against traffic down to the docks thinking I love being chased just as much as he loves trying to catch me.

  Gabe

  I SPENT MOST OF THE day planning our date. A girl like Callie needs to be impressed. Somehow, I doubt, fancy restaurants, fast cars, and smooth talking are her thing.

  Between my Waze app and Banger’s help: I’m hoping to put stars in her eyes by the end of the night. The woman has my heart doing flips, my mind planning a million things I shouldn’t and my dick ready to blow like Mt. Vesuvius.

  I cleaned up the beach cottage just in case we ended up here later. Not that it needed much. But I stocked my fridge with wine and cheese, put fresh flowers out in one of the many glass vases I found and changed my sheets—just in case. I even had time to put my car through the wash and vacuum it out. To say this girl affects me is an understatement.

  Taking one last look around, I check everything I packed with a grin.

  My phone lights up. Jackie? Again?! Ignoring her; I put my phone down.

  It rings for a second time.

  Dad Cell.

  Ignoring him too, I hop in my car and get ready for the first date that will end all others.

  She’s done.

  Mine.

  Period.

  Just as I’m turning down her street my phone rings again: Coach.

  I debate answering, but Calli
e is the only thing on my mind. Putting my car in park, I turn my phone off sliding into my pocket.

  She’s already outside. In the same spot, I found her twelve hours earlier. She looks fucking beautiful—heart-stopping beautiful. Her long chocolate-colored locks fly in the wind.

  She’s wearing white.

  I feel the tick in my cheek. The primal need to mate with her, claim her in the most basic way is replaced with something sweeter than her lips; the image of her in a gown walking towards me.

  Christ, I need to slow this train down. It's only our first date, and yet… I already see our future. Which is completely crazy since I don’t believe in love at first sight or any of that shit.

  But then again, how else can I explain the mess of things I’m feeling?

  She turns sensing me staring at her like a predator.

  “Hey!”

  She jumps down from the sea wall, and my eyes can’t help dropping to her tanned legs. But her white summer dress and cute sandals won’t do.

  “Hey. You look stunning, but you’ll need to change.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Oh, yeah. I have an exceptional first date planned. Something so spectacular you’ll never forget it. Tell your parents you might not be home until after three.”

  “Three? Umm, no. I need to be at the café at five forty-five am.”

  “Oh, okay. In that case… tell them you’re not coming home at all.”

  Her eyebrows reach her hairline. “Okay… let me call Sophie in case you actually are some wacko human trafficker or something.”

  “That’s the furthest thing from who I am. You didn’t try to find me on social media?”

  “No. I hate Facebook. I don’t Tweet. MeWow is for perverts or serial killers, but I will warn you—I have a serious Pinterest addiction.”

  “Noted.”

  I knew she was fucking perfect. She’s not one of those chicks whose face is always glued to her phone or taking selfies after fluffing their hair for fifteen minutes.

  “Come on,” she gestures standing in the door motioning me to follow, “help me pick out something to wear for this epic date you planned.”

  “Well, if I get to choose… you’ll end up in a bikini all night,” I laugh coming up behind her hugging her waist. “I’ve missed you,” I mumble against her hair, kissing the back of her neck.

  “It’s only been half a day.”

  “Half-a-day too long.”

  “How can you miss someone you barely even know?”

  “Babe, I’ve been missing you for years.”

  She practically melts against me. But for once, I’m not playing, feeding her lines—I mean every word.

  She takes my hand leading me through modern, airy rooms, up the stairs opening a door at the end of the hall.

  “Where’s your family? I’d like to meet them.”

  “They’re not here for the summer. It’s just me.” She spoke softly, hurt flashing in her eyes.

  “Callie?”

  “It’s not a story for a first date. I want to have fun tonight. Can we just do that?”

  “I’m the king of fun.”

  “I bet you are.”

  My eyes sweep her room. It’s just as fresh and clean as the woman who sleeps in it. The walls are painted a faint pink. Her furniture’s all white with rose gold and black touches splash color placed here and there. The rose I plucked this morning sits in a vase on her dresser. “Did you hire an interior designer?”

  “No. I told you I’m a Pinterest junkie.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  “So?” She gestures for me to walk towards her closet.

  My hand touches her clothing, moves a hanger….it feels more intimate than anything we’ve shared.

  She watches, crossing her arms waiting to see what I’ll pick. I find a pair of those skinny jeans all the girls wear, a thick hooded sweatshirt, hiking boots, and walk past her to her bed where I scoop up a stuffed cheetah.

  “He can come too,” I smirk.

  “Don’t make fun of Thor. He was a gift from my baby brother.”

  She snatches it from my hands putting him carefully back.

  “What’s his name?”

  “Charlie. He’s five. He’s with my dad—,” she stops, obviously trying not to cry. Figuring her parents are probably divorced. I drop it.

  “Hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry.”

  “No. I’m sorry. I just miss them.”

  I nod my head, hands still full of her clothes. “Oh, you might want to bring a bathing suit… just in case.”

  “Ok. I’ll be right out.” Taking her clothes, she kisses me on the cheek, walks into a small bathroom, not in the least fazed by the outfit I selected.

  Tonight is going to be perfect.

  ***

  I could get used to the way she’s looking at me. It’s obvious I caught her by surprise when I drove in the opposite direction from town, turning into the state park.

  “We’re going hiking?”

  “For starters.” Lifting the back gate of my SUV, I take out a wicker hamper and a thick plaid blanket. “I thought we’d hike up to the cliffs catch the sunset, go to dinner, then maybe walk down the beach. There’s a meteor shower tonight. But it starts after midnight. I’ll understand if you’re too tired, though.”

  “No. Stargazing with you sounds incredible.”

  My shoulders relax as I take her hand. We walk in comfortable silence taking in the scenery as we go. The sun’s still warm as we reach the trail leading up the cliff. The sand is packed hard mixed with rocks and dirt. Hand in hand; we help each other climb until we reach the top.

  “I’ve always loved this spot. My parents used to take me hiking here.”

  Placing our things down, my arms reach around her waist as we watch the sun lower. “Tell me about them?” My lips kiss her shoulder. She sighs leaning back into my embrace. “They’re still so in love. It’s incredible but at times incredibly sad.”

  She pauses, so I wait for her to continue.

  “My mom’s sick. She has stage three leukemia. The doctors put her chance of survival at forty percent.”

  “Callie…,” I whisper pulling her closer.

  “My dad…we rented an apartment next to the hospital at UVA, so he could be closer, now that Charlie’s school year is done. I-I had to stay behind to run things…”

  “We don’t have to talk about it.” I can tell she’s getting upset.

  “No. I want to. I want you to understand why meeting you set something off inside me. You brought laughter back in my life, ignited my inner streak of rebellion that I’ve forgotten about. In a way—you jump-started my heart.”

  I spin her around in my arms, “Callie,” I breath against her lips wishing I could kiss every pain away, “if I started yours—you stopped mine.”

  “I’m not good at this.”

  “At what, baby?” My face nuzzles her hair, smelling of lavender and sunscreen.

  “Romance.”

  “Oh yeah? Well, I’ve got that covered.”

  Wanting to take her mind off her troubles, I spread the blanket down, taking out a cold bottle of wine.

  She sits next to me, hesitating. “I don’t drink.”

  “Great.” Without missing a beat, I reach for the chilled seltzer water instead. “I’m in pre-season. I’m not drinking either.”

  “Pre-season?”

  “Yeah. I guess I should tell you…I’m not a serial killer, but I am a wanted man.”

  Sighing, my eyes search the horizon. “I came to Sea Spray to hide. I’m kind of a big deal. You don’t watch football, do you?”

  She shakes her head. “What are you, UVA’s star quarterback or something?”

  “Or something.” Taking a sip of my drink, my eyes find hers. “I’m the lead wide receiver. I’ve scored more touch towns than anyone else in the college football. I hold the record.”

  “That’s how.”

  My eyebrows rise.

  “…you caught
me that night. You were so far out in the water and then in seconds… you had me.”

  Heat curls inside my stomach, abs clenching as I remember the feel of her soft body imprinted against mine. I can’t wait to feel her under me again, but next time, hopefully well be naked. “I’ve never been faster. Training here has re-invigorated me. There are no distractions. At first, I thought it was the sea air, but it’s you. You, Callie, are doing wild things to me.”

  A blush blooms on her cheek, the same color as the rose I picked.

  “What are you hiding from Parker?”

  “It’s Gabe. My full name is Gabe Parker.” I wait for the recognition to come, but it never does. Instead, her face holds a sweet expression with soft eyes full of trust.

  “Callie.” My hand reaches for hers across the blanket. “That night we first met, and I begged you not to call the police on me… that was the same night the press chased me out of UVA. I was in the crosshairs of a cheating scandal. I’m innocent, but I can’t say all the other athletes are. It’s bad. The College is not the only ones investigating, but the NCAA and a private inquiry has been launched by the national association of state colleges.”

  “I heard something about it at the café. People were talking about a scandal at UVA that involved athletes, but I tuned most of it out. I’m glad I heard it first hand from you though.”

  My hand rubs the back of my neck. “This is one heck of a first date, huh?”

  Her lips part. “It’s real though. There’s no pretending we’re two perfect people. Living two perfect lives and trying to impress one another with how great we are.”

  “Oh, I’m great baby. Don’t doubt that,” I wink.

  “I wish we could stay up here forever. Suspended with the clouds, locked in time. All our problems on pause.”

  “Me, too.” I lay back on one elbow, my forefinger rubbing the soft inside of her wrist. “I was dating a girl named Jackie last year. She pretended to be someone she isn’t and didn’t take it well when I ended our relationship.” I pause, looking her in the eyes wondering how I ever dated Jackie as long as I did.

  “Anyway… she showed up late to my apartment one night, totally blitzed out of her mind… screaming. She was waking up my neighbors. Truthfully—I couldn’t let her leave in the state she was in. She could’ve gotten herself into trouble. We ended up driving around campus all night while she alternated between screaming, crying, and hitting me. I was so angry that I wasted almost two years with her—I told her I’d never put a ring on her finger… that I never loved her, because I didn’t.”