“Me too. It’s the first one I’ve spent with you where I was able to do this,” he says, drawing me closer, which I would have thought to be impossible. I lay my head on his chest and savor the feeling of being in his arms.
“We’re one minute away,” the announcer says.
I lift my head and try to pull back, but Silas is holding on strong. “There’s no music,” I state the obvious.
“We’ll make our own.” He smiles down at me.
“You know this day would be perfect, but it’s missing one thing.”
“Yeah? What’s that so I can do better next year.”
The announcer begins the countdown. “Twenty, nineteen…”
“A midnight kiss.” I can’t go another minute without his lips pressed to mine. We’re doing this, we’re together, and that gives me rights to his lips. I want them pressed against mine.
His hands cradle my cheeks, and his green eyes blaze with desire for me. “Happy Birthday, beautiful,” he says. His lips press to mine as the clock strikes midnight. The kiss is slow, yet the press of his lips is firm. He steals taste after taste, and I’ve not had a single drop of alcohol, but I feel drunk. Drunk on Silas and the way his touch lights my body on fire. He slows the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. “Exactly what I thought our first kiss would be like. Explosive.”
He starts to pull away, but I stop him with my hands, fisting his shirt. I don’t want him to pull away. I don’t want to lose this moment. The way my heart is racing so fast, it feels as though it could beat right out of my chest. The way my lips are wet from his kiss, the way his green eyes and those fucking dimples smile down at me… I want to memorize this moment.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says softly.
I nod. “Charity,” I call out, my eyes never leaving his. “We’re gonna go. Call me if you go into labor. I love you, thank you for having us. Happy New Year,” I rush to get it all out.
“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” Brody calls after us as we move toward the front door. Neither one of us answer him as we slide into our coats and head outside.
The drive to my place is quiet. Silas has his hand on my thigh, and he’s driving me crazy. With each swipe of his thumb, he’s igniting every sensor in my body that screams for him. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted someone as much as I want him. As we pull into the drive, I’m suddenly worried he’s going to leave, which is the opposite of what I want to happen.
“I know it’s no longer my birthday, but I’m going to be selfish and ask for one more thing.” My voice is thick.
“Anything,” he says, turning to face me.
“Stay with me.”
He unbuckles his seat belt and leans over the console of his truck. “Always,” he whispers, brushing his lips over mine.
All too quickly, he’s pulling away and climbing out of his truck. I scramble to do the same, and he’s there, tugging open my door, offering me his hand. Once we’re inside, I kick off my shoes and with his hand clasped tightly around mine, lead us to my bedroom. I don’t bother turning on the lights, instead choosing to find my way in the darkness. With each step that carries us closer to my room, my heart rate accelerates, and my breathing begins to labor.
We’re doing this.
I’m going to give myself to him in the most intimate of ways. I know he’s not a forever kind of guy, but I’m going to do it anyway. I’m tired of wondering what if. I want to know what it's like having him inside me. He’s never been serious. His words tell me he is, but what if he changes his mind?
Pushing open my bedroom door, I lead us to the bed and stop. I don’t know where to go from here. Is this what he really wants? Maybe it’s just the road trip yesterday, and our close proximity. I’m internally freaking out, and I shouldn’t be. He’s never been one to lie. That’s not who he is. How is this going to affect our little group? Will I still be able to face him after this? Hang out as if I don’t know what it feels like to have his body connected with mine? My mind is racing at warp speed as all of these questions and more filter through, letting my worry take root.
“Callista,” his deep voice whispers, his lips next to my ear. “I’m here for you, baby. Whatever that looks like. You decide. I stayed for you, but I can go if that’s what you want.” His hands are on my hips, and he pulls me back into his chest, burying his face in my neck. His hot breath against my skin sends shivers of anticipation down my spine.
Gathering my courage, I turn in his arms and look up at him. The moonlight filtering into the room gives off just enough light to make out his form. That’s okay, though. I don’t need to see his eyes to know they’re a deep green or to know that those fucking dimples that melt me every time I look at him is indented in his cheek. “I want you to stay.”
“I want to stay. In fact, I want you in my arms every night for the rest of our forever.”
I stare up at him, unsure if I heard him right. “Silas—” I start, but his lips pressing to mine keeps my words at bay.
“I’m yours, Callista. I’m tired of fighting my attraction to you. I’m tired of pretending that you’re not the only woman that I see.”
“What if it doesn’t work out? Things could get messy with my sister and Brody.”
“Us not working out isn’t an option. From the moment I met you, I’ve felt this strong pull. Anytime Brody would call and invite me for dinner or going out, if your name was mentioned, I was all in. It didn’t matter if I had plans. They were changed. For you.” His hand slides around the nape of my neck, under my hair. “Then I just stopped making plans, unless I knew you were going to be there.”
His confession, his words are those I’ve longed to hear from him but never imagined in a million years that I would. They leave me speechless. Breathless.
Burying my hands in his hair, I pull him closer so his lips meet mine and kiss him. I hold nothing back, letting my worry dissolve as his tongue slides against mine.
Chapter Eight
SILAS
My secret’s out. I no longer have to hide or pretend. Now I get to show her. Don’t they say actions speak louder than words?
Pulling out of the kiss, I reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, tossing it to the floor. My jeans and boxer briefs are removed in record time. My cock is hard and throbbing for her. Her eyes are glued to my cock as she bites down on her bottom lip. Taking her hand in mine, I help her fist my length, but she takes it from there. Her small hands stroke me from root to tip, driving me insane.
“Naked, baby. I need you naked.”
“I-I don’t know if this is going to work,” she says breathlessly. I can’t make out her eyes, but her head is tilted as she takes in my cock.
“Like two pieces to a puzzle.” My hands wrap around her wrists, and I gently raise her arms in the air. I miss her touch instantly, but I know that the end result, feeling her warmth wrapped around me, is the ultimate prize. Quickly, I discard her shirt, which leaves her in a bra and leggings.
My chest is heaving as I take in the beauty before me. I don’t know how many times I imagined having her like this, all to myself over the years, and now here she is. Mine for the taking. My eyes track her every move as she reaches behind her and unclasps her bra. She doesn’t make a show of holding it to her chest; instead, she pulls it from her body, dropping it to the floor. Her hands cup her breasts, tweaking her nipples as she arches her back the slightest bit.