She placed her small wallet next to his keys and listened to the thump in her chest. "Okay, thanks."
He walked away and she watched his backside and strong shoulders as she told herself to relax. Everything was fine, and this time it wasn’t a lie.
A few seconds later, while in the kitchen, he held up the wine and a beer bottle. She pointed toward the wine and then she heard him clink glasses and pour.
‘Be brave’ she told herself and slipped her shoes off, leaving them near the door. With her head up, she walked on the cold marble floors toward the couch. He joined her though he stared at her feet for a moment and then handed her the white wine. As she wrapped her fingers around the stem of the glass, he asked, "Why did you take Chris back?"
She clutched the stem harder as she looked at his chest. "Can't leave the question alone?"
"No."
"Fair enough." She glanced higher and met his piercing blue eyes. Then she scooted one foot higher and placed it under her as she said, "My parents."
His eyebrows narrowed. "I don't understand."
She lifted her other leg onto the couch and hugged it as she squeezed her body together. "My parents loved each other and loved my brother and me."
He reached out and stroked her shoulders. She relaxed them as he said, "Calliope, your parents died your senior year of high school."
The pendant around her neck felt like it glowed from a memory as she nodded. "I know."
"So how do they relate to Chris?"
She lowered her leg. "He was with me when I found out. He's been all I had."
"Calliope, your parents would want you to have someone who treated you better."
Her brother had repeatedly said the same thing. Her head spun. "I don't know."
Then he reached out and touched her neck as he picked up her necklace. "The pendant you wear. My sister has one just like it from our mother."
Michael understood then. Chris had demanded she not wear it anymore last year. She nodded. "This was my mother's."
"Look, I don't know what it's like to have two parents who loved so freely, but I know you should be treated better than Chris treated you."
As he let her necklace go, she reached out for his hand as she said, "Michael, I'm sorry."
He blinked. "For what?"
"For believing for even a second that Eva's baby was yours."
His cheeks turned slightly red as he let out a small laugh. "It's fine. I'm used to no one believing in me."
This was it. Nothing stood between them now. He could be her happily-ever-after. "I believe in you. Now kiss me."
As his lips met hers, the troubles of the day melted away. His kiss, like the rest of him, was perfect.
Chapter 12
Michael's hands traced Calliope's neck, breasts and stomach as he kissed her. Her body burned and her gold dress felt heavy and in the way. Inside, the embers of a fire began as he touched her and all she wanted to do was give herself.
He stood and offered his hand. Without any other thought, she followed him into his bedroom.
The walls were stark white with little decoration though the black and white photography that hung was likely a decorator's vision of the closed off Michael that he presented to the world.
As they neared the bed, his lips met hers again and it felt like her temperature shot through the roof. Nothing else mattered as his hands unzipped her dress and he trailed his lips down her neck. The powerful kiss sent shockwaves through her while he lowered his goal to the tip of her breasts and his hand played with her hem.
Fireworks exploded as she let him taste every inch of her.
Slowly he freed her nipples from the restraints of her clothes and suckled one while he massaged the other.
Wow. Excitement built inside her.
He kissed her lips again while he explored and continued to tease her, everywhere. Her body felt weak and she reached out to hold him as she lowered herself on the bed. Something needed to keep her steady.
He held her close and deepened the kiss as he unzipped the dress fully and traced her spine.
The sensation made her weak and needier.
As she let out a soft sigh, he sucked on her nipples as she wiggled and was lost in a haze of desire.
This time, while he kissed her again, she wiggled her dress lower. She helped and when she kissed him, threw her dress onto the floor; it was in the way. The same with her underwear.
Now she was naked, and reached for the buttons of his shirt and top of the pants. She climbed on top of him to remove all his clothes and grinded on his hard manhood.
Once she had his clothes undone, he slowed her down and continued his passionate attention to her breasts.
A moan escaped her lips and he broke contact to remove the vestiges of his clothes. She felt needy and ached for him. Finally he returned to their intimate embrace, and he laid her down on her back while his kisses continued, all over. First to her stomach and she sucked in her breathe while he went even further down. As he kissed the juncture of her thighs, she moaned out, "Michael."
She heard a purr from him, but then he gently tugged apart the front folds of her nether-regions and tasted her essence.
Everything he did sent a wave of pleasure through her. She lost the ability to think. He was amazing and she needed to do something more to ensure he enjoyed every second as well. She reached out and massaged his arousal.
Somehow she had to give him as much pleasure as she could. To offer She reached down to kiss the tip of his erection, but he shook his head and gently directed her to lie down. Next time.
This time she obeyed and followed his lead. She traced his muscular body and opened her legs to keep him close as his massive penis pushed into her.
The rhythm he found so fast sent her off the charts. All she could do was moan. "Michael. Yes."
Her pleas caused him to grin and show off his dimples. Then while keeping the steady pace of their union, the palms of his hands stroked her alerted and needy skin until he flicked her nipples.
The sensation caused her to moan louder. No other thoughts would form as he pumped faster. Clouds formed in her head and she clutched his hands to hold him and herself in the here and now. Every part of her wanted to explode.
They both needed this release at the same time. She had to offer him something that sent him into orbit as well with her, now. So she changed their positions and she climbed on top.
He didn't object and stared at her like she was some angel. The light in his eyes inspired her. She found a pace that matched his as she bounced and then leaned down to kiss him passionately.
Finally he let out a groan and she knew that he enjoyed this. She swallowed and increased her speed as she rode his shaft and trailed her fingers over his hard body.
He let out a grunt. Good. He grabbed her hips and pumped faster. She met his speed as she lost control of herself.
All she had were sensations and moans.
Somehow he had the fortitude as he leaned up and took her nipple in his lips again. It was the last thing she could remember as her body went out of control, a funnel of need and want.
He turned them again as he laid her on her back and continued his fast rate.
All she could do was respond and take more of him in. Her entire body moved to his rhythm.
She moaned as he possessed her body, again and again.
Michael had brought her to heaven itself. She felt herself leave her body.
Chapter 13
Sunlight beamed through the window. Calliope's body had muscles that ached in places she hadn't felt in years, if not ever before. Chris had been her only until Michael, and the sweet aches made her wish for more of Michael she’d already had as she sat up in bed. The imprint in the bed where Michael had slept felt cold as she traced his spot, but the blue ocean outside his window was clear and bright. She sighed as she hugged the sheets closer to her face.
Then the door opened and she turned her attention toward it and waited for Mi
chael. He widened the opening and she saw how he leaned against the frame in white soft cotton night pants. A yearning for more grew again as he simply said, "Did you sleep well?"
A little talk might be good though part of her screamed to help him remove his clothes and have another go. Right now she wanted more from him and so she pretended to yawn. "What time is it?"
"Eleven o'clock."
She tugged the sheet tighter as her eyes widened. "No wonder it's so bright. I never sleep this late."
He came to the bed and sat on the edge. Then he winked. "I had you up late last night."
"True." Her entire body still felt like she was in the clouds, but then the air around her grew with a familiar scent that wasn't pine trees and home. She sniffed to be sure as she asked, "Is that coffee?"
He nodded like he’d earned a Christmas present as he held out his hand. "Yes, I bought it from the shop where I used to see you a lot in high school, but you only get it if you go to the kitchen table."
“My brother or Chris always ended up dragging me out of that place, where we used to talk.” She took his hand to help her stand. The moment she was naked, his gaze traveled over her chest and he nodded with appreciation. "Give me a minute."
Then he walked away and opened his walk in closet.
"My t-shirts are in the top drawer." He pointed to a dresser in the closet he opened. "Gym clothes are on the top shelf here."
She trailed behind him and the moment she was set to pass him, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for another kiss. Her pores felt like she melted from his touch. It felt like she was made for him. Then he let her go and all she longed for was to stay in his embrace. As he walked away, he said, "Hurry."
She grabbed his college University of Florida jersey and threw it over head. Then she went into his bathroom and saw a new toothbrush still in the pack on the vanity. She unwrapped it as she cleaned herself up. The sooner she finished, the sooner she saw him again.
As she walked out in his jersey, she was drawn into the kitchen as the smell of coffee pulled her closer. He sat at a table that overlooked the Atlantic ocean and took a sip of the delicious coffee in a white porcelain cup. The logo on the coffee container brought back memories of how she spent hours everyday laughing with Michael. Her crush on him should have been obvious to her, even then. No wonder Chris always complained. Her own blindness to what she wanted seemed so silly now.
Ocean waves rolled in the distance and brought her back to the here and now. The white and granite table and white dishes let the natural beauty of the ocean shine unencumbered. As Michael joined her from the kitchen, she tilted her head. "Michael, you cooked?"
A laugh escaped his lips. "Yeah, no. I ordered brunch and had it delivered from the coffee shop.”
Not any shop, the coffee shop where they first became close. She licked her lips and helped herself to a piece of toast that she began to butter. "So I had heard a ringing."
"Guilty." His face wasn't even remotely red.
Then she peered closer at him until he returned her gaze. Good. She put her food down and adjusted her seat. "So about last night..."
He put his food down and took her hand in his. "Yeah?"
She let his hand go and ran her fingers up his chest and then turned his face to get a better look. No bruise was there. "I just wanted to know how your face was. I meant to check, but then we... umm... made love."
"Sex, sweetheart. It was good sex."
No. She dropped her hands and her shoulders slumped. "Michael, if we love each other then it was more than sex."
He sat backwards in his chair. "I shouldn't have said that to you."
Last night he’d seemed so genuine. She swallowed. "So you don't love me?"
He lowered his head and reached for her hands as he choked on his words at first. "I do. I love you and I want you. But I don't want you to ever regret, and I took advantage when you were vulnerable."
She looked up and tried to understand him. She squeezed his hand and waited for him to meet her gaze. "What?"
"You were engaged."
She scooted closer. Michael had to understand. She swallowed and then said, "To the wrong man. Michael, I knew I should have said no to Chris. I hesitated and wished that I hadn't said yes. I was so afraid of being alone that I almost let you go because I was still afraid and not trusting myself."
His eyes widened, but she continued. He had to know everything. "But to be happy, I have to try to be different and put myself out there. Being with you showed me what going past my fears could be and I’m so upset I settled. It was the stupidest thing I ever did. When I said, I love you, it wasn't empty words. I was admitting something I absolutely feel and wanted to say out loud. I trust you with my heart and soul."
He kissed her forehead. His tender lips made her heart beat in a steady and sure manner. All he had to do was trust. She waited.
Then he let go of her hand, his entire attention focused on her as she traced her face and brushed her hair out of her eyes. "With you, I get everything I ever wanted, but I'm more scared to disappoint you than anything else in my entire life."
All she could understand was his gaze and his muscular hand that soothed her. She parted her lips. "Why would you disappoint me?"
"I've disappointed everyone in my life."
This wasn't about her. She'd almost chosen the wrong guy, but he’d never had a choice when it came to his father. She had to choose her words carefully, so she thought about her tactic and lowered her lashes. "How about your sister, Sandy? She clearly loves you and is not disappointed in you."
"I've been trying to protect her from my worst side."
Good. He had no story there. She dared to look at him again. "What worst side? You don't have one."
"That's not true."
Now she had to ask. She pressed her lips together for a moment and stared into his blue eyes. "You don't believe in yourself. Did you father call you a disappointment?"
"Every day."
Jerk. She kept that opinion to herself as she squeezed his hand. "Your father stole from people. He left you with a tarnished last name and he did that all to himself. Did you ever help him?"
"Absolutely not."
Good. Then he had a chance if he’d let himself be happy. She squinted to block the sun as she asked, "Why not? I mean, he was your father."
"Because I hated him, especially how he treated my mother."
Finally he understood. She nodded. "So don't let him haunt you."
His face went white, like he saw a ghost. Then he stood suddenly and his chair scraped against the floor. "Calliope, I have to go to a meeting. I'll take you home, but I'd like to have dinner with you."
Time to let what she said sink in. She had to trust him. He loved her and she loved him. She stood but took her toast with her as she said, "Sounds great, but I'll get myself home on one condition."
He froze like he was about to be in a lineup. "What?"
She quickly swallowed her toast and then licked her lips. Once she was sure no crumbs were on her face, she said, "That you kiss me, a lot of times before we go and when you come and get me."
"Deal." He kissed her.
Tonight, when he accepted the truth, then they had a shot at happily-ever-after. She could wait that long. Maybe.
Chapter 14
At home, Calliope plugged in her cell phone, when she glanced at the clock. Noon. There was something she was supposed to do this afternoon.
She unzipped her dress from the previous night and made her way into the bedroom. Once there, she saw the bank statements she had placed on her desk. She threw her dress in the hamper to drop it off at the dry cleaners later. As she continued on her path toward the shower, she stopped and realized.
Today was the vote for Michael's company. Her phone rang, interrupting her thought before she could start worrying. She glanced at her brother’s number and then answered it. "Brandon, hey."
"You need to get to this board meeting for Mor
gan Enterprises today."
She hugged her stomach and stared out the window. Her bay view was nothing compared to Michael's oceanfront. She swayed and shook her head. "I promised I wouldn't go."
"Chris wants to sabotage Michael's deal because you slept with him for revenge."
"That's not true." She dropped her arms and stood straight.
"He just told me on my way up. Get here. Fast."
"On my way." Her heart raced. She had to help him. Then she raced through her house to dress and called a car to pick her up.
As she pulled up to Morgan Enterprises, which wasn't that far from her home, she stood and ensured her business skirt had no wrinkles in it as she adjusted her sunglasses. Today she took money seriously and it was time she exercised her seat on the board. She rolled her shoulders and made her way inside the front door.
As she flung open the door to the professional building, she blinked as she took off her glasses. Where in the world did she go for this? She turned and walked toward the front desk. The receptionist referred her to the forty-second floor. Her feet clamored as her heels met the marble, and she swore she smelled Chris' aftershave. Her stomach flipped. He wasn't close though. She went to the elevator and made her way to the offices. On the floor, she stopped at the receptionist and said, "I'm here for the board meeting. I'm Calliope Campbell."
The woman pushed her glasses off her face and stood to show her where to go. The posh building that overlooked downtown Miami smelled modern and new. The walls and furniture was spotless though she knew this bank offices existed here for years. As she turned the corner, the receptionist pointed toward doors that must lead to a conference room as they both walked. "How strange? Both you and your brother decided to come today."
The woman opened the door as Calliope asked, "Brandon's here?"
Then she pointed toward the double doors that led to a conference room. A few people milled around outside it. The girl nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sure Mr. Morgan will be pleased his board of directors came today.”
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Sin (The Marshall Family Saga Book 3) Page 7