Love at Last Read online

  Cal put his arms around her again, and longing rose in his eyes. “He gave it to me shortly before he died. That sign pulled me through some really tough times. Thank you.”

  He held her close as they went inside, and her senses filled with the woodsy scent of his home. It felt rustic, with dark hardwood floors, a wide stone fireplace, and rough beams lining the high ceilings. Two wall sconces sprayed light onto the stones around the fireplace, and a plush brown couch and leather chair sat atop a thick beige throw rug. On the far side of the room, a door was open, through which she saw the foot of a bed. Her nerves tingled, and she shifted her gaze to a stairway in the corner of the room, which led to a loft with a desk and a chair. Just beyond, an open barn-wood door led to another room. As she walked into the room, she noticed bookshelves littered with family photos off to her left and a tastefully decorated kitchen. She’d never wondered what Cal’s house might be like, but now that she was there, she saw it suited him perfectly. Neat, masculine, and cozy. The deep couch beckoned to be curled up on with a good book.

  “I like your place,” she said as he set the candles he was holding on the mantel.

  “Thanks.” He smiled and took her candles from her, placing them on the hearth. He lit the candles and turned off the lights beside the fireplace. “I like it more now that you’re here.”

  He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, focusing on that for a minute, before placing it next to the candles on the mantel and gathering her in his arms. “We missed the band at the festival.”

  The song “In Case You Didn’t Know,” by Brett Young streamed from his phone, and she melted against him. It was one of her favorite songs, and she knew that every time she heard it from now on, she’d remember this moment. Cal was a magnificent dancer. She’d longed to be in his arms every time she’d seen him dancing with their friends. She finally understood why he’d never asked her to dance. She’d never know what might have happened if they’d gotten together sooner, but she took comfort in knowing that Cal knew himself well enough to wait until the time was right. And when she gazed into his eyes, the emotions swimming in them made her fall even harder for him.

  “Every word of this song is for you Rachel.” He sang the lyrics word for word, telling her how crazy he was about her and how he couldn’t live without her.

  His voice was laced with honesty, and when he said she’d had his heart a long time ago, she said, “You had mine, too, Cal.”

  His mouth came down over hers as they swayed to the music, their bodies pressed tightly together. Her hands moved down his back, to the butt she’d been gawking at for so long, it was etched in her mind. He smiled against her mouth, and she slid her hands into his back pockets, keeping him close. His arousal pressed against her belly as their tongues tangled, and his hands moved up her body and into her hair. Oh, how she loved his big, strong hands on her. His fingers threaded into her hair as he took the kiss deeper. She felt their connection snaking through her, and she lost herself in his taste, the feel of his body, and the love winding around them like a bow.

  She was vaguely aware of the song ending and the next beginning as their kisses turned hungrier, their hands more possessive. She rocked against him, and when one of his hands clutched her bottom, she heard herself moan. She didn’t think as she pushed her hands beneath the sides of his shirt, feeling his muscles flex and bunch against her palms. His hips pulsed, his cock temptingly hard, and those sinful noises he made amped up her arousal. When his hand moved down her butt and his long fingers played at the seam between her legs, she felt herself go damp.

  She’d waited so long for this, wanting to kiss him, to touch him, to be his, she threw caution to the wind, not even caring that she was making herself into a liar, and said, “Love me, Cal. Make me yours.”

  Chapter Five

  CAL WAS FAIRLY certain he’d died and gone to heaven, but when he looked into Rachel’s eyes, he felt more alive than ever before. He took her beautiful face between his hands, and the emotions looking back at him confirmed he wasn’t alone in the deep-seated feelings consuming him. He kissed her softly and said, “Before I touch you the way I want to, before our bodies come together for the very first time, you need to know that I love you, Rachel Gray. I’ve loved you for so long. I see our future together, our babies, their proms and weddings. I see us, Rachel, old and wrinkled, sitting on the porch watching our grandchildren. And in my heart, I know I will love you more with every passing day.”

  “Oh, Cal. I’ve loved you just as long, if not longer.”

  Her breathy voice sang through him, her words filling the pieces of himself he’d left open for only her to claim.

  He looked at the candles, wondering how he could get them into the bedroom without breaking their momentum. There was no way he was going to make love to her for the first time on the floor or couch.

  He kissed her again. “You deserve rose petals on the bed, the finest stereo playing in the background, and shooting stars, but all I have are candles and my phone. I want to love you in my bed, Rachel, but I’m not cool enough to figure out how to carry all the candles and the phone without asking for help. I’m sorry, darlin’, but if you carry two candles, I’ll get the rest.”

  She laughed softly and pressed a kiss to the center of his chest. “You probably don’t realize this, but everything you just said is more romantic than rose petals and shooting stars.” A heart-melting smile formed on her lips as she reached for two of the candles.

  They carried them into the bedroom, and set them, and his phone, on the nightstand. Rachel fidgeted nervously with the edge of her sweater, watching him move toward her. He’d dreamed of her in his bed for so long, he was nervous, too. He ran his fingers through her long hair, swaying to the music as he wrapped her in his arms, and they fell into a sensual dance to “Heartache on the Dance Floor.” Her hips and shoulders moved to the beat as their mouths came together again like they’d never been apart. Soon they were so lost in the moment, the only beat he heard was the blood rushing through his head. He kissed her mouth, her jaw, her cheeks, whispering between each one, “Waited so long”…“Love you”…“Want you with me.” Every word was met with a seductive sound of her own, a rock of her hips, a “Yes, please.”

  He eased her sweater over her head, losing his breath at the sight of his girl in a pink lace bra. She blushed from her chest to her cheeks even as she pushed eagerly at his shirt. He pulled it off and tossed it aside. Her gaze moved over his chest and abs, and lower, fueling his need for her.

  “God you’re beautiful,” he said as he pulled her close again and kissed her deeply.

  Her hands moved up his sides, over his back. Every touch stoked the raging inferno inside him. He lifted her into his arms, earning another sweet laugh. As he laid her on the bed, she smiled up at him, happiness radiating off her so strongly, it seeped beneath his skin and warmed him to his core.

  “Shoes,” she whispered with a near silent giggle as she pointed at their feet.

  He chuckled as he moved to the edge of the bed and took off his boots and socks. Then he removed hers and crawled over her. “I don’t know where to start. I want to cherish every inch of you, to memorize every luscious curve and dip of your body. But I also want to tear off your clothes and make love to you, because going slow is going to be really, really hard.” That earned him another lusty smile.

  “I like really, really hard,” she said quietly.

  “Sweetness between the sheets,” he said without thinking, and pressed his lips to hers in another passionate kiss.

  He drew back with her lower lip between his teeth, giving it a gentle tug. “Sweet with a little heat coming right up.”

  He dusted kisses down her neck and over her breastbone, dragged his tongue along the skin just above the lace trim on her bra, bringing rise to goose bumps. She arched beneath him, her fingers digging into his back.

  “Ah, my girl likes that.” He did it again on the other side, and she made a whimpering sound that spa
rked between his legs.

  He unhooked the front clasp of her bra and used his teeth to move the cups to the sides, exposing her gorgeous breasts. His eyes flicked up to hers, to make sure she was still on the same page, but her eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed. When she bowed off the bed and pushed down on his shoulders, he knew they were in sync. He lowered his mouth to one breast, filling his hand with the other, and teased over her nipple with his tongue. The tight bud was too alluring just to tease; he sealed his mouth over it and sucked.

  “Oh!” she cried out, and he stilled. “Don’t stop. Feels so good.” She pushed on his shoulders again.

  He didn’t hold back as he sucked her breast into his mouth again and took her other nipple between his finger and thumb, gently pulling and squeezing, earning more sinful sounds, which made his cock throb. He lavished each breast with openmouthed kisses until she was rocking her hips, mewling, and writhing beneath him. Her sexy sounds made him lose his mind. He kissed and licked his way down her belly, sucking and tasting her flesh as he went. His hands played over her breasts, her ribs, and finally came to rest on her hips as he sucked the soft skin beside her belly button into his mouth, leaving a mark there. His mark.

  Her fingers dug into the covers as he moved lower, kissing her on top of her jeans, around her thighs, eyeing her as his lips met the damp denim between her legs. He wanted to tear her jeans off but felt the need to check in again. He didn’t want to screw this up. He moved swiftly up her body, pressing his shaft against her center, and kissed her urgently. He buried his fingers in her hair, intensifying the kiss. When they finally came up for air, they were both breathless.

  “If you want me to stop, tell me now, darlin’. Because once I get my mouth on you, there’s no stopping.”

  She looked up at him with determination and desire welling in her eyes. “I don’t want you to stop. Not now, not ever.”

  “Aw, baby.”

  He claimed her mouth again, pouring his heart into their kisses, before loving his way down her gorgeous body. He showered her with kisses and made quick work of ridding her of her jeans and—holy Christ—a pink thong. She spread her legs, accommodating his broad body. Her eyes were closed, her lips pink from their heated kisses, and her fingers curled into the covers. He reached for her hand and turned it over, placing his fingers over hers. She curled hers up and he curled his down, locking their hands, as they sealed their love.

  He kissed her inner thighs, the scent of her arousal reeling him in. He dragged his tongue along the crease between her thighs and her glistening sex, earning another pleading sound. She clung to his hand as he lowered his mouth to her sex, taking his first taste of her sweetness. A long, surrendering moan slipped from her lips, spurring him on. He loved her with his mouth, devouring her sex with plundering thrusts of his tongue into her tight heat, each one earning another haughty noise. He brought his free hand into play, teasing over the nerves that made her thighs flex and her hips buck off the mattress. He stayed right with her, loving and taunting, feeling her body tremble beneath him. Her breathing came in stilted gusts as he slipped his fingers inside her, seeking the magical spot that would take her higher. He took her clit between his teeth at the same moment he crooked his fingers, completely lost in her. She rocked and moaned and pleaded, and when he sealed his mouth over her sex, his fingers still inside her, she shattered against it.

  “Cal!” she cried out. “Oh God! Oh—”

  Her sex clenched tight and perfect around his fingers as he devoured her sweet arousal, taking his fill and earning more quivers and quakes.

  “Don’t stop, Cal. Please don’t stop.”

  He wasn’t about to stop, especially not when the arc of her voice and the pulsing of her hips told him she was on the verge of another orgasm. He unlinked their hands so he could hold her hips to the mattress as he feasted on her, sending her soaring once again. Indiscernible sounds filled the room as she came, and he soaked in every last one.

  “I need you,” she pleaded, reaching for him with trembling hands.

  He’d never stripped so fast as he did right then. He came down over her, his cock resting against her slick heat. Their mouths came together in a feverish storm of desperation and greed.

  “Love you so much,” he said between kisses.

  “Me too.”

  “I need you, baby.” He pulled open his nightstand to grab a condom.

  She touched his arm and said, “I’m on the pill.”

  He closed his eyes for a beat, thanking the heavens above, because the thought of anything separating them pained him. He kissed her slowly and sensually, but within seconds they were kissing with savage intensity once again. Their kisses went on and on, and it was heaven and hell holding back from entering her, but he needed—wanted—her to hear the truth before they crossed that bridge.

  He forced himself to slow down enough to tell her what he needed her to know. “I haven’t been with anyone since before my father died. There’s been only you in my heart and, I hoped one day, in my life, baby.”

  He lowered his mouth to hers as their bodies came together. She was so tight, so warm and soft inside, he felt like she was made for him. It took effort to bury himself completely, and when he gazed into her eyes, he wondered if this was her first time.

  “Baby…?”

  “I’ve only been with one other guy,” she said softly. “It was a really long time ago.”

  “Am I hurting you?”

  Her lips curved up in a smile, and she said, “No. You’re completing me.”

  His heart swelled, and he pushed his arms beneath her, cradling her against him, wanting them to be as close as they possibly could. He pressed his lips to hers, and from that moment on there were no thoughts, no words, only love. Their bodies moved in exquisite harmony, slow and careful, then fast and eager, as they explored each other’s bodies. He learned the soft lines of her hips and waist, the warmth of the crook of her knee as he lifted it to his hip, loving her deeper. Her fingers played over his ass and back, along his neck, as they made out like they might never get another chance. When he pushed his hands beneath her hips, lifting her so he could hit the spot that sent her soaring, his name flew from her lips like a prayer, and he followed her into oblivion, surrendering to his own powerful release.

  Long after they came down from the clouds, they lay tangled together, with Rachel’s head tucked against Cal’s shoulder as she slept. He listened to the soft cadence of her breathing. Shadows danced over the bed from the candles they’d made together and music streamed from his phone. Cal felt at peace for the first time since he’d lost his father. He closed his eyes, visions of Rachel carrying him into the numbed sleep of a man who had everything he’d ever wanted right there by his side.

  Chapter Six

  RACHEL STARTLED AWAKE to the sound of text messages rolling in one after another. She blinked the haze of sleep from her eyes and saddened at the thought of prying herself from Cal’s arms. They’d woken up a few hours ago and made love a second time, and now that she was awake again, her girly parts were throwing a party, ready for an encore performance. She snuggled in closer when the dinging stopped, but a few seconds later, more texts sounded. She tried to ease out of his arms without waking him, but he tightened his hold on her, and she couldn’t suppress her smile.

  “Let it go,” he said in a drowsy voice.

  “What if it’s important?”

  He rolled her onto her back and smiled down at her with a loving look in his eyes. “More important than this?”

  He rocked his hard length against her and dipped his head beneath the blanket. His mouth came down over her breast, and he gave it a long suck, alighting flames beneath her skin.

  “Oh God. I hope not,” she said.

  She bent her knees, lifting her hips to greet him. Happiness flowed through her as he filled her inch by blessed inch and they found their tempo. His hands skimmed down her sides and beneath her bottom. Oh, how she loved the feel of him inside her, ho
lding her, surrounding her. He loved her so thoroughly, pure, explosive pleasure radiated down her limbs, to the very tips of her fingers and toes. They kissed and loved and tasted until they were both almost too spent to move—and then he rolled over on his back and a rush of adrenaline accompanied the new, titillating position. She rode him slowly at first, but the pressure, the feel of his hands on her breasts, was too much, and her carnal desires took over. Her hips bucked, hard and fast, sending them both spiraling into ecstasy. Her orgasm went on and on, and somewhere in the back of her mind she cataloged the fantastic position as she collapsed against him, drowning in a flood of their love.

  After her breathing calmed and they came back to earth, she wiggled out of his arms to use the bathroom. She sat at the edge of the bed and grabbed her jeans from the floor to retrieve her phone. There were several new messages from Emily and Shannon.

  Cal wrapped his arms around her from behind as she opened one of them, and a picture of Callie and Wes and their new baby filled her screen. The caption beneath it read, Meet Belle Catherine Braden!

  “Oh my gosh. Look!” She showed Cal the picture. “She’s so precious. Look at those cheeks. I just want to kiss them. And her wispy hair.” The picture sent her right back up to the clouds, feeling dreamy and happy as she scrolled through more pictures and texts. “Belle Catherine, eight pounds, two ounces. Callie loves fairy tales. She told me that when she and Wes first started dating, he threw her a ball and sent her a dress like Belle’s from Beauty and the Beast. I love that they named their daughter Belle Catherine after Callie’s favorite things and Wes’s mom. That’s so sweet.”