An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 1

Mare POV

I take in a deep breath as I wake up, the comforting feeling of Cal's presence surrounding me. I miss it when he is gone, but I know how important the work he is doing in Norta is, and I don't want to be the one who tells him he has to stay in Montfort when we both know that he is needed more here.

He didn't use to be in Norta as much when we first got married, but now that the war is picking up again, he needs to travel back more, so we try to make the most of our time together whenever we can. Cal has been gone for three weeks already, helping to plan the next attack on the Lakelands, and still has to stay for another week or longer, so I decided to travel here from our house in Montfort and visit him for a few days.

Our time together never seems long enough. I can tell it is wearing on him too and that he feels guilty for being away so much, but there is no one I would trust more to help protect Norta than Cal. He needs to be here. I just wish I could stay longer.

My plane back to Montfort leaves this morning, so last night was my final night here, and we made the most out of it. I am reminded of the events of last night even now, as I turn my head to glance at Cal's naked form, half of it hidden beneath the sheets.

Even now, my breath catches in my throat at the sight of him, and my heart aches. I am going to miss him so much.

Slowly, I reach my hand out and brush away a lock of his silky hair that has fallen over his face. The movement makes him stir, and he slowly begins to wake up. He reaches his hand up to grab mine and brings it to his lips, giving it a soft kiss as he slowly blinks his eyes open.

"Good morning," he mumbles.

"Good morning, sleepyhead" I tease, staring at him.

It doesn't take long for Cal to reply to my taunts. Despite having just woken up, his wits are as sharp as ever.

"What can I say," he smirks as he looks up at me, "last night must have tired me out."

"Is that so," I reply, smiling.

"mmh" he murmurs, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my lips.

I try to savor the moment, the feeling of his lips on mine, so I lengthen the kiss, taking in his scent and finding a gentle rhythm. Cal responds in kind and starts to run his fingers through my hair before they find my ear, and he runs a finger down each one of my earrings, lingering on the final one.

As the kiss deepens, Cal wraps his hands around my back, under my shoulder, and before I know it, he gently turns me on my back and begins placing soft kisses on my neck and shoulders.

I tip my head back in response, enjoying each one of his movements, but I know it has to stop soon. I have a flight to catch.

"Cal," I start.

"Mmh" he replies, continuing his work.

"We can't." I shiver at his touches, but will myself to continue. "My flight..."

"Isn't for another hour," he interrupts, turning his gaze up to meet mine. "We have time."

I know that I should say no, that I should do the responsible thing and start getting ready to leave, but looking into those big bronze eyes makes me realize how much I have missed him, how much I don't want to say goodbye again, how much I need him.

He searches my gaze, waiting for my response before he moves any further. I wait a second before giving it to him.

"This is the last time," I whisper as I press my lips to his, devouring him in my kiss. The repeated words bring out a hunger in us, a desperation, a ferocity. I wrap my arms around him and flip him around so that he is on his back, and I am in control. I run my hands down his chest and ribs, placing kisses there as I go.

His hands run up and down my thighs and it isn't long before he regains control, flipping me onto my back and beginning to run his hands over my chest, resuming his act of kissing my neck.

I arch my back, tipping my chin back. I can feel my heart begin to beat faster with every kiss and the heat between us grows. I want this, I need this. I am ready to burn.

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I take one more lingering kiss, biting Cal's lips as I pull away, before pushing him off of me. He roles to the side, both of us gasping for breath and tired from the exertion. I turn my head to look at the clock on the side of the wall, and immediately jump out of bed when I read it.

"Shit!"

"What is it?" Cal asks, watching as I frantically try to find my clothes from the various places we left them across the room last night in our haste.

"Look at the time, Cal!" I snap, rushing to put my clothes on and shoving things into my bag at the same time. "My flight leaves in half an hour!"

"Really? Shit." Cal sits up in bed now, turning to look at the clock.

"That's all you have to say for yourself," I tease, looking at him as I pull my pants over my legs. "After all, it is your fault that I'm going to be late."

"My fault?" Cal presses a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "It's not my fault you find me so irresistible."

"Ugh" I roll my eyes at his arrogance, before picking up his clothes from across the room and throwing them at him.

"Now get dressed." I smirk at him, "I can't miss my flight."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" he asks, pulling his shirt over his head.

The look of his stretched muscles gives me pause, but I continue anyway, throwing my hair up in a quick ponytail to hide the knots and throwing the remainder of my things into my bag.

Cal is ready in a few minutes and we head out the door to get to the airport, the tiny bottle of white pills I keep with me lying forgotten, buried deep in the bottom of my bag.

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