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I squirm beneath him as I come down from the high, tugging him upward with unmatched strength. Once he’s sure he’s drawn out every ounce of pleasure from me with his blessed mouth, he grabs and flips me over until I’m straddling him. My hands find the hem of my pajama top as I lift it over my head and toss it to the side.

“Sit on my cock, love,” he says, eyeing my breast as his hands ascend over my skin. He runs the pad of his thumbs over my nipples as I moan and grind myself over his hard length. “Take your time, or don’t. I want you in control this time, little siren.”

His thumb brushes over the wounds along the apex of my chest and down the sides. I shudder beneath his touch, sensing that he’s still afraid to hurt me—like he thinks I’ll shatter if he isn’t careful.

“You won’t hurt me,” I say, lifting myself until he’s pressed against my entrance.

He groans, raising his hands and joining them beneath his head like he doesn’t trust himself to have them free.

“Never again,” he says, his eyes darkening for only a brief moment as I slowly lower myself onto him. I moan softly as he fills me, stretching my inner walls to accommodate his size.

“You feel so fucking good, love,” he murmurs, his voice low and breathless.

The muscles in his forearm flex as he struggles to keep them behind his head. I raise myself slowly before coming down harder this time. Rolling my hips around him, I run my hands up my body and over my breasts as I stare down at the man who drives me wild with desire. His eyes darken, his jaw flexing as he forces himself to give me full control.

“Callum,” I pant, squeezing my breasts in my hands before running them through my hair. I toss my head back, continuing to roll my hips and ride the length of him over and over again. “I love the way you stretch me.”

“Fuck,” he growls, thrusting his hips up slightly to meet my pace. “You look so fucking perfect riding my cock, little siren. Look at you, you’re such a perfect fucking goddess for me.”

His filthy words drive me on as I quicken my pace, leaning forward and spreading my thighs to deepen the angle. Callum watches as I ride him, his eyes burning for me in a way that should not be as sexy as it is. He looks like a man starved, a man desperate and reckless to claim what’s his. Something within him snaps, and his arms are out and reaching for me in seconds.

“Uh uh,” I say, grabbing his wrists and pinning his arms above his head.

His eyes widen, his pupils nearly eclipsing the golden brown beneath them. His hips thrust into me as he goes deeper, finding that spot that unravels me—until everything breaks, spilling over in waves that I can’t contain. I stare down at the mess I’ve made, as shocked by the revelation of what just happened as he is.

“Holy fuck, love,” he groans, his skin slick against mine as he continues his assault on that secret spot inside of me. “You’re so fucking wet. Make a mess for me, little siren. Fucking drown me.”

Soon, I’m close to that edge again, ready to come completely undone for the man beneath me. I press his wrists into the mattress, rolling my hips as I rock back and forth until he’s nearly feral.

“Come for me, love. Give me everything,” he commands, eyes searching mine with a love so deep it nearly consumes me from the inside out.

“I love you, Callum,” I say, as we both find that place where stars burn bright in the darkness. He stills inside of me as he finds his release, pulling me against him.

“I love you, too, Lydia Aston,” he breathes against my ear, running a hand down the back of my hair.

I don’t know how long we lay there, with him inside of me and me against his chest. All I know is that I never want to leave this place. I never want to know a time continuum without Callum Thorne in it. For once, it feels like the entire universe is in perfect alignment.

☽ ✦ ☽

I exit Callum’s bathroom in a towel, walking into his expansive primary bedroom through the smoky haze of the steam. I took a very long, much-needed bubble bath while Callum spent some time at his gym. Once the steam clears, I notice something sitting on the king bed atop the black comforter. Standing near the edge of his bed, I tilt my head down.

Is that a dress, and is there a handwritten note beside it? Surely, I’m dreaming. Surely, Callum Thorne did not get this good at the whole boyfriend thing.

I run my hands over the beautiful fabric, the deep sapphire color a lovely accent to the comforter beneath it. I don’t think I’ve ever worn something this nice, this elegant, in my entire life. Lifting the dress by the delicate straps, I marvel at the way the silk tumbles to the floor in waves. I hold it up to my body, tilting my head down at the neckline that dips low enough to hint but not enough to be revealing. The fabric brushes against my skin as I twirl around with it pressed against me—so soft, so feminine, so perfect.

Smiling, I place the dress back on top of the comforter and reach for the note. The words are written in a surprisingly neat, half-script lettering that reads “Get dressed, love. I have a surprise for you. - Sunshine.”

I hold the note to my chest, sighing longingly at the dress for a moment longer. I hate to burst Mr. Grumpy Pants’ sacred bubble, but he is most certainly turning into the world’s most caring boyfriend right before my eyes.

☽ ✦ ☽

A couple of hours later, I exit Callum’s bedroom wearing the dress he laid out for me over a pair of pointed-toe heels that lace up over my ankles to mid-shin. I feel beautiful, seen, and so freaking hot in this dress. I love that he picked it out himself—that he chose it just for me. I’m so lost in thought as I head downstairs that I nearly jump out of my skin when shouts echo across the lower level at my arrival.

“SURPRISE!” I hear them call out as I stand on the bottom step, stunned. With the recent events that led to my recovery, I forgot all about Sloane’s plans for my birthday. No one said a thing, either.

I scan the faces, finding Sloane’s bright smile with Riven beaming beside her. Sloane shakes her head, pointing not so coyly toward the back of the room to let me know this wasn’t her idea. Beside Sloane and Riven stand Kai and Emery, and I double take at their proximity to one another. When Emery catches my gaze, she glances away with a shy smile. Next, I spot Carly Joe and Jane. Joy overcomes me as I smile at all my friends and found family.

The gentle giant of a man in the back of the room earns my full attention as soon as I spot him. When my eyes lock onto his, he smiles softly, admiration etched into his features as he watches me. He winks, nodding once in admission that this was all his idea. His eyes drop, roaming down my frame like a soft caress, warming each place they touch until I’m blazing beneath my skin. And when his gaze meets mine again, I see the beast of a man within, the desire to have what he craves written all over his face. I arch a brow, a silent acknowledgment that I’m aware of everything he’s feeling right now and more.