Page 61 of Fallen Hero

There was a long stretch of silence.

When I looked over, her eyes were closed.

I should’ve woken her up and told her to go to bed. Instead, I gave myself a few minutes to watch her sleep.

Using something painful as an excuse to be someone you were never meant to be.

Maybe I’d done that . . . or maybe I was just an asshole who stopped caring and started doing what I wanted, what felt good, and used the old, tired excuse that as long as both parties were consenting, there was nothing wrong with my behavior.

But Calista’s whole life had been derailed.

This was not who she was supposed to be.

I came awake when I felt the cushion I was on compress. I kept my eyes closed, wanting to know what Calli would do next. Her fingers brushing over my lips was not what I was expecting. My eyes came open and locked with blue. Ever so softly, her fingers glided over my cheek to my temple and back to the corner of my mouth.

“Calli—”

Her thumb pressed over my lips.

“I wish the world was different,” she whispered so softly, I could barely hear her.

She traced my bottom lip with her thumb.

“You’re a good man, Mase.”

I wasn’t, but I didn’t tell her that.

“Calli—”

“Shh.”

She leaned forward, bending deep, until her mouth hovered mere inches over mine.

I didn’t dare move.

Indecision warred. I could feel it, see it in her eyes. She wanted something, was brave enough to come this far, but was now paralyzed by uncertainty.

“I won’t move, sweetness. Take whatever you need.”

It took a moment, but she closed the distance. Her lips touched the corner of my mouth.

My hands fisted at my sides. I held myself rigid while Calli slowly brushed her lips over mine. A barely there touch. I felt her soft tongue tentatively touch my lip. There, then gone.

She jerked back and stared down at me. I didn’t understand the confusion I saw. I didn’t trust myself to ask. If this was what Calli needed, I’d lie still and give it to her. But fuck, was it painful.

The next touch of her tongue was less tentative. I parted my lips and waited. Another touch, this one a sweep. Slowly, I licked the path hers took until our tongues glided against each other.

I swallowed my groan, but not my concern when she pulled away.

“Tell me what you need, Calli.”

“I shouldn’t’ve done that. I’m sorry.”

“I told you to take what you wanted. But I need some guidance.”

She sat all the way upright. “That was . . .”

If she said wrong, I was going to lose my mind.