It’s Like That (7 page)

He kissed his way up her body and grinned down at her. “First G-spot orgasm?”

She couldn’t answer. Her mouth wouldn’t work. “Mmmm,” was all the response she could muster.

He chuckled and pressed a light kiss against her lips. “Guess so.”

Their gentle moment was interrupted as a harsh knocking sounded at the door. “Callie?” A frantic voice called. “Are you okay? Answer the door, Callie!” More frantic knocking.

Callie rolled over and moaned. “It’s Rebecca. She heard. Oh God, how embarrassing.” She grabbed a pillow and hid her face. She couldn’t handle Rebecca right now, especially after she’d doubtless heard Callie’s passion-induced cries.

Chris gently pulled a blanket over her and said, “Stay here. I’ll take care of it.” She watched as he tucked himself back in his pants and made a quick adjustment so his hard-on wouldn’t be so noticeable. He made a few persnickety adjustments to his uniform and left the room, closing the door behind him.

* * * *

The incredibly hot date from the night before opened the door in a sharply pressed uniform, and Rebecca immediately became suspicious. Men in uniform had never proven themselves trustworthy to her. Even though he’d seemed nice, he was still a cause for concern. Callie was fragile in so many ways, and Rebecca felt very protective of her friend.

The uniform—Chris, she thought was his name—was obviously irritated with her presence, but she couldn’t have cared less.

She eyed him suspiciously and asked in a loud voice, “Where’s Callie?” She stood on tiptoe and tried to see around him, but he stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind him.

“She’s…sleeping.” He crossed his arms over his chest in an obvious attempt to intimidate her. She wasn’t impressed.

“Sleeping? What the fuck is that? Code for you just murdered her?” She tried to shove past him, but he blocked her, and she whipped out her cell phone to call the police.

“Actually,” he ground out through gritted teeth, “it’s code for I just gave her the best orgasm of her life and she can barely move. She’s embarrassed as hell that you heard, so next time you see my truck and hear screaming, do a little happy dance for your friend and stay on your side.”

She widened her eyes in disbelief. It made sense. The scream she’d heard hadn’t sounded like a tortured or pained scream. It had sounded like a porno flick, if she was honest with herself. Before she could stop it, a giggle escaped.

“Seriously?” She stepped back and eyed him up and down. He might be a uniform, but apparently he could show Callie a pretty good time. “That good, huh?” She threw back her head and laughed, and said, “Got any friends you can teach those tricks to and send my way? ’Cause my ex sure as hell couldn’t do anything that could make a sound like that come out of my mouth.” That was the understatement of the year.

He blushed. He actually blushed, and she found herself almost charmed out of her bitterness toward the uniform he wore. “Uh, I dunno. Listen, I need to…”

“Yeah, yeah.” She waved her hand at him and turned to walk away. She paused at the end of the driveway. “I’ll give you ten dollars for every time you make her scream like that tonight.”

He grinned. “I’ll do it for free.”

She laughed delightedly as she walked away and called back over her shoulder, “Good man!” It was about time.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, and Chris mused that Sara would be happy her wedding was on such a pretty day. He frowned when he remembered she’d be pretty pissed when she found out that Winslow was going to be leaving the next day, but he quickly pushed that thought aside. He glanced down at the mound of tangled hair resting on his chest. Turned out the redhead would have owed him forty bucks, but he had no intention of collecting. He’d really hoped to make love to Callie, but she’d shied away every time he seemed to be heading in that direction. Oral only. Not that he was really complaining. Nope, he loved blowjobs. It was too soon and they were moving way too fast anyway. But damn, he wanted to feel her coming around him, to know what it felt like to be buried to the hilt inside of her. He wanted to look in her eyes while he fucked her, watch the pleasure move across her features. He settled his head back against the pillow and stroked her hair gently. He’d wait. She was worth it. He didn’t know what she was waiting for, exactly, but he suspected it was something to do with how she saw herself.

She stirred and he stilled his hand, unwilling to wake her before she was ready. She snuggled against his chest and then sighed and stretched. He couldn’t resist letting his hands wander while her arms were stretched above her head.

She giggled when he found a particularly ticklish spot, and he grinned then pinned her down to tickle her mercilessly. Her body was warm from sleep, soft and silky. Even though she was curling against him in a fit of helpless giggles, he battled the urge to slide between her legs and push himself inside her.

“Stop! Stop!” she shrieked, finally grabbing his hands and stalling him for a moment. “I have to pee!”

He laughed and slapped her playfully on the bottom. “Go pee, wench.”

Suddenly she sat straight up in bed, panicked. “Oh my God, what time is it?”

He glanced at the clock beside him. “Eight thirty. The wedding isn’t until five. We have plenty of time.”

She scurried out of bed, arms and legs flailing gracelessly. “No we don’t! I have a hair appointment, and makeup, and Sara’s dress to pick up and…Oh my God I have a million things to do!” With that, she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door.

Chris frowned. Did he have anything to do? He had the rings, but he’d brought them with him. All he had to do was show up by 1600 and put on his dress uniform. It was pressed and waiting for him at his apartment. Well, he conceded, he supposed he had to shave. He stood up and stretched before heading into the bathroom. Might as well shower with her. He grinned. In the interest of saving time, of course.

* * * *

For Callie, the day flew by in a flurry of hair, silk dresses, and endless chatter. The rest of the bridesmaids giggled and teased when Rebecca informed them that Chris had stayed the night not once, but twice with Callie. She never came right out and said they were having wild sex, but she did complain that she was so tired because she couldn’t sleep over the noise. The gaggle of women in the dressing room slathering on makeup laughed and nudged Callie until she was sure her face was bright red. It was all in good fun, though, and they changed the focus when Sara slipped into her champagne silk wedding dress. Everyone oohed and aahed appropriately, and laughed when Sara explained she’d decided against traditional white because she didn’t want to burst into flames when she stepped inside the church. Before she knew it, Callie was heading down the aisle, while Alan and the other groomsmen stood waiting, looking oh so sharp in their uniforms. She caught Chris’ eye and blushed furiously. He grinned back at her. They were going to have a repeat of the day before as soon as she got him alone, and they both knew it.

She’d never realized giving a man pleasure could be so enjoyable. But Chris made it that way. He was so focused on her, every second they were together. She was falling hard and fast, and hadn’t even noticed when her self-consciousness had fallen away.

But, oh, he looked so good standing there! For a moment she imagined he was waiting for her, that she was walking to him, ready to give herself into his keeping, body, heart, and soul. She suffered a moment of regret that her father could never walk her down the aisle, but she knew her mother would be honored to do the task for her. Her eyes welled with tears as she wondered happily if she’d ever get the chance to stop and take his hand as they turned to a priest.

She shook herself mentally as she came to the end of the aisle and turned to wait for Sara’s approach. She’d barely just met the man and was already picking out china. The music rose just then, and Sara made her way slowly to her future husband, her eyes never leaving Alan’s. Callie smiled, happy for her friend, but unable to stop the tears gathering in her eyes as she imagined herself and Chris standing in their spots.

She barely heard the vows and almost missed the “I dos,” but eventually the wedding was over and they were heading down the aisle. She took Chris’ arm as they followed Sara and Alan.

He leaned down and whispered, “Is it still like that?”

She blushed again and focused on the little tents her shoes made in her dress with each step. She nodded, remembering his words from the day before when she’d attacked him.

A little smile tilted up one corner of his mouth and before he straightened he whispered, “Just so you know, it’s always been like that for me.” She looked up at him, surprised, but he’d already turned his gaze forward and straightened into the tall, military bearing he’d maintained from the beginning of the service.

She beamed up at him, ridiculously happy and unable to hide it for a second longer.

The bridal party headed straight from the church to the banquet hall where the reception was scheduled. Alan had hired a band, but left the option open for karaoke. Callie was pretty sure that meant he had something planned, but she wasn’t privy to that information. She sat at the head of the table by Sara, in the spot reserved for the maid of honor. She regretted that she and Chris couldn’t sit together, but this was just for the first part of the reception. They’d be together soon enough. Alan and Sara had their heads together, deep in conversation.

Deciding to take advantage of the slow moment, Callie excused herself to use the restroom. She’d barely managed to get her dress up and out of the way so she could pee when she heard two women enter the restroom.

“Did you see her?” a nasally voice asked.

“I know, right? Mooning up at him like a fat ass like her would ever have a chance with a SEAL.” This voice was dry and flat.

Callie’s heart sank. She knew they were talking about her. She needed no further clarification, but they gave her some anyway.

“I heard,” the nasally voice lowered to a whisper, “that he’s hung like a fucking mule and can go all night.”

“Where did you hear that?” flat voice asked.

“Angie Adams.”

Flat voice snorted. “She’s a tramp. You can’t take her word for anything. She may have fucked him, she may not have. She doesn’t remember who she’s been with and who she hasn’t. It’s a miracle that girl doesn’t have AIDS.”

“Well, I saw them together at the club a few weeks ago. So I know she’s telling the truth.” Nasally voice was adamant. “And you know if he goes for a girl like her with a model’s body, he’s just stringing along the fat ass for fun.”

Flat voice laughed. “Now that I can believe. Did you see the way…?”

Their voices trailed off as they left. Callie knew they were shallow, bitchy whores, but it hurt! Oh, how it hurt! She didn’t know what Chris had done before her, and frankly she didn’t care. But it hurt to hear complete strangers talk about her as though she was unworthy of love. Hot tears trailed down her cheeks and she choked back a sob.

She wanted Chris. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it was going to be okay. But what if they were right? Maybe she was just a quick fling; maybe he really did prefer a size zero body, and she was the anomaly. She didn’t doubt his reactions to her sexually; he couldn’t fake that. But what about his emotional involvement? Was he disgusted by the fact that he was with a larger woman?

Two short raps came from the main door, followed by a deep male voice. “Male coming in. Any females?”

“Just me,” Callie said in a small voice. She stood up and flushed the toilet and pulled down some tissue to blow her nose.

“Callie?” It was Chris, his voice hesitant and worried. Either he made a habit of invading women’s restrooms or he’d come looking from her. He wasn’t a creep, so the odds were that he’d come in search of her.

She swung open the stall door and faced him. No need to delay the inevitable. “Why are you with me?” she demanded.

He took in her appearance, shocked. “Callie, what the hell happened?” He grasped her shoulders tenderly and leaned down to examine her face. His thumbs brushed across her cheeks before he pulled her into his arms and rocked her from side to side. “What’s wrong, baby?”

To her mortification, the tears started again, and were soon followed by gut-wrenching sobs. “Why…”
choke
,
sob
, “are you…”
sob
,
sniffle
, “with me?”

He pulled back and used his forefinger to tip her chin up and force her to meet his eyes. He had that intense stare in them, this time more from anger than desire. “What the hell do you mean, why am I with you? I’m with you because I want to be. Because you’re an amazing woman, inside and out. So what the hell do you mean, Callie?”

She jerked away, the embarrassing sobs deeper now, wrenching her chest. “I mean, why is a man like you, with your looks and your…your…well, job…with a woman like me? You’re a Navy freaking SEAL! I’m a fat ass that can’t squeeze into skinny jeans and will never be a size in the single digits. Why are you with me?”

Heated anger blazed from his gaze and for a moment she actually was afraid of him. He gritted his teeth and ground out, “If I ever, I mean
ever,
hear you call yourself that again, so help me God, Callie, I will take you over my knee. You are perfect. Those women that parade around out there worried about the calorie content of lettuce have nothing on you. You can’t take them out to eat because they order water and celery. You can’t talk to them because all they know is
Real Housewives of Whoville
, or what the fuck ever. You certainly can’t fuck them without running the risk of their bones poking holes through you. So what the fuck do they have that you want so badly, huh?”

She didn’t answer, just stared at him in misery.

He continued. “Let me tell you what they have. A whole lot of nothing. Those men out there that have ignored you…I’m fucking glad they did. I’m glad they’re so fixated on fucking those skeletal whores because they left you for me. They’re fucking blind if they can’t see it, and I’m glad they’re blind.”