Page 77 of Fate Forever and Always

“Callie, is that true? Does he ask, and maybe you just don’t hear him, or you block it out? Because that can be something we—”

I cut her off because I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “Okay. Maybe you do ask, but I just don’t wanna talk about it.”

Nick looked toward my therapist for what to say next, but she spoke to me.

“Callie, he's telling you what he needs, and you are dismissing him. That is exactly what he is saying. He would like you to share what you are feeling. You told me in one of our first sessions that Nick was the person you are closest to.” Nick side-eyed me with a big smile. I blushed even more than I already was. “If you start by sharing everything with him, then you will be able to share with other people.”

“Callie, I love you. Just trust me a little, okay?”

I nodded my head in agreement. “Okay.”

I honestly didn’t need to think about it anymore. I just wanted to make love to my man without flinching. I knew that I was the one holding us back, but that was all changing tonight.

I was about to say more, but the red light in her office flickered, indicating her next appointment was here.

“We will save the rest for next time, okay?”

I looked at Nick and smiled. I reached for his hand and leaned in to kiss him. Without looking away from each other, Nick and I nodded. I looked back at the therapist, “Yes, next time, we will definitely have more to talk about.”

The moment we got in the car, Nick began nervously babbling. “Is that what every session is like? That was a bit intense.” I looked over and shrugged as he backed out of the parking lot.

“Yeah, a little.”

“I liked her. She seemed like someone who takes no shit but in a nice way.” He laughed. “It felt really good to get some of that off my chest.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it lightly. “Andit felt really good to hear how you were feeling and connect a little more than we have been.”

“Yeah, it did. Thank you for coming with me. I am really glad you did.” I looked down and let his hand go. I began twisting my fingers in my lap. “And I’m really sorry it took that for me to really talk to you about this.”

Nick reached his hand back over to grab mine again. “Never apologize for protecting yourself or your feelings. It doesn't matter how long it took. It matters that we talked about it a little, and now, hopefully, we will have more of an open dialogue, right?

“Yes, I hope so.”

He kissed my hand. “I love you, Callie.” He let go only to put on some music, then held my hand the entire ride home.

When we got home, Nick went to his room and took a shower, and I went into the back of the house, where my piano was. It was sweet that he knew I needed some thinking space.

I began playing and did my best to get lost in the music, but I couldn’t find my focus. I closed my eyes and just let the music guide me. When I opened them again, Nick was leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed, biting his bottom lip.

“You play so beautifully, Sweets. I could listen to you play all day.”

“Thank you. Any requests?” I joked.

He playfully tapped his chin like he was thinking as he walked into the room and sat down in the chair that I normally used during my lessons.

“Play something that reminds you of me.”

He brushed a lock of my hair off my forehead and tucked it behind my ear. The gesture sent shivers down my spine, but I didn’t say anything back. I smiled, closed my eyes, and started playing Make You Feel My Love by Adele.

One minute into the song, I assumed he stood when I heard the chair scratch the floor. He squatted down behind me, and I felt his torso press into my back. He leaned in and whispered in my ear. “I can’t wait to feel your love again, Callie.”

An intense warmth traveled through my body. Goosebumps erupted over my arms.

“I can’t play with you doing that,” I giggled.

I was trying my best not to mess up the song since I was playing from memory. I felt his warm lips on my neck, followed by his tongue. I stopped playing for a moment and tried to turn around, but he put a hand on each side of my face and turned me back to keep me playing.

“Try,” he whispered.

I let out a low hum and began to play again. I tilted my head to give him more access. He kissed my neck over and over again as his lips slowly traveled down to my collarbone.

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