Beauty in the Ashes

“Whiskey.”

I snorted, digging through the plastic bag for another decoration. “I doubt that would be as good of a combination as you think. Add some more marshmallows,” I

pointed at the bag sitting on the counter.

He frowned. “Um, no.” He set the cup down on the table and watched me.

“You can help, you know.”

“Ah, but why help when the view I get watching is so much better?” He smirked.

Picking out one of the lollipop ornaments I focused on the task at hand.

Music started up next-door and Caelan groaned. “Every fucking week. I seriously don’t know how he manages it,” he said, referring to Cyrus and his never-ending stream of parties and guests. “He’s not even a likable guy. Who would want to go to one of his parties?”

“Hey, they’re not all bad.”

His eyes narrowed. “Thank you for the reminder of me having to watch you grind your ass against some other guy’s dick. Bravo, Sutton. Would you like a round of applause?”

I laughed. “Are you seriously still mad about that? It was so long ago. Besides, we weren’t even together.”

“And are we together now?” He questioned with a playful smile. His tongue flicked out to moisten his lips.

I put the ornament down and strode over to him. I sat down and straddled his lap. “Hmm,” I kissed my way up his neck before settling on his lips, “we better be. If we’re not, then this,” I made a face and indicated me pressed up against him, “is pretty awkward. I should probably move.” I went to get off his lap but his hands found my hips and kept me there.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he chuckled. Kissing the sensitive spot below my ear, he said, “I’m sorry about earlier today. I shouldn’t have gotten snappy with you.”

“Snappy? Did that word really just come out of your mouth?” I giggled when the scruff on his cheeks tickled my chin.

“It did.” With his long fingers he pushed my hair out of my eyes, his hand settling at the nape of my neck. “Let me make it up to you.”

“And how do you propose to do that?” My neck arched at the feel of his lips against my collarbone.

“I could kiss you here.” His lips lingered against the spot where my pulse raced. “Or here.” He hovered millimeters away from my lips, but didn’t kiss me. Fucking torturer. “Maybe here,” he moved his lips lower, to the spot between my breasts, which were exposed by my low hanging shirt. “And maybe, if you say the magic word, I’ll take your clothes off and kiss you everywhere.”

“What’s the magic word?” I breathed, my eyes fluttering closed.

“Ah,” his breath tickled my skin, “I can’t tell you that. It would be cheating.”

His lips continued to skim over the exposed parts of my body—which wasn’t much, considering it was winter and I was clad in jeans a long-sleeved tee.

“Please,” I begged, my voice breathless. “Please, Cael.”

He pulled away slightly, one hand cupping the side of my face. “Did someone tell you the magic word?”

“Oh thank God,” I cried, my arms winding around his neck as I tackled him down on the couch cushions. I silenced his chuckle with my lips as I kissed him deeply. No guy had ever been able to drive me as crazy as Caelan could. Their touch had never ignited fireworks in belly. With him, it was different. He was the first man I wanted to touch me because I liked it. With everyone else, I’d always felt dirty.

“Someone’s eager,” he growled, grasping my sides as he flipped me over so he was on top.

“I want you,” I breathed, melding my lips with his.

His fingers skimmed under my shirt, and my insides felt like they might burst into flames from his touch.

My need for him was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. In the short time I’d known him, he’d become my everything. That scared me. I wasn’t one to be dependent on another person. But I honestly didn’t know what I’d do without him—and that thought filled me with fear. When I’d come here I’d wanted to find my independence and stand on my own two feet. I needed to find myself. Instead, I found Caelan.

He removed my shirt and his lips seemed to be everywhere. His hands too. The man was talented.

I pushed all my thoughts and all my worries out of the way and let myself feel.