Chapter Thirty-Three

Stars and a smiling moon filled the night sky as Callie stood with the entire Owens family along the bank of Boone Lake. The manmade lake was named after Hunter’s grandfather and offered guests of the ranch the opportunity to canoe and paddle board.

Tonight, it provided the chance to manifest good luck for the year ahead. Mary Rose had given each person a lantern made from eco-friendly rice paper and wood to decorate. Nova had drawn flowers on hers. Jenna’s had horses and dogs and their mule, George. Hunter’s had stars, and he’d written, Whatever is good for the soul, do that. Callie had drawn butterflies and hearts on hers.

She stole a peek at Hunter. They’d been stealing glances all night, each time ramping up the anticipation between them. When he’d not-so-innocently brushed his side against hers, a flash of heat had sparked under her skin. Her body still tingled, twenty minutes later.

“It makes us so happy to be here with all of you,” Mary Rose said on behalf of herself and John. “You know how much I love traditions, and this one started thanks to our soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Kennedy.” Kennedy’s face lit up with joy as she looked at Mary Rose. Maverick held his future wife’s hand and smiled down at her with pride.

“In fact, it really should be you, Kennedy, speaking and leading us in releasing our lanterns.”

“I second that,” Maverick said.

Jenna quickly moved from her grandmother’s side to Kennedy’s. “I can be your assistant.”

Kennedy blinked, overcome with emotion. She wasn’t close to her own mother and had formed a close bond with Mary Rose.

Callie thought about her own relationship with the matriarch of the Owens family. Mary Rose treated Callie like family, giving her the same care and affection she did her own children. When Callie and Nova were thinking about becoming sexually active, it was Mary Rose they went to with questions and support. It was Mary Rose’s texts that lit up her phone first on her birthdays, often just after midnight to guarantee she’d be the first one. And it was Mary Rose who was always there with open arms when she needed a “mom.”

Family, Callie reminded herself, were the people she chose to be with. And how lucky was she to have family at large and right here in the hometown she adored?

“I just want to say I am so lucky to be part of this family and I love you all so much. I’m honored to be contributing to so many long-standing traditions, and as we collectively release our hopes, wishes, and dreams for the future, may we remember that family is the greatest gift of all.”

“Hear! Hear!” Hunter shouted.

“Everyone ready?” Kennedy asked.

A resounding “Yes!” was the answer.

Callie kneeled with her lantern. LED candles lit up the inside of the lanterns and the glow along the lake’s edge was beautiful.

“On three,” Kennedy said. “One…two…three…”

Callie placed her lantern in the water, gave it a little push, and silently recited her hopes and dreams. She watched the soft light of everyone’s lanterns reflected upon the water’s surface.

Magical.

When her eyes met Hunter’s, his warm gaze definitely cast a spell on her. He melted away feelings of fear and second-best. If only she could trust its permanency.

…

No way would Callie not love this.

Hunter gave the bunkhouse one last inspection before mentally patting himself on the back. He’d worked all afternoon to get it just right. Last weekend, they’d had a Parisian cave. Tonight, they had a Hawaiian bungalow. She hadn’t gotten to take that graduation trip to Hawaii, so he hoped this created a better memory. Strings of tiny white lights. Blow-up palm trees and sea turtles. Real leis hanging from furniture. Throw blankets with sunsets on them. The sound of the ocean playing in the background.

If Callie needed a bubble in order to be with him, he’d deliver bubble after bubble until she realized their relationship was real and true and, damn it, that he was the forever kind and the man for her.

He wanted to love her for the rest of his life.

A knock sounded on the door. Finally. Never mind that she was five minutes early.

“Just a minute!” He opened the fridge and pulled out the pitcher of pina coladas he’d made earlier. He poured her a glass, added a pink umbrella.

Drink in hand, he opened the door. “Hi. Welcome to your tropical paradise.” He ushered her inside and handed her the cocktail.

“Hunter.” Voice soft, enamored. She took the drink, her jaw slack, and looked around. “This is incredible.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He placed a lei over her head next. She sucked in a breath. “Aloha, Callie.”

“Aloha. It smells just like I’ve imagined.” She lifted the lei with her free hand to take a whiff.

“My mission is off to a good start, then.”

“I can’t believe you did all this for me.” She moved further into the bunkhouse, took a seat on the couch. Having her back in his home made him feel like there wasn’t anything they couldn’t conquer together.

He poured himself a pina colada and joined her. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.” She clinked her glass with his, then resumed surveying the room, a look of pure delight on her gorgeous face. “There are even sea turtles! I love sea turtles.”

I love you.

She leaned forward and kissed him. “I feel like we’re on a Fantasy Island weekend again.”

“I aim to make all your fantasies come true, Cal.”

“I smell something else…”

“Oh, shit!” He put his drink down on the coffee table and jumped to his feet. “That would be dinner.” Smoke billowed out of the oven when he opened it. “How do you feel about blackened salmon?”

“I will enjoy anything you’ve cooked.” She stood behind him. “Anything I can do to help?”

“No. I’ve got this.” He plated the slightly burned fish, then added wild rice and steamed broccoli. They sat back on the couch to eat.

“And here I thought we’d be having pizza and beer.” Callie dug into her food.

“We can do that next time.”

“Next time?” She pointed her fork at him. “Next time I expect an Irish countryside or Egypt or Africa.” Her eyes twinkled, making him very glad he’d done this.

“You’re the expert on Africa. Maybe you should surprise me.”

“Maybe I will.”

He’d take that “maybe” given she fired it back with zero hesitation. He’d made strides in shutting down her reluctance to date him, every playful response from her further encouragement for him to keep going.

She took a sip of her pina colada. “This is my favorite tropical drink.”

“I know.”

“How do you know?” She made a face like she was trying to recall if she’d told him that or not.

She hadn’t.

It was only a little embarrassing to tell her how he knew. “Your senior year of high school. You and Nova were getting ready for Homecoming and singing the pina colada song at the top of your lungs. When you got home from the dance, you guys made them and you said it was your favorite drink ever.”

“You were spying on us?” Amusement tinged her accusation.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it that.” He was absolutely spying, home for the weekend from college and soaking up any sightings of Callie he could get. Her kindness and appreciation toward his family, especially Nova, had cemented his puppy love back then, and now, being with the woman she’d become, intensified that youthful longing and turned it into something much deeper.

“What would you call it?” Her raised eyebrows were not the least bit intimidating. Sexy? Yes.

He shrugged. “The point is, I have an excellent memory.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that. But you’re also lucky. That was a long time ago, and I could have a new favorite.”

“True, but you tend to stick with things.”

She canted her head to the side, considering him.

“Throughout the years, I’ve studied you and listened to Nova talk about you. I’ve quietly kept up to date on you, Cal, and really hope that doesn’t make me sound creepy.”

“I didn’t know,” she said shyly.

“Now that you do, I’m thinking I should show you how much I appreciate you.”

She put her plate on the coffee table, so he quickly followed suit. “I do like your showing methods.”

He didn’t need any further encouragement. He scooped her right up, enjoying her laughter, and carried her to his bed. He’d draped twinkle lights across the headboard and hung a lei on each post. She took them in, then stared into his eyes as he hovered over her body, his arms bent at the elbows, his thigh between her legs.

She ran her fingers through his hair. “What do you like so much about me?” she whispered.

It wasn’t a question of doubt or uncertainty, but of pure curiosity. Had no man ever told her the things that made her special?

“I like that you’re passionate about sewing. I like that you have your own style and are confident in your own skin. I like that you’re a good friend. I like that you want to make other people feel good in what they wear. I like that you hang out with Birdy and post pictures with her on Instagram. I think you’re funny and kind and smart. I like how loud you sneeze.”

She made a face. “It’s true,” he assured her. “I like that you’re honest and sincere. I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do. And I especially like that when I’m near you, the world is brighter.”

He touched his forehead to hers. “I like the way you taste and smell. I like the way you kiss me as if you need me for your next breath.”

Her eyes shined with liquid emotion. He hadn’t meant to make her tear up. With tenderness and care, he brushed his lip against hers. I love you. He kissed her cheek, her eyelid. I love you. He pressed his mouth to her hairline, breathed her in.

Loving her right now would be baring his soul, and because he didn’t know if she was ready for that—or ever would be—he changed tactics. Pushing up, he stood on his knees. “First person to get naked wins a prize!”

Her competitive, adventurous side immediately came out to play. “Hey! You got a head start.” She scrambled to her knees while trying to stay his arms so he couldn’t take off his shirt.

They tussled and laughed as they each undressed and tried to stop the other person from getting their clothes off first. Fun. He also liked that she was fun.

Shoes went flying. The elastic on his boxer briefs snapped against his skin when she playfully tried to hang on to them and remove her bra at the same time.

“I win!” she shouted, naked and beautiful. “What’s my prize?”

Technically, he’d call it a tie, but she’d always win with him. Besides, her nakedness was his prize.

“First, you need to put this back on.” He placed the lei back around her neck. “Seeing you in nothing but a flower necklace is fucking sexy.”

Taking it one step further, she laid back on the bed and struck a seductive pose. Legs bent to one side where he got a glimpse of her heart-shaped birthmark on her upper thigh. One arm raised above her head. Her other arm draped across her stomach. The lei covered her nipples, leaving the rest of her ample breasts to his perusal.

She rolled her tongue across her bottom lip. “Prize later, sex now.”

Any control he had shattered. He spread her legs and buried his face between them. She writhed and moaned as he ate her out. She cupped the back of his head to bring his mouth tighter against her swollen flesh.

“Oh god! Yes! Just like that. Don’t stop!” She ground against him. Callie was no delicate flower during oral sex, and he effing loved it.

He continued to tongue her. Suck her.

He added a finger inside her. Her muscles clenched. She released his head to take fistfuls of the comforter. “Ohhhh, yeeesss.” She bucked. Stiffened. Yelled his name as she climaxed.

Rising, he found her cheeks pink and her green eyes glazed over in satisfaction. He grabbed a condom, rolled it on, and positioned himself at her opening.

She rose onto her elbows to watch him slowly slide inside her. She stared, her breath growing heavy again as they became one. When he was fully seated, she fell back, wrapped her legs around his hips, and met him thrust for thrust.

His dick had never been harder.

Their rhythm went from fast and furious to slow and sensual. Her nails raked down his back. His hand cupped and kneaded her breast. Her scent, her sounds, the feel of her wrapped so tight around him, were too much and yet not enough.

He pulled out and flipped her onto her hands and knees to take her from behind. Primal urges coursed through his blood. “This okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” she panted.

The second after he got that green light, he sank into her. Stilled. Just for a moment. To relish the heavenly sensations throbbing through his body. She cried out in pleasure, and he kept those cries going as he drove into her.

Together they were wild. Passionate. Vocal.

Slick with sweat.

One hundred percent in the moment. Callie was all he could see, hear, feel. She rocked his world, and when she came, his own orgasm barreled through him.

She collapsed onto her stomach. He kissed her shoulder blade, then the constellation of freckles in the middle of her back.

“Be right back,” he murmured in her ear.

He disposed of the condom, washed his hands. He walked to the kitchen to grab the shaved ices in the freezer. Maybe he’d spoon some on Callie’s body and lick it off her.

“Ready for dessert?” he asked, rounding the barn door. He found her in the same position she was in when he’d gotten up. It was a fantastic position, one he didn’t mind staring at for a while.

She flopped over, treating him to another incredible view.

“How would you feel about me chaining you to my bed, naked, for the next week or so?” He took a bite right off the top of one of the ices.

“What if I had to pee?”

“Good point.” He handed her a cup of iced goodness. “Hawaiian ice for my hula girl.”

“Does that make you my flame-throwing dancing guy?” She sat up, covering her lap with a sunset blanket.

“If I get to dance beside you, sure.” He joined her on the bed, sharing the blanket. They’d worked up a sweat, and he kept the bunkhouse at a decent temperature, but the ices would cool them down fast.

“Mmm, this is good. Pineapple and watermelon.”

“This one is kiwi and strawberry.” He held it out for her to try.

She took a big spoonful. “Mmm.”

They ate in easy silence, sharing the two desserts. When finished, he couldn’t help but kiss her pink-stained lips. He took their trash to the kitchen, and when he returned found her in one of his T-shirts, looking hotter than he’d imagined. He pulled on some sweatpants before jumping onto the bed beside her.

“Ready for your prize now?”

“You’re my prize.”

“I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Her happy, post-sex-and-Hawaiian-ice radiance dimmed as she seemed to absorb those words. Damn it. He hadn’t meant to dampen the mood. “I meant—”

“Let me remedy that,” she interrupted, taking his hand inside hers. “You’re selfless. Loyal. Strong. I like that you love your family so much. I like your hands.” She kissed his knuckles. “You’re smart and funny. I like that you love animals and our small town. I think you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. And I like how serious you take your work.”

Gratitude welled up inside him. He wasn’t the kind of man who needed compliments or puffing up to boost his ego or make him feel valuable. He prided himself on being a good person. Hearing that she thought him serious, though, meant more than she could know.

“Thanks, Triple C, but I think you left something out.” Lighten the mood. Because the way she looked at him, and the way he felt about her, he was two seconds away from telling her he loved her.

And despite her kind words, he couldn’t risk it.

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“King of Orgasms.” He smirked.

She burst into laughter. “You make it sound like you orgasm all the time. I think you mean King Orgasm-Giver? Or something like that.”

“God, you’re gorgeous.” He kissed her soundly on the lips. Along with giving her what he hoped were the best orgasms of her life, he wanted to give her every kind of kiss. Then in keeping with the lighter mood, he said, “Now it’s time for your prize.”

He grinned at her, then leaned over the bed to pick up the ukulele he’d stashed away. He couldn’t say those three little words yet, but he could sing them. He held the ukulele in his lap, strummed a few chords. Not that he had any idea what he was doing when it came to playing the instrument. He did, however, know the words to the song he planned to sing.

“My prize is…” Her brows knit in confusion.

“I’m going to sing you a song. And not just any song, but a Don Ho song.” It 100 percent went with the theme of the evening and hinted at his feelings. A win-win.

“No!” She covered her mouth with her hand like she couldn’t believe she’d shouted the word out. Her eyes, though, sparkled with mischief. No, not mischief…she had a secret.

“No? You have a thing against Don Ho?” He could sing something else, even though it wouldn’t have the same effect. He sang to Gia all the time. Sang with Jenna. He mentally flipped through his current favorite playlist.

“Umm…”

“You’re cute when you’re tongue-tied.” He continued to tap the ukulele’s strings.

“I don’t mind Don Ho. ‘Tiny Bubbles,’ right?” She took the ukulele out of his hands.

“That’s exactly what I planned on singing. Great minds think alike.”

She climbed into his lap, looped her arms around his neck. “I think I like my original assessment best. You’re my prize, Hunt. Not that I’m not grateful you want to sing me a song.”

“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to it?” He wrapped his hands around her waist.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ve got an air of mystery about me you haven’t discovered yet.” She wiggled closer, his shirt rising up her thighs.

“If you’re trying to distract me, it’s working.”

A seductive smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

“Before we take this any further, though, I have a question for you.”

“Yes,” she immediately answered.

“You don’t want to know what the question is first?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. Now show me again whatcha got, Orgasm King.”

He did. He showed her multiple times, keeping her in his bed all night. Come morning, she took the ukulele, a sea turtle, and his question with her.