Midnight\\C.H.

...15...

The warm caress of Calum's plump lips over my shoulder awakens me before his hot large hand runs up my hip to my waist. I smile as his lips press to my cheek and his arm wraps around me to pull me into an embrace.

"G'day," he soft says in a husky morning voice. "I need to get home to Duke, but I wanted to say goodbye first."

"You're leaving me?" I groan as I reach my fingers back and sink them into his hair.

"I don't want to," he purses his lips and kisses me again before rubbing his face on mine, "but Duke needs me."

"Can I come too?" I ask rubbing his head, "Or do you have plans?"

"You want to come hang out with me and Duke?"

"If that's okay with you?" I roll to my back to look at him, our eyes locking.

He smiles gently at me while he brushes my hair behind my ear, "That's okay with me."

"Okay," I bite my lip before I pull him to me.

His mouth takes over mine and I feel my tummy swirl, my body already at his mercy. I fist his hair and slide my knee over his hip, pressing our bodies together. I whine as I feel him press between my legs and he releases an aroused sigh before pulling away.

"Lotti," he whispers, tracing his fingers gently over my temple to my jaw.

I stare up at him, seeing a sad look on his face and I pull away further, confused. He swallows as his eyes dart between mine, hesitant to share what's on his mind. But the creasing between his brows informs me what I don't want to hear it.

My hands grab his face and pull him back to me, not allowing him to end this. He kisses me back before he pulls away slightly, my grip not allowing him to leave.

"Lotti," he says breathily, grabbing me under the ear.

I lift my face to press our lips back together and pull him on top of me but he resists, kissing me extremely deep before he leans away completely. His eyes look me over as his thumb grazes my cheek and my stomach sinks, hating the familiar feeling of loss. He smiles gently before he kisses me, his lips lingering on mine sweetly before he rolls out of the bed.

I sigh and stare at the ceiling after he dresses and goes to the bathroom, wondering when this will ever end. He loves me and I love him, but will we ever be able to be together? Will he ever be mine fully?

The ride to his house is quiet and he reaches over to squeeze my knee, ensuring me he cares. I smile gently at him before I look out the window, the look of reassurance on his face just gutting me further. His attempt to console me is endearing, and I do appreciate him wanting me to desperately know he wants me over Cecil, but this time around hurts worse knowing he truly loves me back.

We make it to his house and inside so he can greet and feed Duke. He approaches me as I stand at the kitchen island, twirling the bottom of a glass filled with half my water. Our eyes connect and I see the same brokenness in my heart in his eyes, making my eyes smart.

"I think we need to talk about this," he says quietly, leaning on the counter adjacent to me.

"What's there to talk about?" I huff, taking a sip of water.

"Lotti, don't," he says calmly, touching my arm, "I'm not trying to hurt you."

"Well it does," I slam the glass on the counter and he flinches, closing his eyes as he exhales.

His deep brown eyes open and lock to mine, stealing my breath before he continues his gentleness, "It hurts me too, Lotti." I look down at the glass as my eyes fill further. "I'm sorry for bullshitting you so much before, but I'm not anymore. I just want you to be happy and I know it can't be with me because of her."