: Chapter 29

I have a date with Callum tonight—our first date. How is it that we’ve had sex and live together before even going on an actual date?

Following Callum’s instructions, I pick out one of the dresses we bought on our trip to Chicago. It’s tight, low cut, and completely impractical. The moss green, velvet corset top fits my chest like a dream—a miracle in itself. The velvet skirt falls right above my knee, the ruching on the front gathering the hem up higher on my left thigh and pulling the fabric to hug my curves.

The shoes I pick are strappy and black, with an open toe and beautiful monarch butterfly appliques across the toes and scattered up the straps that wrap around my calves. They feel whimsical, even though they’re not the most wearable with the four and a half inch stiletto heel. But they’re so pretty, and I feel like I’m wearing little works of art.

Armed with a gorgeous outfit like this would usually make me feel unstoppable. But of course today would be a bad body day. The dress feels too clingy and unflattering, and I can’t stop picturing a hippo on stilts while wearing these heels. I feel too fat to wear this, and overall unattractive.

But I get ready anyway.

Callum knows what I look like, I remind myself, from every angle imaginable. And he very clearly likes what he sees, brazenly and obsessively. And when I step into the living room where Callum is waiting, he proves it again.

He turns at the sound of my heels clicking on the floor, and whatever he was looking at on his phone is completely forgotten.

“Fuck, Dewdrop.” There’s a rasp in his voice, his eyes touching every part of me. “You’re absolutely stunning.” A blush warms my cheeks and I offer him a sweet smile.

“Thank you.” My eyes take him in, a vision in his all black attire. He’s not wearing a suit coat tonight, he’s in his true form. Dress shirt, no tie, strong tattooed forearms on display with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He’s not wearing his camouflage that’s usually paired with his fake smile, and I like it. “And you look,” My eyes move over him in open appreciation. “Damn.”

Something colorful catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. A large white vase sits on the kitchen island holding the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen. Pink peonies, soft blue hydrangeas, yellow ranunculus, and white poppies. “Where did these come from?”

“They’re for you.”

“No way.” I’m getting excited. “You got me flowers?” I look back at the arrangement in disbelief. “These are all of my favorites.”

“I know.” I can’t help but squeal in excitement, bouncing over to hug him.

“I love them so much. Thank you,” I announce enthusiastically. Pressing my lips to his in a soft peck, careful not to smear my lip gloss. “Wow, you’re really pulling out all the stops tonight, huh?”

“Just you wait.” Callum gazes down at me, his eyes as passionate as ever. “If we don’t leave now, we won’t be making it out of this apartment tonight. Not with how you look in this dress.”

“Lead the way.” My eyes flirt with him, even when my tone shift to taunting. “I wouldn’t want you ruining all of the special plans you made for tonight because you’re too distracted staring at my ass while I walk.”

“Don’t tempt me.” Callum’s large hand skims up my side before sliding into place at the small of my back. “Our night is just getting started.”

We use the elevator to ride down into the parking garage, where Callum helps me into the passenger seat of his vintage muscle car. He says it’s a 1972 gran torino. All I know is that it’s loud, powerful, and sexy as hell. Maybe a little obnoxious too, but who am I to judge someone for being a little extra?

Riding through the city, I accept the fact that I have no idea where we’re going and settle it for the ride. We’re seventeen minutes into the drive when I notice it. Something is different, but I can’t quite put my finger on what. But then I cross my legs, and it hits me. My thighs aren’t sticking like they usually do. Looking down at the seat, I’m surprised to see it’s made up of smooth black suede instead of leather. Am I going crazy, or is this different now?

“Is this a new car?” I ask, looking around at the dashboard and into the back seat. I feel like I’m missing something. Callum shakes his head and glances over at me.

“No, why?”

“The seats are different. I thought they were leather.” My fingers run over the fabric covering the seats. It’s smooth as butter and feels expensive.

“They were. I had them reupholstered.”

“You did? Why?” I ask, surprised.

Callum’s eyes look pointedly at my bare thighs. “Do you like your little dresses?”

“Yes, I love them.”

“So do I. Now you don’t have to stop wearing your short skirts.” He places a hand on my exposed thigh, giving it a telling squeeze. I stare at him, shocked and touched by this gesture. I’m honestly at a loss for words. But when I finally open my mouth to say something, we’re turning into what looks like an airfield. My eyes widen when we pull to a stop.

That’s a fucking helicopter.

“Is that for us?” I’m in disbelief. Callum flashes me a grin that I feel all the way to my toes.

“Like I said, our night is only getting started.” With that, he’s climbing out of the car and walking around to open my door. I accept his hand and step out, my eyes glued to the sleek, black, aircraft perched on the landing pad, the rotor blades already starting to spin while it waits.

For us.

Walking towards the helicopter, our fingers intertwine to lock our connection. My other hand wraps around his thick bicep, squinting against the wind caused by the propellor. Callum only releases my hand to grip my hips in support while I step up into the back door he opens for me.

The soft gray interior is really nice with two individual seats behind the pilot seats that face backwards across from the connected seats that face the front. I move in to sit on the forward-facing seat, making room for Callum to climb in behind me. The door is closed behind us and I can hear the propellers picking up speed as the pilots prepare for take off.

Callum’s insistent on helping me with my seatbelt, making sure it’s securely fastened before we lift off the ground. The flight is smoother than I would’ve expected as we fly over the city, weaving through skyscrapers and monuments. The view is spectacular of picturesque New York City in the golden hour of the sun getting ready to set.

I’m absolutely giddy, my eyes never stop moving. Callum points out landmarks and specific buildings that we pass over, after reclaiming my hand in his. When we touch down, I’m surprised that we’re not back where we came from.

“That wasn’t the date?” I ask, stunned. Callum looks down at me, his grip on my hand flexing on our way to the waiting car.

“No, Dewdrop. That was our ride.”

“Then where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

***

Jane’s Carousel—a classic antique carousel with horses carved with incredible detail, encased in a sleek glass structure. When the driver had parked at the end of a private road between brick buildings, and I saw it, the excitement was absolutely overwhelming. I’ve always wanted to experience Jane’s carousel, but what I got is so much more.

My eyes roam across what I can only describe as the most romantic setting I’ve ever seen. An incredible sunset surrounds the glass box in breathtaking colors, the approaching twilight allowing the lights of the carousel to illuminate every intricate detail. It’s nothing short of magical.

My gaze moves to the table in front of me, taking in how picture perfect it is from the flickering white tapered candle sticks to the cloth napkin by my cutlery folded in the shape of a butterfly. If Callum had climbed into my head and pulled out the perfect date, I couldn’t have come up with something half this incredible.

Callum sits across from me, patient as usual as I gape in awe. Like a parent watching their child experience the magic of Disneyland for the first time. When my focus moves back to him, our eyes collide and I’m struck by the intensity of our connection. While I’ve been taking in every detail around us, he’s only been watching me.

When he starts to speak, I know the question before it even leaves his mouth. “What are you thinking?”

“I don’t think there’s ever been anything more beautiful than this.” I indicate to our surroundings.

“Oh, I can think of a few things.” His eyes move over me slowly, stopping where my body disappears below the table, before lifting back up to my eyes. My teeth catch my bottom lip when I smile, drawing his attention to my mouth. The air around us buzzes with chemistry.

“You like it?” Callum leans forward in his chair, his eyes never leaving me. I tell him what I’m sure he can already read all over my face.

“It’s… perfect.”

“Good.”

“I had no idea you were such a romantic,” I tease, lifting my wine glass.

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know yet.”

“Well, since this is a first date, that means I get to ask first date questions.” I say, taking a sip of my wine. It’s perfect, just like everything else tonight.

“I’ll answer yours if you answer mine.”

“Of course, truth for truth.” I agree easily, it’s only fair. I pause to look at Callum across the table, admiring the way he looks under candlelight and in the glow of the carousel. Damn, he’s attractive. “What did you want to be when you grew up?”

“A butcher. I was going to work at the shop with my father.” He takes a sip of whiskey, speaking over the rim of his glass. “That’s the official answer.”

“What’s the real answer?”

“A power ranger.” My laugh of surprise is immediate.

“That is really cute.” Super adorable. “You wore a costume around too, didn’t you?”

Callum doesn’t lie to me, so his silence says it all. “You did! I hope your mom has pictures, because I need to see those.” I laugh, delighted. The image of a little Callum running around in a power ranger costume is just too good.

“Remind me not to let you anywhere near my mother,” he says, making me laugh again. His gaze on me is intense, smoldering. I can almost feel his eyes on my skin as he takes in every centimeter of my face, as if to memorize it in this moment.

“Have you ever been in love?” His question throws me for a loop, but I recover quickly. This is a question I’ve been asked on a first date before, so it’s not too surprising.

“I thought I was.”

“You weren’t?”

“I was young, naive, and just happy not to be alone.” I admit. “But in love? I don’t think so.”

“Who were they?”

“That’s another question, and it’s my turn. Besides, you don’t talk about exes on a first date—major red flag.” I take a bite of bread while I think up my next question. “What were you like when you were younger?”

“I was a loose cannon.” Callum’s answer is not what I was expecting.

“You?” The skepticism is dripping from my voice. “I don’t believe it.” Callum’s brows jump in challenge.

“I was. I ran around without any sense of self-control or consequence.” His expression sobers visibly and he leans in like he’s sharing a secret. “I even drank soda.”

“Shut up, no you didn’t.” I grin and lean forward in excitement, soaking up this juicy piece of information. “What changed?”

“That’s another question, Dewdrop. My turn.” Callum responds, and I don’t bother hiding my disappointment. He looks at me in consideration for a moment before asking his question. “What’s a deal-breaker for you?”

“Cheating,” There’s no hesitation with my answer. “The moment someone is unfaithful, they lose my trust. That’s the best way to lose me forever.”

“Cheaters don’t deserve to be trusted,” Callum says deeply, the conviction in his voice settling something inside me that I didn’t realize was restless. There’s no question in my mind that this man is fiercely loyal to a fault—he’ll kill and die for the people who are important to him.

And I’m important to him.

“So is this what you do on dates?” I gesture to the candles and the beautifully lit up carousel. “Lay on the charm and manufacture a little magic?”

“You’re the only one I want to make magic with, Lexie.” The hunger in his voice has pure lust simmering deep inside me. Letting those words linger, I pull my eyes away and smile down at my plate. We sit in silence for a while while we eat. It’s some of the best lasagna I’ve ever had, paired with fresh baked bread, caesar salad, and roasted asparagus.

A middle-aged man appears as if out of thin air at exactly the right moment to clear our plates, catching me by surprise. I wait for him to place our dessert on the table and disappear before I ask any questions.

“Who is that?” Dipping my spoon into the small ceramic bowl in front of me, I scoop out the most flawless chocolate mousse I’ve seen.

“He runs this place and agreed to help make tonight happen.” Able to see I’m about to ask more questions, Callum continues with more information. “He’s associated with someone I’ve done work with in the past.”

Ok, so someone Callum’s done a job for hooked him up for our date, that’s nice. As connected as he is, I’m sure Callum knows someone for most places in the city—probably in every major city in the country. My eyes drift to the glowing structure behind Callum, so beautiful and inviting. My date notices my attention shift, yet again.

“You want to ride the carousel?” Callum’s tone tells me he already knows my answer. I light up like a kid on Christmas morning at the suggestion, beaming at him.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

“Go pick your favorite horse, I’ll be right back,” he says with a laugh. Standing from the table, my eyes start to scan the horses. I have to know all my options before I can pick a favorite. It only takes a few minutes for me to find the right one—but as soon as my eyes land on it, I know she’s the one. She’s a white horse with a gray mane and a gold saddle adorned with green ribbon and medallions in the shape of flowers.

Climbing up isn’t too difficult because the horse I chose is stationary. Between the wine, my heels, and the hemline of my dress, climbing onto a wooden horse suspended from the ceiling that moves up and down while also spinning in a giant circle isn’t the best idea. My horse is perfect.

I’m just getting situated when Callum reappears. As soon as he steps onto the carousel, things start happening. The bulbs blink three times overhead and the sound of the engine whirring to life is closely followed by the classic organ music playing over the speakers. Rows of light bulbs twinkle and flash in time with the playful tune as the carousel begins to turn.

And the magic begins.

I tilt my head back and let out a laugh of excitement when we start to move. Callum stands beside me, holding steady to the pole securing my horse to the spinning structure above my head. I can feel his eyes on me as I soak in the nostalgia and whimsy of the lights and music. I can’t stop smiling, and when I look up at him, he’s smiling too. But his eyes remain only on me, making butterflies tumble around in my stomach.

After a while the carousel starts to slow, the music fading as we drift to a stop.

“You haven’t stopped smiling all night,” Callum observes. “You’re enjoying yourself.”

“Thanks for stating the obvious.” Even as I say it the grin never leaves my face.

“I like it,” he informs me. It’s a simple statement that says so much. This time, when our eyes meet, it feels weighted—heavy with meaning. I’m the first one to look away after a long moment, averting my eyes when his gaze proves too intense. I can feel the blush warming my cheeks as I change subjects.

“What’s your favorite color?” I swing my leg around to be sitting side-saddle facing him. Callum’s hands move to grip my hips, anchoring me to the horse.

“Black.”

“You look really good in black,” I inform him. “And white.”

“That’s everything I wear,” he points out.

“I know.” My response earns a laugh. Callum’s fingers grasp my jaw to pull me in for a slow, sensual kiss.

“I look even better in you.” His deep voice is rough with desire, flooding me with lust and making my breath hitch. Callum smiles against my lips before deepening the kiss. Our mouths move together seamlessly, heat pulsing through me as our tongues dance in a passionate tango until my head is swimming in an inebriating mix of pleasure and arousal. His hand on my jaw moves to fist in my hair, the other wrapping around my waist to pull me against him from my perch on the horse. “Come here.”

He tugs me until I’m slipping from the wooden saddle back onto my feet, his grip never leaving me as he takes the three steps backwards to one of the two-person benches decorated to look like an elegant chariot.

“Callum, your friend,” I remind him, but he remains unbothered. Lowering onto the seat, his hands move in sync with his eyes down my body.

“I had him leave after he set up the ride for us. It’s just you and me, Dewdrop.”

“I don’t usually have sex on the first date.” There’s no conviction in my voice as it trails off, something I know he hears.

“There’s nothing usual about us,” Callum says, widening his legs and pulling me to stand between them. “You owe me an orgasm and I’m ready to collect. Right here, right now.”

Gazing down at him, I’m overwhelmed by the desire and longing flowing through me. Callum’s looking at me like a man starved. He’s the only man who’s ever made me feel like I could burst into flames at any moment.

“You want an orgasm? I’ll give you an orgasm.” Leaning forward to press my lips to his, my hand palms his dick through his pants. He hardens instantly beneath my touch, making me feel bold. Powerful.

Callum grunts against my lips as I undo his belt, then the button and zipper on his pants. My hand slips into his boxers to grip him. Big, hot, and heavy.

Fuck, everything about this man is impressive.

My hand moves in unison with my lips to tease him, stroking and caressing. The tortured sound that comes from Callum’s chest is beyond satisfying.

“Christ, Dewdrop.”

“You’re so hard for me, I want your big cock in my wet pussy,” I breathe, my tone shifting. “But not until you say please.”

I press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth, nipping lightly at his earlobe before whispering. “Go on, Callum. I want to hear you beg.”

Placing one knee on the bench on either side of his legs, I straddle his lap in a hover as I continue to pump his rock-hard erection. His mouth on mine grows more desperate with each pull. Strong hands grip my hips to pull me closer as Callum moves to deepen the kiss. But I pull back, evading his lips to build the friction.

“Lexie, let me have you. I need to have you.” Callum groans deeply when my fingers tease the sensitive tip of his cock.

“What’s the magic word, Callum?” I trail soft kisses to his ear. Leaning back, I take one of his large hands and place it on my breast. I’m growing breathless as the desire builds inside me. I’m just as turned on right now as he is. “Say it, and I’m all yours.”

I bite back a moan when he gives my boob a firm squeeze—something I know will drive him mad. He can’t stand when I hold back the responses he elicits from my body. It’s the final straw, I can see it in his eyes.

“Please.” The word leaves his mouth like a Hail Mary at gunpoint, and I can’t help but smile.

“Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” I tease, pulling his erection free from the confines of his boxers. His cock strains up towards me, desperate and hard as steel. A harsh breath releases through his nose as I slowly roll the condom he provides down his length. “How did that word taste coming out of your mouth?”

“All I’m thinking about is how you taste,” he growls, jaw clenched tightly as I pull my panties to the side. Lowering slightly, I run the tip of his cock along my slit. I’m already so wet for him, the arousal is overwhelming.

“You know what I think?” My voice is soft as I slide back and forth along the length of his cock, agonizingly slowly. His muscles bunch as he fights against his need for control, allowing me to take the lead.

“What?” He barely gets the word out. The breath hitches in my chest when I line him with my entrance and lower myself down until I’m completely situated on him. We moan together—mine breathless and overwhelmed, his deep and primal. He’s so hard as he stretches me, filling me to capacity. “Fuck.”

“I think you like me.” I lift myself until only the tip is inside me, then lower until I’m completely seated once more. My voice grows more breathless with each slow stroke.

“Now who’s stating the obvious?” he counters. I gasp sharply when Callum jerks his hips upwards, powering into me once because he can’t help myself.

“I think you care about me. Even if you don’t want to.” His only response is a clenched jaw and a gaze searing through my bones, bringing a small triumphant smile to my face. “You think feelings are messy.” Leaning closer, I press a soft kiss to his cheekbone and bring my lips to his ear. “So let’s get messy.”

Taking my words as a green light, Callum’s groan vibrates over my skin as he takes the reigns. His hands grab my hips, firm fingers sinking into the soft flesh. A cry escapes me when I’m lifted and slammed back down, pushing him so deep he bottoms out. My head swims as he repeats the action, filling me to capacity until I’m delirious.

“I will never get enough of this perfect pussy, Dewdrop,” he grunts through clenched teeth as he lifts me and pulls me back down swiftly over and over again. Each time his hips jerk to meet mine I gasp, the complete fullness shooting stars behind my eyes. I roll my hips against him, making his pelvis rub against my clit and setting every nerve ending in my body haywire. I reach up for his lips, kissing him deeply as I ride him into oblivion.

“You’re so deep,” I breathe against his lips. He swallows my moans, pounding up into me as the friction builds between us. “Yes, Callum. Oh shit.”

“Who do you come for?” Callum growls, his lips trailing across my jaw and down my neck. I tilt my head with a sigh when he grazes the sensitive pulse point that makes my head spin. Our movements are relentless, chasing our release in a frenzy of need and passion.

“You, Callum. Only you,” I pant. I’m so close, teetering on the edge of delicious oblivion. My orgasm is building inside me, drawing heat from every touch, every stroke. It swells inside me, threatening to drown me in unimaginable bliss when the floodgates open. And I’m on the brink.

“Me, only me.” His lips graze my ear. “Come all over my cock.” At his words, I shatter into a million pieces. The floodgates open.

The pleasure pounds against me like the sea clashing against a cliff, wave after wave of euphoria hitting me until I’m spent. “Oh, Callum. Yes, yes.” His name tumbles from my mouth over and over, my pussy clenched tightly around his cock until he’s completely undone.

Callum’s release hits him like a freight train, ripping a groan from deep inside his chest as he empties into me. The muscles of his powerful body ripple with the force of his orgasm, his arms shaking against me. Looking into his eyes as he falls apart with my name on his lips, I don’t stop moving until he’s completely wrung out.

My body collapses against his, my head tucking into his neck as we both struggle to catch our breath. We stay there for a moment, just our pounding hearts beating against each other as we pant. Callum presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You are perfection, Dewdrop.”

“Why, because I have dirty sex with you in public places?” I ask, only half joking. I’ve never done anything like this before, it’s exhilarating. I’m not new to dirty sex, or even sex with Callum. But never on a public carousel encased in transparent glass. Even now, anyone could walk past and see us, while he’s still inside me. The risk factor makes it even hotter.

“Because we fit,” Callum clarifies. He’s right—we shouldn’t, but we do. “And you have dirty sex with me in public places,” he adds with a smirk. I laugh against him, pushing back to look at his face. The smolder in his eyes feels a lot like adoration, drawing me in for another sweet kiss.

“This is probably the best first date I’ve ever been on,” I say, shifting off him and sliding my panties back into place. I’ll have to spend the rest of the night with my arousal dripping down my thighs, but it’s a small price to pay for such a bone-melting orgasm.

“Probably?” he counters in challenge, removing the condom and tucking himself back into his pants. My eyes wander around the magic surrounding us before returning to him.

“I would tell you this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, but I wouldn’t want your head to get too big to fit in the helicopter for the ride home.”

“You’re the only one my head grows for,” he teases, a breathtaking grin spreading across his face as he stands up and straightens the dress shirt I rumpled.

“You’re such a flirt,” I laugh, letting him help me up and shimmying my dress back into place. Callum draws me against his chest, his hands gripping my hips.

“This is only the beginning,” he states, pressing a kiss to my forehead. We stand in our embrace for a nice long moment. I can’t remember ever enjoying someone’s company like this. After several minutes, he finally speaks, his deep voice vibrating over me. “Let’s get home, we have an early morning tomorrow.”

The helicopter ride back across the city feels much shorter than the first one, but maybe that’s only because I’m more focused on making out with Callum than I am watching the night skyline passing outside the window.

Damn, I feel giddy like a teenager with a crush.

When we fall into bed together, the flirting and teasing for the evening is over. This time is slow, sensual, and feels exactly how I imagine making love should feel. I fall asleep with one thought on my mind.

Could this possibly be love?