34. Callum

34

CALLUM

I t still caught me off guard feeling so comfortable in my own skin and happier than I had been in years. Regardless of my bullshit that had nearly thrown us off course, Rhys and I finally made it to a place that felt secure enough to last. A future with him was the one thing I wanted above all else in life. Obviously, we weren’t in any rush considering how young we were, but there was one thing I was impatient as hell for. And Micah’s departure to live with Bash gave me the perfect opening.

“How are you and Rhys doing? You two seem really good together,” Bash asked, and I had to admit I actually really liked the guy. Rhys and I had a few game nights with him and Micah in the last month. Where the Cal from a year ago would have balked at any kind of couple shit like that, I had been surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Micah was pretty damn funny and it felt really good to be a couple around other people, even if it was just his friends.

I couldn’t explain it without it sounding fucking weird, but I liked people seeing how happy we were together. It was as though it strengthened the claim we had on the other, our love displayed proudly for anyone to see. Yep, just as I thought. Weirdness of epic fucking proportions.

“Yeah, we’re doing really fucking great actually. How about you and Micah? How’s it been since he moved in?” I asked. It was also bizarre to me that I actually cared. I spent years not giving a shit about anyone else but myself, and now I had this large group of new friends that accepted me without hesitation. And it didn’t feel like they only tolerated me because of Rhys, but like they genuinely wanted my friendship. I couldn’t deny it made me feel really damn good.

“Man, it’s been amazing. I mean, Micah stayed over all the time before, but this is like a different level. I like that we’re part of each other’s daily routine in a way we couldn’t be living separately. And I know this will sound Hallmark as shit, but I also like seeing his stuff in our place. It’s just visual proof that we’re building a life together, I guess.” The contented smile on Bash’s face made me a bit jealous. I wanted that with Rhys. I wanted everything short of a ring on his finger, and eventually I’d even have that.

“Dude, that’s awesome. I’m happy for you,” I said, slapping him on the shoulder. I contemplated whether I should ask him what had been on my mind lately as he ordered the group’s drinks. Once he was done, I steeled myself in case he took offense to my question. “Hey Bash…you mind if I ask you about your th-therapy?”

I flubbed over the word, still at odds with my decision, but Bash only gave me a pensive look before answering. “Not at all. What do you want to know?”

“Did you…fuck, I don’t know how to say it. Did you ever feel…incapable of getting better?” I asked slowly, but rushed to explain when he looked wary. “I mean, did you ever feel like your issues ran too deep or were too big to fix?”

“I still do sometimes,” Bash answered quietly, and over the noise of the bar I almost missed it. “Look, I first thought about therapy after how badly I fucked up with Micah. I knew I needed to get my ass in gear and my shit squared away if I was ever going to earn him back. Part of me even worried I was unworthy of getting better for a while.” My stomach turned as I thought about how much self-loathing had drowned me after what I put Rhys through. There were times I thought the pain of losing him and that inner hatred was what I deserved.

“Did it work though? Did it actually help you?” I chewed my bottom lip, a little nervous about what he’d say.

“It took a bit, but yeah, it really helped. Honestly, the work I was doing in therapy didn’t really start sinking in until I realized I didn’t need therapy for Micah, but for myself. I had to do it for myself because I deserved to feel better. I knew I’d never have a chance at the life I really wanted without getting some help and putting in the work to heal and improve.”

My lungs inflated with a relieved breath. I didn’t understand just how much I needed to hear that my decision to seek out counseling wasn’t a waste, that it had the potential to help me change for the better. Not just for Rhys, but for me.

“Do you think…I could maybe get your therapist’s number?” I murmured, leaning into him so he could hear me. Bash smiled and pulled out his phone, shooting me a text with the information.

“I really hope it helps you too, Hawk. Just remember it’s not a magic pill. It takes hard work and you have to believe it can work. You’ll have good days and bad days with it, and it won’t fix everything, but it’s a damn good start,” he said, holding my gaze intently. “And you deserve to get better. Don’t forget that.”

I thanked him, my throat tight with feelings I didn’t want to think about tonight, but I also felt settled that I was making the right choice. We headed back to the table with the drinks, shooting the shit and having a fucking blast for another hour or so. Rhys and I had a hand on each other at all times, and it made me way fucking happier than it should have. But it was those small, seemingly insignificant things that had the power to unman me. My love for this man was so strong, it could shake the very foundation of who I was. In a very real way, it had. He broke me down, destroyed every wall I had erected and built me back stronger. I was a better man for knowing him and it was a debt I would spend my life happily repaying.

“You okay, baby?” Rhys asked. I hadn’t noticed that I’d been staring at him for the last couple minutes, but I shook my head as though to clear it and pressed a kiss to his sinfully soft lips.

“Let’s go home,” I suggested, and Rhys graced me with a smile that made my chest twist painfully and had heat flooding my veins. We said goodbye to the crew and headed back to my place, hand in hand.

The smell of bacon and pancakes lured me from sleep the next morning, and I cracked my eyes open slowly. Immediately I sensed the emptiness of the mattress next to me, and I pouted that my Sweetness had snuck out of bed. Even if it was because he made breakfast, I was annoyed that I couldn’t wake up with him. However, all complaints fizzled out as I staggered to the kitchen and was blessed with the sight of Rhys in nothing but boxers, setting my plate on the island with a sleepy, beautiful smile on his face.

“God, I could get used to this. Sexy boyfriend, home-cooked breakfast…if you made me coffee, I’ll be your willing boy toy forever,” I remarked in a sleep-rough voice.

“You say that like you have a choice in the matter,” Rhys sassed. “You’re my boy toy whether you agree or not. That was the tacit agreement between us when you fell for me.”

“Woah, I don’t remember making that deal. I might need to consult with my attorney about that one.”

“If you don’t like it, please forward all complaints to my HR department. Their hours are five to five-thirty in the morning on the 33rd of each month.”

I couldn’t help but grin at his weird sense of humor. Rhys’ wit fell on a spectrum of silly to biting, and I loved every tick mark in between. We ate in comfortable silence, both of us still exhausted from the night before. We’d been too tired once we got home for anything more than a short shower with mutual handjobs. Once we hit the pillows, it was lights out in seconds. But we had all day to get dirty again, and with what I planned to discuss with him, I’d need at least two orgasms to convince him and then two to celebrate. Possibly three…no sense in being stingy when we’re celebrating. Thank God for twenty-one year old refractory periods.

Just as I turned to pull him into my arms, the doorbell rang and I internally groaned. Universe, you cockblocking motherfucker, why? WHY? What is your beef with me?

Rhys ran over to answer it, but came back with a small brown box a few seconds later. His eyes were bright with mischief, but there was a pink tint that stained his cheeks, making me wonder what could have elicited that effect. “I didn’t think Amazon delivered to apartment doors. What’s in the box? What’s in the box??”

Rhys rolled his eyes at my excellent Seven reference, and grabbed the scissors to open it. “It was dropped off by your front office clerk, and it’s something I ordered…for us.” The pink darkened a bit on his face, and my interest was perked right the fuck up.

“Oh please, tell me it’s something dirty or that vibrates,” I teased salaciously. Rhys bit his plump lower lip, looking at me nervously. I tilted my head, wondering why he seemed hesitant to show me what he bought. “What’s wrong? Don’t you wanna show me? ”

“Nothing’s wrong, I just—I thought it was really cool when I bought it, but now I’m not so sure,” he mumbled. “I mean, at first I got it because I thought we really needed something fun to do together, especially after the last couple months you’ve had. It’s been a lot for you to deal with, and even me a little bit, so I wanted something that we could do together that would be sweet and sexy. And also I’ve heard that this activity is really good for creating intimacy and increasing bonding with couples, and I mean, it’s not like we really need that, but it couldn’t hurt! I just saw it and thought you’d like it, but I’m wondering if you’ll think it’s actually stupid, so?—”

My mouth claimed his in a searing kiss, silencing his cute rambling with my probing tongue. Rhys instantly melted into my arms, giving as good as he got. God, I’d never get tired of his sweet, addictive taste. I released him to pull in a breath, and his heavy lidded eyes and swollen lips made me almost drop to my knees right there. Rhys hated his tendency to ramble, but I hung on his every word. His mind could go down a hundred different paths and I’d follow him down each one.

“I love your little tangents, Evans,” I reassured him, giving him another fiery kiss before separating completely and stealing the box from him. He protested as I took out the contents and held it high above his head. He was my height, but I held him at arms length to keep him away. “Is this…why Sweetness, did you get us edible body paint to use on each other?”

He snapped his mouth closed, going ramrod straight and stiff in front of me. I raised an eyebrow at him, and he nodded shyly. Oh, Universe. You and I are square on this one. Thank you for this gift I am blissfully about to receive…

Ideas raced through my mind at how I could use this, but I settled on one that was sure to be as filthy as it was delectable. I stalked back to Rhys, trailing a hand up his chest before gripping his chin in my hand, forcing him to meet my gaze.

“You have three minutes to be naked and spread out for me on the bed. If you’re not, you won’t get the reward I have in mind,” I whispered right above his lips. Rhys whimpered at the lewd command, trying to capture my mouth but I turned him toward my room and gave him a smack on his pert ass to hurry him. As he was getting ready in the bedroom, I opened the small tubs of paint, testing them a bit on my tongue to make sure they didn’t taste like shit. I was pleasantly surprised with their tanginess, and started stripping down .

When I made it into the bedroom, Rhys was a fucking vision to behold. He was all splayed limbs, blushing naked flesh, and panting breaths. His anticipation was like an aphrodisiac driving up my arousal. I couldn’t wait to see how he’d like what I had in mind.

“You are so goddamn gorgeous, Sweetness,” I rasped, taking him in thoroughly as he laid there. I could see the small twitches in his muscles telling me he was fighting not to cover himself, but after a deep breath, he relaxed and let me look my fill. I grinned down at him, so damn proud of how far he was coming with his confidence. To reward him, I knelt on the bed and licked a wet stripe along the underside of his rigid cock.

“Oh, sh—Cal!” Rhys gasped, hips bucking up involuntarily. He moaned and threw his head back as I swirled my tongue around the head, licking that sensitive underside that had him crying out lightly. I sucked off him with a pop, savoring his precum that had me thirsty for more. I moved off the bed, not saying a word as I went to my bedside drawer to pull out what I needed. His eyes widened when he saw the toy and ropes I pulled out with the lube.

“W-what’s that for?” he stuttered softly, lust and nerves coating his voice.

“Don’t worry, sweet boy. You’ll enjoy it, I promise. But first, I feel like painting,” I said mischievously. I reached for the thin silk ropes and tied Rhys’ wrists to the bars of my headboard. He always loved it when I tied him down during any CNC play, but this time I wanted his enthusiasm. I wanted him to beg for it. After he was secured, I dipped my fingers into the red jar and brought them to his chest.

I used the paint to draw a heart right over his left pec, licking up the little tail I had intentionally left. Rhys sucked in a small breath and I chuckled as I brought my paint-covered fingers to his mouth. “What flavor?” I asked as I shoved them past his lips gently. Rhys cleaned them off with a tiny moan, my cock jumping at the noise.

“Strawberry,” he answered, and I couldn’t resist stealing a kiss.

I went for the blue next, drawing some stars over his nipples that made him squirm beneath me. He started humping against my leg lightly, and I reached down to slap his dripping cock firmly, which only made him moan loudly and leak even more. Fuck, my Rhys was a kinky little thing and I wanted to worship his body all day long. I continued painting odd shapes over his lithe frame, licking and tasting as I went. With each swipe and swirl of my fingers and tongue on his skin, Rhys panted and groaned, overstimulated from sensation. Soon his neck down to his thighs were covered in splashes of color.

“O-okay, I regret this. It’s n-not enough…I need you, p-please,” he begged, and I could hear the quiver of arousal in his voice.

“Hmm, I think this work of art needs something first,” I said thoughtfully, staring down at his colorful body. He released a frustrated little growl that had me chuckling smugly, knowing he was growing desperate. I reached over and grabbed the toy, coating it in lube. “Do you know what this is?”

Rhys’ pupils were blown wide, black swallowing the violet as he shook his head slowly, gaze riveted to the toy. I lubed up my fingers and started opening him up, a needy groan being drawn out with the first plunge of my finger. His tight pucker sucked in my fingers, giving away how greedy he was to be filled and fucked. Once he was stretched and ready, I brought the toy to his entrance and he froze.

“This is a prostate massager,” I explained, slowly working it in inch by inch. Rhys’ moans grew louder, his ass thrusting down on the vibrator. “I need something special to complete my painting, and you’re going to give it to me.”

When I got the massager fully seated and pressed right against his prostate, I decided to test it a bit just to make sure. I flipped it on and the second it buzzed, Rhys shouted out hoarsely and bucked off the bed. I let it run for a few more seconds, soaking in his erotic noises. I turned it off and he whined prettily, his hazy violet eyes crashing with mine.

“Please don’t stop. Make me come, baby,” Rhys whimpered, and it made me want to say fuck it and dive right into him. But I wanted this experience to be memorable.

“That’s the point, sweet boy,” I taunted. “I’m going to milk you of all the cum you have and use it to finish my masterpiece. You’re going to come for me until your pretty little cock has nothing left to give.”

“Holy shit, Cal…” Rhys blurted on a groan, and my cock pulsed out a string of precum at the expletive. I didn’t know why, but making Rhys curse was hot as fuck to me. I was addicted to making him as dirty as possible.

“Now, give me what I want, Sweetness,” I growled, turning on the massager and pulling another needy cry from Rhys. His legs began shaking, and he was a mess of unintelligible words and pants. I bent over his waist and sucked his cock into my mouth, taking him to the back of my throat until my gag reflex kicked in. Another harsh curse flew from his lips, followed by my name whispered like a prayer.

“Jesus, this is…oh god, more. Yes, I want it…oh shit, I’m getting close. Please!” He sobbed, his breathing growing heavier and his cock throbbing on my tongue, warning me of his impending release. I sucked at his head hard and pulled off as Rhys tensed up, yelling out as his orgasm barreled through him. Cum surged out of his dick, white streaks decorating his stomach and chest in forceful spurts. I watched entranced at the sight, the provocative sounds coming from him making me unbearably hard.

“That’s it, Rhys. Fuck, give me that sweet cum. Goddamn, you are sexy,” I murmured, stroking myself firmly as he came down from his climax, but he was wriggling uncomfortably against the massager that was still going off deep inside him.

“Too much, too much! No more, please,” he gasped, but his little moans and thrusting hips told me he was still enjoying it.

“Remember the safeword. I’m not done with you yet,” I rasped. I scooped out a large dollop of green paint and used it to jack him slowly as his next orgasm ramped up. His cries grew louder and more intense as I worked him over in tandem with the vibrator. “I need more cum, Sweetness. Come on, let go for me. Give me another hot load.”

I swallowed his dick whole again, a scream tearing from Rhys’ throat as I furiously bobbed up and down his length. The green apple mixed with his unique flavor and I could have died a very happy man right there. I gripped the massager and rocked it into him, his moans turning into crying whimpers of more and so close . His precum got thicker and his rock-hard cock jerked in my mouth, and I pulled off seconds before he erupted in another soul-shattering release. His head dropped back, mouth open on a silent cry as his entire body shook with the power of his second orgasm.

I hammered at his prostate with the toy like it was a goddamn game of whack-a-mole and I was winning. Rhys’ cum was flowing out of him endlessly and it was the best prize there was. It took immense willpower not to give in and lick up every last bit of it, drowning myself in the taste of him. But I couldn’t fucking take it anymore. I turned off the toy and removed it carefully, and Rhys sagged into the bed. He was sweaty and cum-soaked, a beautifully wrecked mess.

“Fuck me, I can’t wait anymore. I need inside that hole, baby,” I grunted, frantically lubing up my cock before swiping it through his crease.

“Cal, hands…wanna touch…” Rhys slurred, his eyes heavy with lust. I quickly untied him, but pinned his wrists above his head with my hands. With one thrust, I slammed into his channel, both of us groaning loudly at the feel. I took a few seconds to get a grip so I didn’t explode on the first pass. I gave a couple of shallow thrusts, our moans merging into a sensual chorus.

“Eyes on me, Sweetness,” I demanded softly. His eyes snapped open, and the connection had my lungs seizing up. “Watch me while I fuck all the cum out of you. I’m going to cover you in it and drain myself inside you. I want to be leaking out of you for days.”

I drew back until just my tip was kissing his pucker, and then I plunged back in with a rough curse from us both. I pistoned my hips, Rhys’ snug channel choking the life out of my cock. I was so close from my buildup with him that I wasn’t going to last long. Rhys raised up and captured my lips with feverish need. It was wet and frenzied, all tongue and teeth, and it was about to shove me over the edge.

I tore my mouth away and raised up on my knees. I released his wrists and wrapped my arms around his upper thighs, dragging him closer and fucking into him mercilessly.

“Holy fucking shit, you’re gonna make me come. Unhh, so close...tell me you’re mine. Who fucking owns your body?” I demanded, my voice shredded.

“Oh my god, I’m…baby, I’m about to come,” Rhys keened, his nails clawing at the comforter in desperation.

“You wanna come, you tell me you’re mine. Say it,” I barked, angling my hips up just right to peg that hidden nub. My body was engulfed in heat, sweat sliding down my back as I reached for that euphoric peak.

“Fuck, I’m yours! Make me come, make me… Cal! ” Rhys screamed as he arched off the bed, his cock jerking violently between us. His red, angry tip spit out a small dribble of cum, but his hole continued to spasm around me as his orgasm stretched on. Goddamn, he’s coming dry.

“There we fucking go, sweet boy. I’m gonna fill you the fuck up. Oh shit…I’m right there. I’m right fucking there,” I growled, plowing into him as the sounds of his ass smacking against my thighs echoed in the room. White hot heat raced down my spine as I detonated deep inside him .

I shouted out my release, ropes of hot spunk emptying into his fucked out hole. I thrust my hips harder into him, pushing my cum as deep as I could get it, my need to mark him a feral desire.

“Yes yes, I want your cum. Fuck it into me, baby,” Rhys panted. His dirty mouth forced out another string of cum from my throbbing dick and I nearly collapsed on top of him. I slowly came down over him, his hands diving gently into my hair and playing with my curls. I stole his pillowy lips, licking the seam for entrance. He sucked my tongue into his mouth and I groaned from the sensation. When we’d finally come back down, Rhys gazed up at me with foggy, sated eyes.

“Add your cum to mine,” he said shyly. “Paint me with both our cum.”

I smirked at his racy suggestion, diving into his sloppy hole with two fingers to fish out my release. The movement pulled a lovely whine from him, and I quickly devoured the sound with another kiss. I smoothed my cum-covered fingers across his collarbone and down the center of his chest, his own cum mixing with mine and bleeding into the colors on his stomach. I streaked through the stripes and puddles of cum sprayed across him, the milky white liquid tinted with the rainbow of colors I’d painted on him.

When I sat back on my haunches, I drank in the stunning picture he made. The canvas of his skin was an erotic watercolor we created together. It did dangerous things to my chest to know our cum was soaking into his skin, painting him forever as mine. Rhys reached for me with the sweetest smile on his face, and the depth of love I saw in those breathtaking orbs had tears pricking at my lash line.

I raised a finger at him to wait, and left to grab a couple wet rags. After I had cleaned us both, I pulled him into me as he cuddled into my side, his head on my chest. “Well, I’d call that a win. Five star purchase. Well done, Sweetness.”

Rhys giggled adorably, and I brushed my lips across his sweaty temple. “I’m glad you approve. Though I’m certain you didn’t quite use it as the manufacturer intended.”

“Pretty sure those weren’t complaints you were screaming while you came,” I snickered. Rhys kicked me in the shin, and I tickled him in revenge.

“Stop! Stop, stop, you’re right! Your way was better,” he laughed melodically. “Speaking of good ideas though, are you ever gonna tell me what this mysterious trip is? ”

I twisted my fingers in his soft waves, scratching at his scalp until he was practically purring. “Ah, that. Well, if you must know, I’m whisking your sexy ass away to Washington for two weeks in late June.” I was taking dad’s advice and putting the money he gave me to good use. Any money spent on Rhys was money well-spent.

His head perked up like an eager puppy, his excitement evident. “Washington??”

“Seattle, to be exact. A few days in Mt. Rainier National Park, too. I figured it’d be a great place to go camping if you wanted.”

“You’re—you—why—” he stammered. Apparently the news was a bit of an overload since his brain seemed to be fritzing out. “I can’t believe you planned a trip to Seattle for us!”

“Don’t forget Mt. Rainier. Seeing as how you have this morbid obsession with volcanoes, I’d call that a badass date,” I added. Rhys slammed his mouth over mine again, inhaling my smug chuckle as he attacked me with his tongue. I just laid there as he lavished his thanks on me like a willing victim.

“Cal, I cannot tell you what this means to me. I’m so freaking excited! It’s going to be amazing!”

“Yep, and we leave on the fifteenth, so we don’t have long to move your stuff in and get you settled.”

Rhys mouth fell open, a look of shock crossing his features. “What are you talking about?”

I tipped my head, giving him a puzzled look. “You’re moving in with me this summer. Didn’t you know?”

“Wait, I’m what?” he squeaked, and my confidence wavered slightly. “You’re asking me to move in with you?”

“Eh, I’m not asking so much as telling you it’s happening. Griffin told me he’s moving to a single apartment close by, so I’ll have all this space to myself. I mean, this whole living apart thing is cool and all, but I’m wanting to move on to bigger and better things. Mainly, you and me in a bed of our own every single night until we’re pushing up daisies.” I slid my eyes over to him while keeping my face aimed at the ceiling nonchalantly.

Rhys’ lips turned up slowly at the corners, a bright grin taking over his face. But he quickly shut it down and let out a deep sigh, like he was highly inconvenienced. “I guess I’ll take it under advisement. As far as roommates go, you’re not the worst option. We’re going to have to figure out what to do with my comfy couch though because, I’m sorry, it takes priority over you. I have a codependent relationship with that couch, so we’re a packaged deal.”

“Yeah, no, we’re actually gonna need that couch when you move in with me. The couch here is Griffin’s and he’s taking it with him.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to work for me. I can’t exactly live with my bully. What kind of message is that?” Rhys snorted as though it was a ludicrous idea.

“Oh, but it’s perfectly acceptable to fall for him?” I asked, peering down at him lounging on my shoulder now.

“I’m still 50/50 on that most days. There’s still a good chance I leave your butt and take off for Seattle on my own.”

“I guess it sucks for you then that the move-in and the trip are also a packaged deal. It’s not the loving, codependent relationship you have with your couch, but it’s a combo deal nonetheless,” I tsked, and Rhys groaned dramatically.

“Ugh, is this what it feels like when you’re backed into a corner? I have to say, it’s not nearly as hot as it sounds like it would be…”

“That’s right. So it’s settled. You’re moving in with me.”

He peeked up at me with narrowed eyes, and I just smiled widely at him. “You know that was more of a demand than a question, right?”

“Huh, were you supposed to get a say in it? My bad. Sweetness, on a scale of yes to hell fucking yes, how would you like to move in with me?”

“You’re really making it an enticing offer, truly…” he snarked, rolling to his back next to me.

“This is a golden opportunity you’re being presented with. I’d think you’d jump on this. Question is, are you gonna keep being a stubborn ass about it or just say yes?”

“Oh my gosh, I’ll move in with you, you insufferable idiot. I guess it wouldn’t be the worst thing ever to wake up to your arrogant, gorgeous face every day.”

“How about waking up to it for the rest of your life?” I asked, reaching down to twine our fingers together. His head whipped toward mine, and I saw the breath catch in his chest.

“Wait, what?…Are you…you’re not right?” he stuttered again, and fuck, he was cute.

“Not what?” I asked innocently.

“Proposing?…” His voice betrayed his nerves, but there was a tinge of hope there that made my pulse skitter .

“No, I’m not. Trust me, when I propose, you’ll know it, Sweetness. But I will one day,” I told him matter-of-factly. I twisted my head and caught his gaze, so much emotion conveyed between us in that moment.

“How can you know that this early on?” Rhys whispered softly.

I turned on my side to face him, reaching out to cup his cheek. “Because I don’t need more time to know you’re the one I want. You need to hear me and hear me good, Evans. You. Are. Everything. My world starts and ends with you. This blood in my veins, this heart in my chest, these bones in my body. All of it is yours. I don’t want another day on this earth that isn’t right next to you.”

Tears flooded his eyes, pooling on his lashes and threatening to fall. “Is that even healthy?” he joked on a watery laugh.

“Probably not, but I don’t give a fuck,” I told him honestly. “You’re the love of my life, Rhys. And one day, you’ll be my husband. But I can be patient. As long as I can call you mine until then.”

Rhys covered my hand on his cheek with his own, his tears trailing a wet path down his face. I leaned forward to lick up one of the salty streaks, and Rhys shuddered against me. “I love you so much, Cal. I don’t know what I’d do if I hadn’t met you.”

I kissed him again, his tongue reaching out to mine. I deepened the kiss, exploring every crevice and cementing the memory of his taste in my mind. I wanted it permanently seared into my brain, although I never planned to let a day go by where I didn’t steal a kiss from him. We reluctantly broke for air, but we stayed close, just soaking in the moment.

“I think I was always meant to meet you, Rhys,” I confessed quietly. “I…I know how it sounds, but I think my mom sent you to me. Just this gut feeling I have that you were always meant to be mine.”

He leaned back enough for our gazes to meet, and I knew the question before he even asked. And I had my answer. “And are you mine, Callum Hawkins?”

“Always. I’ll be yours for the rest of this life and the next.”