I’m going to worship her the way she deserves to be worshipped.
“Callie…”
“Yeah?”
“I made reservations at Elway’s at seven for us. All of us, including Rory.”
“That’s sweet of you, but Rory already told me she’s staying in for dinner. She wants you and me to have some time.”
“She’s sure?”
“Yeah. She had a knock-down, drag-out with Raine, and she wants to be alone. Says she has a lot of thinking to do. Plus…she’s going to stay in town.”
“Why?”
“Oh. I guess I didn’t tell you. The bank can’t get a locksmith to come tomorrow morning, so we have to wait until Monday. In fact…”
“What?”
“I said I’d stay with her.”
“Why?”
“It’s a long story.” She clears her throat. “I’ll tell you. I’ll keep my promise. When we get back to the room.”
“I’ll stay too, then.”
“You have to get back. Someone has to be in the office Monday since your mom’s not coming in.”
“Right.” Shit. “Tell you what. I’ll fly back tomorrow. Dale can pick me up in Grand Junction. You and Rory can have the car.”
“Donny, that’s not—”
“I insist.”
Plus, I just gave myself a reprieve. I can’t break things off with Callie until she and Rory return with my car. It’ll give me some time with her tonight and tomorrow. Then I’ll break her heart when they return to Snow Creek.
I’m such a dick. But it can’t be helped.
Callie sighs. “Fine. And thank you.”
“Just be really safe driving home.”
“Of course.”
“Check in with me each time you stop.”
“Donny, Rory and I are both perfectly competent drivers. We drive tractors on the ranch, for God’s sake.”
“Okay, okay. Humor me, though.”
She chuckles lightly. “You’re totally adorable. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, which is why I want you safe.”
Which is why I can’t be with her.
I lived through literal hell when I was young. But this—letting Callie go—is going to kill me far worse than that horrid part of my life ever could.
“Let’s go upstairs,” I say.
“All right. And I’ll tell you what’s bothering Rory and me. I just hope you don’t run away screaming when you find out.”
“I won’t.”
I won’t scream. And I won’t run away.
Not yet.
I attack when we hit the room, kissing her with a mad passion, devouring her as if I’ll never get enough.
And I won’t.
I’ll never get enough.
Because I have to let her go.
But devouring her won’t lead to what I yearn to do. I want to go slowly, give her the worship I crave, the worship she deserves.
So I break the kiss.
Her lips are parted, glistening from the kiss.
She’s so beautiful. So sexy. So completely wonderful.
How can I do this to her?
Am I being selfish, taking her this one last time, the way I’ve dreamed of taking her?
“God, Callie…”
“It’s okay. Whatever you want to do to me, it’s okay. I want what you want.”
I believe her. But if she knew what was going on inside my mind, she’d be out of here quicker than a lightning strike.
“I love you so much,” I say. “I wish there was a word other than love. It doesn’t do my feelings justice. I ache for you, Callie. Please tell me you know that.”
“I know, Donny. I feel the same way.”
“Whatever happens,” I continue, “tell me you’ll never forget that.”
She swallows audibly. “Donny, please… Don’t scare me. I want to tell you everything, but—”
I place two fingers over her soft lips to silence her. “Baby, whatever you have to tell me can wait. Whatever it is, I promise it doesn’t matter.”
“You can’t make a promise like that.”
“I just did, and I mean it.”
I do. I love her. I don’t care what silly secret she’s keeping. It truly doesn’t matter. I’ll still love her, and I have to let her go anyway.
My dick is hard as marble, but I’ll do this. For Callie, and for me. I’ll take her slowly, enjoy her body, show her the pleasures I haven’t yet shown her.
I trail a finger down her silky cheek, along her jawline to her neck, her shoulder. Those sexy shoulders.
“I’m going to undress you, and if it kills me, I’m going to go slowly. I’m going to show you I’m not some kind of sex maniac who can’t wait to get inside you.”
“I kind of like that sex maniac who can’t wait to get inside me. I’ve told you that before.”
I don’t reply. I could rip her clothes off now and fuck her. I’m dying to. My dick is aching to be inside her, gloved in her warmth.
I could do it.
Take my comfort. Take what she’s offering.
But she deserves to be the center of my attention—not of my dick’s attention—at least once.
“I love you, Callie,” I say, “and I’m going to make love to you.”
And as God is my witness, I may never make love to another woman once I end this.
Chapter Forty-Four
Callie
I’m nearly breathless from Donny’s words alone.