“Where are you?”
“According to Google Maps, a few blocks from your house.”
“A little late to ask if I’m at home,” I joke, getting out of bed. “Of course, you can come to visit.”
“Sorry, I know it’s late, but I didn’t know where else to go.”
His voice is off. I wish I could understand what’s happening, but instead of asking, I say, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
I change into a pair of leggings and a long sweater. I slide my feet into my flats and run downstairs. It’s a good thing that the cleaning crew came today. The last time Dad and Dan came to visit, they hired someone to help me with my weekly house cleaning. It’s hard to keep the place tidy when I spend most of the day at the office—sometimes even on weekends.
Dan is right. I’m becoming my father, and I don’t even love what I do. All I want is to make sure that the company is working well so Dad doesn’t have to worry about anything. As I approach the main entrance, I spot a car stopping by my place. A tall guy gets out of the passenger seat and shuts the door.
The driver helps him with his luggage. Eros walks toward me, shoulders slumped, his gaze fixated on the ground. What happened?
I open the door wide so he can enter. He sets the luggage on the floor and hugs me.
“Hey,” I greet him, hugging him back. “Let’s go upstairs.”
He nods and follows me to the fourth floor where I live. After shutting the door behind him, I finally ask, “What happened?”
“Callie,” he whispers. He sets his carry-on next to the coat rack, takes off his shoes, and puts his backpack on the bench I have next to the door.
“Is she okay?”
He shakes his head. Running a hand through his hair, he walks back and forth. “Last week, this guy, Isaac, calls me saying it’s important that we speak.” He stops, takes a deep breath, and stares at the ceiling. “Her husband. I had no idea she was married. We just saw her last March, when Nova was born.”
I want to tell him that Nova is a year old. Persy’s baby is almost three months old. I don’t.
His relationship with Callie is fragile. If something happened to her, he’d be blaming himself for that.
“You know it takes me time to call back when I’m at the farm. This Sunday, Gil convinced me to go with him to the city. That’s when my phone came to life. The texts and calls from my family began to roll in.” He pauses, takes a deep breath. “Last Monday, there was an accident on the highway. A construction truck rammed against a bus.”
He shuts his mouth and closes his eyes.
I know exactly what he’s talking about. It was all over the news. There were no survivors. My heart stops. “She was there?”
He nods, turning to look at me. “I got in touch with Nate and Ford. They told me the funeral was on Friday. Of course, I couldn’t leave town until today. I didn’t know where to go. Colorado, where my family is or here to see… I’m too late to even say goodbye to her.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“You know what’s the worst part?”
I stare at him expectantly.
“I still can’t believe it happened. It’s not sinking in that we lost her,” he explains. “My parents are devastated. Nate told me that Nyx isn’t taking it well either. You know she always mothered Callie. Persy is coping better.”
He holds his head with both hands and looks at the ceiling. I watch him as he takes several breaths.
“I hope you don’t mind me being here,” he says, finally looking at me. “After I landed, I took a cab and gave them your address. I’m sorry for coming unannounced. You’re the only person I wanted to see.”
I step closer to him, placing my hands on each side of his face. Our gazes lock. My heart hurts as pain radiates from his dark eyes. I want to take it away.
“Hey, I’m always here for you.”
He slides a hand around the back of my head, bends closer, and hauls me in for a deep kiss. It’s hard, almost ruthless. There’s madness, pain, and need. I kiss him back, trying to soothe his soul. We devour each other with an intensity I’ve never experienced before. We feast. We ease the pain.
The bone-deep need for him increases as he grinds against me. We’re jerking and pulling each other closer. My body aches. I’m not sure if it’s his pain or a need to quench the thirst for him. We don’t speak. I find the zipper of his jacket, slide it open, and shrug it off of him. He tugs at my sweater, yanking it off.
His mouth is now against my neck, traveling down my skin. Heat sizzles all over my body when he nips at my nipples. He kneads the other with his hand, fondling it. I cry with pleasure as he playfully bites my hardened beads. I can feel his warm breath against my bare skin. God, how I missed this. Him.
Eros’s hands scoop under my ass, lifting me. “Where is your bedroom?”
“Down the hall,” I answer, wrapping my legs around his waist.
“Stop me if you don’t want me to continue.”
“I want you,” I mumble as I play with the lobe of his ear.
He places me on the edge of the bed, pulling my leggings off. “You were in pajamas, weren’t you?”
I grin as I watch him push his jeans down along with his boxer briefs and kick them off.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he orders. He grabs his length and presses it against my entrance.
“Condom,” I remind him.
He frowns. “I’m clean. I haven’t had sex since the last time we were together. How about you?”
“We’re a pair, aren’t we?” I shake my head. “Still on the pill. Well… I’m too busy to entertain the thought of going out with anyone.”
“You need to stop working so much.”
“Stop lecturing me and fuck me.”
“Bossy,” he whispers as his big, thick cock enters me deliciously slow.
His hands pin my wrists on either side of my head. There’s no gentleness tonight. He kisses me as roughly as he thrusts inside me. It doesn’t take long for me to come underneath him. We shudder and rock against each other while sparks fly out of my chest. As our gazes lock again, I see his soul bleeding and the rawness of his pain.
“What can I do for you?”
He gives me a sad smile. “Just be with me tonight.”
I’m unsure of what to say or what to do. I kiss him, hoping that it’s enough. That I’m enough for tonight.
Chapter Twenty-One
Olivia
Though I’d love to stay with Eros all day, my Tuesday is packed. I take a shower, get dressed, and leave a note next to the pot of coffee that’s ready for him.
I’m at work. Call if you need me. Press the start button to get your morning Joe. In case you’re wondering, it’s the one you sent me last November. I’ll try to be back around lunchtime. There’s a set of house keys next to your backpack.
Liv
After a couple of video conferences with Dad and the team, I decide to leave the office for the day. Before I drive toward home, I text Eros.
Eros: Where are you?
Liv: On my way home.
Liv: What do you want for lunch?