Branded

Chapter 17

~Lee's POV ~

"Calum, we're going to get caught!" I say as we sneak into the junk yard.

"Please, this used to be where Michael and I hung out. No one is coming after us." He says as he seals up the hole in the fence where we got in.

He comes up next to me and grabs my wrists before pulling me along. There's an openish area that's secluded by piles of old cars and other things. There's also and old upside down boat that looks like it was livable in. It doesn't smell around here, and I'm thankful for that.

Cal sets up a bunch of bottles before coming up next to me. He loads his gun and shoots one of the bottles, "Easy-peasy, yeah? I took the safety off so be careful. Don't point it at me."

He hands me the gun. I hold it and point it towards the ground, "I don't know  a thing about shooting a gun!"

He laughs through his nose and comes up behind me. His arms slide down mine before bringing my arms perpendicular to my body. Cal's hand rest carefully over mine and makes sure they are holding onto the gun tightly.

"Now," he whispers against my ear, "aim with both eyes open. It kicks a tiny bit, so aim a little low from where you want to hit. And when it feels right," he pauses to nip at my earlobe, "shoot."

His nip frightens me so I shoot too soon. It was a lucky shot. I shatter a bottle with an unintended bullet. I shake my head irritated, "I won't be able to do that ever again."

I try to lower my arms, but Cal keeps them up. He kisses my neck softly, "Try again." I shake my head and then take another shot. I hit it, but just barely. Cal nuzzles my neck and takes the gun from me, "Wonderful, baby. We'll have to do this again."

"I don't ever want to shoot a gun again. That was terrifying" I say staring at the bottle pieces on the ground.

Calum laughs at me again before taking my hand, "C'mon, baby boo, maybe a few drinks will settle ya."

He brings me into the boat/house that I learn was where him and Michael used to live. It looks decent enough for living and besides, they have Lysol cans all around that are empty. They were keen to make sure they did not get sick. Or perhaps they just couldn't take the smell and Lysol was the strongest aerosol they could find.

Calum walks over to a fridge and pulls out a few beers. Its amazing the generator they have for this place even still works. It looks ancient. Cal opens a bottle and hands it to me. I sip off of it slowly. After an hour we're both slightly drunk and bored. Drinking did not satisfy our boredom.

"Lee, you are so gorgeous." He slurs his speech.

"Shut up, Calum... I am not" I say, finish my fourth beer.

"I dont want to control myself around you. I want to just-"

"Calum, maybe we should get back to your place?"I suggest.

He smirks and nods his head. He tosses the bottle aside and grabs me after he stands. He kisses me, roughly, before walking out of the boat. Eventually we make it out of the junkyard and into his car.

We ride in silence. It's a miracle he is able to drive without killing us both. He looks surprising sober for someone who drank as much as he did. Once we're in his apartment he hands me an envelope, "This is for you. I trust you enough."

I open the envelope and spill the contents into the palm of my hand. A small silver key falls out. I look up at him confused, "Cal.. what is this?"

"Its a duplicate key to my apartment," he starts as he plays music through his stereo system, "In case you ever need to get away or if you just want to come to visit. I know you work for the police, but I trust you and lo-" He stops himself short.

I smirk, "Say it, Cal. It doesn't make you weak to love."

He doesn't say anything. Rather, he just takes my face in his hands and kisses me. He kisses me like he never has before. There is something more than lust behind it, even though he would never admit it himself. We make our way to his room and out of our clothes.

Right then and there, I give myself to someone more than a criminal. I give myself to the man I've fallen in love with. And he gives a part of himself to me.