Page 91 of Shattered

“Well, I liked them a lot, until now. Way too much fabric up here.” He pinched the top band, and for some reason the notion caused Sam to burst out laughing.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I never said I was anything else.” He paused for a brief second then continued, “I don’t want you to stay in my old room tonight.”

“Okay. I told you I didn’t care where I stayed. But I can sleep on the couch. I don’t want you to–”

“No. That’s not what I mean. I want you to stay down here. In the guest room. With me.”

“Callum.”

“I’m not asking for sex. But there is no fucking way I’m getting an ounce of sleep tonight if I know you are just above me in the house. I need you with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She wasn’t sure why those words were what came out. She felt the exact opposite.

“I promise I’ll behave myself.” He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

“Oh, god. Were you a Boy Scout?”

“Yes. Eagle Scout, actually,” he clarified. “I can tie any knot you want or need.” Her mouth went dry. “I’m a little out of practice now, although lately I’ve been dreaming about tying knots. Funny thing, isn’t it?” She tightened her lips, hoping he didn’t see the quiver that had started. There was a momentary flash of a vision of him tying her to the bed while doing all manner of deliciously horrible things to her body. Her legs tightened around him, her body desperate for some type of friction at her core. From the way his eyes darkened, she knew his mind had gone there, too. “I’m serious, Sam. Stay with me.”

“Maybe.”

“I can work with that,” he said as he once again started rubbing her thighs and then nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. “But you are definitely changing into some regular waisted pants.” He leaned back to meet her eyes with a smile, causing her to laugh a little again. But there was no humor in his features. “I need to be able to touch your skin.”

“I could just go with no pants?” she bravely countered.

His eyes widened slightly at the offer, “I think that’s a very good decision.” He leaned in, and for the first time in days, she felt his lips on hers.

One would think for two people who fought and bickered as much as they did that this would get old. But every time he touched her, she felt more alive than the time before.

His touch was slow and torturous this time. He started with just a few tentative kisses to her closed lips and then he made his way along her jaw to her ear before turning his attention back to her mouth once more. Every sensitive spot he hit along the way caused her to involuntarily thrust her hips forward, begging for relief.

When their lips met again she was ready and met each of his movements with her own. They had kissed enough times by this point that she knew the way he liked to tilt her head to the side, the feel of his stubble as it grazed her chin, the way his tongue would sweep out begging for entrance. It still felt new and raw and as if it was everything she had been waiting for.

They only got to enjoy the feel of each other for a few moments before a throat clearing from behind Callum caused Sam to jump back with a start.

“Pay up,” Micah said and reached a hand over to Drew who handed him some wadded-up cash. Kristin couldn’t hide the smirk on her face. When Callum and Sam both gave them questioning looks, Micah explained, “I bet him twenty bucks y’all would be all over each other when we got down here. He doubted me.” And then all three onlookers started to laugh.

They didn’t get any more alone time after that, as all five of them spent the next few hours laughing and drinking, pausing only to eat Sam's famous chicken roll.

Drew explained the plans for the next day, stating that they needed to be there by seven to set up for the festival starting at nine. Callum grunted in frustration at that and Micah questioned when he was truly needed.

Kristin and Sam made plans to sleep in and lay out by the pool for a while before meeting up to bring the boys lunch. By the time the leftover food was put away and the dishes were cleaned, Drew had detailed out most of the next three days. Saturday would look a lot like Friday, except Kristin planned for more shopping than sunbathing. There was apparently a great bar and dance club they wanted to go to Saturday night and then they would leave shortly after lunch on Sunday.

Sam and Kristin eyed each other frequently. Apparently, Sam was not the only meticulously scheduled person in the room.

Sam hadn’t spent very much time with Drew before that night and she had wrongly assumed he was just a lazy college drop out. The same title she’d once given Callum. She was quickly learning not to judge people so unfairly when she didn’t really know them. Now she could see Drew was half the brain behind their business. She was sure his artistic skills were wonderful as well, but didn’t think she would ever find any artwork as stunning as what Callum could do.

It was after ten when they decided to call it quits for the night. Sam made her way upstairs, brushed her teeth, and quickly got ready for bed. More than once, she had to physically stop herself

from running down to Callum. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in his arms and fall asleep with his lips on hers. This weekend was supposed to be stress free. That was what she had promised herself on the way down and she knew what would happen if she were to give in to him.

Sam closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. She would get through this weekend without giving in. As she opened her eyes back up, she jumped with a start.

“Hey,” Callum said shyly. His reflection in the mirror gave away that he was standing directly behind her.

“How long have you been standing there?”

---