Shameless WIth Him: A Less Than Novel

by Ryan, Carrie Ann

  “I’m a lucky man, then,” he said and then went back to sucking on my nipples, tugging down the lace of my bra so he could get to my flesh.

  His mouth was so warm, intoxicating, and I wanted more. I pressed my breast more firmly into his face. He bit down gently, and I squeezed my legs tighter around his waist.

  “Did you like that?” he asked, laughing.

  “Yes,” I said, not able to figure out what else to say just then. I had pretty much lost the ability to speak.

  He kept tugging, licking, biting, and just when I was about to squirm, needing release, he arched his body up and rubbed against me.

  “Caleb,” I gasped.

  “Do you want me?” he asked, and I nodded.

  “I need you to say the word, Zoey. Because this changes everything. You get that? You need to say the words.”

  I met his gaze and nodded. I knew this would change everything. This was on my checklist. I knew that. And I wanted the change. I wanted this. And so, I nodded again and spoke. “Yes. Please.”

  “Okay, then, Zoey-girl.”

  He reached around and undid the clasp on my bra, and I licked my lips before he went back to kissing me and then playing with my breasts. I was ready to come, needed to, but he wouldn’t let me. Instead, he kept playing, pushing me closer to the point of ecstasy, but not over the edge.

  “Caleb, please.”

  I didn’t know what I was asking for, all I knew was that I needed it. But he kept kissing me, and then his hand slid around to my butt and pushed under my leggings, moving between my legs. I groaned as his fingers delved between my hot flesh, slick, aching.

  “So wet for me,” he growled against my lips.

  “Apparently, you do things to me.” I had almost added the phrase always. I didn’t want to show him everything, though. I couldn’t bare my soul while I bared everything else. He didn’t need to know everything yet. I just needed this. This was everything I had ever dreamed of, and it was only the beginning.

  I didn’t need to put anything more into this than what it was. But I knew I wanted this. And I wasn’t going to have any regrets. So, when he slid his fingers between my folds and inside me, I screamed, my whole body shaking. He plunged into me, hard and fast, even as his mouth was on mine, his other hand on the back of my head, keeping me steady.

  I came in an instant, clamping around his fingers as I begged for more, as I arched my body against him.

  I was still wearing my freaking pants, and he was making me come like this.

  I had no idea how the man had done it.

  I was shaking, but as he slid his fingers out of me and removed them from my pants, he put them to his mouth and sucked deep.

  “Oh my God,” I mumbled. I was sated, but still ready for more. I reached between us, wanting to touch him, and he arched up into me, a lazy smile on his face.

  “You think you’re ready for me?”

  “Feel sure of yourself, don’t you?” I asked, and then gripped him through his jeans. He groaned, and I laughed before wiggling over his hips as I planted my feet on the floor.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Zoey?”

  “Taking.”

  I didn’t know if that was the right thing to say, but as he grinned at me and helped me with his jeans, even as he pushed his Henley over his upper body, I knew I had died and gone to a special heaven.

  Because Caleb Carr was naked on my couch, his body perfection, that of a man who worked hard every day, with long lines, lean hips, muscles covering every inch of him, and a dick that was hard, thick, and currently pressing against his belly.

  I swallowed, and he smiled.

  “Like what you see?”

  “I think I’m going to like it better once it’s inside me,” I said and laughed when he widened his eyes at me.

  “Little Zoey Wager with the dirty words. I like it.”

  “Well, I do learn from the best.” I winked and then let out a yelp as he reached out and quickly shucked my leggings from my body. I stood there naked, feeling exposed in more ways than one as he looked me over, his legs straddling me as I stood in front of him.

  “You look fucking gorgeous,” he rasped.

  “You’re not too bad yourself.”

  He had his hand on his cock, leisurely sliding it from the base to the tip, one stroke, then another. I didn’t even realize my hands were between my legs, playing with my clit until I noticed that he was staring, his eyes dark, his lips wet.

  “You going to come right there just looking at me?” he asked, and I nodded.

  “I’d rather come on you.”

  “That’s the sexiest thing you could have said,” he growled. “We need to be safe, Zoey. Do you have a condom?”

  I swallowed hard and nodded. “In my room.” I dashed away before I could think better of it, needing to breathe. I went to my nightstand, ripped open the unopened box, and pulled out a condom. And then a second one, just in case.

  I turned and ran smack into Caleb’s very naked body. His dick was pressed firmly against my stomach. And I swallowed hard as I looked up.

  “Oh.”

  “Didn’t want to wait.” His mouth was on me again, and then he took the condom from my hand, and there was a ripping sound. I knew he was sliding it over his length, but I couldn’t focus with my lips on his.

  And then my face was on my bed, my ass in the air, my feet on the floor, and Caleb’s hands were on my hips.

  “This position okay to start with?”

  To start with.

  Would it be wrong to come right then?

  “Oh, yes,” I said, my voice a gasp as his cock nudged my entrance.

  “Good.” And then he rammed into me, one hard thrust that sent a shocked sound out of both of us.

  “Jesus Christ,” he groaned. “I knew you were tight from my fingers before, but…did I hurt you?”

  “Not even a little.”

  I pushed back, pulling him deeper. “Keep going, please.”

  “As the lady wishes.” He thrust into me, once, twice, and then over and over again, my body arching for him, wanting more.

  Just as I was about to come, he pulled all the way out and then flipped me onto my back. He was still standing, my legs dangling off the side of the mattress before he put my feet up onto his shoulders. And then he kept pounding, thrusting, needing.

  He was very lucky that I was flexible because my thighs were on my chest, my knees up to my shoulders, and he was leaning forward, his mouth on mine, as he kept pistoning inside of me.

  When he flicked his thumb over my clit, I came, unable to hold back.

  He thrust again, this time harder, and I could feel him come, his whole body tense as he filled the condom, his mouth firm on mine.

  I was sweaty, aching, and knew that this had been one of the best moments of my life. He slowly let my legs down and moved so we were both on the bed, trying to catch our breath. Caleb got up and took care of the condom, but I couldn’t even open my eyes to see what he was doing. Instead, I just lay there, panting, my hands lazily stroking my breasts because I couldn’t help it. Caleb had touched them, kissed them, made me feel more like a woman than I ever had before in my life.

  When he slid next to me on the bed, I opened my eyes and sucked in a gasp as he slowly traced his fingers along my brow and my cheek.

  “I don’t know why we didn’t do that sooner,” Caleb said.

  “I don’t know why, either.”

  That was the understatement of the century. At least, for me.

  “That was amazing,” he said, and I was so afraid that he was going to say that it was a mistake. That this was it. So long, goodbye. Thanks for the bang.

  “I had fun. We should do it again.”

  I said the words quickly, hoping he wouldn’t break my heart.

  Something passed over his face, and I thought he was going to actually do it. Say that it was a mistake and that it was time to go. But, instead, he leaned down and kissed me.

  “
I wouldn’t mind. I like being with you. We can see where this goes. Are you okay with that? No promises. We’ll just see.”

  I nodded, then kissed him again, my heart exploding and breaking all at the same time. Because I wanted this, this is what I needed. This could have been part of the plan. I just didn’t want it to be the only thing we did.

  But he didn’t say it was just sex, didn’t say that this was the last time.

  And as he pulled me closer and held me, I thought maybe this could work. Perhaps I hadn’t moved too fast.

  But even as he held me, I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly he had been thinking when his eyes changed. What secrets did he keep?

  Because Caleb Carr was full of them, always had been. But I couldn’t help but fall to sleep in his arms, wondering what would happen when I woke up. And trying to figure out if this had all been one of my dreams.

  Chapter 10

  Caleb

  A slight tingle at my temple began to pulsate behind my eye, and I cursed under my breath.

  Seriously? Again?

  I needed to find different meds or do something, but we were waiting on results, and that meant no Botox shots or anything else that might help anyone who got migraines with the severity and frequency I did.

  Thankfully, the pain ebbed after a minute of breathing through my nose, my eyes closed tightly to avoid the light.

  I let out a deep breath and then opened my eyes so I could get back to work.

  I’d spent the morning down at the job site, making sure that things were running smoothly. We had a few new guys who had joined the team, and they were pretty good. They listened well and had experience. I just hoped to hell that they stayed for longer than the last guys had. However, since we didn’t have our old boss, I didn’t think that was going to be a problem.

  “Hey there,” a voice said from the doorway. I turned to look at Devin. My brother stood there, leaning against the frame, grinning.

  “What is that grin for? And why the hell are you here?” I asked, pushing away from my desk. I stood up and stretched my back and rolled my shoulders. I wasn’t good at sitting behind a desk for long, but I was getting used to it. At least, marginally.

  “I was on my way back from PT and thought I’d come and see what you were doing.”

  I scowled as I looked down at his leg, and my brother just shook his head. Devin had been hit by a car a few months ago. He was doing just fine now, but he still needed regular PT sessions since his job required him to be on his feet often.

  It made me sick just thinking about how Devin had looked when I saw him in the hospital after he’d been taken in, but I didn’t want to think about that.

  It reminded me of the time that Dimitri had been hurt, and I really hated that my brothers kept getting taken to the hospital. Just like me.

  “Things going okay with that?” I asked, doing my best to sound casual.

  Apparently, I hadn’t succeeded because Devin just smiled. He had that look in his eyes that said that he understood, but I really didn’t want any pity from him. And I knew he didn’t want pity from me.

  “I’m good. Anyway, I finished PT and figured I’d stop by. Did you want to get some lunch or something?” Devin asked, and I rolled my shoulders back, thinking.

  “I picked something up on the way back from the site.” I winced. “Sorry. Wish I would’ve known. I would’ve waited.”

  Devin shook his head. “No, I’m the one who came to visit you out of nowhere. No worries. You want to come over tonight, though? I’ll see if Dimitri and Tucker can come.”

  “You’re really going to let Tucker come over after he defiled our baby sister?” I asked, laughing.

  Devin flipped me off discreetly, and I was thankful that he did. That way, no one could see if they happened to pass by the door. “Tucker is my best friend. Don’t say things like that, though. Remember, she’s a virgin. Pure and innocent.”

  “Considering that I said that phrase before to Zoey, I’m going to agree with you there.”

  Devin looked behind him and then slid into the office completely, shutting the door behind him.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “What’s going on between you and Zoey?” Devin asked, grinning.

  “Okay, not going there.” Devin’s eyes widened. “And, sure, I’ll come over tonight. Erin not going to be there?”

  “No, she has a big wedding to prep for, and then she’s staying the night at her sister’s house so they can have some sister bonding time. Her sister’s pregnant.”

  “No shit. Pregnant?”

  “It seems like everybody’s getting knocked up these days.”

  I paused, my eyes wide. “Wait, is Erin?”

  “No, she’s not.” Devin laughed. “Though we’re thinking about it soon after the wedding.”

  “No shit.”

  “No shit.”

  “Strange, isn’t it?”

  “That somehow Dimitri’s married, Amelia and I are each getting married, and Dimitri’s having a baby? Well, Thea is anyway. When did we all become adults? And I noticed you neatly dodged the question.”

  “I didn’t dodge anything, I’m just refusing to answer. That’s not a dodge.”

  “I think that’s the definition of a dodge.”

  “No, a dodge would be if I didn’t acknowledge the question at all. I acknowledge that it exists, I’m just not giving you an answer.”

  “So, something is happening between the two of you?”

  “Still not going to answer.” I didn’t want to. Because I didn’t know what was going on between the two of us. Yes, we’d slept together. Yes, I wanted her. But I didn’t know where it was going, and I didn’t want to fuck things up. Plus, I kind of liked it just being the two of us. Even though it would never be only the two of us when it came to our family and friends.

  “You sure that’s a good idea?” Devin asked, and I frowned.

  “What about the fact that I’m not actually telling you anything don’t you get?”

  “I just...I don’t want either of you hurt.”

  Anger slid up my spine, and I narrowed my eyes. “You saying I’m going to hurt her?”

  “No. Jesus Christ, no. You wouldn’t do it intentionally. But you do have a track record with women.”

  “Have I ever been an asshole to any of them? Left them wanting something more than I told them I’d give them?”

  “No, you’re really upfront about it. But the fact that we’re even talking about this means that you’ve done something with Zoey. Are you guys dating? Talking?”

  “Really not any of your fucking business, Devin.”

  My brother held up his hands. “I know it’s not. Not technically. Hell, I like you together. I actually think you guys are a good match. I just don’t want either of you to get hurt, like I said before. And not only her. I don’t want you to get hurt either. You’re going through a lot right now. I don’t want it to get worse.”

  I let out a sigh and rubbed my hands over my face. “I’m fine. We’re going to figure out what’s wrong with me.” If my doctor ever got back to me, that was. I didn’t mention that, though. “We’ll figure out what meds I need, and along the way, I don’t know… I have no idea what’s going on with me and Zoey. We’re not at that point yet.”

  We’d slept together, but we hadn’t really talked about anything more than just seeing what happened. I was usually better about planning my expectations, as well as my dates. Still, with Zoey, it was a little bit harder.

  And I didn’t really want to dwell on the why of that.

  I brought myself back to the present conversation. “I just don’t understand how you actually think that Zoey and I are up to anything.”

  “I saw you at the baby shower. We all did.”

  I cursed under my breath. “Great.”

  “You never would’ve been able to hide it from us. And I hope to hell that you don’t really want to. She deserves better than that. You deserve more than that.”
/>
  Jesus. “I’m figuring it out. Somehow. I’ll see you tonight for dinner, okay? Need me to bring anything?”

  “I’m ordering wings, and I’ll have drinks and everything. If you want dessert, though, you can pick some up.”

  “Aren’t you married to a baker and a cake decorator?”

  “I’m engaged to one, yes. But she’s busy, like I said, and if I asked her for dessert when she’s this busy, I’d get my hand slapped.”

  “Really? Ball and chain so quickly?” I winked as I said it, so he knew I was joking.

  “First, fuck you. Second, fuck you more. Third, she’s just really stressed right now, and I don’t want to bug her. She’d do it in an instant, and because of that, I’m not going to annoy her.”

  “She’s good for you.”

  “I think so, too.” A far-away smile slid over my brother’s face, and I wondered if I’d ever find that. If I ever needed it. Or wanted it. “I hope I’m good for her, too. You know?”

  “I think so. However, I think it’s her opinion that you’re going to need. Not mine.”

  “That is true. Okay, I’m off. I’ll see you tonight. And I’m sorry I pissed you off.”

  “You didn’t piss me off,” I said, hoping that what I said was honest. “I just have a lot on my mind right now.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Devin headed out, and I stood there for a second, staring at the open doorway, wondering what the hell I was doing.

  I needed to do better with this. Be better at what I was thinking, figuring out what needed to happen. Only I didn’t know what I wanted with Zoey. And I was usually the one who knew. I wanted fun, happiness, and respect. Sure, sex was good, but I didn’t want to feel like I was using someone along the way.

  And I didn’t want to use Zoey at all. She meant more to me than I cared to admit, and she had always been my friend. There was a connection there, and I didn’t want to ruin that.

  So, I told myself I wouldn’t.

  I promised.

  Later, armed with an assortment of cookies that I had picked up from a nearby bakery, I was on my way to my brother’s house.

  I didn’t know what I was supposed to think about Zoey. I hadn’t texted her at all today, hadn’t even talked with her since we slept together. Sure, it had been less than forty-eight hours ago, but I was an asshole.