by Mia Sheridan
When the shower curtain was suddenly pulled aside, I squealed out and startled, scooting backward and hitting my tailbone on the side of the tub.
"Whoa, sorry, sorry," Calder said, stepping into the shower with me. I put one hand on my chest and wiped my tears with the other one. He reached down and pulled me up to him.
"Hey, Morning Glory," he said softly, pulling me into his chest. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head, a new batch of tears rolling down my cheeks. "I don't even know," I squeaked. "I just realized I'd never see Hailey again . . . never see our spring . . . We fell in love there." I gazed up at him sadly.
Calder smiled gently, wiping my tears with his thumb. "We'll fall in love a thousand times again," he whispered, "in all kinds of new places."
I managed a small smile and sniffled.
"Okay?" he asked, brushing his lips over mine.
I nodded. "Okay," I whispered back.
Calder studied my face for a few seconds. "I'm going to take care of you, Morning Glory."
"I know," I whispered. And that was the thing I loved most about Calder. He didn't just protect me in physical ways. He protected all of me: my heart, my feelings, and my moods. I loved him to the depth of my soul. "I'm going to take care of you, too."
He grinned. "I know."
He kissed me gently and when our heads moved under the spray, he broke free and laughed, and put his hand out to feel the water. This was his first shower.
I turned us around so he was the one directly under the showerhead and he sputtered and grinned. His joy was contagious.
"Xander?" I asked, feeling strange he would know we were in the shower together.
"He fell asleep again before I was even done bandaging him. I think the Tylenol started working and the relief put him right out. I guess being carried on someone's back for twenty miles expends a lot of energy."
I laughed softly and nodded, picking up the bottle of shampoo and pouring some in my hand. I reached up to rub it in his hair and he bent forward so I could reach.
I lathered his hair and ran the pads of my fingers over his scalp, working the shampoo through. He moaned softly, closing his eyes. I smiled, running my fingers behind his ears and around the back of his neck. "Lean back," I said quietly.
Once all the shampoo was rinsed out of his hair, I took the bar of soap and said, "Turn around."
Calder turned under the spray and I lathered up my hands and ran them over the beautiful muscles of his smooth back, massaging his shoulders with the slippery soap. He hung his head and braced one hand on the tiles in front of him and sighed. He was wet, and hard and big. I ran my hands down his muscled backside and cleaned the backs of his legs. When I got to his feet, he turned around and I reached for the washcloth and did the same thing for him I had done for myself, washing the hours and hours of road grime off him, taking care not to hurt the wounded parts of his feet.
I worked my way back up the front of his legs, kissing the healed, but scarred skin covered by dark hair. I slowly massaged his muscular thighs and moved my eyes upward slowly. Just above my hands, he was hard and rigid, and when I leaned my head back and looked up into his face, his eyes were half-lidded and full of lust. I swallowed, standing slowly.
"Sorry," he said softly, "I can't help that. Your hands feel so good."
I lathered my hands up once more and slid them over his chest, his muscles tensing beneath my touch. I ran my hands down his arms and then brought each hand up, cleaning between his fingers slowly. His chest rose and fell as his breathing increased. My heartbeat accelerated as well.
I looked into his eyes. Taking one finger, I brought it to my lips and feathered them over it before opening and sucking it gently into my mouth. He sucked in a loud breath and pushed his finger in slowly. I sucked at it again, laving my tongue around it and closing my eyes. Calder moaned deep in his chest.
Suddenly, he brought his finger out of my mouth with a pop and took my face in his hands, bringing his mouth to mine. He plunged his tongue in and I met it with mine, swirling and tasting, bringing my arms up and around his neck. I pressed my wet body to his and moaned out softly at the feel of my nipples rubbing against his chest. Around us the steam swirled and the water rained against the tile, blocking out all other sounds except for our mingled breath and soft moans.
Calder kissed down my neck as he pressed that hot, hard part of him into my belly, moving it in slow circles. I leaned my head back and sighed. The tingly feeling grew between my legs and my heart started beating a slow, steady rhythm in my core. "I want you inside me," I whispered. This was our reward for what we'd just endured. We deserved this, needed it.
Calder's mouth came back to mine as he walked me a couple steps back until I was pressed against the wall of the shower. I put one leg up on the small corner edge of the tub and Calder bent his legs and guided himself to my opening. We laughed softly when it took him several tries to get things lined up properly. But finally, he pushed into me and we both sighed in bliss. Calder moved slowly and deliberately. I took my arms from around him and used my palms behind me to keep steady and to stop my skin from slapping against the tile.
"You're so damned tight, so hot," Calder panted out against my neck, thrusting steadily into me. For me, this time felt much better than the first time and I relaxed into him, moaning softly as I gripped him deep inside me.
Calder took his thumb and reached down, circling it slowly on my sensitive bundle of nerves that made me press forward into him and breathe out harshly. My nipples pebbled and I leaned my head back against the tile, trying to focus on the many varied sensations and feelings.
When I felt his warm, wet mouth cover one nipple, I gasped, hot pleasure shooting from my breast to between my legs, right where Calder's thumb circled faster and faster. "That's . . . oh, please, don't stop, it's so good," I panted. I felt rather than heard Calder's own moan as he switched nipples and drew it deep into his mouth, sucking gently.
I had no idea where he ended and I began, only that we moved together, seeming to have melted into one unit. The heat of the shower—of him—had gotten to my head, surely. I was half out of my mind with emotion, exhaustion, love, and awe-inducing pleasure.
That overwhelming tingly feeling increased, and more intense, hot pinpoints of light grew and burst, white pleasure shimmering around me as I clenched and shuddered, and then cried out softly in his arms. Wave after wave of glorious pleasure overcame me. Calder's thrusts grew short and shallow, and I watched him as his eyes closed and his lips parted, and he looked almost pained. Nothing in this world could possibly be more beautiful. My own body clenched again as an aftershock swept through me at the sight of his pleasure.
Right then, if he had asked me to walk another twenty miles, barefoot this time, I would have.
Suddenly, he grunted, a sound somewhere between bliss and pain. He pulled out of me quickly, pressing into my stomach, and falling into me, moaning against my neck. I felt his hot, sticky fluid dripping down my skin.
He pulled back, panting harshly, and put his forehead to mine and we both just breathed that way for a minute. I'd never felt closer to Calder. Being able to make love without being found out only added to the pleasure.
"I'll never, ever forget my first shower," Calder whispered.
I laughed softly. "As far as showers go, that was a pretty good one for me, too."
Calder laughed. We cleaned ourselves quickly and then turned the water off, stepped out, and dried each other tenderly.
Calder used the towel to blot my hair dry until it was just slightly damp. I put on the robe on the back of the door and Calder tied a towel around his waist.
We didn't have toothbrushes, but used a small bottle of mouthwash provided by the hotel. Calder watched me as I swished it in my mouth and then spit it down the drain and then followed my lead. We'd have to get a few necessities tomorrow.
We turned off the light and stepped into the room where the air conditioning was on high, creating a stead
y hum blocking out any noise. Xander was lying on his stomach on the bed near the window, snoring softly.
It was morning, but the heavy drapes were pulled tight and blocked out almost all light.
Calder and I climbed under the blankets and turned toward each other in the dim room. Calder pushed my hair out of my face. "I love you, Morning Glory," he whispered.
"I love you, too, Butterscotch," I said back, my heavy eyelids closing of their own will. Calder's warmth surrounded me. I was finally sleeping in a bed with him. Joy filled my heart. Minutes later, I was fast asleep.
**********
When I woke late that afternoon, disoriented and heavy with sleep, the smell of Calder still surrounding me, I reached for him, but he wasn't there.
I sat up, bringing the blankets up with me, as my robe had fallen open while sleeping. I immediately spotted the note on the nightstand next to me and picked it up.
Morning Glory,
We went to get some clothes and shoes and other necessities. We'll bring back some food, too.
I love you. C.
P.S. Sleeping on an actual mattress for the first time came in second to sleeping next to you.
I grinned and set the note back down, noticing he'd left a bag of peanuts and the still unopened Coke on the table for me, too. His thoughtfulness caused me to smile. I stretched and got out of bed. After using the bathroom and freshening up, I ate the bag of peanuts and drank a bottle of water the hotel provided.
I flopped back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, feeling happy, feeling safe, and feeling free.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Calder
I had woken up to the feel of warm skin against my face, the smell of apple blossoms all around me. A dream, I thought, a beautiful dream. But it hadn't been. It had been real. I had wanted to stay wrapped in her warmth all day, her delicate scent lulling me into peaceful dreams. But I had to take care of her. There were things she needed.
So now Xander and I were walking the aisles of a store called "Target" that the hotel clerk had directed us to when we told her what we needed. "Our stuff was stolen," Xander had explained. "We need everything." And then he'd shaken his head and shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, What can you do? The state of the world is such a bummer.
"Good thing you're not just an accomplished thief, but an accomplished liar, too," I said as we walked out the door of the hotel.
"Don't forget nighthawk call expert." He winked. His face sobered. "I'm still pretty disappointed I never got to use that."
I laughed. I was still wearing a large bandage wrapped completely around the foot that had no shoe. Hopefully if people noticed, they just thought I had an injury, not that I was using it to replace a shoe.
We walked across the large parking lot of the store and both jumped back slightly when the double doors in front of us opened before we even touched them. "What the . . .?" Xander said under his breath as we both looked around and up at the top of the doorway. We walked through tentatively and entered the massive, brightly lit store.
We wandered the aisles. When I looked over at Xander, his mouth was open and his eyes were filled with awe. I was sure I had the same look on my face. There was so much of . . . everything. And it was all so . . . colorful. One part of the store had clothes and shoes, and another part had soaps and grooming products, and one huge section even had food, all packaged up with bright pictures on the boxes.
"Have you ever seen stuff like this?" I asked Xander.
"Yeah, some at the ranger station, but never this much." He looked around in wonder.
"Let's get what we need and get back," I said. "We probably look like we're aliens from another galaxy the way we're looking around."
"Yeah, that or on some sort of drugs."
I laughed.
We each picked out a pair of shoes and made sure they fit on our feet. When I put my foot inside the padded sneaker and walked a few steps on it, I groaned. "Wow, this is nice," I said, bouncing slightly.
Xander laughed. "You look like an idiot."
"Look who's talking," I said, taking the shoe off. "You're trying on slippers."
Xander looked down at the brown leather bootie on his foot. "These aren't slippers."
"Yes they are. It says so right on the tag."
Xander turned over the tag at his ankle and read it. He took the bootie off and hung it back up on the rack. "I knew that."
I laughed.
"Listen, we only have about a hundred fifteen dollars, so let's spend as little as possible."
I nodded, checking the price tags on the shoes we'd just gotten. "Hopefully we can replenish some cash with the jewelry."
"Yeah, but that's not a sure thing yet."
I nodded. "We probably have enough in change to eat until we can get a hold of Kristi."
"Yeah, I'm gonna try her later. She leaves the ranger station at eight o'clock. I guess she'll be home at about nine . . . hopefully."
"Do you even know how to use a phone?"
"I'll figure it out. Anyway, Eden will know how."
"Oh, right, she will. Speaking of Eden, what size shoe do you think she wears?"
"Small."
"I don't think shoes come in small."
"I don't know then. Just take half your size. That's probably hers."
I picked out a pair of sandals that didn't have a back strap. I thought they'd be forgiving of size, even if I was a little off.
We were okay on clothes for now, but Eden needed something. We wandered through the girl's clothes, confused.
"Can I help you with anything?"
I turned around and a girl with a red shirt on was standing behind me. I looked down and her Target nametag said, "Ashleigh." Her eyes widened and she blinked at me. I guessed I looked pretty bad. I hadn't shaved in two days now. I cleared my throat.
"Hi, Ashleigh, uh, yes, I need something for my girlfriend and I've never picked out girl clothes before."
She got a disappointed look on her face, and I glanced at Xander, wondering if I'd said something wrong.
"Of course. Well, is this for an occasion, or just something casual?"
"Something casual."
"Well, a sundress always works. What about one of these?" She held up a dress with bright blue and green flowers that looked like it would barely cover Eden's breasts.
"Uh, something more . . . covered?" I asked.
Ashleigh sighed. "She could put a sweater over it." She held up a very, very short sweater with short sleeves. I looked between the dress and the "sweater," not liking the idea of Eden wearing either one.
"Is that what girls wear?"
Ashleigh stared at me. "Well . . . yeah."
"Looks good. We'll take it," Xander said.
Ashleigh looked over at him. "What size is she?"
"Small."
She nodded and dug through the racks, pulling out another one of the same dress and same sweater. She handed them to me. I smiled.
"Thanks for your help."
"No problem. Thanks for shopping at Target." She smiled a fake looking smile and walked away.
We walked back over to the aisles where we'd seen soap and picked up toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a brush for Eden. The hotel had all the other stuff we needed, and we didn't want to waste any money unnecessarily.
Our last stop was the food department. We looked around, confused about what everything was. I wanted to pick things up and read about them, but we didn't have time right now and although it was supposedly the food department, half the stuff didn't resemble food at all. Finally, we settled on a loaf of bread, some cheese, and a bag of apples.
We returned to the front of the store where we had seen people paying for their items and followed along behind a mom with two kids sitting in her cart. We watched as she put everything on the counter and then the counter moved her things right to the clerk's hand.
"Whoa!" Xander said, his eyes widening as he looked at me. I just nodded, my eyes wide as well.
I looked up at the clerk who had her eyes narrowed on us as she ran each item over a machine that beeped loudly.
When it was our turn, we did the same and watched as the clerk bagged our items, our heads moving back and forth as each item was pulled forward.
"One hundred fourteen and thirty-six cents," the clerk said, her eyes narrowed on us. We were obviously doing something wrong again.
"I added it all up in my head and I thought it only came to a hundred five or so," Xander said out of the corner of his mouth.
"Tax," the clerk said, overhearing him.
"Oh," Xander said back. "Right. Tax. Yeah, I forgot about the tax."
"We've never been in a Target before," I explained. Xander sighed and shook his head.
The clerk stared at us. "You boys Amish or something?"
"Yup," Xander said, handing over our money. We'd just spent practically every cent of it.
The clerk nodded knowingly. "I thought so. I watch those shows." She took our money and put it in the drawer and scooped out some change.
"Oh, uh, that's good," Xander said, clearly confused.
I laughed. I couldn't help it.
"You'll do fine," she said, giving us a smile and handing Xander the change. "Good-looking boys like you, you just ask for help if you need it, m’kay?" She winked at us.
"Thanks," Xander said, staring back at her for a minute. "Oh hey, we're looking for a place to pawn jewelry. Can you tell us where to go?"
The clerk furrowed her brow. "Well, I can't say exactly, but if you walk about a quarter mile in that direction," she pointed her finger out the doors in front of us, "you'll run into a neighborhood that most likely has a dozen of those."
"Right. Okay, thanks."
Outside Target, we sat on a bench and unpackaged our shoes and put them on. They felt incredible. I could practically hear my blisters sighing in happiness.
