I smiled. “Sounds great. Do you want me to bring anything?”
He laughed. “I was just gonna ask what you wanted me to order or if you wanted grilled cheese. Or I can grill a mean steak.”
“Steaks work if you’re up to it,” I said. “And how about I cook a side dish to go with it? I can text you a grocery list if you want me to.”
“Perfect.”
“Hang on and I’ll get your rolls,” I said and made my way behind the counter, getting a box to put them in.
After ringing him up at the register, I came back out to walk him to the door. “I’ll text you, okay?”
“Sounds good. Bye, baby,” he said and gave me a sweet kiss.
After he left, I heard, “Ooh la la,” and turned to see Michelle fanning herself. “That boy is damn fine!”
I laughed. “He is pretty fine,” I agreed.
“First, you chop the onion and celery,” I said as I walked Calder through the steps on how to make a broccoli-rice casserole.
I don’t think he was really interested in learning how to make it, though. I think he just enjoyed standing behind me trying to feel me up the whole time while I swatted his hands away.
“Now it’s ready to go in the oven and bake for thirty minutes while you grill the steaks,” I said when I finished with all the ingredients. “Then we can eat.”
He leaned down and kissed my neck from behind, pushing me into the island. “I think I’d rather eat you,” he murmured, moving his mouth up where he nipped my ear with his teeth.
And this was it, damn it. I’d waited long enough.
I pushed my ass back against him as I leaned my head to the side, giving him more access to my neck. His hands came around to the front, skimming down my belly to the waistband of my pants before continuing down inside my panties. When his fingers found my clit, my head fell back against his shoulder and I moaned.
“Turns me the fuck on that you respond so quickly to my touch, baby,” he whispered, continuing to kiss, suck and nip at my neck as his fingers slid through the slickness between my legs.
It didn’t take much with him. I mean, I’d practically come the first time just hearing him speak. And now, with him talking, his hands working me, one on my breast the other at my core, and his mouth on me, my climax slammed through me like wildfire.
“Oh, God, Calder!” I cried out, my hands splaying out rigidly on the island as I shattered to pieces for him.
“That’s my girl,” he growled.
His hands moved to unbutton my pants and he pulled them and my panties down, lifting my wobbly legs one at a time to get them off. Turning me to face him, he gave me a hot, wet, deep kiss before pulling my shirt over my head. Then lifting me, he sat me, completely naked, on the island.
He spread my legs and looked at me. “I love your beautiful, wet pussy, Rori,” he said and I felt another orgasm building in my already amped up body. “Told you I’m gonna eat,” he said with a wicked grin then knelt in front of me and proved it.
I leaned back on my hands, my head falling back on my shoulders and let out a sound that I didn’t even know I could make, but, God, he felt so good, his tongue knowing exactly what to do to take me to the highest high I’d ever felt. My breathing sped up as I felt the first tingles that grew to almost burning flashes and then I was there, crying out as wave after wave crashed through my body all at once yet separately. In flashes of light then dark.
“My God, you’re good at that,” I whispered, then realized he was carrying me upstairs. Did the orgasm he’d just given me make me pass out? “Wow. You’re very good at that,” I corrected.
He chuckled and gave me a soft kiss.
Once in his bedroom, he placed me on his bed then I watched as he disrobed. He unbuttoned his shirt first, throwing it to the side, then reached behind his neck with both hands and gripping his t-shirt, pulled it over his head and off.
Holy abs for days! And pecs! And biceps! Damn.
He smirked as I stared at him, knowing I liked what I saw. Then his hands were at his belt and, honest to God, I felt myself getting close again, as more juices flowed out and I was just waiting to see his cock. Good lord.
But when he unzipped then pulled down his jeans and boxer briefs, let me tell you, it was so worth the wait.
I gasped as his cock sprang out of his briefs then stood at full attention at least an inch past his belly button.
He. Was. Huge.
“Oh, my God,” I whispered and got another smirk from him. He was like a work of art standing before me, his body magnificent, every muscle ripped and striated perfectly. And his cock was the friggin’ masterpiece. After he put on a condom, I moaned, “Come fuck me now, Calder,” so ready to feel him inside of me.
He gave me a half grin then walked slowly to the bed, putting a knee to it and on his hands and knees, prowling like a wild animal, he moved slowly toward me, looking at every inch of my body as he did so, until his face hovered over mine.
“You’re fucking perfect. Goddamn stunning,” he whispered, lowering his face to kiss me, his body doing the same, moving down until it touched every part of mine, until we were chest to chest, hip to hip, and now mouth on mouth, and I whimpered at the feel of a man on top of me again, not knowing how much I’d missed it.
He kissed down my neck, dipping his tongue into the hollow of my throat, continuing his trek until he reached my breast. Holding it in his hand, he brought his mouth down on it, sucking in my nipple and making me gasp at the sensations that overtook me.
Okay, I hate to bring him into this, but right then, I was just a little bit pissed when I realized that Noah had had no idea about the female body, and now I knew he’d proven it time and time again, because I’d never lit up like this for him. I shuddered thinking I could’ve spent the rest of my life never knowing what real intimacy, real passion, was about.
But I quickly forgot him for good as Calder slid his hand down the side of my leg, and curling his hand around the back of it behind my knee, he stretched it straight up. I felt the head of his cock at my opening and tilted my hips to him, wanting him, needing him inside. Giving me a slow, sensual kiss, he asked against my lips, “Are you okay?” and I melted. Just completely melted right there on his bed, at his mercy and I wanted to cry at how giving and attentive he was.
“Yes,” I whispered and let out a loud moan as he moved his hips forward several times before seating himself fully inside.
“Still okay, baby?” he asked, his eyes full of concern.
“I’m okay, honey. But, please, move,” I begged.
He smiled as he drew his hips back then pushed them back to mine, and it was amazing.
His hips pistoned forcefully, as he drove inside over and over and there it was again, building. Gah!
His hand glided from the back of my knee to my calf and he put my ankle on his shoulder as he continued driving in hard, filling me fuller than I’d ever been with each thrust.
I knew he felt me pulsing around him when he said, “Let it go, Rori,” and I did, crying his name as I came yet again.
His thrusts became uneven and pushing my leg from his shoulder, he drove in powerfully several times before letting out a groan, and I watched his head go back as he reached his peak, his chest shimmering with sweat making his muscles gleam in the lamplight.
And I knew right then I was in trouble, because somewhere along the way I’d done what I’d told myself I wouldn’t.
I’d fallen in love with him.
Chapter 17
After leaving the bakery that afternoon, I’d gone to Carson’s, who, of course, welcomed me with open arms since I came bearing gifts.
Tinley was home from preschool but was taking a nap but the house was still awfully quiet, and I asked, “Where’s Sam?”
“Myles’ mom came over to get him a couple hours ago saying she needed some Sam time. I told her it was okay by me because I could get some things done around here. I’ve already done three loads of laundry, folded and pu
t away, swept, mopped and waxed the kitchen floor and made cupcakes for Tinley’s class party tomorrow,” she bragged.
“Damn, look at you, Mother of the Year.”
“That’s right. Now the coffee mug Tin got me for Christmas is no longer a lie! Go me!”
I laughed. “I guess my Brother of the Year mug’s still being made?”
“It’s a tricky little bastard being twenty-seven years in the making,” she joked.
“Same as your Sister of the Year one,” I retorted.
“Ha ha. Good one,” she said then she looked at me seriously. “Okay, what’s up. Although I appreciate the cinnamon rolls, and I’d have one right now if I hadn’t already indulged in a Butterfinger, I know you just don’t come visit in the middle of the day for no reason.”
“You caught me. But, really, I’ve been needing to talk to you since the charity dance.”
“Why?” she asked with a frown.
I sighed. “I need your advice about Rori.”
“Okay, hit me.”
“First of all, how do you know? How’d you know Myles was the one for you? I mean, I thought Bridget was the one until I caught her fucking Matt Andrews. And for a while I thought Sara was the one until she became too controlling. Is there a timeline to know this shit? How do you know?”
“Hey, slow down, honey. Let’s go over this as thoroughly as we can, okay?” she said and I nodded as I blew out a breath as she went on. “I’m not gonna lie and say something clicks inside you and suddenly you know. I mean, all it really comes down to is that you’re compatible with the person you’re with, you actually genuinely like them on top of loving them, and probably the most important part is when you think about not being with them and it’s painful, I mean, it takes your breath away like you’ve been socked in the stomach, and you know you couldn’t bear to live even a single day without them in your life, that’s a pretty good start in knowing. But, baby brother, I hate to break it to you, but other than that, it’s pretty much just a leap of faith.” She shrugged. “No one knows for sure. You just have to trust that the other person will fulfill their promises to you just as you have to prove the same to them.”
Well, fuck. I was hoping it all came down to the clicky thing inside. This was not what I wanted to hear.
“So you’re saying no one ever truly knows,” I said.
She shook her head. “No one ever truly knows.”
“Damn.”
“Do you think you might want to spend your life with Rori?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I want to spend my life right now with her, that I do know, but the long haul? I’m totally clueless,” I admitted.
“That’s okay, Calder. Everybody in the entire world who’s ever gotten married feels that way at one time or another. You’re not unique in your feelings.”
“What about my five-year plan. I’ve focused on it for so damn long, I feel like it’s what I should do.”
“Do you really think it’s what you should do? Could you walk away from Rori just to stick to some plan?”
“It’s all about the timing. Why couldn’t I have met her four years from now? Then this wouldn’t be a problem,” I said.
She shook her head. “That’s not the right way to look at things. Life is unpredictable. You can’t schedule who you fall in love with. It doesn’t work that way. And even if you hadn’t met Rori now, who’s to say you’d meet someone like her in four years or however long’s left.”
I blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to do. She and I are getting really close. We haven’t had sex yet, but we’ve done all but.”
“Why haven’t you had sex?”
“She wanted to wait. Wanted us to get to know each other some first. Which we’ve done. And now I think we’ve become so used to just fooling around, neither of us has thought to take it to the next level.”
I looked at my sister who was grinning.
“I can’t believe I just fucking said that. Do you see why I’m confused? I just told you I hadn’t thought of sex. Me, The BFD, hasn’t thought of sex. Jesus Christ.”
She giggled. “That’s a miracle in itself right there. Wait until I call ESPN.”
“Not even funny.”
“What do you think you’re gonna do?” she asked. “Seriously.”
“Seriously? I don’t know.” And I didn’t.
She pursed her lips. “I’ll just say this much. If you think you can live without Rori for the rest of your life, then you should probably break up because she’s not the one.”
I left my sister’s more confused than ever. When my phone chimed and I saw Rori’s text about what to pick up from the grocery store, I felt better but not much.
Was I an “in the moment” kinda guy? I mean, I thought of Rori all the time. I missed her when I was away from her, but when we were together or she texted me like she just had, I felt really good about where we were at and the questions I’d asked Carson today faded away. But was it just because it was in the moment that I felt better since those questions came back when I was alone?
I decided to drop it because it was making my fucking head hurt.
So that night was one of my favorite nights ever. Rori had come over and baked a casserole and just looking at her made me happy. Made me smile because she lit up the room with her presence. And I couldn’t keep my hands off of her.
Announcement: WE FINALLY HAD SEX.
It was great too. I mean, I’d never really had bad sex before, maybe mediocre sex where the woman just kind of laid there and didn’t really respond to anything I did, but sex with Rori was fan-fucking-tastic.
I’d never been with someone who almost came at just the sound of my voice. Let me tell you, that was a big ego boost.
So even though the sex had been spectacular, I hate to tell you but I was more confused than ever.
She ended up spending the night at my place that night and in addition to christening the kitchen island, we did the same in the shower, in my bed, of course, in the weight room, and the living room. Needless to say, I was exhausted the next morning, not having worked out that much since my last game.
Rori had driven home at four that morning to get ready for work and I’d gone back to sleep, telling her to text me when she made it. I know, not very gentlemanly of me, but she’d driven over the night before, so she insisted on driving herself home.
When I got up around eight, I called her at work to make sure she was doing okay, and she assured me she was. She also sounded really happy and that made me happy.
At ten I drove to the fieldhouse to do my regular workout. I was feeling pretty fucking good about things, you know, because sex, and walked inside with a smile.
“You look like the cat that ate the canary for breakfast,” James Hunter said. “Man, what’s up with you? You make some money on the market or something?”
I shrugged because I didn’t want to talk about having sex with Rori. Although I’d bragged about other women before, Rori was different.
I started my workout and felt good, concentrating on my reps when Hunt interrupted my thoughts again.
“You fuckin’ somebody regular, ain’t you?” he said with a smile. I rolled my eyes and shook my head and he clapped his hands and pointed at me. “You are! You’re fuckin’ some bitch regular!”
I gritted my teeth at his calling Rori a bitch, but he wasn’t really calling her that since I hadn’t shared anything about her with him, so I kept quiet.
Half the offensive team showed up over the next hour, and at one point, Andre Jenkins overheard Hunt, who was still fucking badgering me, and asked, “You got yourself a honey, Castle?”
“Yeah, he does,” Hunt chimed in. “He’s getting banged every day now like a champ.”
“You got a girl now, Castle?” Ty King asked.
“Jesus Christ! What’s with you guys today? What, you’re not getting any yourself so you have to live vicariously through me? Fuck!”
They left me alone after that, but non
e of that was really their fault. We usually joked about the women we were banging, so what had happened was just the norm. When I finished, I went by and apologized to each of them telling them I had a lot on my mind, which I did.
I left the weight room heading home and on the way, I did the dumbest thing I’d ever done in my entire fucking life.
I called Rori and broke it off with her.
Chapter 18
“What?” I said into my phone.
“I just don’t think it’s gonna work,” Calder said for the third time. “I’m sorry.”
And he hung up.
I stood in the back of my bakery in shock, staring down at my phone as if what’d just happened was a dream.
“Rori! We need some more blueberry muffins out here, STAT!” Jerry called.
“Get them yourself!” I yelled back. Then breathing in deep and blowing it out, I marched through the door—where upon seeing me, Jerry started to say something but shut up when I gave him a glare—and out past the counter and into the flower shop. When I saw Mara preparing a bouquet, I screamed, “That motherfucker just broke up with me!” then plopped down into Snuggly Chair, curling up into a ball.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Mara said coming over to the chair.
“Nope. He just called and told me we’re through. I made him say it three times.”
“Wow. I’m really sorry, Roar. I seriously didn’t see this coming.”
“I didn’t either. And we finally had sex last night,” I shared. Then it hit me. “Oh, my God! He thinks I suck at sex! That’s why he broke up with me!”
“That’s not it at all,” Mara said. “He’s a pussy who got scared. I think he’s in love with you and his pansy ass can’t deal.”
I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t. Ever since Roark and I talked, I’d had a totally different outlook on things. If Calder Castleman didn’t want to be with me then so be it. If he didn’t value me, I valued myself and that was all that mattered. It stung, boy, did it sting, and I knew I’d eventually cry and be hurt for a while, but I’d get over it and move on.
The BFD (A Big Deal Romantic Comedy Book 1) Page 12
