Page 69 of Love is Grand

“It’s more than okay,” I said, my voice husky with want. When he lifted my white T-shirt over my head and took in my plain bra, I explained. “It’s pretty much the only one that fits right now.”

“Perfection.”

His mouth came down to meet my nipple, first over the bra, and then he slid the cup down to reveal my skin. He blew a warm breath over it, causing a chill to settle over me. Then his mouth came down on my nipple again, twirling, laving ... whatever it was, it was decadent. He was careful not to climb on top of me, staying close to my side.

His name came out on a breath from me, and he looked up.

“Take your shirt off,” I said softly. “I want to touch you.”

He obliged, paying attention to my other nipple while my hands grazed his back. Then he slid down next to me, dragging my maternity capris with him, revealing a turquoise lace thong. At least I’d put on sexy panties.

A growl erupted from Cal’s chest as he took me in, and then in a flash, he ripped them off of me. “Sorry, I’ll buy you more,” he said before running his tongue along my inner thigh.

I didn’t know when I’d ended up in a romance novel. Panty-ripping wasn’t something that happened to me, but I liked it.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it, because Cal found my core with his tongue and his finger slid inside me at the same time. My head fell back, and I could feel myself coming undone within moments. I tried to hold back, wanting to savor this.

“Shell, give it to me,” Cal whispered. Explaining how he knew, he said, “I can feel you starting to quiver, and then you clench up. Let go for me.”

He swiped over my hottest area, and I went off like a rocket. Turning my head to the side, I moaned into the pillow. I didn’t know how soundproof these walls were, but I didn’t want to wake Weezie.

Cold air rushed over me as Cal stood and dropped his pants to the floor, his belt buckle clanking against the hardwood. Next, he shrugged off his boxer briefs and was naked except for the bulky Rolex on his wrist.

He knelt at my feet and ran his tongue around my ankle—the one where I wore the shell anklet he gave me. Kissing his way up my calf, he spent time around my knee, coming back over my body, spending a beat or ten, reminding me what he just did to my core, and my desire began to ramp up again. He slid back up next to me and gathered me in his arms, pulling me over him, seating me above his groin.

Like a pair who did this all the time, I raised slightly on my knees and he positioned himself. I didn’t waste time sliding onto his length. I needed to rush. A fire was raging inside me, and the only way to put it out was to douse myself in Cal.

I rode him quickly, bracing myself on his chest, his hands coming up to cup my breasts.

“Slow down, babe,” he said, taking my hip in his hand and stilling me.

He reached up and brought my head down to meet his, where we kissed with my belly between us. He used his hand on my hip to guide me to a languid pace, lifting his hips to create friction.

We moved like that a while until I couldn’t take it, and sat up to pick up speed on my own. Cal’s head finally fell back, showing me all the veins in his neck as he climaxed.

I felt myself go off right as he began, which wasn’t the norm for me, but I was so turned on and my feelings were way too deep when it came to this man.

I’d been trying to control those feelings, but afterward, he took my hand and ushered me to a warm shower. There, he cleaned me off, then wrapped me in a robe and cuddled me, whispering, “You’re magnificent. I’m so happy you’re here.”

At that moment, I knew I couldn’t control a damn thing.

Cal

The three of us were in the back of a chauffeured car on our way to the Hamptons for the day when my phone rang.

As Shell set up a movie for her daughter in her booster seat behind us, I was quietly wondering how I would sleep without Shell in my bed. She and Weezie had been in the city for three days and would be leaving soon, and thinking about it caused a twinge in my chest. She was turned around, helping Weezie in the third row, her gorgeous profile on display.

I looked at the caller ID and sighed. Seeing it was my mom, I debated for a second whether to answer. Deciding that if I didn’t, she’d call back, I accepted the call. “Hi, Mom.”

Shell’s head popped up, her eyes meeting mine. All she knew was my mom was unsettled about my current life circumstances.

“Caleb, you haven’t called,” my mom said, starting with the guilt.

I’d sent her a pointed email, removing emotion from my words like a well-trained lawyer, stating that the baby Shell and I were expecting was her grandson and she needed to get behind it all. Her nonresponse was her way of backing down. I knew my mom. She’d wait for me to reach out to her and say how much I loved her, forgetting the whole incident ever happened.

“I know. Shell’s been here with Weezie, and I’ve been showing them the city.”

This was when the sweat would normally pour down my back, when nerves would slam me over the thought of my life changing. But nothing happened. In fact, my unease settled, and I felt a calmness wash over me.

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