Page 136 of The Broken Keys

Every touch is electric, like my nerve endings have been waiting years for exactly this. But something shifts in the way he touches me.

He moves with a confidence I don’t remember from before, like he’s learned my body in ways that should feel familiar but somehow don’t.

The pressure of his fingers, the rhythm of his movements, the places he lingers; it’s all slightly different from the Callum I remember.

More assured. More knowing.

I push the observation aside because this isn’t the time to question anything. This is what I’ve wanted since the minute I came home from the hospital. This is us, finally together again after too long apart.

He unhooks my bra with practiced ease, and I arch into him as his mouth finds my breast. Heat pools low in my stomach, building with every stroke of his tongue, every gentle scrape of his teeth.

“Callum…”

He lifts his head, and the care in his eyes nearly has me in tears. “Tell me if anything hurts, Lily. I need to know you’re okay.”

“I’m more than okay. It’s been over two weeks since my accident, so we’re not doing anything I’m not ready for.” I reach for the hem of his shirt, needing to feel his skin against mine. “I need you closer.”

He helps me pull it off, and then his lips are on mine again as his hands explore every inch of me like he’s relearning amap he once knew by heart. When his fingers slip beneath the lace of my panties, I gasp into his mouth.

He pauses, giving me a chance to pull away, but I press my hips up in a silent, desperate plea. He takes the invitation, sliding the lace down my legs until it’s nothing but a memory on the floor.

“Your turn.” I unbutton his jeans and slide the zipper down.

He rolls off me and takes off his pants. The cool spring air on my heated skin is a contrast, but it’s nothing compared to the passion in his gaze. He stares at me like I’m a masterpiece he’s finally allowed to touch after years of admiring from afar.

“Lily,” he whispers, his voice thick with an emotion that’s all love and lust. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

He climbs back on top of me. His muscles flex as he reaches between us and tries to work a condom on. My heart hammers against my ribs with anticipation.

He shifts to the side, messing with the condom. He strokes his length once, twice, and the sight of him, ready and wanting me, is almost enough to make me come right now.

He settles back between my thighs, the weight of him a welcome anchor, and then he’s pressing against my entrance.

“Last chance to back out,” he murmurs, though his voice is strained with need. “Tell me if this is too much.”

“Shut up and make love to me, Callum.” I hook my legs around his waist and pull him down.

He groans a raw, guttural sound, and then he pushes inside me. The initial stretch is a sweet, sharp ache that steals my breath.

He’s thick and hard, and being filled by him, our bodies joining in this most primal way, is overwhelming. I clutch at his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin as he sinks deeper, deeper, until he’s fully sheathed, his pelvis flush with mine.

He stills, his forehead resting against mine, his breathragged. “Fucking hell, Lily. I’ve waited so long for this. You feel incredible. Better than I remember.”

“Then move,” I pant, grinding my hips against his. “Show me how much you missed me.”

He lets out a dark laugh and begins to slide in and out of me. He slips in more, then he pulls out almost completely before claiming all of me again.

I meet him thrust for thrust, my body curving to take all of him. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the room, a filthy, perfect rhythm that’s just for us.

“You like that?” His voice is a low rumble against my ear, as if he’s holding himself back. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“No.” I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling his head down for a bruising kiss. “Harder. Don’t hold back.”

“Lily…”

“If it starts to hurt, I’ll tell you to stop.”

“Promise me.”