by Kennedy Fox
We’re doing this.
I’m going to give myself to him in the most intimate of ways. I know he’s not a forever kind of guy, but I’m going to do it anyway. I’m tired of wondering what if. I want to know what it's like having him inside me. He’s never been serious. His words tell me he is, but what if he changes his mind?
Pushing open my bedroom door, I lead us to the bed and stop. I don’t know where to go from here. Is this what he really wants? Maybe it’s just the road trip yesterday, and our close proximity. I’m internally freaking out, and I shouldn’t be. He’s never been one to lie. That’s not who he is. How is this going to affect our little group? Will I still be able to face him after this? Hang out as if I don’t know what it feels like to have his body connected with mine? My mind is racing at warp speed as all of these questions and more filter through, letting my worry take root.
“Callista,” his deep voice whispers, his lips next to my ear. “I’m here for you, baby. Whatever that looks like. You decide. I stayed for you, but I can go if that’s what you want.” His hands are on my hips, and he pulls me back into his chest, burying his face in my neck. His hot breath against my skin sends shivers of anticipation down my spine.
Gathering my courage, I turn in his arms and look up at him. The moonlight filtering into the room gives off just enough light to make out his form. That’s okay, though. I don’t need to see his eyes to know they’re a deep green or to know that those fucking dimples that melt me every time I look at him is indented in his cheek. “I want you to stay.”
“I want to stay. In fact, I want you in my arms every night for the rest of our forever.”
I stare up at him, unsure if I heard him right. “Silas—” I start, but his lips pressing to mine keeps my words at bay.
“I’m yours, Callista. I’m tired of fighting my attraction to you. I’m tired of pretending that you’re not the only woman that I see.”
“What if it doesn’t work out? Things could get messy with my sister and Brody.”
“Us not working out isn’t an option. From the moment I met you, I’ve felt this strong pull. Anytime Brody would call and invite me for dinner or going out, if your name was mentioned, I was all in. It didn’t matter if I had plans. They were changed. For you.” His hand slides around the nape of my neck, under my hair. “Then I just stopped making plans, unless I knew you were going to be there.”
His confession, his words are those I’ve longed to hear from him but never imagined in a million years that I would. They leave me speechless. Breathless.
Burying my hands in his hair, I pull him closer so his lips meet mine and kiss him. I hold nothing back, letting my worry dissolve as his tongue slides against mine.
Chapter Eight
SILAS
My secret’s out. I no longer have to hide or pretend. Now I get to show her. Don’t they say actions speak louder than words?
Pulling out of the kiss, I reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, tossing it to the floor. My jeans and boxer briefs are removed in record time. My cock is hard and throbbing for her. Her eyes are glued to my cock as she bites down on her bottom lip. Taking her hand in mine, I help her fist my length, but she takes it from there. Her small hands stroke me from root to tip, driving me insane.
“Naked, baby. I need you naked.”
“I-I don’t know if this is going to work,” she says breathlessly. I can’t make out her eyes, but her head is tilted as she takes in my cock.
“Like two pieces to a puzzle.” My hands wrap around her wrists, and I gently raise her arms in the air. I miss her touch instantly, but I know that the end result, feeling her warmth wrapped around me, is the ultimate prize. Quickly, I discard her shirt, which leaves her in a bra and leggings.
My chest is heaving as I take in the beauty before me. I don’t know how many times I imagined having her like this, all to myself over the years, and now here she is. Mine for the taking. My eyes track her every move as she reaches behind her and unclasps her bra. She doesn’t make a show of holding it to her chest; instead, she pulls it from her body, dropping it to the floor. Her hands cup her breasts, tweaking her nipples as she arches her back the slightest bit.
“Fuck,” I murmur. I need my hands on her. I need to be inside her.
I reach for her, intending to do just that, but she steps just out of reach. With a shimmy of her hips, she works her leggings and panties over her thighs. I watch with rapt attention as she sits on the edge of the bed to finish taking them off.
“Nightstand,” she says, and I rush to open the drawer, finding a box of condoms.
Anger that I know isn’t warranted takes over as I think about her being here in her room with another man. The thought of someone else seeing her like this, touching her smooth skin, tasting her, feeling her warmth, it’s more than I can handle. “I bought them today,” she says, her voice husky with desire. “I ran out to pick up a few things, and I was hopeful….” Her voice trails off.
I stand here naked as the day I was born, gripping the box of condoms. “Callista.” My voice is thick. “Be sure this is what you want. Once I’m inside you, you’re mine. I’m never letting you go. I won’t be able to let you go. Tell me now if that’s not what you want.” I know myself, and I’ve longed for her for way too long. I won’t be able to walk away. Hell, I don’t want to walk away.
“There’s only you.”
That’s all I need to know.
Ripping open the box, I grab a few of the foil packs and toss them on the bed. Callista moves back, resting her head against the pillow as I climb over her like a predator. I want to devour every single fucking inch of her. “I don’t know where to start,” I say, bending my head and letting my lips trace over the swell of her breasts.
“The main event. Definitely the main event,” she says, locking her fingers in my hair, holding my mouth to her as I suck and nip at her skin.
“I want to take my time with you. I want to learn what drives you crazy. I want to trace every inch of you with my tongue and savor the feeling of my hands against your skin.”
“Is this a one-time thing?” she asks.
I freeze and lift my head to look at her. I can’t make out her eyes, but I know she’s looking at me. I can feel her gaze. “No.” My tone is harsher than I intended it to be. “I told you. You’re mine now.” I’m ready to pull back until she understands. I thought she understood where I was coming from.
“Then we have all the time in the world for that. Right now, I need you, Silas. I feel like we’ve had years of foreplay, and ever since the moment you and your dimples smiled down at me at the airport, it’s been heightened. Please, don’t make me wait.”
Relief rushes through me. “I should spank you for thinking that,” I say, leaning in to kiss the corner of her mouth.
“Yes, please,” she mumbles as she presses her lips to mine.
My hand slaps around on the bed until I find a condom. Kneeling back, I tear the wrapper open and cover my length in record time, before nestling between her thighs. Careful not to crush her, I bring my body close to hers and kiss her. I put everything I’ve been feeling since the day we met into this kiss. The longing, the hope, all of it. I kiss her as I’ve always wished that I could. Her nails dig into my back as I push inside her for the first time.
My body stills as her warmth wraps around me. Lifting my weight onto my arms, I bow my head and just… feel. I can’t explain what’s happening to me right now. My heart is thundering in my chest, my breathing is labored, and my head is screaming mine, my heart too, for that matter. I’ve never had this reaction to a woman, and I know without a doubt that Callista is it for me.
“What’s wrong?” Her worried voice reaches my ears in the darkness of her room.
“Nothing is wrong. Everything is perfect. You’re perfect.”
“Why did you stop?”
“I’m just memorizing this moment. I never want to forget what it feels like to be inside you for the fir
st time.” Her walls clamp around me at my words.
“You won’t forget if you get to relive it every day.” Her words are the fuel to my desire for her.
Slowly, I pull out and push back in. Over and over and over again, until we’re at a steady rhythm. Her nails pierce the skin of my back, and I push harder, pull faster, as we chase our release.
“Silas.” She moans my name, and I’m ready to lose control.
Gritting my teeth, I lift her legs and push forward, which slides me even deeper. She clamps down on me as my name on her lips echoes throughout the room. My spine tingles, and I’m there, but I refuse to let myself have the release I’m yearning for until I know I’ve drawn every ounce of pleasure from her body.
Her nails dig deeper.
Her back arches off the bed.
Her head thrashes from side to side.
Her mouth screams my name.
I can’t stop it, no matter how hard I try, as I release years of want, years of need inside her. Pulse after pulse, I hold myself deep inside until the final spasm of pleasure has left my body.
Reluctantly, I pull out of her to take care of the condom. When I make it back to the bed, I slide under the covers and tug her into my arms. My lips press to the top of her head. I can’t ever remember a time I’ve ever been this sated, this happy.
“Happy Birthday, baby.”
“It’s not my birthday.”
“Remind me next year that I need to have my wicked way with you before our midnight kiss.”
Epilogue
CALLISTA
ONE YEAR LATER
“What a difference a year makes,” Charity says from her seat next to me.
“We’ve had an exciting year,” I say, nodding. We’re sitting at her house in the living room. It’s New Year’s Eve, and this year looks a little different. My niece wasn’t born on my birthday, but she was born on her momma’s. Baby Sadie was born on January tenth just two hours before her momma twenty-seven years before. She’s the cutest little girl you’ve ever seen, and she’s spoiled rotten.
“She’s got them both wrapped around her little finger.” Charity laughs.
“I think she’s the only other female who can pull my husband’s attention from me,” I tell her.
Yeah, you heard that right. Husband. Silas and I got engaged in March and were married in June. It’s been a whirlwind, but when you know, you know. We decided we had wasted so much time worrying about what would happen if things didn’t work out, that we didn’t want to waste another second not being together.
“I can’t believe she’s still awake,” Charity comments. “Her schedule is going to be all messed up.”
“It’s New Year’s Eve.”
“You’re not the one who will be up for the party for the next week while we get her back on her routine.”
“But look at them.” I point to our husbands, who are making silly faces at Sadie.
“Yeah,” she agrees. I’m not looking at her, but I can hear the smile in her voice. “How’s married life?” Charity asks me.
“Blissful,” I reply wistfully.
“Ah, the honeymoon phase.”
That makes me laugh. “You’ve been married for a while now and have a baby, and you’re still in the honeymoon phase,” I point out.
“That’s all Brody.”
“Yeah,” I agree. I know exactly what she means. Silas is always doing things like bringing home flowers, sending me text messages telling me he’s thinking about me and how much he loves me. He even went as far as to get me a signed copy of the book I’ve been dying to read. He has connections since he’s on the cover. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the world being able to ogle my man, but turns out I’m good with it. He comes home to me every night, and I’m the one who shares his last name. It’s easy to stay in love when you both work at it. I drop by the station and bring dessert and dinner for him and the guys, and most nights, if I can, I wait up for him on his long shifts. I never want to take him or our love for granted. I know what life is like without him, and that’s not something I ever want to go back to.
The announcer on TV gives us a five-minute warning. I watch as my husband hands my niece back to her dad and heads toward me. Charity notices as well. She sets her drink on the table and goes to her family.
“Happy Birthday, beautiful,” Silas says as his lips press to mine. “If I remember, we were supposed to sneak away before midnight.” He wags his eyebrows at me.
“Maybe next year.” I smile up at him.
“It’s hard to believe just one year ago tonight was the first time I made love to you. You gave me a gift I will always cherish.”
“A gift, huh?”
“A treasure,” he says, kissing me again.
“I think I can do better this year.” His eyes heat as he pulls me closer. I can feel his hard length pressing into my stomach.
“Impossible. There will never be a greater gift than you giving me you.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“It’s a fact.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I place my lips next to his ear. “You’re going to be a daddy.” I fall back to my feet and watch as a display of emotions cross his face.
Confusion.
Fear.
Happiness.
Love.
The countdown begins as his forehead rests against mine. “Thank you, baby. For this life, for your love, and for our baby.”
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
His lips press to mine, and just as he’s always done, he shows me with the slide of his tongue against mine what he’s feeling. By the time he ends the kiss, we’re both breathing heavily, and there are smiles lighting up our faces. This is our future, with many more years filled with love, happiness, and a midnight kiss for each of them.
About the Author
Kaylee Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. When she’s not spinning tales of happily ever after, she’s reading or spending time with family. Born and raised an Ohio girl, Kaylee resides in Cincinnati with her husband and their son.
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Chapter One
Kara
“Kara, are you sure you’re ready to do this alone? I’m worried about you.”
“No, Donna, but I have to.” I grip the steering wheel as if I’m hanging on for dear life. My biggest fear is driving up a windy mountain road, going off the side, and plummeting to a slow and painful death. Ever since I can remember I’ve had dreams of it happening. Maybe it’s irrational, but because of it, I’ve never driven up here alone. Thank goodness I have my best friend Donna as my moral support. Unfortunately, the price for the beauty of nature is a lack of cell service. Our call will eventually drop, but in the meantime, I’m enjoying her company for as long as we stay connected.
“Okay … please remember to call me as soon as you get to the cabin. Our offer for you to come spend the holidays with us is open if you change your mind. This has been such a hard year for you; I wish you’d reconsider.”
I crack the window and take a deep breath. Aromas of pine and fresh rain fill my car—my favorite scents in the world. Memories of vacations and holidays flood my mind as I blink back tears.
“Thank you. I need to say goodbye to my parents and this is the only way I feel I can do it properly. Besides, this year has been hard on everyone. You know that more than most people.”
Donna sighs softly. “I’m just going to book a ticket and come to you. I can be there as early as tomorrow.”
“Don’t you even think about it. You’ve got precious few days off to spend with your family and it’s Natti’s first Christmas. I love you for wanting to, but I’d never forgive myself.”
“Fine … when you … tell me …”
The phone is finally cutting out and I don’t even
bother trying to reply. I’ll call her from the cabin. As soon as I disconnect the call, Madonna blasts through the car. Normally, I love Madge at the highest of volumes, but I can’t concentrate on this drive without turning her down to a whisper.
I quickly glance over to the urn in my passenger seat, making sure it’s still safely belted in. “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, I’ll have you home in no time.”
This pandemic took more than my job; it took my parents’ lives and many others. My parents didn’t raise a quitter though. I’ll survive, and a good dose of holiday spirit in my favorite place is what I need to start the next year off right.
As I drive around the final bend before town, I release a heavy breath. I made it. Anxiety about the drive down the mountain creeps in but I push it away. I’ll worry about that when I go back home. One step at a time.
When the town general store comes into view, I flip on my turn signal and pull into the small lot. Once parked, the reality of my situation dawns on me. There’s no way I can walk around the store with an urn. Even if I’m in the middle of nowhere, I won’t leave them in the car and risk them being stolen.
I’m being completely irrational, I know. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a crime being committed up here—not a serious one, anyway. But I’m not willing to become the first victim either. After backing out of my spot and straightening my car, I do a quick double take at the man exiting the store.
“Dammit! Not today. Please, God, not today.”
Grumbling as I change gears, I hit the gas too hard and rocks shoot out from underneath my tires. The running joke up here is that you can always tell who the tourists are because they spray gravel like an Olympic sport without a care in the world for who may get hit. There’s no way he hasn’t noticed me.