When she tries to climb off my lap, I hold her firm on my thighs. “It’s not silly, Calla. I’d love, no, I’d kill to spend the night with you, but isn’t your bed kind of small?” I know she’s not looking for sex, or maybe she is, and I’m just assuming she isn’t. Either way, I won’t say no to a night of sleeping next to her.
“Right. You probably don’t want to share a room with Cali either.”
Tilting her chin with a finger, I suggest instead, “How about we go to my place? Big bed, lots of pillows, air conditioning.”
When she starts chewing on her lip, I don’t hesitate to act on what I always want to do and suck the edge between my teeth, nibbling gently.
“Lots of pillows?” she murmurs, touching the tips of her fingers to where I just bit.
“A ton.”
“I work early tomorrow morning. A double shift, actually.”
“You work a lot of those,” I grumble. Too many for my liking.
She nods. “I know. But a couple of the girls have kids. I don’t. Sometimes they need the time off for them. I give them the tips to help cover what they miss too. I presume they need it more than me.”
Christ. “You are too damn good for this world, Calla.” She’s got to be one of the most selfless people I know.
She shrugs, changing the subject. “Do you think Lily would like those?” She points to the closet.
“Twelve years’ worth of presents? Yeah, I think she’d be ecstatic.” Selfless. Completely.
“Could we come by on Saturday and grab them for her then?” Nodding my head, I’ll do whatever she wants.
“You’re spending the night with me then?” I’ll go to her place if she wants, but I’m selfish enough to admit, I want her in my space too.
“Yeah. You don’t fit on my bed.” Her amused smile is addicting.
“Good. You’ll pack a couple days of clothes, and you can spend tomorrow night too.” I don’t give her much choice to say no as I stand up, placing her on her feet.
After a quick goodbye to her dad, we leave and stop at her apartment first to grab her things. Cali is gone, so she leaves a note on the fridge for the other girl.
From the minute I met Calla on that cool Christmas day, all I’ve wanted is to gain her trust, and after six months of patience, I think I finally have it.
Now, to earn her love.
Chapter 5
Calla
“Did you do it?” Cali bursts into the back room without so much as hi.
“What?” I’m sitting, eating a plate of fries before starting my second shift. I knew Cali was working tonight, too, but I didn’t expect this level of excitement from her.
“You and Jace, did you”—she wiggles her eyebrows suggestively—“did you do it?”
Stunned, with a fry halfway to my mouth, I snort and shake my head no. “We slept in the same bed, but that’s all.”
Plopping down on the chair across from me, she pouts for a minute. “Nightmares?” I shake my head no as I chew. “You slept the entire night?”
Her shock is as evident as my own. “Best I’ve ever slept. I think he’s the real deal,” I finally tell her. Underneath it all, I’ve always suspected there was something special between the two of us, and his patience has helped me realize it. But if it weren’t for the way he's always been there for me, yet still giving me the space I need, I don’t know if I could have trusted him so quickly.
“I’ve always known he was, Calla. It’s been brutal waiting for you to play catch up.”
“And what about you and your guys? What’s going on with them?” I’ve never asked or really pushed, but my curiosity is quite piqued after briefly meeting them.
Shrugging her shoulders, Cali’s face conveys her heartbreak. “I can tell they’re trying to be honest with me, as much as they’re legally allowed. But it’s hard. I don’t want a life of secrets.”
Now that I can fully understand. “What if they left the business for you? Would that make you happy?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t want them to give anything up any more than I’d appreciate them wanting me to give something up.” Blowing out a breath, she laughs. “That didn’t even make sense, and now I feel ridiculous.”
“It did, and you shouldn’t. But it’s something to think about. What do you want with them, Cali? Do you love them?” I’m starting to sound like her.
“I really do. I shouldn’t. There are two of them; they’re mysterious and secretive. But they’re also sweet and kind of obsessive. Roman is loving and brave and loyal. Silas has secrets, though, more than he’s keeping for their job, but he’s also passionate and kind. They’re exactly the kind of men I have always wanted.” I can hear the love in her voice as she gets a dreamy look on her face.
“Sounds like you know exactly what to do.” I point a french fry at her.
“Stop being sensible. That’s my job.” Cali walks out of the backroom as my phone beeps on the table.
Jace: I’m out front.
I had no idea he was coming. Though I shouldn’t be surprised. Cleaning up my mess, I dump the rest of my food in the trash and put the plate in the dishwasher. Heading outside, Jace is sitting on top of his bike, arms crossed, waiting for me.
As soon as he spots me, he lights up, and it’s then I see it—the deep adoration in his gaze. I’ve never been good at reading people or emotions, but Jace wears his heart on his sleeve, and right now, it’s begging me to come over to him.
Unsure steps lead me to where he’s waiting. “Hi.”
Without saying a word, he lifts me up to straddle his bike, facing him. The position is so intimate I lose my thoughts. Which works perfectly because he still hasn’t said anything as his mouth descends upon mine. Capturing my lips in a brusque hold as he devours my mouth.
He tastes of coffee and dark chocolate, and the grip he has on my waist is nearly bruising. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I sit up straighter, pushing my chest into his, so our hearts are beating steadily together.
Feeling the length of his erection is startling, but my instincts take over, rubbing myself along his shaft as we make out like a couple of teenagers. His hands move down to grip my ass and control my movements, pressing me harder into his body as all sense leaves my mind.
We hardly come up for air before my body feels like it’s going to explode. My limbs grow heavy and light at the same time. My breathing becomes shallow, and my heart feels like it’s about to implode.
Nothing makes sense except this high I seem to be chasing.
Jace sucks my tongue into his mouth, and when he bites down gently, my body lights up, and I feel weightless as I grow limp in his hold.
“Fuck, that was hot,” he groans into my mouth, kissing along my jaw and neck. My head is still spinning as his grip loosens its hold.
Laying my head on his chest, I listen to Jace’s steady heart beating. He centers me. When I’m with him, I never have to worry about hiding who I am or the scars I bear because he accepts all of me. He has from the minute we met. And yet, I’ve done nothing but push him away for months.