“Hey, I take offense to that.”
I slide my arm around his back and put my palm on his chest. “Kidding, you’re one of the smartest guys I know. Bravest too.” As soon as those words leave my mouth, his demeanor changes, a darkness about him as a frown hijacks his face. Oh, God, what have I done? “Hey, look at this,” I say, and pick up a pretty seashell necklace. “I bet Kaitlyn would love this.”
He’s quiet for a second, and a small smile reaches the corners of his mouth. “You think?”
“Totally, and just so you know, the piano lessons are free.”
“No, they’re not.”
“After what you’re doing for me.”
He slides his arms around me, and it settles on the small of my back. His mouth is near my ear when he says, “I like doing for you.”
I grin. “Doesn’t matter.”
“It matters, and—” I open my mouth to argue, even though I don’t think it will do any good and he presses his finger to my lips. “If you want to give her free lessons, we’ll figure something out. This isn’t it.”
“Okay, fine,” I say and wonder what he has in mind. “Oh, and look at these earrings.”
He frowns. “She’s always wanted to get her ears pierced, but I can’t seem to take her. I think if she felt any sort of pain, I’d lose my mind.”
“It’s not so bad and if you want, I’ll take her.” I search his face as he goes quiet for a moment.
“You don’t have to do that.”
I squeeze his arm. “And you didn’t have to come here with me this weekend .”
“I’m glad I did, though.” He snorts. “Maybe I am a little bit into pissing contests. I liked letting Brad know you were taken, and the only one you had to answer to was yourself.”
“Did you see his face when Amanda said something about your big hose.”
“Priceless,” he says with a laugh. “I’m not an asshole, Gemma.”
“I know that.”
“Brad, though. He’s an asshole. He basically told me you two were going to spend the weekend working things out.”
“It’s a lie.”
“I know, but it speaks of his character, and that he’s pretty possessive of you.” His frown sends worry zinging through me.
I glance down. “I don’t think he’d hurt me, though. Not physically.”
“Okay, and I have to say, I probably shouldn’t have taken pleasure in Amanda one upping him.” He casts me a fast glance. “I’m going to Hell, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry,” I say. “I’ll be riding shotgun.”
He laughs out loud, and it wraps around me in a comforting way. “I love that you’re a ride or die kind of girlfriend,” he says.
My heart jumps. Girlfriend. I like the sound of that…a little too much. I quickly remind myself we’re each doing a favor for the other. But Callan, I don’t know, it’s easy to forget it’s pretend at times like this.
“Okay, let’s get these for Kaitlyn,” he says, “And then I need to get a bathing suit and I am not stuffing myself into a ridiculous pair of speedos. I want board shorts.”
“Well, of course. You need the extra room for that big hose.”
He shakes his head and gives my ass a slap to get me moving. The sun is low on the horizon after we pay and step back outside. We walk a little farther until we come to a pretzel shop.
“Let’s get one,” he says.
I rub my stomach. “I’m still full from the barbecue earlier.”
We head inside and he looks at the menus. “Will Brad be gone when we get back?”
“He’ll likely be at his parents’ place. I hope you’re into board games. I’m sure we’ll get roped into that.”
He orders two pretzels, and hands me one when we step outside. I take a bite and moan. “This is good.”
“See, I knew you’d want one.” We make our way into the bathing suit shop and after we get him a pair of board shorts, we head back to his car. A yawn pulls at me, and I rest my head against the seat.
“I’m looking forward to getting to bed early,” I say.
“Why, you think you’re going to get some sleep?” he asks, a devilish grin on his face. My heart leaps a bit. I haven’t said anything, but there’s no denying I’ve been wondering what tonight might bring. I sort of had myself convinced last night was a one-time thing.
“What are you saying, Callan?”
“If I’m here pretending to be your guy, the least you could do is have sex with me.”
“The least,” I say with a laugh. “I wasn’t sure, Callan.” I glance at him, wanting to be open and honest here.
“There’s one thing I’m sure of, and I can’t quite forget it.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“This morning. I remember what you said you’d be willing to do in exchange for a cup of coffee.”
“What did I say?”
“Oh, just something about my cock in your mouth.”
“I don’t believe I’d ever say something like that,” I tease and wet my mouth.
“You did, and stop licking your lips like that. You’re making me hard. I can’t walk into your parents’ place with a boner.”
I put my hand over his hard cock and a tortured groan curls around me. “The ridiculous things I say before my morning cup. I’d pretty much agree to anything.”
“Are you saying it’s not something you want to do?”
His cock jumps beneath my hand as I lightly stroke it. “No.”
He grins. “Is it something you want to do?”
I lean into him. What I’m about to do is reckless, and inappropriate, but I like who I am with Callan. I pop his button and lower his zipper.
“What the fuck, Gemma.”
I blink innocent eyes at him. “We can’t have you walking around with this monstrosity in front of my family.” Before he can get a word out, I bend, and he sinks to the back of my throat. I grin as he pounds on the steering wheel and curses under his breath. “That is so fucking good.”
I smile as I give him pleasure, liking the way I make him feel, how encouraging his words are. I go deep, and slide my hand around his base, massaging gently. One of his hands lands on my head, his fingers raking through my hair as his hips lift an inch.
“I need to stop the car,” he says, and I moan in agreement. I work my mouth over him, my lips tight around his crown before I take him to my throat again.
“Fuck, Gemma,” he growls out. “You are so good at that.” His words bolster my confidence, and while this is not the time to think of my ex, I can’t help but think about his behavior, the way he kept me down, even belittling me in the bedroom.
His veins bulge, thicken in my mouth, and he groans louder. “You’ve got me right there,” he growls. He tries to pull my head away, but I don’t let him. I bob up and down, slide my hand into his pants to cup his balls. They tighten in my hand as I rub them gently, and his fingers grip my hair tighter as he lets go in my mouth. I drink him in, swallow every last drop. Using my tongue, I twirl it around his crown, and when he finally stops spasming, I slowly lift my head.