Page 60 of Keepsakes and Kismet

My shoulders pull in at his compliment, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Dear Lord… Am I getting shy around the Toledo-Lucas County Health Inspector now? From one kiss?

“Thanks. You look great, too. Love the plaid,” I say, pointing to his flannel.

He left it open, showing a fitted white T-shirt underneath. His chest muscles are visible through the material, and my eyes trace the outline of his pecs.

Maybe they linger a little too long. When I look up, Callum’s eyes are swimming in amusement.

I wonder if he’s still thinking about our kiss. The questions bubble up but get caught in my throat: Do you want to kiss me again? Do you want to kiss me as much as I want to kiss you?

His happy expression softens into something sincere. “One on your lips, and one behind your ear.”

“What?”

“One kiss on your lips, and one behind your ear, Pey,” he murmurs.

A gradual unfurling of heat blooms in my stomach. I nod slowly. “Yeah, but make it three.”

Then his lips are on mine. This kiss is so slow, so achingly tender, that I lose my footing. I melt forward, pressing my hands against his chest for balance. At my touch, he curves in on a deep breath. The passion between us feels electric, every kiss a shock to my system.

“My hands,” he exhales against my lips, not breaking contact.

“Hmm?” I hum into his mouth.

“Can I touch you with my hands?” His lips move mine when they form the question.

“Yes,” I breathe, dragging out the “s” in a haze, not wanting this to end.

His hands move to cradle the back of my neck, gently tugging me closer, deepening our kiss. A surge of need ripples through me, traveling to my chest and leaving flutters in its wake. I grasp his flannel and arch into him.

His hands travel down my back, and he pulls away, breaking our kiss. “Okay?”

“More,” I say back.

When his lips meet mine again, Callum gently sucks on my bottom lip. I want his tongue in my mouth so badly, I wish he would just—oh.

He traces the seam of my mouth with his tongue before ever-so-slightly leaning back. “Okay?”

“Yeah,” I breathe.

He grins against my mouth, coaxing my tongue out and tangling his with mine. I’m feverishly hot, drenched with this desire to be as close to him as possible. It feels like my need is liquefying inside me.

Am I going to…

Callum breaks our kiss.

“Okay, okay. You have to—I have to… Okay.” He mutters like he’s trying to control himself. Like he’s talking himself off a cliff.

But what if I want to dive off of one with him instead?

We both pant heavily when he takes a step away. Callum’s gaze drags down my body, pausing on my lips, my chest, the curve of my waist. The hunger in his eyes is unmistakable, and I’m sure it matches my own.

He leans forward, pressing his lips down gently behind the shell of my ear. It’d be impossible for me not to notice the hard outline of him beneath the zipper of his jeans. And I don’t just notice it, I… I want it. My nipples are hard, pointed for attention, and I’m starting to get wet between my thighs.

“I feel so greedy around you, Pey,” he murmurs. “I want to be careful.”

I shake my head slowly and reach for his hand, threading our fingers together. It’s okay to be greedy, I try to communicate through touch. I want to be greedy with you.

He idly rubs his thumb against mine. “Be patient with me, is all I’m asking. It’s been so long, and, with you, I’m⁠—”