Page 108 of Untroubled Heart

Callie’s fingers twist in the ends of my hair. “I’d seen my dad earlier that day with his wife.” She stutters over the word before rolling her lips together and taking a deep breath. “All those feelings of betrayal resurfaced, not only for my mum and what Derek had done, but for the father I never had.”

“Baby.” I cup her cheek, pressing a kiss to her forehead as my heart clenches. “I’m so sorry.

“Truth is, no one’s ever done as much for me as you do.”

I kiss the corner of her mouth, not yet brave enough to seal my lips to hers. “This is all new to me too. And I don’t care how much we fuck up, or how long it takes us to get things right, so long as we figure them out together.”

Callie chuckles softly, wiping under her eyes. “Well then, there’s something else you should know.”

My eyebrows pinch, waiting for her next words.

“I love you too.” Everything inside me stops, suspended in time with her confession. “I’m sorry I didn’t say it back the other day. I love your generosity and kindness, and how your heart is ruled by love and believing the best in people before all else. I love the pride and loyalty you have for your family, and the way you extended that not only to me, but to Navie.”

I’m not sure if it’s her eyes or mine that are filled with tears. I just know everything is blurry as shit right now, and my heart is bursting. My fingers flex against her waist as I hold her.

“I grew up feeling like I was a forgotten piece of a puzzle. I was always learning and trying new things because it made me feel like I could be complete all on my own. Or that I was interesting enough to people that they’d want to keep me around.” She reaches into her back pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. I can see some of the familiar lines from the floor plan, along with my handwriting, and I know she’s somehow found the original mark-up I did that included all the things she wanted. “You didn’t just find a way to include me in your puzzle, you made one that was entirely our own before anything had even happened between us.”

I shake my head. “You’re wrong. From the night we met, we were always destined to end up here.” I brush my thumb against the apple of her cheek. “Besides, I took it as you staking your claim when you leaked your breastmilk on me.”

She laughs and leans her forehead against mine.

“Are you okay?” she whispers. “With the photos and stuff that got shared.”

“I don’t care what happened to me, only that it affected us, but yes, Grams and my parents made it go away. The talk online seems to have died down now.”

“I still don’t like that Derek got anything from you. He didn’t deserve that, but I understand why you did it, and I’m sorry I didn’t see that straight away.”

“But you deserve everything that makes you happy. I know Navie is at the top of that list.”

“Along with you,” she says fiercely. “You’ve given me your unwavering and untroubled heart, and I give you mine right back.” She pulls her T-shirt over her head, and at first, I think she’s gunning for some make-up sex, which I definitely wouldn’t say no to, but then I see the new tattoo on her chest.

My name is inked over her heart in a delicate, cursive font. A royal blue ribbon is woven through the letters with a key hanging from the tail, a replica of the key that opened our tin of love letters.

My fingers tremble as they hover over the fresh ink.

“Don’t make me regret this,” she says, voice thick with nerves that she tries to hide with a chuckle.

I have no trouble eradicating that doubt straight away. My mouth crashes against hers as I walk forward, pressing her back to the wall. Gripping her chin, I hold her in place so I can devour her lips, swiping my tongue over her and begging for entrance. Callie’s fingers rake through my hair as she opens up, whimpering into my mouth as she meets the ferocity of my need with her own.

I hold her up, pinning her with my hips and gathering the fabric of her skirt until it’s out of my way, as she tugs on the buttons of my shirt. She groans in frustration, then grips the fabric in both hands and rips it open.

“Fuck,” I pant and drag my sleeves the rest of the way down my arms, tossing it behind me. I feel it everywhere the second her naked skin touches mine. Warm, smooth, and trembling.

My mouth travels down her neck as I hitch her legs higher so I can reach my belt, unbuckling it and popping the button on my jeans. We barely have enough patience to undress properly before I ease inside her, holding myself deep and revelling in the sensation of being home before slowly pulling out and thrusting hard into her. Callie clings to me, crying out for breath as I fuck her with pure desperation. I’ll make love to her later—forever—but right now, I just need her.

I link my fingers through hers, pinning her hands above her head as I drive into her over and over.

“Don’t leave me again, Callie,” I rasp against her lips through greedy kisses.

“I promise.”

“We can get mad at each other, but you stay with me.”

“Always,” she cries out, rolling her hips to meet mine.

“I’m yours.” My hands tighten around hers as my muscles lock up on the peak of release. “And you.” Thrust. “Are.” Thrust. “Mine.” Thrust.

My gruff vow reverberates off the walls before it slips into a groan when her pussy clenches around me.