Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Knox
Everyone had left a while ago. Callum said he was going to shower, but he’d been in there for quite a while. I cleaned up the house a little, then found myself sitting in the backyard again, thinking about the day. It had been… Well, Callum said he wanted it to be perfect, and it had been. It felt good to be with him around my friends, to touch him and kiss him and hold him while we all laughed and chatted.
Something settled inside me since meeting Callum, this restlessness that had become such a part of me, I hadn’t realized it wasn’t normal, that something was missing, but now it was calm and it felt right.
I didn’t know what made me do it, but I pulled my phone out and called Carol.
“Hey, you,” she said.
“Hey.”
“I have to say, Knox, Logan seems different…happier. It’s like my sweet little boy is back. As hard as it is for me to say—and not because of you, but because I’m his mom—I feel like as his mom, he should be better off with me. But he’s not. He’s happy. You’re doing great with him. I wanted to make sure I told you that.”
I leaned against the house, appreciation swelling in my chest. “Thanks. That means a lot to me.”
“He really likes Callum.”
“I do too.”
“Romantically?”
“Yes.” There was no sense in denying it. I didn’t want to deny Callum.
She was quiet for a moment. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit my pulse sped up.
“Is that a problem?” I finally asked.
“No. Of course not. You know me better than that. And I had a feeling after the movie night and then hearing Logan talk about how much time you spend together. I’m surprised, but not in a bad way.”
“I was surprised too. I never saw it coming. I didn’t even realize I was bisexual before him.”
“Eh, that’s okay. We’re human. We’re all learning about who we are all the time.”
I knew she would understand. “I have to tell the kids. Logan loves him, so I’m sure he’ll be okay. I think Charlie will love him too, but it’s one thing to like Dad’s friend and another for it to be Dad’s boyfriend, ya know? Christ, even saying that word is weird to me.”
“If you’re okay, they’ll be okay. If you’re happy, they’ll be happy, even if it takes some getting used to. And it might, especially for Charlie. She’s a daddy’s girl and always has been. Plus, she hasn’t been around the two of you the way Logan has. We can talk to them together, if you want.”
“Thanks.” I was so damn lucky to have her as the mother of my kids. Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about what she said about Charlie. Deep down, I figured it was true, but I hadn’t wanted to admit it. I really did think she would like Callum, but I wondered if it would take some getting used to. “I don’t know when. I don’t know if I should do it right away or give Charlie some time to get to know him. Plus, this is her time with me. Does that make me an asshole if it becomes about someone else?”
She chuckled softly. “I don’t know. Got me there. I thought we were supposed to have all the answers when we became parents.”
“You and me both.”
I heard the door open and looked over to see Callum come out. His hair was wet, and he had on a T-shirt and a pair of boxer trunks.
Heat flooded my body, heading straight for my groin. I wanted him, fuck, I wanted him so bad. “I gotta go.”
“We’ll talk soon.”
I ended the call, and Callum asked, “Is everything okay?”
I went to him, feeling like a lion stalking my prey. There were so many things I wanted to do to him, places I wanted to touch him and taste him. Sounds I wanted to hear from his lips. “Everything is perfect.” I pushed my knee between his legs, used my body to press his against the house.
“Mmm. Very okay.” He moved his hips so he was damn near riding my leg, just before I crushed his mouth under mine. Callum’s arms wrapped around me as I thrust against him. The kiss was wild, turbulent, the perfect storm of want and chaos and raw desire, and maybe that word I hadn’t said out loud but felt. Love.
Callum surrendered to my touch, lifting his arms over his head as I shoved my hands under his shirt and pulled it off, tossing it to the grass.
I was ravenous, craving him in this way that was almost unbearable. I rutted against him, pushing him tighter between me and the house. My mouth went to his neck again, and I sucked the tender skin between my lips.