A Love That Lasts

by Baker, Tory

I shake my head, clearing my thoughts, and follow him to the backyard. Jamie’s in a pair of swim trunks that are bright with splashes of flowers throughout them. On one of our outings, Claira told him she liked them, so he bought them. My little girl has him wrapped around her finger.

  “Hey, girl! Hey!” I hear come from the front door, and with that saying alone, I know it’s Lyla.

  “Hey! In the kitchen. Bring me my niece!” I respond back. Marriage and children look good on her. I wash my hands and am ready and waiting for Brentley’s cute baby face.

  “What in the hell is in the backyard?” She stops in her tracks, Colt beside her holding their daughter.

  “Jamie bought a pool for Claira. He didn’t tell me it would be big enough for all of us to join in and have a pirate ship type theme.” I roll my eyes in exasperation, but I’m smiling while I’m doing it.

  “I told you,” Lyla says.

  “Hey, Callie, I’m going to see if Jamie needs help,” Colt says, giving me a one-sided hug. He hands me Brentley before heading out back.

  “I know, I know. What can I say? I’m stubborn.”

  “Did I hear that right? Callie is admitting to being stubborn?” Presley comes in from around the corner.

  “Yes.” I stomp my foot, similar to what Claira does when she gets up in arms.

  “I’m going to faint. You know we love you, but I’m glad you’re with Jamie. For you to have all of that animosity built up for so long, I knew there was something building for you not to like him.” Presley shrugs her shoulders, ignoring me, and walks right to the chips and salsa.

  “I know, and you’re right, but dude! Where’s my hug? You’d just abandon me for food? Are you pregnant?” I ask, and the look on her face morphs into shock.

  “Fuck, you so are, Presley!” Lyla squeals.

  “How did you even know?” Presley questions as Lyla and I hug her. The three of us wrap up together.

  “You’re devouring chips and salsa like it’s your last meal. You did the exact same thing with Noah anytime it was around,” I respond.

  Lincoln comes into the room, Noah squirming in his hands to get down to walk. “Why are you girls crying?” He takes us in. I didn’t even notice we were.

  “The cat’s out of the bag, babe. Callie knew.” She shrugs.

  “It wasn’t like we wanted to keep it a secret. I’m glad they know. You need them, especially now.”

  “Lincoln, I’m pregnant, not an invalid!” Presley states.

  “That’s my cue to be with the menfolk. We’ll take the kids. You three have a nice chat.” He scoops Brentley out of my arms, Noah finds his father’s hand, and off they go.

  “Does anyone want to move this to the back porch and watch said menfolk work? Because I really want to admire Jamie without a shirt.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and we all laugh as we make our way to the backyard.

  We sit on the new patio furniture that Jamie helped me put together. Not only that, but my flower beds were horrible looking. He shocked the hell out of me when he came over a couple of weeks ago and dug right in with Claira and me to spruce them up.

  “This looks amazing, Callie,” Lyla says.

  “Thank you. It’s finally all coming together. I just need to work on a few more things, and then I’ll be completely done. It only took what, five years?”

  “It’s worth it though,” Presley joins in. We watch as the men get in the water with the kids. Colt has Brentley in his arms as he sits in the small kiddie pool area, and Lincoln has Noah using the water gun that’s attached at the bottom of the slide, pointing it at Jamie and Claira. I never thought I’d be here, surrounded by family, my daughter, and a man that lives and breathes for us. It makes me realize I’m completely and utterly in love with Jamie.

  It brings a smile to my face. I take my shorts and tank top off, wanting to join in the fun. “You girls want to beat the boys?”

  “Heck yes,” Presley says, whipping her dress off. She’s wearing a one-piece bathing suit that is black with lace detailing.

  “I’m in. Colt deserves it after leaving me on edge this morning.” I laugh as we head toward the chaos.

  16

  Jamie

  Our day went by fast, and before I knew it, everyone was tired, their bellies were full, and they were ready to head home. Claira decided to go home with Lyla. Apparently, Colt promised to take her to the shop and work on paint colors tomorrow, which means tonight I’ll have time with Callie. We’ve snuck around when Claira was asleep, always having to be careful and quiet, but tonight that won’t be the case.

  “Callie,” I groan. Her lips find the base of my neck as she straddles my lap in her bed.

  She nips and bites all the way down my chest. I didn’t bother putting a shirt back on after we got out of the water, and now I’m reaping the rewards of it. Callie in her bathing suit had me swallowing my tongue and having to think about baseball, my mother, anything to keep from going rock hard.

  Her lips lick a path down my chest to my abdomen. She licks every line delineating my muscles, and my head tips back on a moan. Her hands open my shorts, but I stop her. I want her to know we don’t have to go this far if she isn’t ready. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I need you, Jamie. All of you.” Her hands spur into action, peeling my shorts down. I help her by lifting my hips, and then they’re gone. Her hands are back on me in a flash, one hand cradling my balls while the other glides up and down my hard shaft. When she dips down, her tongue licking the head of my shaft, I bury my hands in her hair. I don’t press her down farther; I want her to do this at her own pace, as much as it fucking kills me. I know I can give her this. I have to, for now at least.

  When her mouth engulfs me, it takes everything I have not to rock into her, hold her by her hair, and guide her. She hollows out her cheeks, taking me farther and deeper until I’m at the back of her throat. “Mi Sol, fuck. Just like that,” I grunt. My hands fist the sheets beneath me, her hair covering what I want to see, but I don’t dare move my hands. The strands tickle my legs and stomach. She swallows as she meets the base of my cock with her lips, and I just can’t take it. My hands grip her shoulders, and I pull her off.

  “Jamie, I wasn’t done.” She pouts. Those lips, what they do to me. I rip her shirt over her head, tossing it on the ground, revealing her bathing suit. The strings to the top come undone with ease, so I move to her bottoms. The bows at the side come apart, too, and I’m left speechless. She’s so beautiful. Her skin is smooth and creamy, with freckles dotting her body here and there. Her breasts heave as I take her in. I’ve had her nipples in my mouth on more than one occasion. The small swell of her stomach leads down to my promised land, and she’s completely soaked for me. I love knowing that she is wet from giving me pleasure. The tips of my fingers touch her small patch of red curls. I tug softly, and she gasps.

  “I’m not coming down your throat, Callie.” I haul her so she’s in my lap again, where she’s meant to be always.

  “But I wanted to. It’s been weeks since I’ve tasted you.”

  “You’ll get it, and soon, but right now, I want that sweet pussy sitting on my face before I feel you coming around my cock.” I lay back on the pillows, pulling on her thighs until she gets the message that I’m not taking no for an answer.

  Callie is hesitant at first. “Jamie, this is all so new to me.”

  “I promise I’d never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. Let me make you feel as good as you do for me.” She nods, and then I’m rewarded when she does as I ask.

  I pull down on her thighs when her hands find the headboard, and I feast on her. My tongue parts her folds, finding her clit, and I latch on. I want Callie coming apart, hard and fast. After sucking on her clit, I swipe my tongue down to her pussy and mimic how I would fuck her with my cock. My teeth scrape her clit, and she rocks against my mouth, her hands finding her breasts and palming them. I never take my eyes off of her. She finds her release, flooding my mouth with her essence, and I drink it
the fuck down, not stopping until her body is spent. I quickly maneuver us so I’m holding her, both of us lying on our sides, facing one another.

  When I bring her leg over my hip, the head of my cock nudges at her entrance. We’re both bare; we haven’t discussed precautions. I’m sitting right inside her, not moving an inch. “Mi sol, I have to know what I should do here. Should I pull out, grab a condom, or am I coming deep inside you?”

  “Oh, God, Jamie,” she moans, still not giving me an answer. I flex my hips, wanting to sink deep inside her, but I can’t until she gives me an answer. I slowly pull out; her whimper makes me want to say fuck it and take her exactly as we are. At the end of the day, it’s her decision.

  “Callie, you have to give me an answer before I get back inside you.” She rocks her hips and impales herself on my cock. My hips strain not to move.

  Finally, she says, “I’m on the Depo shot. You can come inside me.”

  That’s all it takes. Our hips rock together until I can’t stand the slowness anymore. I move her onto her back, my forearms hold her legs, and I watch where our bodies connect. “Look at us, Callie. Look how fucking wet you’re getting my cock. All that sweetness, just for me,” I grunt, thrusting as hard as I can. Callie’s arms come up, and she holds on to the headboard as I take her. I don’t stop, not even when her pussy is clutching me so tightly, nor when I feel the tingle in my balls as they threaten to explode. I push through it until she comes again, and only then do I come with her.

  17

  Callie

  My whole body is humming with pleasure. Jamie is lying on top of me, caging me in, and I’ve never felt more cherished before in my life. My center contracts around him when he goes to slowly pull out.

  “Not yet,” I beg.

  Jamie slides back in, his blue eyes finding mine. “I’ll stay inside of you all night,” he replies, lazily pumping his hips, and my own join his rhythm. The delicious feel of him inside me is utterly amazing.

  “I want that, so much,” I respond, and Jamie does what I ask. I wasn’t sure Jamie could go again without taking a break, but that just shows how virile he is.

  This time, it’s more of a relaxed pace, neither of us rushing to find our orgasms. Our eyes never waver, and if I were a betting woman, I’d say Jamie is showing me how he feels about me. It’s as if we’re making love.

  “Callie,” he moans, knowing I’m on the verge of going over, my name on his lips as if he’s saying a silent prayer. I fall apart, taking him with me, and this time our bodies are beyond sated. He doesn’t leave me, though, and instead tucks me into his side, neither of us worrying about the mess we’ve made.

  “Thank you. I know that’s kind of cliché to say, but it’s so much more to me than those two simple words. It was indescribable,” I tell him.

  “Mi Sol, you never have to thank me. It should be me on my knees, thanking you. Fuck, if you’d never woken my stone-cold heart, I’d be missing out on the best moments of my life. These past two months, they’ve meant everything to me.” His thumb is on my pulse at the base of my throat. At first, it was odd to me, but now, I know it’s something he does to feel how fast or slow the rhythm is.

  “I’m glad I did. You were always the hot dragon asshole boss, but now you’re just my hot boss.” I wink at him. He chuckles, and both of us yawn from our long day.

  “I’m going to clean up. I’ll be right back.” I get up from the bed, looking at Jamie; he’s so at home here. He never brings up money, and neither do I. I’ve offered for us to visit at his place, but he always tells me no. He likes Claira to be at her home and says that his place is for him to sleep, that it’s not a home. It made my heart ache when he told me that.

  I make quick work of washing off, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair up into a bun to fall asleep in. If I don’t, I’ll wake up to a knotted mess. I’m bent over, working my hair through a loop when I see Jamie come in from the corner of my eye. He’s standing at the doorway, naked as the day he was born, the same as me.

  “No way, you’re ready to go again?” I question once I flip my head back up.

  “Callie, you’re bent over, completely bare to me, that gorgeous ass on display with your tight pussy waiting for my tongue to delve deep inside. Of course, I’m ready to go again.”

  “As much as I want that, and believe me, I do, but if we have sex again, I won’t be able to walk tomorrow, or I’ll be bow legged. I pulled out a spare toothbrush for you as well as a towel.” I stand on the tip of my toes, kissing him lightly before I walk out of the bathroom to find clothes to wear to bed.

  “Callie, I love that I could possibly make you walk bow-legged, but rest assured, I will be inside you over and over again. Don’t wear clothes to bed. I’ll just tear them off. I want us skin to skin, heart to heart.” He tugs me back closer to his body, kissing me deeply. I’m left a whimpering mess when it ends.

  “Jesus, what that man does to me,” I whisper out loud once I hear the shower start.

  “I heard that,” he groans, and I turn around. He’s in the shower, water sluicing down his body, and this time if I don’t leave, I’ll be the one begging for more no matter how sore I’ll be.

  I scurry into the bedroom, quickly changing the sheets before Jamie gets out of the shower. I make a mental checklist of everything I wanted in a guy, and hand to God, Jamie meets all of the requirements. He’s amazing with my daughter, he makes his own money, and he’s not a dick. Okay, that last one, he may have been for a long time, but he’s redeemed himself. Not to mention, I can see the affection he holds for Clairabella, a fact that shows every time they’re around each other. Both of them go off in their own little world. Presley and Lyla were a little concerned with how I would take it at first, but it was the most precious thing in the world; there was no room for jealousy.

  The big task will be when he finally meets my parents. I need that to happen sooner rather than later. With Claira talking about Jamie non-stop, I saw the way my mom’s eyes lit up and the apprehension in my father’s.

  I’m starting to drift off to sleep, closing my thoughts down when Jamie slides into bed beside me. His arm comes under my neck, and I go to roll over, but his chest presses against my back, his warmth giving me peace and comfort all at once.

  “Goodnight, Jaime,” I say on a yawn.

  “Goodnight, Mi Sol,” he murmurs before kissing the side of my neck. The last thought on my mind is that I could get used to falling asleep in his arms and never leaving.

  18

  Jamie

  I knew today could make or break our relationship. I’d never allow Callie to choose between her parents or me. In a perfect world, her father wouldn’t want to kill me for being the asshole I once was, but I’m sure words will be said, and if I put myself in his shoes, I couldn’t blame him.

  “You ready?” Callie touches my arm as we walk inside her parents’ house. Lyla dropped Claira off earlier today so she could spend the day with them.

  “Of course.” I open the front door for her.

  “Mom, Dad, Claira,” she yells while we walk into her childhood home. I take in everything I can, the pictures on the wall of Callie and Claira, both of them always with wide smiles and happy faces.

  “We’re in the back den,” I hear a man state. If he doesn’t think I’m good enough for his girls, well, the truth is I know he’d be right. No one will ever be perfect for them, myself included.

  We walk in, and Callie’s dad is sitting in a recliner. Her mother is on the floor, playing baby dolls with Claira. When she sees her mother and me, Claira darts up, squealing, “Momma, Mr. Jamie, you’re finally here!” I figured she would head straight to Callie first, but she doesn’t. Claira runs right up to me, lifts her arms, and I pick her up as she hugs my neck.

  “Mi Princessa, were you good for your auntie?” I ask, her hands squishing my cheeks together.

  “I’m always good.” Her eyes, so much like Callie’s, flutter, and my smile broadens.

  “T
hat you are. I think your momma may want a hug.” Callie is standing beside me, and Claira launches herself toward her, wrapping her body around her mom.

  I watch for a few seconds, taking in the bond the two of them share. I’m always surprised that I’m included in their moments.

  “You must be Jamie. I’m Nancy, and this is my husband, Joe. We’ve heard so much about you,” Nancy says. I go to shake her hand, but she doesn’t allow it. She pulls me in for a hug instead.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I respond. Callie’s father is standing beside us now, and I hold my hand out to shake it.

  He’s hesitant at first. “I’m Joe. It’s nice to meet you, Jamie.”

  “It’s nice to meet you as well.” Claira wiggles out of Callie’s arms, going back to what she was doing before we arrived.

  “Well, this isn’t awkward or anything,” Callie says, breaking the ice as she hugs her parents. Her mom laughs, which in turn has us all laughing.

  “Mr. Jamie, will you play with me?” Claira asks. I don’t care how old you are, what you do for a living, or how much money you make a year. When a little girl asks you to play baby dolls with her, you play baby dolls with her.

  Callie’s eyes swim with tears, and I lightly touch her cheek, my thumb trailing a path until it gets to her pulse point. She nods, and I kiss her forehead then head toward Claira.

  “Of course.” I go to where she’s playing on the floor and sit with her.

  She hands me a brush, telling me, “You need to brush her hair. It’s a knotted mess. Then I’ll teach you how to braid it.”

  “Okay, you can do that, but it might take you a while,” I tell her as I start to work on the baby doll’s hair.

  “You’re lucky that’s Lucy’s hair you’re brushing. She doesn’t mind how long it takes.” Claira is giving me her toothless smile.