Page 95 of Love You Madly

Watching her sleep, I feel a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. I lean down, brushing a kiss to her forehead, and decide I’m going to stay here a while longer. As she sleeps, her lips curl into a faint smile, and I wonder what she’s dreaming about.

After a few more episodes play, Callie stirs, her eyes fluttering open. She looks up at me with a sleepy smile. “Did I fall asleep?”

“Sure did,” I whisper, stroking her hair gently. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

She nods, too tired to protest. I help her to her feet and lead her to the bedroom. She climbs into bed and looks up at me with those captivating eyes. “Will you stay with me?”

I hesitate for a moment, then nod. “Of course. But first, let me get you something more comfortable to sleep in.”

I grab one of my Darling Ridge Farms t-shirts from the dresser and hand it to her, letting her know she can change in the bathroom and where to find the extra toothbrushes.

She takes the shirt with a grateful smile and chews on her bottom lip for a moment. “Owen, can you help me with this?” She turns, presenting her back to me, and I see the zipper of her dress.

I step closer, gently pulling the zipper down, probably going slower than necessary. My fingers brush her soft skin and I bend down to kiss the spot where her shoulder and neck meet. Her breath catches as my warm breath tickles her skin.

“There you go,” I say, my voice huskier than I intended.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, holding the dress against her chest as she heads to the bathroom. I wait, trying to calm the anticipation building inside me. When she steps out wearing my t-shirt, I’m stunned.

Somehow, she looks even more beautiful in my clothes. The shirt falls high on her thighs, clinging softly to her curves, highlighting her growing belly. Her slightly tousled hair looks so sexy, and the fact that she’s not wearing a bra makes my dick jump.

Fuckkkkk.

“You look… amazing.”

“Thank you,” she whispers before walking over to the bed and slipping under the covers and rolling over onto her left side. It makes me smile because she chooses the side of the bedthat I don’t sleep on. She then declares my bed is the most comfortable bed ever. She’s perfect.

After slipping off my shoes, I slide into bed behind her. As soon as I’m under the covers, she snuggles close, her body fitting perfectly against mine.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her close and she fucking wiggles her ass against my cock. “You are not playing fair, Kitty,” I whisper into her ear.

She looks over her shoulder at me in mock innocence. “I couldn’t possibly know what you mean. I’m just getting comfy,” she teases.

We lie there in darkness, the only sound being our continued breathing as I slide my hand up and down her leg. I can feel the heat between her thighs warm against my dick and kiss her softly behind her ear.

I bring my left hand back up her thigh, over her hips. As my hand stills on the top of her ribcage, I give her ribs a gentle but possessive squeeze and a whimper escapes her.

“Oh, you are going to be so much fun to play with,” I tease, pressing a kiss to the spot between her neck and shoulder that spurred a reaction from her just a few minutes ago.

She struggles to control her breathing as my name escapes her trembling lips.

“Good night, Callie.” I can’t help but chuckle as she lets out a frustrated huff.

“That’s so mean!” With a pout on her face, she grabs my arm and pulls it around herself, seeking my embrace again.

forty-one

WHY CAN’T I? - LIZ PHAIR

CALLIE - JULY 20, 2013

As I wake up, the soft morning light filters through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Owen's body curls protectively around mine, his arm draped across my waist, and I feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back. For a moment, I just lie there, savoring the quiet stillness of the morning, cocooned in the warmth of his embrace. It's a peace I haven't felt in a long time—a sense of belonging, like everything is exactly as it should be.

The weight of his arm resting against my pregnant belly makes me a bit self-conscious, all too aware of the unusual situation we're in. The baby’s been kicking more often, and I worry she might kick now, startling him or breaking this perfect moment.

Last night replays in my mind, and a small smile tugs at my lips. It was perfect—everything I hoped for and more. But asthe morning light settles in, so do the doubts. Can this really work? With everything we both have going on?

I shift slightly, trying not to wake him, and am met with the unmistakable press of his hardness against my back. Jesus. He stirs, his arm tightening around me as his lips brush softly against the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

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