A Girl by Any Other Name (62 page)

her head. “I’ve been following your career, I should say, from the Internet. I’ve been stalking you. Do

you know what the girls say about your class on the chat boards?” I shook my head. “They refer to

you as the sexy Southern professor.”

“I didn’t realize I had that nickname.”

“Yeah, you’re kind of a legend in these parts, Tex. The front row girls call themselves the Cal

addicts.”

“I’m only interested in one girl being my fan, because I’m completely addicted to her.”

She smiled approvingly at my reply. “Anyway, the registrar’s office said your class was very

popular, and it was in a big lecture hall. At least seventy-five people had registered for it. I figured I

could sit in the back, and go unnoticed by you.”

“Girl, are you smoking crack? You think I wouldn’t notice you?”

She started laughing, no doubt remembering how many times I’d made that remark when we

were kids.

“I thought my disguise helped somewhat. I look different too.”

“Not that different.”

“I never meant for you to see me. I was just being selfish. I wanted to watch you. To hear you

talk again. To see you without hurting you.” I didn’t like that she thought she was being selfish by

coming back into my life.

“You only hurt me by hiding who you were.”

“I only did that to protect you, Cal, and I won’t apologize for that. I came here today because of

what you said at the coffee shop. Because I knew that although you were protected from the physical

danger, I was putting you through so much emotional anguish.”

“This is my last question and most important one. Will you stop taking away my choices? I

understand I was sixteen and we have a difference of opinion on the damage my twelve-gauge could

have made that night, but I’m twenty-five now. I can’t stand the thought of losing you again. Don’t

keep anything from me, Sylvie. Even if you think it’s protecting me.”

She was thoughtful for a moment. “Cal, in case you don’t know, people die around me.”

“I will protect you.”

“But that’s just it. I don’t want you to.”

“It’s part and parcel. I’m your Huckleberry. It’s the way I have to have it.”

“So, are you saying you want to pick up where we left off?”

I smirked at her, winking. “Well, honestly, I was hoping for a more physical relationship than we

had, but yes, essentially that’s what I want, except full-on commitment now.”

“It’s been almost ten years. We’re different people now. You might not even like this version of

me.”

I laughed sarcastically. “Are you fucking with me right now? Do you honestly think I don’t know

you? Or you don’t know me? I’m Cal Tanner from Prairie Marsh, and even though you lied to me

about where you were from and your background, you’re still the girl I fell in love with. You’re still

Sylvie Cranston, my best friend, my fishing buddy.” I placed a strand of hair behind my ear before

continuing. “And most importantly…my girl. I need you to promise me that you’ll never block me out

again or run from me. I can’t deal with the thought that you might leave in the middle of the night.”

She winced, and I knew I was being cruel. She had only made decisions based around my safety

and that of my family’s, but damn it, I would not let her go again. “I promise,” she said with

sullenness.

“Tell me specifically what you’re promising, but only if you truly mean it.”

“I won’t run or block you out. I am yours. I always was, Tex.” The last two sentences were

uttered slowly. It drove me crazy.

I stood up and reached my hand out to her. “Come see my bedroom.” She took my hand and

stood, but I decided to pick her up instead. I trailed soft, sloppy kisses over her face as I carried her

into the room, kicking open the door. I leaned her against the wall, not ready to release her. She

gasped, and clutched me tightly.

“Cal.”

“Hmmm?” I replied, wondering if she’d mind if I ripped off her shirt as I placed tender kisses on

her neck.

“Cal, you have my painting.” She patted my back to get my attention. I reluctantly removed my

lips from her neck and put her down. She ran over to it on the opposite wall. “I can’t believe you

have this,” she said, staring at the portrait of her mother.

“It’s not mine. I was just saving it for you. They sent it back to the school after the contest, and I

managed to convince Mrs Peters to let me have it.” I walked over to her and embraced her from

behind. I felt her lean back into my chest. I kissed her head.

“That’s so sweet.”

I moved my hands over her breast, gently cupping her. “I’ve had it with me wherever I went. I

was the only guy at my college with an oil painting in his dorm room.” She giggled, and the small

vibration made my erection ache for her. I moved my hands to the button on her shorts, but she

slapped it away, turning around to look at me squarely in the eyes.

“Caleb Tanner, if you think for one minute I’m going to let you sleep with me while my mother

watches then you’ve got another think coming.”

I shook my head, unable to hide my smile, as this girl stood in front of me with her hands on her

hips, looking so determined.

“Fine,” I conceded. I took the painting off the wall carefully and turned it around, setting it on the

floor. “Better?” I asked.

“Can you take it out of the room, please?”

I shook my head, smiling at my shy, beautiful girl. I took the portrait and moved it to the living

room so it would be nowhere in sight. I walked back into the bedroom where she had her back against

the wall now void of artwork. I stood in the doorframe, leaning against it, watching her.

“Take off your shirt for me, baby,” I commanded.

“You don’t want to take it off?”

“I’d rather watch.”

She crossed her arms and did that two-handed thing girls always did when they took off their

shirts. I stared at the silky pink and black lace bra. It was all I could do not to rip it off her. I

controlled my urge, knowing I needed to take my time. After all, I’d waited almost ten years for this.

All the physical activity I’d done today combined with the emotional drain of the events did nothing

to dampen my desire. But it did leave my body just exhausted enough to make sure that this would be

a slow, steady release of desire, just the way I wanted it. I needed to make it special for her.

“Now you, Tex.”

I obliged doing that one hand behind my back thing guys always did when they took off their

shirts. I took it off so fast I heard the stitching rip. She sucked in a deep breath and sauntered over to

me. She placed her hands on my chest and trailed them down my body, with slow precision. “You

feel like marble or granite,” she claimed.

“It was better in high school,” I replied.

“I don’t think so.”

I slipped my finger under the strap of her bra. “I like this bra. It’s so freaking—”

“Pretty?” she asked.

“Naw, pretty isn’t the right adjective. Sexy, beautiful, hot…just like you. I’m trying to decide if I

want to leave it on or take it off.”

“I vote for taking it off.”

I laughed, and slid my fingers to the back, removing the hooks. I stepped away slightly so I could

watch as it fell off her shoulders. I was glad I did. Sylvie’s breasts were perfect. They were round,

bouncy, fleshy orbs with pink rosebud nipples in the center. I grazed them with my fingers, flicking

her nipples. She moaned out, and I moved my mouth to that area and ran my tongue over it. I sucked

leisurely, giving each one equal attention. Her fingers made their way to my shoulders where she dug

them into my skin with each movement. I reached for the button of her denim shorts, released it and

unzipped her. They fell to the floor, right past her boots, revealing the sweetest pink panties I’d ever

seen.

I licked my lips, unable to stop from growling as I picked her up and swung her over my

shoulder. I tossed her on my bed, expecting to hear her laugh, but the look she gave me wasn’t one of

amusement. It was pure, yearning lust, and I loved it because it matched my own. I removed my own

jeans and boxers in record time, never taking my eyes off her. She slapped her hand against her mouth

in surprise when she stared at my cock standing at attention for her. Her eyes widened, and her face

broke out into an interesting shade of crimson, which was strange since I could never remember

Sylvie blushing. With her skin tone, I hadn’t even thought it was possible.

“Wow.”

“Ironically, you always accuse me of being cocky, so I’ll refrain from replying, except to say

that I’m happy you’re pleased.”

“Indubitably,” she replied, giggling. I walked over to the nightstand to retrieve a condom, so I’d

have it ready. I had no intention of putting it on just yet. There was so much more to touch and taste

tonight.

Her reaction to my naked body caught me a bit off guard, though. She acted like she’d never seen

a penis before. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to ignore the heaving of her breasts, choosing to

slowly run my fingers through her hair instead, brushing it away from her face.

“Have you ever done this before?”

She immediately looked sad. “I have. There was one other. Are you upset about that?”

“I think we both know that should have been me.”

She nodded. “I agree, but it was—”

I had no intention of discussing another man when I was about to do this with her. I placed my

fingers to her lips to quiet her. “It’s okay. I’m surprised it’s just one.”

She moved my hand. “Do you think I’m a slut or something?”

“Hell no, I just mean I have to take one look at you to see how incredibly sexy you are. The thing

is you don’t even realize it and that makes you more desirable. Men were gawking at you today at the

WC. I have to admit, even when I wasn’t sure it was you, I had a hard time with that.”

“Cal, the feelings I had for you when I was a girl still exist. They never died. I never looked for

anyone else.”

“I know, baby, but I’ll be honest, I’m disappointed I won’t be your first, especially since I saved

myself for you.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You did?”

“Hell, no,” I replied, laughing. She laughed too and slapped me in the chest.

“I see you haven’t lost your weird sense of humor.” She always got my jokes even when they

were totally inappropriate.

“As far as I’m concerned, they were all practice for this moment. And I would be a hypocrite to

be upset that I’m not your number one.” The truth was, I was a hypocrite, but I kept that to myself.

“You are my number one, even if you weren’t my first. In a way, I’m happy you weren’t.” I

quirked my eyebrow at her statement. “The first time is awkward and messy. I’m glad that we both

have experience.”

“Trust me, I’m going to put my experience to good use.”

I ran my fingers down her breasts and waist, deciding it was time to use my mouth for worthier

pursuits than talking. I stood and walked to the end of the bed, letting my hands trail up her thighs,

wondering if I should leave the cowboy boots on her as I’d imagined this afternoon. In the end, I

decided to remove them, wanting full access to her whole body. I flexed each foot, rotating her ankles

and massaging them after I removed her footwear. My eyes froze on her right ankle as soon as I

noticed it. I ran my finger over it, admiring the detailing of the tattoo. The image depicted a small

black raven, readying for flight. I looked back at her, smiling.

“It was my favorite poem too,” she replied.

I knew she had done it in some sort of remembrance of me. I kissed it then I started kissing up

her leg, making my way to the place I wanted to taste most of all. I ran my finger against the

waistband of her panties. I hooked one finger on each side and slowly pulled them down. She lifted

her hips to help me. I sniffed them, inhaling the scent of her. Her eyes widened in shock. I twirled

them in my fingers before slingshooting them to the floor next to the other discarded clothes.

“Open up for me,” I said. She complied, bending her knees up and opening her legs. It was time

for my eyes to widen. She was clean shaven. “Wow,” I said simply, unable to provide further

articulation. She giggled in response.

Like a predator, I crawled over her, pushing her legs even farther apart. I moved my tongue over

her opening in slow repetition. Only when her moans begged for more did I move inside her. She

gasped at the sudden movement, knees shaking. Then I plunged in, not coming up for air. I sucked on

her clit. I circled her walls. I thrust into her with my tongue penetrating her folds as I held her thighs

apart. She screamed out each time, lifting her ass to meet my thrusting tongue. I rewarded her by

moving deeper, especially when she said my name. I felt her sit up on her elbows to watch what I was

doing to her. She fisted her hands through my hair, almost pulling it. I loved it. I didn’t want her to