Page 104 of Goode Tidings

My tights, fleece-lined and toasty-warm, feel like fire on my legs right now. The room is warm, and my body is flushed with anticipation. "Take them off."

Callum's fingers find the elastic top, slipping under and smoothly guiding them down my body. He pulls them clear of my feet, then drags his hands up the insides of my legs, the insides of my thighs.

He hooks a finger in my panties, pulling them aside. "Callum." It's a strangled whisper as he teases me with his touch.

"Fucking perfect," he murmurs appreciatively.

He makes me feel so good. So sexy. So wanted. I arch my back. Spread my legs a little wider.

"Fuck," he chokes out.

Behind me is the crinkle of foil, and then I feel the press of him.

"Please," I whisper, and he goes. So. Slow. Drawing it out, a heavy slide. My fingers grip the blanket, my hips moving on their own until he holds them fast, keeping them in place.

"Greedy," he murmurs, folding himself over me to place kisses down my spine. His hand winds around my thigh, settling between my legs. "You'll take both, won't you?"

I mutter something unintelligible as he continues with the unhurried pace. It feels indulgent. Thick and syrupy. The warmth from the fire and the snap of flames. Heat pulls tight in my belly and pleasure licks up my legs, sweeping me under. My back dips, my body convulses.

Callum's pace stutters. I go still, and he pulls away. His arms encircle me, and I'm limp as he lies down and adjusts me over him. The firelight flickers over his dark hair, his scruff. He's beautiful just like this, olive-skinned and strong, a smattering of freckles on his shoulders and a silvery scar near his rib cage.

Seeing him like this, gaze filled with desire for me, and knowing that outside of these intimacies he wants my mind and my thoughts, that he genuinely cares for me and supports me, makes me feel untamed.

I reach between us, lifting my skirt with one hand and gripping him with the other, lining him up with where he needs to go. I flutter my lashes at him and say, "You'll take it, won't you?" Then I sink all the way down.

He grits his teeth and groans. I prop my palms on his chest, and he reaches for my hair, sliding his hands through. He breathes words like gorgeous and feels so good. His hands find my hip creases and he holds me tight, guiding my speed until his head is tipping back and his eyes are squeezing shut and his hips punch up.

I collapse beside him, tucked into the crook of his arm, our chests heaving. We stare up at the ceiling, naked except for my skirt, as the fire dies beside us.

"We're really good at that," I finally say, when my limbs regain their strength and my speaking ability returns.

"I know," Callum says, stroking his fingers down my arm.

"We're really good at a lot of things together," I say, then immediately regret it. Was that too much? Should I have kept that to myself?

Callum places a kiss on my hair. "I know," he says, his tone a caress. Like it's a good thing.

CHAPTER 48

Callum

A familiar sight greets me when I open my eyes. A window, curtains pulled open, a blue sparkling lake beyond. Did I fully appreciate this view before I ceded it to the brunette sleeping with her head on my chest?

I drag a lazy hand over Eden's bare back. Her hair falls away from her face, eyes closed, pink lips slightly parted in slumber. As views go, this one beats everything by a mile.

I'd like to get up and prepare coffee for Eden. I talked the barista at the coffee shop into giving me their recipe for a toffee crunch latte, and I planned on surprising Eden with it this morning.

Eden stirs, rolling over onto her back. The sun slips through the window, rays rolling over her bare breasts. This is our first time waking up together, and I can't miss an opportunity.

The coffee can wait.

I slip down the bed, pressing a gentle, loving kiss an inch below Eden's belly button. She makes a little noise, a soft hum. My mouth drags down to one hip point, and across to the other. Another hum from Eden, the sound more filled out now. Sucking kisses on her skin, a slow swipe of my tongue. Eden moans, her hands finding my messy hair, slipping through. I drop lower, making space for myself between her thighs.

I press a kiss to her.

She breathes hard.

I mimic the attention I gave to her belly and her hips. Slow strokes, the heavy press of my tongue. It's leisurely Saturday morning loving. I have nowhere to be, and nothing but time.