by Emma Renshaw
She has to practice with someone she doesn’t know as well.
I pace as I watch Kiernan’s hands around her throat, not taking my eyes off of them. Bile is rising up my throat and every passing millisecond is making it harder to breath. Iris’s eyes are wide and panicked, her hands gripping his wrists. I feel like a caged animal waiting on the sidelines for someone to hurt her.
“Fuck,” I mutter. I take a step to walk over there and ready to rip Kiernan’s hands off of her, but James yanks me back.
“Give her a second,” James says quietly. “Trust her and them.”
“You got this,” Roman calls out. “Remember what to do with your arms.”
Iris’s jaw works and she swallows. Kiernan gets in even tighter to her body and Iris winces when his hands work around her neck. She’s avoiding looking into his eyes. Kiernan is usually easygoing, but I’ve seen him flip a switch and I know he’s playing the part right now. If she looked at him, he’d terrify her. I rip my arm away from James and stalk across the room, but I come to a stop just a moment later. Rage turns into pride. Iris lifts her arm, twists, and brings it down, breaking the hold with quick, sharp, and precise movements and low grunts. Then she runs.
Right to me.
The fear I saw in her eyes a minute ago is gone, and it’s replaced with excitement. My hands come to her shoulders, my thumbs stroking her neck.
“Shit. This wasn’t a good idea. I’m sorry. It’s too much.”
“Did you see? I did it!” She claps her hands and kisses me. Then she turns and sprints off, calling out, “I want to learn that kick thing Savannah did.”
Chapter 24
Iris
I stand behind Brae, in her bathroom, winding her hair around the curling iron. She smiles at me in the mirror and I return it. Tonight is the spring fling. She’s been bouncing off the walls all day, waiting to get ready. She started knocking on Callan’s bedroom door at seven this morning trying to get me out of bed to help her get ready. I took her out for a manicure and pedicure this morning before we came back to do her hair and makeup.
Brae and I have been giddy with excitement all day, but Callan has been surly and asking Brae if she’s sure that she wants to go tonight.
After Brae and Corbin leave, Callan and I plan to cook dinner together and have a date night at home. I haven’t spent a lot of time at my apartment next door, and I never go over there without Callan. This apartment is starting to feel more like home to me.
Brae’s long hair curls nicely in bounce waves down her back. I pin some pieces back to frame her face. We tease the roots to give her some volume, and I set the final product with hairspray. All those years of getting ready for galas I didn’t want to attend paid off for something.
“Makeup time.” I say, twirling my finger to signal her to turn around. She spins on her vanity stool, and I sit in a chair we brought into the bathroom.
I lightly brush makeup on Brae’s face, highlighting her best features but going light enough that Callan won’t have a conniption. He’s been in a mood all day, staring hard at Brae every time she’s in the room.
“Okay, open your eyes.”
Brae’s eyes slowly open and my breath hitches. The light smoky eyes with blue hues make her eyes appear even larger and bring out of the lightest flecks of blue in her eyes. Corbin is already has a difficult time taking his eyes off of her. Tonight, it’s going to be impossible for him.
“You look stunning, Brae,” I whisper and tuck a curled piece of hair behind her ear. Brae’s eyes light up and she smiles so wide. “Ready to show your big brother?”
“Do you think he’ll like it?”
“Sweet girl, he’s going to love it. And, hate it at the same time, but that’s only because he isn’t ready for you to grow up right in front of his eyes,” I finish on a chuckle.
Shortly before Corbin is supposed to arrive, I help Brae slip into her dress, which matches her eyes perfectly. Crystals adorn the sweetheart neckline. It’s tight around her torso and flares in a gorgeous wave of gauzy fabric.
I step out of Brae’s room first. His hands are curled around the edge and his head is hanging between his arms. I clear my throat to get his attention. His face looks strained, but when Brae steps out in her dress, looking at him shyly, his face softens.
“B,” he whispers. “You look beautiful.”
She runs to him and hugs him around his waist. “Thank you for not leaving me behind. Thank you for taking care of me.”
Callan swallows thickly and presses a kiss to the top of Brae’s head. When he speaks his voice is gruff. His arms squeeze Brae as tight as he can. “Always. You’re stuck with me. You’re the best thing I’ve done in my life. I love you, B.”
My eyes meet Callan’s over Brae’s head and I swipe the tear from my cheek that fell while watching their sweet moment. Callan points at me over Brae’s shoulder. “You’re stuck with me, too, birdie.” Brae giggles and squeezes him tighter as I send him a wink.
“Back at you, foxy.”
“Are you sure you want to go with Corbin? Iris can put on a dress, and I’ll take you both somewhere. You can ditch that punk.”
Brae busts a gut laughing. I bite in the inside of my cheek to stop my laugh when Callan looks offended and turns his eyes to mine. I see the silent plea to take his side, but I won’t.
Callan’s eyes narrow. “I wasn’t joking.”
When we hear a knock, Callan unwinds his arms from Brae and beats me to the door, but it’s not the boy we’re expecting.
“I need to see my girl.” Carmen pushes Callan aside and rushes into the apartment. She careens to a stop in front of Brae, covering her mouth with her hands. “Oh, honey,” Carmen whispers. “You’re absolutely the most beautiful girl in the world and lucky for you, you snagged a gorgeous young man. The two of you would make beautiful babies.”
“She’s sixteen,” Callan growls. “Don’t even bring up babies. She shouldn’t even know where babies come from.”
“I know all about the birds and the bees, big brother.”
“How?” Callan asks. “I didn’t have that conversation with you.”
“I’m sixteen and in high school. Enough said,” Brae answers, rolling her eyes. I drop my head to Carmen’s shoulder and silently shake with laughter.
“It’s not too late to send you to a convent,” Callan responds and points at Brae. She ignores him and smooths one of the waves in her skirt.
Another knock. Brae stiffens and waits for Callan to let Corbin in. Corbin comes into the room, his eyes fixed on Brae, with a grumpy Callan stalking behind him. Corbin is holding a corsage in his hand and stops in his tracks when he gets the full view of Brae in her dress. Callan runs into his back since he stopped so abruptly, but Corbin doesn’t even notice the disturbance.
I run to the refrigerator to get out the boutonniere Brae and I chose for Corbin. The single red rose matches the one on Brae’s corsage. I snag my phone I set on the counter earlier and hustle back, so I don’t miss anything. I start snapping pictures while handing Brae the boutonniere. This teenage girl has only been in my life for a few short months. She brought my friend count to two and now, I’m watching her like a proud mama bear. Callan comes up behind me wrapping his arms around my stomach. He has own phone out to snap a few pictures of the couple and some of Brae by herself.
Corbin takes the corsage out of its plastic container and slips it on Brae’s wrist. Her cheeks are turning pink and she bites her lip. Brae fiddles with the pin on the boutonniere but finally manages to pin it to Corbin’s lapel.
“Take care of her,” Callan warns as they’re walking out to the breezeway.
Corbin tightens his hold on Brae’s hand. He straightens to his full height while puffing out his chest. I want to record this moment and show it to the girls later. “Always.”
I scrunch my nose and wink at Brae as she smiles and melts into a puddle right next to Corbin.
I drag Callan back inside as they head down the stairs t
ogether. Carmen grins as she heads into her apartment. I hug Callan closely when we’re back inside.
“She’s growing up too fast.”
“She’s a great girl,” I whisper. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Thanks for helping her. I wouldn’t have known what to do.”
I chuckle. “You’d have figured it out. You always do.”
Callan and I cook dinner side by side, trading kisses and touches throughout the night. Every time he slides past me to get something from a cabinet or pantry, he make sure to rub against me and leave my skin tingling in his wake. I’m making chicken and cheese enchiladas, another dish Carmen taught me to make. As I’m rolling the chicken in the tortillas, Callan stands behind me gliding his tongue up my neck.
“You had a little bit of sauce on your neck,” he murmurs against my skin.
“Yeah?” My voice comes out in a breathy whisper.
“Tastes good, baby.”
“Glad you think so,” I spin in his arms, keeping my dirty hands off of him and trace his lips with my tongue. Callan’s hands slide down my back, cupping my butt and mold my body against his. He slaps my butt.
“We’ll finish this later,” he whispers and I watch him walk of the room as he looks at me over his shoulder smirking.
We settle on the couch after dinner to watch a movie. Halfway through the movie, Callan is on top of me and I’m grinding my hips, seeking the friction I desperately need. It’s been weeks of edging toward this moment and if it doesn’t happen now, I may spontaneously combust.
“Callan,” I moan. My hands fist in his shirt and start to move it up his torso. My knuckles brush over his heated skin. His thumb sweeps over my nipple through the fabric of my clothes—it’s not close enough. Callan moves his lips to my neck and nips my pulse point. My back arches and his hips meet mine.
“I’m ready,” I whisper without even a slight tremor in my voice.
Callan leans back. “What?”
“I’m ready.” I repeat and nod my head for emphasis.
Callan rises from the couch without a word, scoops me into his arms, and takes me to his room. He lays me down on the bed, climbing on top of me at the same time. Our eyes line up, neither of us breaks eye contact through this whole process and with each passing second my heart pounds faster, my clothes feel tighter, and need consumes me. Callan has helped me trust him, wholly and completely. I’ve never felt as safe in my life as I do in his arms. Every moment I’ve read and dreamed about finally makes sense.
“Are you sure?” Callan asks, cupping my cheek. “It doesn’t have to be. We can wait.”
I turn my head, kissing his palm. “I’m sure.”
“If you change your mind at any moment, just say the word and I stop. It doesn’t matter how far this goes. You’re in control.”
He frames my face, kissing me. His lips mold to mine, sucking the bottom one in his mouth and nibbling. I open my mouth for him when his tongue sweeps across my lower lip. Our tongues tangle and move together as taste each other. With each swipe my body hums for him.
My past slides away. In this moment, it’s only Callan. I want it to be only Callan for the rest of my life.
As if he can read my mind, his hands leave my face and his arms band around me like steel. Every inch of my body is touching his. We’re pressed so tightly together not even air can move between us. I yield for him and try to move even closer. His hand glides down my back and cups my butt, kneading the flesh. My fingernails scratch along his lower back underneath his t-shirt. The muscles in his back contract underneath my palms.
My belly starts sparking and wetness floods my panties. I kiss along his jaw over to his ear, sucking his lobe into my mouth.
Callan rolls us so I’m on top of him. He hugs me to his chest, bringing my face to his, pecking me lightly on the lips.
“I’ve never held something so precious,” he whispers.
My nose starts stinging and my throat clogs with emotion. His blazing eyes sear into my soul and claim me as his.
I take his lips, kissing him fiercely. Callan rolls us again, taking over the kiss. I give him everything, every ounce of me. It’s all his and in turn I take everything he gives me. I wish I could capture this feeling on a canvas using the most vibrant colors and daring brushstrokes. Every brush, every color, every connection is meant to be.
Rough hands slide up my torso, bringing my top up along with it. His hands reach behind my back, unhooking my bra with a deft flick of his fingers. He palms my breasts, tugging on my nipples. I push them farther into his hands.
My hands slide over the valleys and ridges of his body, tugging his shirt off. Callan’s broad, tanned chest is magnificent. I slide my hand lower, unbuttoning his jeans.
He swiftly removes my pants and his, and finally all our skin is touching. The hard ridge of his cock juts against my stomach. I shift my hips and roll. Callan’s eyes shut as he groans.
“Fuck.”
“Pancakes,” I mimic, smiling.
The grin on his face falls when I wrap my hand around him, gliding up and down. He grits his teeth and moves his hips in time with my pumping. My chest fills with pride watching ecstasy overcome Callan and knowing it’s because of me.
Callan’s fingers find their way between my folds. One finger slides into me, gliding in and out. He adds a second one and uses his thumb to circle my clit.
“Come on, birdie. Let me hear you say my name one time before I fill you. Before you’re mine in every way.”
“I’m already yours,” I whisper just before I crest the edge and call out Callan’s name, my hips bucking against his hand. Callan leans over me, grabbing a condom from his drawer, and slides it on.
He lines up with my entrance and slowly glides in. Pierce wasn’t even close to Callan’s size, and it’s been a long time. There’s a piercing pressure behind the bliss.
I screw my eyes shut.
“Birdie, do you want to stop?” Callan’s hips stop moving.
“No, keep going.”
“Birdie,” he whispers.
“I promise I’m okay.”
Callan slowly starts to move his hips, gliding out until just the tip is in and then sinking all the way inside me. The pressure starts to lessen and Callan picks up the pace, circling his hips. His hands are gliding all over my body as he whispers how perfect I feel, how much he loves this, how much he loves me.
My heart is close to bursting, I can hardly breathe. I clutch Callan’s back, tossing my head back and coming harder than I ever thought possible. Callan pumps into me a few more times before burying his face in my neck, whispering my name.
A tear slides down my cheek, hitting the top of his head.
His head comes up, and his eyes go wide as he scans my face. “Did I hurt you?”
I shake my head, my lower lip quivering. “No. I didn’t know it could be like that. I didn’t know it could be anything other than pain, but as cheesy as it sounds, that was the beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced.”
“I will never hurt you,” Callan vows. “I’d sacrifice everything to keep a smile on your beautiful face.”
Chapter 25
Callan
Iris’s head is tucked beneath my chin, and her face is pressed against my throat. Her soft breaths fan against my skin. I just experienced the most exhilarating sex of my life. I’ve had great sex, but I’ve never felt a connection like I felt with her, never been so in tune with someone else’s body, and never had anyone so in tune with mine. And now, as I’m holding her and listening to her even breathing, I want to scale the nearest mountain, pound on my fucking chest, and shout to the world that this woman is mine.
I close my eyes with a content smile on my face and start to drift off to sleep, but my ringing phone keeps me from falling over the edge. I grab it off the nightstand, hitting the button on the side to mute the ringing, and glance down at Iris to see if it woke her. I grin when her pouty lips purse but even out quickly and her breathing ret
urns to the deep, sated breaths of sleep.
I press the side button again and let the phone fall on the nightstand. Another call from Chicago isn’t going to ruin this moment for me. The girl in my arms has been a constant in my mind since I first laid eyes on her, and now she’s here in my bed. There’s no way in hell I’m letting a call get in the way of that.
My phone starts ringing again, but this time it’s Brae’s ringtone. My chest tightens with worry. It’s late for her to be calling, and I figured she would forget that I existed tonight. She’s been way too excited about the prospect of going out on a real date with Corbin and to her first school dance and then staying the night at a friend’s house.
“Brae? Are you okay?” I ask when I answer the phone and bring it up to my ear.
“Should’ve answered my calls, asshole.”
My body strings tight as Luca’s voice pours through the line. Iris’s head pops up and she stares at me. My heart is beating frantically, inside of my chest and my ears are pounding and filling with white noise as the rage takes over.
“Where the fuck is Brae? I’ll fucking kill—”
“Calm down. Don’t get your balls in a knot. Little Braelyn is just fine. I can’t say the same for her date. Austin Memorial Hospital.”
Before I can say another word, Luca hangs up the phone. I slide out of bed while dialing Brae’s number and hitting the speaker icon. I drop the phone on the bed as I reach for my jeans on the floor.
“Fuck,” I mutter when the call goes straight to voicemail.
“What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.” I pull my shirt over my head. Fuck. I stop for a second, looking into Iris’s eyes. Her eyes never fail to stun me. With the next words out of my mouth, I hope I don’t scare her off and lose what is starting between us. I squeeze the back of my neck. “There’s shit I need to tell you, but I can’t right now. Someone from my past, from Chicago, just called and said Corbin is in the hospital. He said Brae is okay, but I need to get there. I need to see. I don’t trust him.”
