It was then that I noticed his nerves. I was so caught up in my own feelings that I hadn’t seen the signs. His jaw flexing, the questions… Callum was nervous. “Hey,” I said, cupping his jaw. “I’m exactly where I want to be with you. Stay with me.”
His relief was evident. “Okay, then let’s shower and then I’ll get you some ice. I want to hear about your afternoon at the stadium.”
“What’s there to hear?”
“Oh, I know you had a million thoughts and ideas.” He carried me to the bathroom and set me on the counter. I fucking loved it. He didn’t carry me because I was weak. Instead, it made me feel powerful that he cared so much about me to help.
It was weird hownotweird it was that we were naked and chatting. We’d never been naked around each other, and now we were just gonna shower together. It almost made me giggle. Callum started the shower, his ass facing me, and his glutes were insane. So juicy and thick, and I stared. Totally checked him out. His calves and thighs were massive but toned and strong. I could trace the ripples of his muscles with a pen and run out of ink there were so many of them. I cleared my throat when he turned, and his cock was jutting out.
“Really?”
“Oh, this?” He glanced at his cock. “Ignore him. I’m realizing I’ve had some deep-seated fantasies with you that are resurfacing. Like us in the shower, me washing your damn hair, fucking you against a mirror. The usual.”
“Oh. The usual. Of course.” I snorted. “Can’t forget the mirror fuck.”
“Definitely not. It’d be hot though to watch yourself come on me. Mm, yeah, okay, I’m… let’s shower. Maybe it could be a cold one?”
I laughed. “No. Control yourself, O’Toole.”
“I can’t around you.” He walked up to me, his cock hitting his stomach as he helped me off the counter. “Hey, question.”
“Go for it.”
He helped me into the shower, even though I was more than capable. It was cute, and I enjoyed having him fret over me. No one else ever had.
“Here, let me.” He slid my glasses off my face and set them on the counter. Again, so thoughtful. He dragged us under the hot water, my chest pressed against his stomach as he circled his arms around me. “I promise there’s a reason I’m asking this, so don’t judge the start.”
“Great opener.”
He chuckled. “Can I wash your hair for you?”
“Sure.” I bit my lip as Callum lathered up his hands. This felt more intimate than coming with him. Somehow, his offer seemed heavier, more serious. My chest ached with longing, but I focused on the blurred lines around me. I couldn’t see anything without my glasses.
“I’ve always wanted to do this.” He gently scrubbed my head, his deep voice right behind me. “Okay, I take it you’re not a virgin, and I sure as fuck am not asking about anyone you’ve been with. I couldn’t handle it. But have you ever hooked up with someone you really cared about?”
I thought about it. The two boyfriends I had lasted a few months. I slept with one, and it was good. Not…like Callum. Not even a little. I liked the guy. There were no butterflies or swooping stomachs, but I enjoyed him. “I had one boyfriendwho I liked. It wasn’t serious at all, but I enjoyed spending time with him. So, kinda?”
“Okay, I hate him. Are you still friends? Wait, don’t tell me.” He dug his fingers into my scalp, and it felt amazing. “So you liked him and hooked up. Did it feel…like this?”
“Like me and you?” I spun, brushing any soap of my face as I faced Callum. I kissed his chest, right over his heart, and smiled. “No. If that’s what you’re asking, then no. I have never experienced or felt what we just did.”
He swallowed. “I haven’t either. Nothing has come close to this,” he whispered. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
His admission weaseled its way into my heart, rooting itself there where I could analyze it later. I didn’t want to hurt him, ever. He was precious and thoughtful andmine.
“Then don’t.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Can we get the soap out of my hair?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We finished showering and hopped back into bed. Callum got me ice, and we found a movie to watch as Callum played with my hair. It was so natural and easy, like we’d been doing this for years. I fell asleep with his arms around me, content that this could really work. Maybe I had forgiven him entirely, and we could move forward again. When we were isolated in my room, away from the team, it seemed possible to make this work the next few months. I didn’t have to pick between my dream internship or my oldest friend and whatever we were doing. I could have both.
But we had to remain in secret. I just had to make sure no one found out about us until the internship was over.
20
CALLUM
Iwoke up to the smell of vanilla and the feel of hair all over me. The first thing I noticed was the warmth of Ivy’s body pressed up against me. Her leg was over mine and her arm across my chest. Her head rested on my shoulder, and a little drool formed on her mouth.
