Not many women can say that their husband, with the help of their best friend, planned most of their wedding. Callum promised to give me the wedding of my dreams. Honestly, I just wanted to marry him. I didn’t care about having a big wedding, I just wanted to know he was my husband and to share the day with the people in our lives who mattered most to us.
“I’m ready for us to get home and start our life together.”
“Me, too, sweetheart,” he sighs. “I promise to spend the rest of my life making you happier than you ever thought possible.”
Tears prick my eyes hearing the sincerity of his words as we both get lost staring out the window as the miles of highway pass us by. If there’s anything in this world I know with absolute certainty, it’s how much Callum Reid loves me. In the beginning, I resisted him and kept him at arm's length. I never wanted to accept that someone would love me and take care of me the way he wanted to. Now I cannot imagine my life without him, and I don’t want to either.
I want to sigh when I spot our driveway coming over the hill. We pull up in front of the house, and Callum shifts the truck into park. Turning to face me, he runs his hand along my cheek up into my hair. His thumb brushes softly over my skin, sending shivers through me at his touch.
“I think I’m gonna go and lie down for a bit. I’m tired and not feeling the best. It’s probably the time change and the traveling catching up to me.”
“Of course, I don’t mind,” he whispers, pressing a kiss against my lips. He leans back, looking me in the eye, smiling as he touches his lips to mine again. “I’ll get us unpacked and then I’ll come in and lie down with you. I could use a nap myself.”
I’m drifting off to sleep when I feel the bed move as Callum climbs in next to me, pulling me closer so that my body is molded with his. He presses a soft kiss against the curve where my neck meets my shoulder before whispering a soft, “I love you.” My body relaxes, lulling me into a deep sleep.
I’m not sure what time it is when we both finally wake up, but the sun has since gone down. Callum moves to slip out of bed, jolting me from my sleep. He feels me move, stopping his movement and instead presses another kiss against my neck.
He’s always loved kissing me there, and it’s something I’ve come to crave from him. I moan softly feeling his breath feather across my skin. His lips cause goose bumps to break out over my skin, as I reach up holding his head close to me.
“You feelin’ better now, baby?”
I nod my head, curving my lower back to press deeper into him. His hands wrapped around my middle, pull me in closer, forcing him to rub his length against my ass.
When one of his hands starts running along the edge of my pants, I turn my body, giving him better access to me. Curling my arm around the back of his head, he moans as I deepen the kiss.
Callum slips his hand beneath the waistband of my lounge pants. When he realizes I’m not wearing panties, he pulls back and glares at me with a hard stare.
“What’s this?” he asks, running his hand over my smooth mound. I let my leg fall open for him.
“Ellie,” Callum moans, as he moves his hand further south, his hand skimming over my pussy. My breath stutters, feeling my pelvis lift off the bed in search of his fingers.
“Greedy,” he responds matter-of-factly.
“Callum,” I groan, pulling the hair at the back of his head, kissing him forcefully. “Please,” I whisper, begging him.
He moves between my legs, tossing the blanket that had been covering us to the side. There’s a sparkle in his eye as he leans over me. Reaching for the waistband again, he pulls my pants down in one swift motion as he bites down on his lip to stifle his groan.
Sitting up, I stare down at my body following his line of sight, as I open my legs, offering myself to him. His cock is straining against the front of his pants, as he moves to lie down on his stomach. His warm breath flutters over my wetness as he growls out “Mine” just before his tongue swipes at my entrance.
Falling onto the pillow, I moan in pure ecstasy. My fingers clutch his hair, holding him against me as my eyes roll back.
“Yesss,” I sigh.
He reaches his hand up under my shirt, pressing his palm flat over my stomach. He stops, forcing my eyes wide as I peer down at him ready to beg him to continue.
His lips trail a path over my mound to my thigh. I love the devious look in his eyes as he torments me. I want to grab him by his hair again, forcing him back to where I want him, but when his mouth trails a path up toward my stomach, his face turns serious.
There’s so much emotion in one stare before his eyes slowly close and he leans forward, pressing a kiss against my lower belly. He pauses for a moment before looking back up at me.
“I want to put a baby here,” he whispers. His voice is so low that for a second, I wonder if I dreamed it up.
Tears fill my eyes. I’ve thought about the day we’d have kids, but I’ve never let myself picture it happening out of fear of wanting it too much. I envision his face lighting up when he holds a blonde-haired little boy with blue eyes matching his own. I imagine his smile and the love in his eyes the first time he says “Dad” and his laughter when he chases him around the house.
My heart grows fuller when I think of the two of them standing in the kitchen, our little one standing next to Callum, as they make Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast like I used to do with my dad.
I subtly nod my head, unable to form a sentence. The images in my mind so vivid, they’ve stolen my words. All I’ve ever wanted was a family of my own.
“I want a baby with you, too.”
Chapter Three
Callum ~ October
“Do you really think this is necessary?” Ellie asks, running her nails over the base of my neck into my hair. “Cameras inside and outside of our house. Isn’t it kind of… I don’t know, weird?”
I press a kiss to her shoulder before leaning back, looking her straight in the eye.
I recently asked Graham to install a security system for us. It originally started by me wanting more eyes on our home. Living out in the middle of nowhere, you often hear sounds. There were times the motion detectors would turn on the lights and it made Ellie jumpy when we’d look outside and find nothing.
I wanted her to feel safe, and I never wanted to be put in the predicament again of not knowing who was coming and going. I knew Ellie was hesitant on the idea, but we decided to have additional cameras put in near the front door and in the kitchen, overlooking the doors leading to our back patio.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe, Ellie. Not a damn fucking thing. After what happened,” I pause, remembering the day I went to pick her up at her house and found her gone. “The fear of not knowing who you were with or if you’re okay, it’s not something I want to ever relive. I want you to always feel safe in our home.”
Her face softens, as the glisten of tears fill her eyes.
“Baby, don’t cry.”
“It’s hard not to, Callum.” She runs her fingers under her eye, catching the tear that threatens to fall.
A rustling sound behind us alerts us we’re no longer alone. “Sorry to interrupt,” Graham mutters behind us. “You’re all set now.”
Turning, I spot Graham and Maverick standing in the doorway to our kitchen. If there’s anyone who understands the fear of something happening to the woman you love, it’s Graham.
There’s a look of guilt on their faces as they look from Ellie and back to me.
“Graham, I know you had cameras set up at your place. Did Halle have a hard time with it or think they were weird?” Ellie asks.
Graham’s jaw flexes and I know, like me, it’s hard to get the thought of the woman you love being hurt out of your head.
“There’s nothing weird about making yourself feel safe in your own home. After what you’ve been through, I think it’s necessary for both of you to have that comfort again.”
Ellie went through a lot this past year
. The trial dredged up a lot of painful memories. Royal is now in prison for the rest of his life, but it doesn’t mean I’m not going to do everything I can to give Ellie the security and the sense of peace she still deserves after all this time.
“We’re gonna clean up but wanted you to know we were done. I’ll show you how everything works before we leave.”
Graham nods his head toward the door as his friend and co-worker, Maverick, flashes Ellie a reassuring smile. I wave them off, telling them I’ll catch up with them in a few minutes before turning back to Ellie.
“See, baby, nothing weird about it.”
Ellie runs her finger over her bottom lip, lost in thought. I skim my hand over her shoulder, hoping to pull her from wherever her mind has ran off to before she brings her focus back to me.
“You’re right,” she sighs, wrapping her arms around my waist, hugging me.
I press my mouth against the side of her head, kissing her firmly. “I’d do anything for you. You know that, right?”
“I do,” she mumbles, her body trembles as the emotions she’s working to contain let loose.
“Please don’t cry,” I whisper.
She takes a heavy breath before pulling back. “I think I’m going to go outside to read for a little bit.” She reaches to grab her book off the counter, as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Some days are harder than others, but I can’t push her. She’s learning to move forward one day at a time.
When she gets to the patio door, she turns to look back at me, knowing I’m watching every step of the way.
“I’m okay,” she says reassuringly. I don’t know if it’s more for me or for herself, but she gives me a small smile before pulling the door open, stepping outside, and closing it behind her. I continue to watch her as she climbs into her hammock, laying her book on her lap.
I stand here, watching her through the sliding glass door, wanting to make sure she is okay, before turning to search for Graham and Maverick, finding them in the entryway. Graham is bent down picking up boxes as Maverick messes with the tablet, adjusting the settings.
“Everything okay?” Graham finishes folding up a box, stacking it along with several others into a larger one, as he shuffles papers together.
“Yeah, I think with what happened to Halle recently and now the cameras, things are just resurfacing for her again. She’ll be okay though.”
“I hear ya,” Graham says, as Maverick hands him the tablet. He walks me through how to check the cameras, adjusting their focus and the different views.
“I owe you for getting this all set up for us. I think this will help give her some peace of mind.”
“Of course, man. If you need anything, just hit me or Maverick up. We are always here for you both.”
Maverick nods his head, agreeing.
“We’re getting ready to head to Brodie’s for lunch, if you want to join us.”
Glancing out the window in the living room to Ellie outside, I debate it for a few minutes, knowing she would want me to go even though I’d rather be here with her right now.
I nod. “Yeah.” I motion to the backyard where Ellie is. “I’m gonna check on her, make sure she’s good. I’ll meet you there.”
Maverick reaches for the door and they both throw a wave over their shoulder, as they take the empty boxes and head outside.
Cutting across the living room, I make a beeline toward the back patio. Ellie looks startled when she hears the sliding glass door open and I step out onto the deck.
“It’s okay. Just me.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you to come out here. I don’t know why I’m all jumpy all of a sudden.”
I relax onto the bench seat facing Ellie, reclining back with my arm along the banister.
“That’s the exact reason why I wanted to have the security system and cameras installed in the first place.”
She lets out a heavy sigh, I know dreading this conversation, as she closes her book.
“I just hate feeling like I can’t live a normal life. Security systems, cameras… this isn’t what I had in mind when I pictured small town living.”
“Baby, that’s just the way the world is today. Is it really a big deal in the grand scheme of things? This is supposed to give you peace of mind, not stress you out. Why does it bother you so much?”
“Callum, up until I met you, I didn’t even own a cell phone. Excuse me for not easily coming around to the idea of having cameras hanging inside my house. It’s like someone’s always watching me, okay? I just, I don’t like it. I’m already wearing this watch. Isn’t that enough?”
She points to the Apple watch I bought her. She knows the real reason why I got it was to know no matter where she went, she’d always have a way of contacting me. Call me crazy, or maybe a little overprotective, but I thought it would make both of us feel better.
When we went through the trial, details started coming out about how Royal had been following her. There were pictures of her, ones taken inside her house, that were used as evidence.
It dawns on me then why she feels like it’s her privacy being invaded once again.
“The cameras are only for times when we need them, Ellie. It’s not like I’m going to sit at the office and watch you at home.”
She raises her eyebrow at me, not believing a word I just said.
“What?” I hold up my hands.
“You mean to tell me the thought hadn’t crossed your mind?”
“The cameras are only pointing down the hallway, overlooking the entryway, and in the kitchen. If I wanted to watch you at work, I’d install a camera in our bedroom and in the shower.”
I flash her a knowing smirk before raising my eyebrows suggestively.
“Oh, lord,” she sighs, clutching the book in her arm as she swings her legs over the side of the hammock.
“Well, you wanted me to come clean about what I had in mind. Those would be the only times I’d be sneaking in a peek at the cameras, outside of wanting to make sure you were safe.”
She walks across the deck, eliminating the distance between us, taking a seat on my lap. She wraps her arm around my neck. Running my palm up the smooth skin of her leg, I feel her tremble beneath me. I love how her body still reacts to me, even with just the smallest of touches.
“It’s just the way the world is these days. It’s not uncommon for people to install security systems and cameras in their homes. Think about those nights when I’m working late at the office or I’m coming home from drinks with the guys. If you’re in the room watching Netflix and hear a noise, you can pick up your phone and check to see who it is.”
“Can’t we just get a dog?”
“Sure, but we’re not getting rid of the cameras either.”
She tosses her head back letting out a frustrated groan. When her eyes meet mine again, a strand of hair falls into her face. I reach over and brush it out of her eyes.
“Look at us, married and having our first disagreement. I guess this is where we compromise. Sorry, baby, this is one thing I won’t budge on.”
“You’re really not going to let this go, are you?” she mumbles, reaching up to wrap her fingers around her compass necklace.
“Nope,” I say, punctuating the end.
“Gosh, you’re so stubborn.”
I can’t help but laugh at that comment. She’s one of the most stubborn women I know. I happen to remember how hard it was just getting her to talk to me when we first met.
“Right back atcha, babe.”
“Fine,” she concedes. “Only under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Guess it means no more sex in the kitchen.” She grins.
Damn it.
Chapter Four
Ellie
I’m standing in the kitchen spreading jam on my bread when my phone vibrates on the counter beside me. I quickly grab the towel, wiping off my hands, before swiping the screen to answer the call.
“Wha
t are ya doin’?” Kinsley darts straight to the point. Perching the phone between my ear and my shoulder, I tighten the lid and put the jar back in the fridge.
“Well, at this moment I’m making myself something to eat,” as I take a large bite of my PB and J sandwich. “What are you doing?” I mumble around the bread in my mouth.
Kinsley giggles. “You live a wild life, ya know that?”
“Just the way I like it.”
“Well, I was wondering if you and Brea wanted to come over tonight to hang out. Halle, understandably, is still laying low after what went down at the salon. I’ve been wanting to see that new movie with Denzel Washington and was thinking we could drink some wine, hang out. The guys can go do whatever guys do. Whatcha think?”
Honestly, that sounds like the perfect way to spend my Friday. My stomach rolls again. Taking a deep breath, I swallow a gulp of my water and mentally tell myself I’m okay.
I’ve been feeling sick to my stomach the past few days, and I’m not sure if I’m coming down with something.
“It kind of depends on how I’m feeling. I’ve been nauseous and tired the last few days. I’m not sure if I’m coming down with something. I don’t want to get you two sick.”
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
Kinsley is never one to beat around the bush. Her straight to the point question throws me off my game. It’s completely unexpected.
“What?” I choke, as I take another bite. “Jesus, Kinsley. I’m eating. Where the hell did that come from?”
“Well, I mean, it’s not like it’s unrealistic. Your wedding was what, two months ago?”
“I’m not pregnant,” I say, almost trying to convince myself. However, despite how much it throws me off, it’s incredibly likely. It’s not like we haven’t been practicing the art of baby making.
In fact, since we’ve got married, I’d say we’d been practicing quite often. We’re qualified professionals now. Married life certainly has its pros.
Now That I Found You: A Tortured Heroine Standalone Romance (Heart's Compass Novella) Page 2
