Mrs. Lockridge doesn’t know what love is. She’s a hardened woman that only cares about herself, and I hope I never have to see her again. And by the look on Mr. Lockridge’s face, it doesn’t look like he wants anything to do with her, either.
***
We’ve been waiting ages for his eyes to open. His breathing has remained even, stable, which is a good thing. It means the doctor was right. It also means I’m about to burst at the seams to see those brilliant blues. It’s a need clawing at the inner part of my soul. It’s ravenous for just the smallest glimpse.
When minutes turn into hours, hours turn into a day, we’re all a little weary as we do nothing but wait. Our actions are stilted, unhurried, and sluggish. I couldn’t tell you the last time it has been since any of us has gotten a good night of sleep.
Instead, we all want to be here for him. Even if he may not know it, he has a whole team behind his recovery. Each new progression, we celebrate. Like the day after they took him off the machines, I nearly fell out of my chair when his fingers squeezed mine. It was the most terrific, breathtaking feeling I’ve ever felt in this world. It was like a cocoon of warmth and serenity I didn’t know I needed until it happened.
“I wish you were awake, baby,” I whisper, rubbing my cheek against the top of his hand. “We all miss your asshole tendencies and arrogant attitude.” I laugh.
Peeking out into the hallway, I make a split-second decision. Climbing to my feet, I slowly maneuver myself up and under his arm, so I can settle into the bed next to him. As soon as his heavy arm falls across the top of my shoulders, I instantly feel better. It feels like home.
Deciding to reminisce, I go back to the first time I saw him, smiling. “Do you remember the first time we saw each other? You were so tall and gangly, with a head too big for your body. But to me, you were the hottest little number I ever saw.” I giggle, wrapping a hand around his stomach, being mindful of the side he had surgery on.
“You were so shy back then, almost as shy as I was when we started dating. But that didn’t mean I didn’t see you. You lit up the entire room when you smiled; still do. Your energy was infectious, and your love for all things nature always gave me chills.”
Tears brim my lids, and I take my bottom lip between my teeth when the emotions are too much. “I loved you even then, Cal. With your messy hair and too big clothes. You always said you saw me first, but no baby, it was I who saw you.”
“I loved you before I even knew you.” My heart clenches inside my chest as I hesitantly raise away from him. The moment my eyes land on his, seeing their beautiful cobalt hue, I break down in his arms.
Hesitantly, his arm wraps around my body, and he pulls me flush against his side. Sobs continue to wrack my slight frame as I unleash all my pent-up emotions into his hospital gown. Relief is palpable, as we both lie in silence. Him comforting me, just as it’s always been.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re crying?” he rasps.
I weep that much harder. “I thought I lost you.”
A finger slips under my chin, tipping my face up to his. Even pale, he’s the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. An entire life of love, loss, and redemption shimmers in his watery gaze as he peers down at me.
“It’s you and us, little mouse. Nothing will ever be able to take me away from you.” He tips his head down, sealing his promise with a kiss that will last me forever.
EPILOGUE
Three Months Later …
“We have a surprise for you.” I giggle as Callum holds his hands over my eyes, leading the blind into what could very well be a well thought out trap.
“Oh, you do, huh?”
All five of us just walked across the stage of Silver Creek High, collecting our diplomas. It feels like a new start for all of us, like our future is just as open as the love that flows between us.
Instead of attending our Project Graduation, we decided we would do our own thing. Our parents didn’t say a word to us as we all piled into Callum’s car and shot off like a rocket. If anything, I still hear their hoots and screams from the open window as it sped out of the parking lot.
But that’s not what holds my attention right this second. No, what has me so enamored is the feel of Callum as he presses himself against my back. It’s a feeling I’ll never get enough of, just like with Ellis, Asher, and Quinn. They complete me in a way I never knew they could complete me.
I’m still not a fan of surprises, but if my guys went through all this trouble to plan this, then I guess I’ll take one for the team.
Once we get to where he wants me, we stop. I wait patiently, inhaling a large lungful of air, recording Callum’s cinnamon scent to memory. No matter how many times that scent teases my senses, I fall prey to its allure every time. He’s my weakness—they all are. And I’m their strength. Or, that’s what they say, anyway.
Truthfully, it’s all of them that strengthen me. They make me into the version of myself I thought I’d lost all those years ago. The interpretation that looks forward to tomorrow, instead of regretting today.
“Are you ready, baby?” Asher’s voice causes a shiver of arousal to tease my spine.
“More than ready.” I grin.
“Keep your eyes closed.” Ellis’ warning gives me pause, but I smile and nod, anyway.
Then, with a painstakingly slow pace, all four of them start undressing me. My graduation cap gets tossed away, making me laugh outright. Then someone peels my gown down my arms, the cool, slick fabric causing goosebumps to pop up on my skin.
“W-What are you doing? Where are we?”
“No questions,” Quinn’s breath wisps across my lips, before he nips my bottom lip between his teeth.
Within minutes, I’m completely naked and standing in front of them. My nipples pebble into stiff points of desire, and I rub my legs together to quench the ache building between my thighs.
When I feel someone’s fingers tilting my chin up, I allow it, pressing my lips against theirs. A ravenous hunger blooms in my belly as our tongues tangle and dance in perfect synchronization. Mmm, Callum.
Breaking away, I lick my lips, smiling. “That’s some graduation present.”
“Mmm, we haven’t gotten to the best part yet,” Asher seduces. I feel Callum walk around me, his heat like a lighthouse amidst a storm. A squeal of excitement leaves my lips when I find myself in his arms, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist.
His. Incredibly. Naked. Waist.
I shiver. “Please tell me all of you are naked.”
“Open your eyes and see for yourself,” Callum whispers, hugging me close as he plants a kiss just beneath my ear.
My eyes flutter open, and my jaw drops in awe. Peering all around me, I take in the whimsical lights dangling from the trees above us. A warm, soothing breeze teases along my skin as excitement builds to a fever pitch. My vision becomes hazy from tears, seeing everything they did for me.
“Guys …”
The most magical place in the world, and they turned it into something from a fairytale. The crisp, midnight blue water beckons me, almost as much as their firm bodies. It’s the place we started our little journey, and the perfect place to solidify it.
Callum lays me down on the quilt near the manmade pond in front of Ellis’ home. The guys close in around us, each snuggling in. Callum trails the tips of his fingers down my cheek, over my jawline, then down the curve of my neck.
It’s erotic, sensual. It causes a shudder of ecstasy to flit through me. He’s peering down at me with so much reverence my heart overfills with emotion. Leaning down, he presses his lips against mine. I get lost in the feel of his masculine taste, reveling in it all as my body fires on all cylinders. His fingers delve into my locks, tilting my head, so he can take my mouth even deeper.
Hands lightly trail over my body, forcing themselves between mine and Callum’s body. They continue to tease me, pushing me to heights I’ve only ever known with them. Callum grinds his excitement against my mou
nd, his ministrations growing rougher and more possessive the longer we lose ourselves in paradise.
We break our kiss, each panting in exertion. “We promised you love …” He smiles, then presses another chaste kiss against my lips.
Smiling, I wrap my arms around him, then take a few painstakingly heartfelt seconds to peer around at all my guys. My chest fills to the brim with love and affection. Then, I bring my eyes back to Callum’s, whispering against his lips, “Then break me, tease me, and love me forever, baby.”
THE END!!!
Please, if you enjoyed this novel, would you consider
leaving a review?
Thank you!
B.
OTHER BOOKS BY BELLADONA CUNNING
SILVER CREEK HIGH
Break Me, Baby: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Book 1)
Tease Me, Baby: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Book 2)
Love Me, Baby: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Book 3)
REIGHTON PREPARATORY ACADEMY
Little Plaything: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Book 1)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Bestselling Author Belladona Cunning enjoys long walks on the beach ... Ha, yeah, right! While she does love the beach, she loves smutty, steam worthy romance even more. When she's not in the writing cave, you can find her running around with her two hellions and Mr. Cunning enjoying everything life has to offer.
You can follow Belladona on her Facebook Group (where she usually seems to loiter when not writing.) at: @AuthorBelladonaCunning
Love Me, Baby: A High School Bully Romance (Silver Creek High Book 3) Page 22
