Page 90 of Shattered

He had initially cringed when she had started asking him about his family. That was a hard subject to work through. But it had given him an opening to ask her about hers in hopes she would tell him the truth. He’d contemplated just coming out and asking her about her past outright, but then thought that might embarrass her, which was exactly what he didn’t want. He wanted her to tell him, but he wanted her to tell him because she felt safe and comfortable confiding in him, not because he’d forced the truth out of her.

So he’d reached out just slightly with his comment on her being a med student and how most parents would be proud. When she hadn’t taken the bait, he’d reeled back and decided to let it go. Hopefully, one day they would get there. He just hoped that day came sooner rather than later. Because, now that he knew the little noises she made as she slept, he didn’t think he could go another night without her by his side. That wasn’t how one normally thought about a friend, but he couldn't help it.

He also knew that in order for her to open up, he probably needed to do the same. He needed to tell her about his asshole father, and the falling out he’d had with his brother. He needed to tell her about how he’d fucked up his parents’ marriage and broken up their family. He needed to tell her about Rebecca. He needed to explain again that he ruined things, but that he thought maybe he wouldn’t ruin her.

Chapter 39 - Sam

Sam spent the next fifteen minutes prepping and cooking while trying desperately to forget Callum was watching her from the counter behind her. She was proud of herself for not looking back at him. And for only once asking for an item that then immediately slid up beside her. It wasn’t until she’d placed the dish in the oven and was washing her hands that she felt him come up behind her. From her position at the sink, she could see his reflection in the glass wall feet away. He was mere inches, if that, from her. Just as she turned the water off, she felt him slide his hands across her hips as he leaned down close to her ear.

“Do you have any idea how torturous it is watching you move and not touching you?” His arms wrapped tighter around her. When his head dipped down by her neck, she could feel his stubble tickling her sensitive skin.

“I never said you couldn’t touch me.” She was already breathless.

“Good.” He twisted her around, picked her up, and placed her on the counter, separating her legs to step between them.

Sam swallowed as she let her arms drape across his shoulders.

“I don’t think we can be just friends,” Callum whispered, his voice deep and full of need.

Her heart was beating too fast as she inhaled, tasting the minty tang of his breath. She heard herself let out a throaty chuckle, but she couldn't make her mouth move to form words. Thankfully, Callum spoke again.

“I’m sorry I woke you up earlier in the truck, but I wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”

She exhaled with his change of subject.

“It’s fine. I wasn’t mad about it.”

“I was.”

“Mad you woke me up? Why?”

“You are so beautiful when you sleep.” His finger traced her jaw, and then her nose, and then her lips. Her eyes fluttered closed. “When you’re awake, you’re always so tense. It’s like you’re waiting for the floor to fall out from under you. But when you sleep, you have this little smile you do. I like you like that. Relaxed. Not thinking so hard about everything.” He reached up at his last statement to once again pull her lip from the grasp of her teeth. “And you tend to mumble and talk in your sleep. That’s always entertaining.”

“Do I even want to know what I said?”

“Nothing too bad. Just how I’m the most handsome man you have ever laid eyes on.”

“I did not!” She swatted at his shoulder and buried her face in his chest while laughing.

He pulled her in a little tighter. “No, you didn’t.”

“Not that it wouldn’t be true or anything.” She looked back up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, sweeping his hair out of his face. “You need a hair-cut.”

“I know.” He didn’t acknowledge her initial statement.

“Callum?”

“Yes?” His hands were once again rubbing up and down her thighs, inching their way higher with each pass. Her barely there yoga pants did nothing to ward off the sting his touch brought.

“We’ve been here a million times now. I don’t want this cycle to keep going.”

“I know.” He slid his hands up to her hips and then to herstomach when he pulled back a little and cocked his head to the side in confusion. “What the hell is this?” He lifted her shirt slightly to see the top of her pants.

“What? They’re yoga pants?”

“I know that. Why the hell are they so high up your stomach?”

She laughed a little at his shock. “They’re high waisted. Very comfortable. And they have pockets.” She showed him exuberantly.

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