I shift onto my side, rolling her beneath me, and press my lips to the tender spot behind her ear, eliciting a small shiver. A smile stretches across my face, and I repeat the motion. She’s soft and pliant, setting free a chorus of quiet moans and sighs. Her hand slides up my thigh, and I'm rock hard within seconds.
My fingertips glide along her soft belly as I gather the hem of her shirt. I’ve been dying to feel her skin to skin with nothing between us. I promised to take things slow, and I have, but I can’t resist this anymore. I need to touch her. As my hand travels higher, I feel the raised edge of one of her scars beneath my palm.
She gasps, scrambling into a sitting position and tugging down her shirt. Her brows knit together, and tears gather along her lashes. “Wait.”
Instinct drives me forward, and I reach for her, cupping her flushed cheek in my rough palm. “Did I hurt you?”
She shakes her head and whispers, “I can’t do this. I thought I was ready, but I’m not. I’m sorry.”
As she starts to stand, I grip her wrist and hold her there, skating my thumb along her pulse point in an effort to soothe. “Let me see you, baby. Please.”
She stares blankly at the wall like she’s not even hearing me. “I–I can’t.”
Frustration overpowers reason, and I speak without thinking. “To hell with the scars. Can’t you see how much I want you? Why won’t you let me in?”
That familiar spark of defiance lights in her eyes, but there’s an angry edge to it now. An edge that’s pointed directly at me and wielded with expert precision.
“You mean the same way you letmein?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Tell me why you won’t talk about Copper, or why you can’t listen to certain songs on the radio. Tell me about Ryan.”
She might as well have slapped me. It would’ve hurt less.
Confronted with my own shortcomings, I shut down. It’s how I cope. “That’s different.”
“Is it? The way I see it, we both have secrets we aren’t willing to share.” She blows out a harsh breath. “This won’t work, Jax. We’re both too damaged.”
“No. That’s not true.” I reach for her again, but she pulls away before I can make contact, leaving my hand and whatever tenuous hope I had left hovering in the air between us. “Callie. Baby. Please.”
With her back turned, she says, “Just… give me some space.”
I watch her disappear into her bedroom, taking whatever’s left of my heart right along with her. My gaze trails to thebandana still discarded on the office floor, and memories of the night before come flooding back, mocking me.
How did I fuck this up so badly? I had her in my grasp; all I had to do was keep her, and I couldn’t even manage to do that.
Chapter 23
Sister Knows Best
? I Almost Do - Taylor Swift
Callie
I’ve just finished settingup for this week’s story time when a familiar little girl with bouncing blonde pigtails bounds up to me and wraps herself around my legs.
I greet her with a warm smile. “Hey there, Emmy Lou!”
My heart leaps in my chest at the thought that Jaxon is here with the girls. It’s been a full day since I left him in the office. I had good reason, but distance hasn’t dulled my desire for him. The ache is incessant. Last night, I thought about trailing across the hall and slipping into his bed, but I convinced myself not to go.
I glance up in search of him, but he’s not there. Olivia is standing before me, holding a squirming Gracie in her arms. I feel guilty for the momentary disappointment and plaster on a smile for Olivia’s benefit.
“Hey, Callie,” Olivia says, pulling me in for a one-armed hug while Gracie clings to her mom’s shoulder with herthumb in her mouth. She’s the spitting image of Wilder, but she has Olivia’s eyes. “Emmy’s been learning how to read a calendar, and she’s figured out that Tuesdays are Callie days.”
“I’m honored.” I squat down to Emmy’s level and poke her button nose. “Would you like to help me with story time today?”
“Really?” Her body practically vibrates with excitement as she clutches her hands to her chest.
“Absolutely. I could really use the help.”
She glances at Olivia, who gives her an approving nod. “Go on. I’ll just be over here with Gracie,” she says, gesturing toward one of the nearby armchairs. “Have fun.”
