Page 56 of Beg for You

His accident was so similar to Chris’s.

I cupped his cheek. “I’m sorry. That must have been so tough.”

He didn’t answer, just stared at me in that way he had when I first walked into his shop, like he expected me to know the punchline to some secret joke. Something I should know but didn’t.

His cheeks still looked flushed.

I hated that he was embarrassed. “To go through what must have been a long and painful recovery,” I said and shook my head. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing.”

The muscle in his jaw jumped again, and his eyes bore into mine. “I wish that were true,” he said cryptically.

“Cal—”

“Why?” he bit out suddenly. “Why me?”

I knew exactly what he was asking me. Why had I chosen him to sleep with? Why hadn’t I told him I was a virgin?

“Why?” I squeezed my eyes closed for a second and took a steadying breath. “Because for once…I wanted something for me, that I chose for me, without guilt or regret or fear that I’d let someone down. The day I walked into your shop was the day I made the first step to finally living my own life.” I slid my hand up his bare chest, along his strong stubbled jaw. “I wanted—no, needed something real, and you gave me that. You don’t care where I come from. You don’t want to be with me for what I can give you, and I’m not here because you’re holding something over me.” I pressed a kiss to the edge of his mouth. “You are real, Cal, and you have no idea how much I needed that, how much I needed you. I’ve never wanted another man the way I want you, and there isn’t anyone else I’ve ever wanted to take this step with but you.”

I’d just bared my soul to him, exposed myself in a way I never thought I would. I’d more than likely said too much, but I wanted him to know. There was something between us, something big and beautiful and important. And Cal felt it, too. I knew he did.

He was still, silent beside me. “Cal?”

“Cassy…” The note to his voice made my belly squirm uncomfortably.

God, that probably sounded like some kind of declaration, that I expected something more from him. I loved Cal, there was no denying that. I’d fallen for him hard, but I’d never expected anything from him in return.

“Please, I’m not asking for more than this. I just…I wanted to tell you how I felt, that’s all. That I had no reservations about sleeping with you.” I forced a laugh, attempting to lighten the moment. “I’m not expecting hearts and flowers or…or a marriage proposal.”

And you just keep on digging that hole deeper. Why the hell did you say that?

I held my breath.

Suddenly Cal cursed long and low, his hot breath ruffling my hair a second before he rolled me to my back and took my mouth. A short time later he had on a fresh condom and was thrusting into me again, with deep, slow strokes that made me forget what we were talking about.

So I didn’t think. I let Cal light up my world. I let him take me away from the shitty reality of my life, just for a little while longer.

Chapter Fourteen

Cassandra

Soft yet firm lips pressed against mine, pulling me from sleep.

I let my lids flutter open to find Cal gazing down at me. I smiled up at him.

He looked troubled.

“Hey,” I said, instead of all the other things that instantly filled my head.

There was something wrong. I’d felt it all night. In between Cal making me scream his name, he held me tight. What he didn’t do was talk. Whenever I tried to question what was going on with him, he distracted me with his mouth, his fingers, or his cock. As distractions went, his tactic worked exceedingly well.

“Okay?” he asked, voice gentle.

“I’m fine.” That’s when I noticed he was dressed and not in the bed with me but sitting on the edge. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Guilt flashed through his dark eyes and his throat worked. “I just have to get downstairs. I have a client booked.” He brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Stay here and rest if you like. There’s no hurry, just come down when you’re ready.”

“Will I…will I see you later?” I didn’t want this to be over, whatever I’d said to Cal last night. I wanted more of this, more time with him.