by J. S. Scott
Callie's favorite song.
He pushed the accelerator. Ethan's home was a twenty five minute drive. Maybe he could make it in fifteen.
******
Callie had arrived at Brianna and Ethan's sprawling ranch home over an hour ago. She had brought some side dishes with her and some she was currently rushing around Bri's kitchen preparing.
She had made the banana cream pies in advance and they were currently chilling in the fridge.
Rory's favorite.
Shit! Could she stop thinking about Rory? He was not for her. He was too handsome, too compelling...too everything. He had no interest in her...but she liked him. And she knew he liked her. They could talk. He had no sexual interest in her, but there was...something. Some kind of connection. They hadn't really seen each other all that much, but when they did they were able to talk like old friends. He gave her his undivided attention. He seemed to hang on her every word.
But the sexual attraction was missing. On his side anyway. Personally, she would like to jump his bones and have him a million different ways. Unfortunately, the feeling wasn't mutual. She didn't feel that desire on his side, and he seemed oblivious to hers.
As she finished off her special chef's salad she sighed. The man didn't have any vanity and she couldn't figure that out. He could act cocky at times, but it was a facade. She felt the insecurity hiding deep within the man.
Brianna came breezing into the kitchen looking breathless. Ethan had caught her again. She had that glassy eyed, swollen lips look of a woman that had just been kissed senseless. She and Ethan couldn't seem to keep their hands off of each other.
"How's it coming?" Brianna asked brightly. Too brightly.
"Fine, Bri. Ethan catch you again?" Callie laughed lightly as she watched Bri's face flush.
"He's wicked sometimes. But I have to admit I don't try very hard to get away." Bri winked at her and opened the refrigerator, taking out a pitcher of margaritas. She pulled three glasses from the freezer. "I think it's cocktail time."
"Can I ask you something, Bri," Callie questioned hesitantly.
"Ask away," Bri answered as she filled the glasses with frozen margaritas.
"I was wondering...is Rory gay?"
Bri was just starting to take a sip of her drink and nearly choked on it. "Rory? Oh God, no. Why do you ask?"
Callie picked up her drink and took a swallow, savoring the fruity taste. "Nothing. I just wondered."
Scratch that thought. He's perfectly straight and just not interested.
"Callie, are you interested in Rory?" Bri cocked her head and gave her a curious look.
"No, no. Not at all. I was just curious. I mean...I like him. He's really nice. But I know there's no interest there for him," she answered. She tried to hide her blushing cheeks from Bri.
Bri studied Callie for a moment before replying carefully. "Listen hon...things are complicated with Rory. With all of the brothers. It isn't you."
"You don't have to make excuses, Bri. This is me. Your BFF. You don't have to sugar coat the excuses. I'm used to men not being interested," Callie answered, her arms crossing in front of her.
Bri grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "You're a beautiful woman, Callie. Inside and out. I wish you would realize that. Any man would be lucky to have you." Bri looked her straight in the eye before adding, "I repeat...it is not you."
"It's nothing, Bri. Don't worry about it. It was just curiosity." Callie broke away from Bri as she spoke, turning back to her vegetables on the stove.
"He does like you, Callie. He asks about you all of the time. It isn't lack of interest...it's just..." Bri paused as if looking for the right words. "Shit, Callie. It's really complicated," Bri finished sounding exasperated and frustrated.
Callie was relieved when the conversation was interrupted by a booming voice. "Did you make my pies?"
Rory. She turned from the stove to watch him enter the kitchen. Oh Lord, he looked good enough to eat for dinner. She'd gladly give up the food if she could have a piece of him. She answered lightly. "Of course. I got your message from Bri."
He smiled brightly, making her heart flip flop. He grabbed a frozen glass from the freezer and helped himself to the drinks. "How are you, Callie?, he asked with genuine interest as Bri went forward and hugged him hard and without hesitation. Bri gave him a loud smack on the cheek.
"Good. Except I spent the morning in the kitchen making your banana cream pies from scratch. It's supposed to be my day off," she teased him lightly.
He shrugged and raised his brow, pinning her with his eyes. "It's your fault. You brought them last time and now I'm going through withdrawals."
Bri released Rory and gave him the once over. "You look nice tonight, Rory."
Rory blew off the comment by replying. "Not as nice as you two."
Bri did look stunning in her red capri pants and a bright red and blue patterned spaghetti strap top. She had on a pair of strappy sandals that showcased her slim calves.
Callie had tried hard. She had on a yellow sundress with capped sleeves and a pair of white sandals, however, most of her was currently covered by a full apron that she wore while she was cooking. Her long, thick hair was pulled back with a yellow hair tie that left the mass of dark brown curls trailing down her neck. She quickly took the apron off. She was almost done and it looked horrible with her yellow sundress. Callie put it gently on the kitchen chair, trying not to be obvious that she wanted to look better.
"Charmer!" Bri picked up her drink and grabbed up the extra one in her other hand. "I guess I should go give my husband his drink. He's is slaving over the barbecue. Are you coming out to see Ethan," Bri asked Rory as she made her way across the kitchen.
"I'll be out in a few minutes, Bri."
"Okay. Take your time. We'll be on the patio." Bri's voice trailed off as she exited the kitchen.
Rory picked up his drink again and came to lean against the counter that was only a few feet from Callie. "Do you need any help?"
Oh God. She could smell him. He smelled so...male. She wasn't sure what scent he used, but it drove her crazy. She tried to keep her distance as much as possible. "Nope, everything is under control. If Ethan doesn't burn the steaks, everything will be perfect."
"Everything will be perfect regardless. You're here. I've really missed talking to you." His voice was casual but genuine.
Damn it. I hate it when he says things like that.
Flustered, Callie dropped the spoon into the pan of sauce and went to retrieve it without thinking. She hissed as the hot sauce burned her hand. She quickly pulled the sauce off of the heat and went around Rory to get to the sink. She turned on the cold water and let it run over her fingers. It burned, but she was used to worse. It was a just a tiny minor burn to her two fingers.
"Callie, are you okay. Did you burn yourself?" Rory's voice was full of concern.
"I'm fine. It was a stupid thing to do. It's just a tiny burn. It happens a lot in my profession." She left the water running over her fingers, the burn already easing.
Rory came to the sink, his eyes full of concern as she looked up at him.
And then it happened.
He reached out his hand to bring her hand out of the water to look at it, lifting her it out of the water gently...and all hell broke loose.
Chapter 3
Rory never knew what hit him. One moment he was reaching for Callie's hand and the next thing he knew his whole body was on fire.
Mine!
His mating mark burned as he held Callie's small hand in his larger one. He looked at her and saw his destiny. His mate. His woman. His body burned and his cock was rock hard, ready to claim her...now!
She was so beautiful. So...his.
He pulled her into his arms and brought her warm, feminine body into his. He claimed her mouth, swooping down, needing to brand her, needing to possess her.
Her mouth was warm and opened under his persistent embrace. His primitive instincts rejoiced in her
surrender. He put his hand behind her head and pulled her mouth tighter against his. He captured her tongue and started a slide in and out of her mouth as he wanted to do with his cock.
He didn't know how long he kissed her. He kept moving positions, conquering her mouth from every angle. His hands moved possessively over her body, grasping her rear and pulling it hard against his hot, throbbing member.
I need to be inside of her. I need to have her. She's mine. I need to make her moan with pleasure. I need her to want me.
His thoughts were fractured, his actions instinctive. He pulled up her light sundress, needing to feel her moist center. She felt so perfect, so warm, so female.
His hands slid over her panties, cupping her ass. He lifted her and sat her on the kitchen table, his mouth never stopping his relentless assault.
Callie was moaning into his mouth, her arms wrapped around his neck. He demanded and she responded.
Rory could sense her desire, her need. He needed to satiate her.
His need. Her need. They both pounded into him hard. He ran one of his hands along her thighs, stroking her soft skin. His other hand went to her generous, perfect breasts. He needed to feel her soft skin. He grabbed the neck of the dress and pulled. The buttons gave way and the dress opened down the front. He didn't bother to look for a clasp for her bra. It wasn't that tight so he yanked it up to free her breasts.
His hand roamed over both breasts, touching every inch of the soft flesh. His fingers pinched and caressed her nipples.
His other hand slid to her hot core, delving under panties.
She's hot and wet. Ready to be taken.
He pulled his mouth from hers. "Open," he demanded, needing to touch her. She responded by spreading her legs. His fingers immediately dipped into her soft, dewey center.
He laid her back on the table and brought his mouth to her breasts.
"Rory." She moaned his name with passion and it sent him into a frenzy. He needed to satisfy her needs. He wanted to watch her climax. For him. Only for him.
He yanked her panties down her legs and they fell to her ankles. He lifted her dress to her waist, baring her to his gaze. He spread her legs open and buried his fingers into her slick, wet heat. He continued to lave and nip her breasts as his fingers worked her cunt. He slipped two fingers into her needy channel, filling her. He used his other hand to roughly slide along her clit.
He knew he was sweating. The droplets were pouring from his face and dropping onto her breasts. He didn't care. All he wanted was to watch her cum.
She was groaning, her head thrashing back and forth.
He panted as one hand worked her channel, the other working her clit. She was so slick that his fingers glided easily and he picked up the pace, her need becoming his. His fingers were coordinated, slamming into her aching opening and working her sensitive bud in sync.
She was going to cum. He lifted his mouth from her breasts as he watched her.
Christ...she was beautiful. Some of her hair had worked itself free and silky strands tangled around her face. She was biting her lip, her eyes closed. She was laid out on the table, open for him to give her pleasure. She looked like the finest feast he had ever seen.
He felt her climax start. It pulsed over his fingers, clenching the two in her channel hard. She arched her back as she murmured his name over and over.
He was tempted to cover her and fuck her just like this, but he was mesmerized in watching and feeling her find her release.
He didn't stop his persistent fingers from their assault and she continued to climax, helpless to stop it.
As he felt the contractions subside he pulled her up and into his arms. Her arms clasp around him like a vice. She panted, "Rory, Oh God. That's never happened before. Not like that."
He held her tightly, fighting with his instincts.
Mine!
He continued to hold her trembling body. He could feel her hot breath against his neck as she recovered.
He fought his instincts to take her. He needed her. He wanted her soft and warm beneath him. He wanted that channel accepting his hard cock. This woman was his. His mate.
"Rory, what the hell happened?," she asked him softly, her voice shakey as she pulled away from him.
He knew his eyes were burning with desire and longing. He let her see it, become aware of it. When she pulled away he nearly growled.
She slid off of the table and pulled her panties back up. She smoothed down her dress. She pulled her bra down, frowning at the ripped buttons of her dress. She held the top together with one hand.
She was afraid. Rory could feel it, sense it and he could see the fear in her eyes.
Her eyes raked over him. He knew he looked wild. He struggled for control, barely able to keep from reaching for again and taking her.
But he didn't like seeing her afraid.
Don't be scared. Please don't be scared. He reached for her with his mind. He knew she could hear him. They had already touched. The mental intimacy would be there.
She didn't answer. Her hands shook as her eyes landed on his mating mark. As soon as he had touched her the mark had been revealed. His magic could no longer cover it.
She stared at it, terror in her eyes.
She took one last look at him and fled, grabbing her purse and her keys and started running for the door.
"No! Callie!," his voice was loud and desperate.
She was running from him. He couldn't ever let her get away.
He sprinted after her. He nearly caught her at the door. He would have caught her...if he hadn't been restrained by three sets of strong hands holding him back.
Nathan, Liam and Ethan tugged at him. He snarled at them, but they held him fast. He struggled to get away. He needed to get to Callie. She couldn't go.
Callie was already out the door like her ass was on fire, leaving the door wide open. She ran to her car, never looking back.
Rory struggled to get out of his sibling's hold as he watched her drive away.
"Callie. Come back." His voice was anguished and he almost broke away from the restraining hands, so desperate was his need for her.
He dropped to his knees but his brothers retained their hold. Everything inside of him needed to find her. Needed to possess her.
His brothers dragged him to the couch bodily, dropping him, but never releasing their hold.
"Rory," Ethan barked sharply. "You can't chase the woman down like a hound after a rabbit. What the hell happened?"
He sat on the couch, his breath still coming hard and fast. "Mine. My mate."
"Oh, shit. Callie?" Ethan frowned as he loosened his hold and looked up at Bri who had just entered the room with a concerned look on her face.
Rory knew that Bri and Ethan were conversing silently...but he didn't care.
"Calm down, Rory. We need to talk about this. If you flee...I'll catch you," Nathan threatened.
Rory knew Nathan could and he would. He was two hundred years older and more powerful. Rory took some deep breaths, feeling his brothers release their hold. He still wanted to go after Callie, but he was regaining some common sense. Ethan was right. She was already scared. He couldn't go after her like a maniac stalker.
"Ethan, you found your mate." Liam spoke, his voice full of joy and awe.
As he calmed down, Rory was rather in awe himself. Callie was his mate.
Brianna came to sit beside him on the couch, nudging her husband out of her way. Ethan moved so that Brianna could sit between them. The other two brothers flopped into two of the living room chairs.
"Callie looked upset. What happened, Rory?" Brianna's soft voice calmed him. She brushed back a stray lock of his hair.
He had lost control and attacked her best friend. He could hardly tell her that and he felt ashamed. Not only was Callie his mate but he respected her. He answered cautiously, "She burned herself. I took her hand to look at it and I...lost it." His voice was hoarse. "I've never touched her before. I didn't realize."
Brianna sighed. "She'll understand, Rory...eventually. But Callie lives in the real world. It won't be easy for her to accept that there is another world apart from the one she lives in. She's had a hard life."
"What do you mean?" Rory was curious now. He pushed his mating instincts down, interested in knowing everything about Callie.
Brianna looked hesitant. After a moment she replied, "It really isn't my place to tell you much about Callie. But there are a few things you should know. She'll have to tell you the details herself once she trusts you. Her childhood and teen years were tough. She was abandoned as a baby. She never knew her parents. She was transferred from foster home to foster home. She wants security. She needs security."