Page 81 of Any Means Necessary

“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.”

---