Mika slapped her hand over her mouth to try and contain the peals of laughter but it didn’t quite come off. He watched as her mirth turned to pure glee, tears leaking from her eyes and sliding down her cheeks.
“I can just see it too. My big strong alpha male sitting on the couch with a pint of ice cream watching Bridget Jones’ Diary. That is too funny.”
She was finding this far more amusing than he did but he loved watching her truly let go of her inhibitions and relish life in this way. In the past few weeks she had a glow…a zest…that was simply mesmerizing.
He loved her. Again.
Maybe he always had and he’d simply tucked it away for a while.
This was the woman he wanted to spend eternity with. He could only hope she felt the same.
That she felt something for him. As long as she still had feelings there was hope.
It felt like a vise was wrapped around his chest as he stared down at her flushed face and shiny, parted lips. She was so goddamn beautiful and he was one lucky son of a bitch.
Hopefully.
“I’m your alpha male, huh? Very possessive, honey.”
He leaned over and tickled her ribs with his fingers, sending her into more gales of laughter, her face turning bright red.
“Don’t do that. You know I’m ticklish.”
Mika slapped ineffectually – and half-heartedly – at his hands as she writhed on the couch, the sound of her giggles more wonderful than any love song or symphony. Eventually she slipped off the cushions and he followed her to the floor, his weight pressing her into the rug.
He dragged his lips across hers again and again until their breath was ragged and Mika’s fingers were dug into his shoulders. Kissing a trail down her body, he paused at the sensitive spot where neck met shoulder and gave the creamy skin a nip before soothing it with his tongue.
His hands rested on her hips and he itched to explore farther, stripping away every stitch of clothing so he could kiss her everywhere. She was especially fond of a tongue teasing her belly button, but instead of pulling the shirt over her head he took a deep breath to get his arousal under control.
“What’s wrong?” Mika pushed at his chest and he sat back on his haunches. “You kind of stopped.”
It hadn’t been easy either. He was hot and hard, ready to take her but he had to hold back no matter how much he wanted to give in. He’d meant it when he said they wouldn’t make love until she truly believed in him.
“I was thinking we should just slow this all down. Maybe I should take you home.”
Mika sat up and reached for the hem of his t-shirt, sliding her fingers underneath. His flesh burned everywhere she touched. “No. You can’t do this again. It was sweet that you wanted us to wait but I think we’ve gone past that. I want to be with you and I know you want to be with me.”
She looked pointedly at the large bulge in his pants.
“If you can’t believe that I’m–”
He never finished the sentence. Her kiss cut him off and their tongues tangled together in a sensual dance. When she finally pulled back she was wearing a smile, her brown eyes like soft velvet.
“I believe you.”
Three simple words but they held so much meaning.
The barrier he’d built around his heart tumbled down and love suffused each and every cell. The future he didn’t even dare dream about was within his grasp.
* * *
“I believe you,” Mika said again softly. “I know you’re telling me the truth.”
Skimming his ribcage with her palms, she tugged his t-shirt up and over his head, baring his muscular torso to her hungry gaze. Wide shoulders and flat abs, his chest had the perfect smattering of dark, silky chest hair and she ran her fingers through it before raining kisses over every inch of exposed flesh she could reach.
She was pulling at his zipper as she pressed her lips to a flat, male nipple. Her tongue darted out to give it a lick before turning her attention to its twin. Cal groaned and buried his fingers in her hair as she skimmed her mouth south, capturing the tab of the zipper between her teeth and lowering it slowly.
“Christ, Mika. You make me crazy,” Cal growled. “Slow down.”
Going slower was not an option.
The urgency she’d felt in his arms each night since he’d come back was almost overwhelming now. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and her hands shook as she caressed his tanned skin. The scent of his skin teased her nostrils and she skimmed her fingertips over the denim covered ridge in his jeans. His thigh muscles tensed but his jaw remained determined.
“I don’t want to slow down. I’ve been waiting too long.”
It had been an eternity since they were this close and she didn’t want to wait a minute longer.
“You’re going to be the death of me, woman. I’m trying to be romantic and tender.”
“And I love you for it. But we can be romantic next time when I’m not feeling so needy. You know how I like it, Cal.”
He ought to. He was the one that had turned her into something of a sex maniac, for him only, of course. He’d encouraged her to experiment and try new things and she’d figured out early in their relationship she loved being taken hard, fast, and with no mercy. It was exactly what she needed for her desperate mood.
His hands rubbed up and down her thighs in a soothing motion but it only served to enflame her desire and send a white hot heat streaming to her toes. “I remember, sweetheart. I know what you need.”
His voice was low, a sweet caress to her overheated senses and she surrendered to him as he quickly stripped her clothes from her body, heat streaking to her slit from every touch of his rough fingers.
Shoving his pants and boxers down his legs, he kicked them aside onto the forgotten mound of clothes on the floor. They’d be creased and wrinkled later but Mika couldn’t summon the will to care, her eyes only for this one man.
Cal bent his head and sucked a hard nipple into his mouth, his teeth worrying the sides until her fingers dug into his scalp and she cried out with the sensations that seemed to go directly to her swollen clit. With a chuckle he turned his attention to the other taut peak, lapping at it before blazing a wet trail with his mouth down her quivering abdomen.
Pressing kisses to her inner thigh, he swirled his tongue around her swollen bud and then teasingly traced her inner folds, making the room tilt and spin with every single touch. Her fingers curled into his short, dark hair and her thighs pressed against his head as her arousal took her closer and closer to the edge. Expertly he kept her dancing there, never sending her over but driving her almost delirious with his skilled hands and mouth.
Her flesh was slick with sweat and her back arched with pleasure as Cal pressed first one, then two fingers into her slick channel. Her hips bucked and he placed his large hand on her lower belly, his thumb sweeping back and forth over her clit.
“Come apart for me, sweetheart. I want to watch you.” Cal’s voice was low and cajoling yet infinitely sensual as he leaned down and whispered in her ear. His breath tickled her neck and she shivered in helpless response. “Do it for me.”
Her orgasm slammed into her hard and lights sparkled behind her lids. She rode his fingers until the very end, his name on her lips.
“Cal.”
“That was so damn beautiful, sweetheart. I don’t know how I lived without you but I don’t intend to find out.” His hand caressed her jaw, sweeping her hair back from her damp face. “Open your eyes. I want you to know it’s me.”
Her lids fluttered and Mika could see Cal above her looking down with so much love it made her heart ache. How could she have turned away from him in the beginning? The two of them were made for each other. All the intervening years had simply been leading up to this. Tonight.
Positioning himself in between her thighs he entered her slowly, taking care not to hurt her. It had been a long time and Cal wasn’t a small man. She was wet and ready for him and he was able to slide in to the hilt withou
t causing any pain, her walls stretching to accommodate his generous size.
Mika anchored her fingers on his muscled backside and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Now, Cal. Do it now.”
The words came out far more desperate than she’d planned but Cal didn’t seem to care. He began to move slowly at first and then faster as she whispered urgently in his ear all the things she wanted them to do. She had a laundry list of dirty, naughty things she’d fantasized about when he’d been gone and she was determined to check them off one by one in the not too distant future. Sex with Cal had always been good. Adventurous too.
Cal rode her hard and fast, just the way she liked it, her arousal building until she was near the peak once again. Her fingernails dug into his buttocks as he reached between them and pressed his thumb on her swollen clit.
Mika screamed his name as her climax exploded, her toes curling with the wash of pleasure that ran straight through her over and over until she was wrung out and sated.
Cal found his own completion and she watched mesmerized when he threw his head back, his jaw tight and his teeth snapped together. He stiffened and then groaned before slumping on top of her, pressing kisses to her damp skin and making her giggle.
Mika was happy. And sexually satisfied too.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this euphoric but she was sure it was with this man. His presence made everything right.
“I know I’m crushing you and I swear I’m going to move. Any minute now. Just as soon as I start breathing again.”
Mika let her palms skim down his spine, his skin warm to the touch. “You’re fine. It feels good.”
Cal heaved himself off and rolled onto his back, taking her with him and tucking her into his side. “You won’t be saying that when you run out of oxygen.”
“I won’t be saying anything if I run out of oxygen.”
Laughter bubbled up and she luxuriated in the sheer joy of being this close to him. This was love and she’d almost missed out due to sheer fear and stubbornness.
Cal reached for his pants and snagged his phone from his pocket to check the time. “We have a little while before we have to pick up Alex. We could take him for an ice cream sundae if you’re in the mood.”
Cal was always thinking about not only her but Alex too. Another reason she’d fallen for him again. He’d matured while he was away and become a man she could depend on no matter what might happen.
“I think that’s a great idea but I want to say something first.” She propped herself up on her elbow and gazed into his eyes. They didn’t really need to say it. One look at either of them told the story but she was tired of being the scared female she’d become. She wanted to be brave and fierce. She wanted to set a good example for her son about reaching out and grabbing life and love. “I want to say that I love you. Very much. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
Cal’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I love you too. I’d never give up. We’ve been around and around and here we are. I think we’re meant to be together. I swear to you here and now that I’m going to get my shit together and become the kind of man you deserve to spend your life with. The kind of man you’d trust to guide Alex. I’m sort of drifting right now but I won’t be for long. I promise you.”
She believed him. Cal had been good at everything he’d ever tried so he could certainly find a new vocation. One that made him happy and fulfilled.
“I didn’t mean for this to get all mushy.” Mika wrinkled her nose and giggled. “I know you hate that.”
“I think I can make an exception for you. Now we have about forty-five minutes. Where were we?”
“Naked and happy,” she sighed, laying back down on the rug and beckoning to him. “We have just enough time.”
Together at last, they had all the time in the world.
Chapter Thirteen
‡
“Mika. Alex. This is my friend Jon Rudnick from over in Virginia Beach.”
Cal was happy his friend had been able to join them for opening night at the haunted house. It was the perfect autumn evening, crisp but not too cold, with the crunch of leaves underneath their feet.
“Nice to meet you.”
Mika smiled and shook Jon’s hand and so did Alex before she motioned to the refreshment table groaning under the weight of delectable food. On the first night of the Autumn Festival everyone went all out and provided a dish for the buffet. There would be dinner, a few speeches, and then the food would be whisked away and the house would be open for business. It had been this way since before Cal was born and it would probably be the same for Alex’s children.
“Wow, this is some spread,” Jon enthused as they all filled their plates. “I may have to make two trips. Everything looks so good.”
“I usually make at least two if not three,” Cal agreed, piling a scoop of pistachio salad next to some baked beans. “You won’t go hungry here, that’s for sure. Alex, make sure you try some of my mother’s famous chocolate pie. It’s legendary.”
Cal had helped his mother make those pies. She’d sat and directed and he’d done the grunt work. They’d turned out pretty damn good if he did say so himself.
The four of them found an unoccupied folding table outside close enough to the bonfire to feel its warmth without the messy smoke flying in their faces. When Alex excitedly asked Jon what it was like to be a real-life former Navy SEAL the conversation naturally turned to Cal and his friend’s time in the military.
Cal’s phone lit up and he dug it out of his front shirt pocket, frowning at the screen. “Excuse me, I need to take this.”
Stepping away, he swiped the screen and pressed the cell to his ear, listening in disbelief. The call was from his former boss at the FBI and the investigation into Cal’s actions during the Alan Morton case was complete. He listened numbly to the words, not really comprehending what was being said. When they were done talking Cal hit the end button and shoved the phone back into his pocket, rejoining Jon, Mika, and Alex.
He must have had a strange expression because Mika placed her hand over his. “Is everything okay?”
“The FBI’s investigation on me is done.”
Sympathy in her gaze, she squeezed his fingers. “I’m so sorry. It’s just not fair.”
“You got a raw deal, bro. They’re losing a good man,” Jon agreed, nodding his head.
“No. It’s not that.” Cal was still so stunned he was having a hard time expressing what he’d heard. “I was cleared. Of everything. Trainor asked me when I could be back in Chicago. They have a new undercover assignment for me.”
Even in his deepest heart of hearts Cal had never expected the investigation to go his way. He’d been sure it was all a sham and he would be politely asked to resign, best case scenario. But here he was with a second chance at his chosen career. He was a damn good agent and he knew it. He’d put countless criminals behind bars in his years and the job was still challenging…
He didn’t want to go back.
Cal was home. Applewood and small town life had grown on him these last two months. Add in the love of his life and he couldn’t imagine why he would ever want to leave.
Silence stretched awkwardly and Jon patted Alex on the shoulder, pointing to the buffet.
“What do you say we go and find some more dessert? I think I see a dark chocolate cake over there and some vanilla pudding.”
The two of them loped back into the warehouse leaving Cal and Mika alone at the table. Before he could tell her he wasn’t about to leave she pressed two fingers to his lips.
“You don’t have to say anything. I know you didn’t think you would be cleared but now you have another chance.”
She didn’t understand at all.
“Sweetheart, let me explain–”
“No,” Mika shook her head, her tone urgent. “You don’t have to explain. Things have changed.”
Cal finally snapped out of his reverie and grabbed
at both of her hands. “I told you I wasn’t going anywhere and I meant it, Mika. I’m staying here.”
Tears shone in her eyes and she gave him a tremulous smile. “I don’t want you to stay because of a promise you made to me. I want you to be happy and I don’t want to stand in your way.”
Cal had changed in more ways than one.
“Your belief in me means more than I can ever tell you.” A lump in his throat made it hard to speak. “I love you, Mika, and I want to make a life here with you. You, me, and Alex. I think Applewood is a better place for him to grow up too. Wherever you are is home and that’s good enough for me.”
“I just want–”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Cal teased with a raised brow. “I tell you I love you and I want to stay and you try and talk me out of it. I might get a complex here.”
Her brilliant smile was all he needed to make everything okay. The man that needed to climb the ladder and receive his validation from people he barely gave two shits about had finally grown the hell up. There were few people in the world whose opinion mattered to him and one of them was sitting right here.
“I’m glad you’re staying. I’ve got big plans for next year’s haunted house.”
Cal laughed and leaned over to brush his lips against hers. “I can’t wait to hear all about it, sweetheart. Consider me your willing slave.”
“Does this mean you’re going to join your father’s carpentry business? I’m sure Abe would love that.”
He’d thought long and hard about this very subject. Mika wasn’t getting much of a bargain in this relationship. Cal was middle-aged and unemployed, not a great combination. She could do a hell of a lot better than him and so finding a new career was high on his list of things to do.
“No, I don’t see myself doing that. The fact is,” he admitted sheepishly, “I’m not sure what I want to be when I grow up.”
“Something will come along when you least expect. I believe in you.”
Mika couldn’t possibly know how amazing those four words made him feel.
Unwanted Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 9) Page 8