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Instead, he asks me a singular question that, despite its simplicity, will allow for an answer that could change the course of my life.
“If you could ask for one thing, knowing the answer would be yes, what would you ask for, Juni?”
My mind spins with the potential because I know whatever I say, Callum will do his best to give it to me.
There are things I could wish for that are beyond his control.
Rewind the clock to the day we broke up so I could change things.
Erase the memories of the past fifteen years.
Make Joshua and Preston go away so we never have to deal with them again.
All valid. Callum would be pleased with any of those wishes.
Rather, I decide to ask for something I know he can give. My gaze drops to his mouth and the beautiful, soft beard framing those full lips.
I lift my eyes to meet his. “Will you kiss me?”
CHAPTER 21
Callum
Emotion explodes within me, reminiscent of the fireworks last week. Tenderness, passion, relief.
Love.
Always fucking love with this woman.
“Do you want just a kiss?” I ask.
Juniper’s gaze never wavers. “We both know it won’t stop there.”
I prowl around the island and she swivels on her stool to face me. I take one of her hands in mine. “Not what I asked. Will you want more? Because if you don’t, I will stop it at just a kiss.”
She swallows hard and whispers, “I want more.”
That should elate me because God knows I’ve fantasized about her for years. No one has ever compared to her in or out of bed. But there’s no stopping my frown of concern. “You’re buzzed.”
“So what?” she throws back. “Do you think I’m so impaired I don’t know what I’m doing?”
No, I don’t think that. She was tipsy when I picked her up from Brienne’s and her inhibitions are probably low, but she’s clear-headed enough. “I don’t want you to have regrets.”
She sighs dramatically. “I’m tired of regrets. You’ve had them, I’ve had them. We let them go, right?”
I release her hand, only to place both my palms on her beautiful face. “Juni… I love you. But I’m going to do things right. You telling me you want more than a kiss is weakening my resolve.”
“That sounds like a you problem and not a me problem,” she quips.
I can’t help but laugh and because she’s immobile from my grasp, I at least fulfill her request for a kiss. My lips press against hers, forcing her mouth open, and she sighs into me.
My head angles, tongue swiping slowly against hers. Lust barrels through me at the first truly intimate touch we’ve shared in years. I’m resolved to pull away but Juniper groans as her tongue tangles with mine. It’s a sound of pure need and my body tightens with desire.
“Fuck,” I mutter against her lips. “You’re not going to make this easy.”
“I am trying to make it easy,” she murmurs, turning her cheek to rub against my jaw. “I knew that beard would feel good against my skin, and that was just my lips.”
I know exactly where I’d like to rub my facial hair and it’s not anywhere on her face. The thought of it spurs me into motion and I do a quick mental check. I did turn off the stove, right?
