“Then what point are you trying to make here, Ash?” Callum states huffily. “We know someone was in there, we just don’t know who it could be.”
Everything is dead silent when Asher leans onto the table, locking eyes with Callum. The stare off is so menacing, so fierce it causes a shiver of unease to slither its way up my spine.
“Maybe Debra got mixed in with the wrong fucking crowd, and when Jess walked in and saw everything, the dude had to take care of it.” He smacks his fists down on the table, growling, “She wasn’t even the goddamn target, dipshits! That’s what I’m saying!”
That can’t possibly be right. If I wasn’t the intended target, I’m sure that person would have left right after they killed Debra. None of this would have happened to me. I wouldn’t have gotten a text from Debra telling me to go inside, which I’m not even sure came from Debra now.
None of this makes a damn bit of sense.
And I have a feeling it will stay that way until I can remember everything that happened that night.
“I’m going to go take a shower.”
Without waiting for anyone to acknowledge me, I turn around, step around Quinn, and make my way upstairs. This is all a bit too much for morning breakfast, and I just want to take a shower, hoping I can rid myself of the images that seem burned in the back of my mind.
CHAPTER 8
Walking into my bathroom is like walking into a fairytale laden in marble and sterling silver. Everything is sleek—it’s a mess of jagged edges and smooth surfaces that, oddly enough, mesh together flawlessly. There’s an eight-foot-tall decorative mirror standing off in the corner, with shelves upon shelves of svelte looking towels situated right next to it.
Heated towels I come to realize when I trail my fingers across their luxurious softness. A sigh releases from between my lips as I trail my fingers all over it, feeling the heat of the fabric warm me all the way to the bone.
The shower is magnificent. There are two glass doors with sterling silver handles. An intricate marble designed bench resides just inside, playing off the color scheme of onyx and silver. It seems so professional, yet so lush in quality. I bet it's pure heaven in a five by six-foot radius.
Untying my robe, I slip the sleeves down my arms until it’s nothing more than a puddle of fabric at my feet. A brisk wave of air rushes over my body, causing my skin to rise with goosebumps and my nipples to tighten into stiff points. Opening the door, it gives a little whooshing sound, and I step into it. The backsplash of the shower is so smooth and delicate under my feet—so magical that I have to pinch myself to believe this is all real.
When I get to the faucet, however, that’s where I become lost. There are a bunch of buttons and knobs and I have no idea what to do to get it on and set to the right degree. It looks like something out of the future. Mulling it over in my head, I hear the door to the bathroom open, which has my eyes drifting in its direction. My heart stalls inside my chest at the same time my pussy floods with need when I see it’s Callum leaning inside.
“Figured you could use a little help?” Callum says, but there’s nothing innocent about him in this moment. Not with the way his eyes look their fill, heating my skin as if he’s touching me. But with the light smile gracing his lips.
Blushing, I reply, “Um, yeah.”
While he makes his way toward the shower, I sit down on the bench behind me, and cover all of my private areas. He seems to notice but says nothing as a small smirk appears at the corner of his lips.
I simply expect him to instruct me on what knobs I need to twist and turn, but that’s nowhere close to what he does. Callum leaves me flabbergasted when he slips his shirt over his head and unbuttons his pants while stepping out of his shoes. He removes all articles of clothing, and the lump rising in my throat is hard to swallow down as I get an eye full of his semi-hard cock jutting out from his body.
My mouth salivates for a taste when I see the sterling silver barbell through the head of his cock. I didn’t see it that night we were all at Ellis,’ but that means nothing. I was too busy being devoured by Asher and Ellis to even pay attention to Callum’s dick.
“W-What are you doing, Cal?”
He doesn’t answer. But comes in, and heads straight for the panel with what seems like thousands of buttons resting on its surface. My eyes eat up the expanse of his back, taking in the muscular curves and dips of his shoulder blades, to the brawny portion of his lower back that ends with two dimples and a taut, bubble ass that even a Brazilian lift can’t provide.
Every part of Callum has grown over the last two years. He has this Bahamian glow resting just along the surface of his skin, probably from living in California for the last few years. It’s done great things, though, living there. He has this certain confidence about him that simply takes my breath away.
At first, I thought he was conceited. A real pain in the ass. But the more time I spend around him, the more I’m pleasantly surprised to find out that he’s not. It was the situation we found ourselves in that changed him, morphed him into the hardass he is today.
However, now, since I know the truth about his and Alessandra’s relationship—even if I don’t know the specifics—I see everything in a new light. Maybe I would have a more in-depth perception if he would tell me everything.
“You need help and I’m going to help you,” he replies over his shoulder just before the spray of water shoots out from above. “I’m also on babysitting duty today.”
His words settle into my mind, pushing forward a bout of frustration. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
He looks back over his shoulder, and I swoon over the breathtaking smile that morphs his features. “No one ever said you did, little mouse. But if you think after what you’ve been through that we do everything in our power to keep you safe, then you’re delusional.”
When he turns around all the way, we both stare at each other for quite some time, allowing the steam to filter through the silence between us. My heart thunders in my chest by the look of pure unadulterated hunger transforming his eyes.
“Cal?” I croak, swallowing hard.
He continues to stare at me as if I hold the world in the palm of my hands. “You know, I’ve always wondered.”
“Wondered what?”
The looks he gives random girls is enough to make them squirm, but the look he’s giving me now is almost enough to make me combust.
He steps into me, but when I try to stand, he gently places a hand on the top of my shoulder. When I peer up at him, my breath catches in my chest by the soft look on his face. His fingers slowly trail from my shoulder, up the column of my neck, until they’re ghosting along my jawline. I can’t fight it no matter how strong I try to be, as my eyes flutter close of their own accord and I revel in the feeling of his hands on my flesh.
The places he touches lights with burning desire. My skin feels like there are tiny pinpricks of arousal as he continues to innocently caress me in the most tantalizing of ways.
A light tap on my knee brings me out of my trance. Opening my eyes, I peer up at him as he taps me again. Instead of voicing my question, I spread them before I can even think about it. So much tumultuous emotions swirl inside me as his giant body slowly gets to his knees, and he settles between mine. His closeness, his fierce proximity has my eyes closing and my lips parting. I feel his breath ghost over my lips, then his tongue as he trails it from one side to the other, earning a full body shiver as its reward.
“I’ve always wondered—” He continues to trail his tongue up the side of my jawline until he’s pressing chaste, open mouth kisses to the sensitive spot beneath my ear. His large, rough hands slide along my upper thighs until they settle at my waist. “If you taste as good as you smell.”
Trembling, my eyes flutter open and stare at the wall in front of me. I lick my lips, feeling my latent arousal steam forward, nearly overtaking me. It doesn’t matter which of them touch me; I have the same reaction to all of them. But with Callum, it fe
els different. It feels like more. Something a faceless person robbed us of when we were younger, and I want more than anything to wash away the sins of our past and create a new future.
Tilting my face toward his, I trail my lips along the column of his neck. Taking his earlobe between my lips, I suck lightly, damn near exploding with exuberance when his grip tightens, and he quivers between my thighs.
“Why don’t you find out,” I release breathily, my voice filled with hunger.
He jerks back, peering down at me. I can see the war he’s waging within his lust clouded eyes. “I lost my head for a moment. I shouldn’t be doing this. You were hurt.”
I slide closer until I’m resting on the edge of the marble bench. The front of my body plasters itself to his, and I damn near groan at the feeling of his hard body pressing against my soft curves. There is something so tantalizing about feeling a man, with all his bulging muscles and untapped lust. Feeling the difference of two bodies as they meld into one. It’s a heady feeling. Makes you feel powerful as you watch him slowly spiral out of control, knowing you are the one that brought them down to their knees.
Trailing my hands up his arms, I wrap them around his neck and bring him closer. Our lips are inches apart, and it feels like a million miles separates them. “Make me feel good, Cal.” My lips barely graze his as I whisper my plea.
He stares at me, his expression morphing into wariness. The only thing I do is pull him tighter against me. When it feels like I’m about to combust, I feel his fingers reach down, softly gliding over my skin before sliding along my lips. I try to keep my eyes open, but they feel heavier and heavier, my breathing becoming labored.
“Close your eyes and lie back, little mouse.” What?
When I do as he says, he leaves me for a few seconds, the heat of him disappearing entirely. But when I form the words on my lips, I hear him tinkering with the buttons on the panel, then a soft stream of water caresses my body from above. The tiny stream of water feels like a thousand lovers’ caresses.
Then, I feel his tongue gliding up my slit. My eyes pop open on a gasp. "Oh, God.” His tongue ring dragging along the surface of my skin feels so fucking good.
He pulls my legs over his shoulders, licking me up and down slowly, torturing and teasing me. When he drags his pierced tongue up my pussy, then dips his tongue inside over my bundle of nerves, I cry out in pleasure. His hands tighten around my hips as he releases a guttural groan, the vibration boosting me higher. Then, he latches onto my clit, hollowing out his cheeks as he flicks his tongue rapidly.
“Shit!” I shriek.
I arch my back and tighten my legs around his head, breathing hard. He groans against my core, a sound of hunger and desperation. He continues swirling his tongue around me, tugging my clit between his lips and going back for more—sucking, nibbling, licking.
His large hands roam up my sides, where he envelops my breasts in his grip. My toes curl. My legs tighten and release around his head. The pulse between my legs throb, and I feel warmth slick my entrance.
He comes up for air, and I’m nearly shaking when he presses fast, heated kisses against the top of my mound and hips, like he can’t get enough of my skin pressing against his. “You taste even better.” He groans, fingers tightening. “Goddamn, I’ll never get enough of you, Jess.”
My answering whimper seems to break something inside of him—or fixes it, I can’t really decipher at the moment. Because within seconds, he pushes one of my knees up while systematically pressing one over, opening me fully to him. He devours me faster, harder, greedier—as if he simply can’t get enough. Then, he covers me with the entirety of his mouth, sucking and working my slit under his tongue until I cry out.
“Please,” I groan. “Please, please … Ah, Cal!”
The air whooshes out of my lungs. My hips buck up against his mouth. I can feel the climax steadily rising, and when I open my eyes and peer down at Callum between my thighs, a look of pure euphoria softening his features, I feel it burst inside me like a balloon. I grab the back of his neck, holding him to me, feeling the tingle that builds until every muscle in my body contracts.
“Yes!” I shout, my whimsical, lust-filled voice reverberates off the walls surrounding us.
My orgasm explodes, spreading through every facet of my being. So hard I see stars dancing in my vision. A guttural growl vibrates against my quivering pussy as I come down, my heart beating wildly inside my chest cavity. My eyes flutter open, and I stare at the gorgeous Adonis kneeling between my thighs. He shoots me a pleased smile, then licks his lips, as if relishing the taste of me on him.
It’s the most erotic, sensual thing I’ve ever seen in my life. And I know, without a doubt, I’m ruined for all others except my four guys. They know everything about me, almost scarily so, and they treat me like a queen.
He slowly rises to his full height, peering down at me with such love shining through his eyes it takes my breath away. But the look slowly fades away before it can ever settle in, and it ignites something in my chest. His eyebrows slant together, and he looks like he’s searching for something. Words, maybe? I don’t know. But it’s not what I would expect after an explosive experience like that.
“Jess …”
I’m fully alert now, dread settling into my stomach. It makes my body cry out in protest over pushing my release to the back burner. “What?”
He remains silent, though. His gaze sweeps across my naked flesh, and it almost has me wanting to cover myself up. He didn’t switch from hot to cold, but I can steadily feel his heat taper down the longer we’re stuck in this shower together. My fingers graze the side of his face, noting his jaw muscle jerk at the movement.
“It’s nothing.” He tries to cover it up with a smile, but it’s too late, I’ve already seen it.
Nothing definitely means something.
CHAPTER 9
My eyes follow his every movement. He says nothing, just merely meanders from this place to that, pondering over the things messing up his mind. He’s been like this since our shower upstairs hours ago, and honestly, I don’t know why, but I’ll be damned if I say anything about it. He’s going to have to come to me. This isn’t a one-way street; not anymore, and he should know it.
If he’s all into his feelings, then he will have to work through those himself, because Lord knows, I’m not the person he needs to ask for advice. I can barely get through each day now as it is and adding more onto my plate might just tip the scales.
With a sigh, I heave myself out of the armchair and make my way to the kitchen. I’m not too hungry, but it will give me something. I don’t want to watch him beat himself up over licking me until I creamed on his face. That’s the worst. Watching someone battle within themselves over doing what they want. I just wish I knew why.
It’s not that what we’re doing is a secret. All the guys know there is potential for me to be with all of them. Heck, I’ve already been with Asher and Ellis at the same time and fucked Quinn in the bathroom at school. So, it’s not new to them I’m making my way around the proverbial “empire heir” block. I just wish I knew why he was beating himself up over it, because clearly, he is, if his actions mean anything.
Pulling open the refrigerator, I scan the contents. A sigh falls from my lips, and my eyes barely refrain from rolling into the back of my head, when I hear him enter the kitchen behind me.
That’s another thing that’s getting just a tad bit ridiculous. My father’s house is like a fortress; no one is dumb enough to break past the gates, and if they are, then I’m sure whatever security my father hired will take them out.
Everything about this is ludicrous.
Leaning my head against the door, my gaze freezes on the carton of eggs when I say, “You think you could give me a little space?”
“No.”
“It’s not like anyone will break into the kitchen,” I huff out.
“No.”
Why is he being like this? It’s been one-word answers and
grunts of acknowledgement for hours now. It’s almost one in the afternoon for Christ’s sake.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
I get a grunt in return.
“Are you going to be a bear until the others get here from school?”
Another grunt.
I’m about to pull my hair out when I slam the refrigerator door closed, turning on him. “I get that you regret what we did upstairs, but you constantly hovering over me is getting to be a bit much. If you don’t want to be around me, then back the fuck off.”
He stops advancing around the kitchen, turning to look at me. “No.”
I drop my chin to my chest, defeated. My shoulder sag and I fall back against the door. If he didn’t want to do what we did earlier, then he shouldn’t have done it. I knew all this talk about “sharing me” was just that—talk. I should also know that his “wondering” didn’t mean what he tried to imply it did.
“I’m going to my room.”
He starts to follow me out of the kitchen, but I put a hand up to stop him. Thankfully, he pauses, too. “I meant by myself. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I can take a wild guess. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out you’re beating yourself up over what happened earlier. Trust me, it won’t happen again.”
His mouth opens and closes, and a look of regret flashes in his eyes, but I’m having none of it. His actions from today are speaking higher than his words. I just wish it had a different tune.
When I get to my room, I slam the door and fall onto the bed, barely grimacing at the pain in my side. My thoughts swirl around inside my head until I’m nothing more than a confused mess lying on silk sheets. Quietly, I stare up at the ceiling. I take in the crown molding running along the top of the walls, taking it all in.
My phone beeps from the nightstand, alerting me to messages I have missed. It’s been there all day, so only Lord knows what’s waiting for me when I unlock it.
Love Me, Baby: A High School Bully Romance (Silver Creek High Book 3) Page 6
