Page 153 of Stolen Voices

“I know. And I really love you.” I crack a smile. It will never get old hearing her say she loves me. It sounds so much better than, “Fuck you, Eli.”

“I forgot to ask. Do you like the necklace? I wasn’t sure about the gold, but I thought it would match the ring on your thumb.”

“I love it. And now, I love it more.” She lifts her thumb in the air. “This was my dad’s wedding ring. I like to wear it to remember him. When I get lonely or feel down, I give it a twirl. It reminds me to keep going. Knowing that you got the necklace to match makes it that much more special.”

I fight the urge to rub the ache in my chest. All the pain Callie has experienced hurts me to my core. I never want her to feel alone again.

Like a tornado warning, my phone vibrates. Ignoring it, we stay wrapped up in each other until it goes silent on the table beside me.

“What are we going to do?” She twists her ring.

I hate that Callie’s worried, but I’m not about to let it continue. No matter what, I’m going to help her fix the problem.

“About?” I pretend like I don’t know she’s referring to her sister, but I refuse to let Silla ruin this moment for us. We are finally together, and all I want is to concentrate on us for a little while longer.

“You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?”

Her smile spreads, and fuck if I don’t feel like the luckiest man alive. I have the most beautiful woman on the planet, naked and in my arms.

“A little. Let me worry about her. Okay?”

There’s a nerve-wracking, lengthy pause before Callie agrees. “I can do that.”

“Thank you.” I drop the pendant and hook my finger through the O ring. Forcing her gaze to mine, I pour every emotion I feel into the look. I need her to hear and know I will keep every promise uttered.

Her deep-brown eyes shimmer with understanding.

“I meant every word when I gave you this necklace. I’m going to love you, take care of you, support you, and lift you up when you need it. Right now is one of those ‘let me take care of you’ moments. You’ve been on your own for too long, but I’m here now, Callie. I got you, my love.”

Tears leak from the corner of her eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I promise I’m going to do everything I can to make sure Silla is gone from your life. She won’t get another opportunity to hurt you, let alone be near you. For the foreseeable future, I’m stuck to you like glue.”

“I like the sound of that.” The happy, tearful smile that stretches across her face is another hook piercing my heart, tethering us together.

I seal my mouth to hers, and kiss her until she’s breathless and her stomach growls.

Callie smiles against my mouth, the sadness leached from her body. I want this happiness to be all she feels, and I will stop at nothing to make sure that happens.

“Let’s put some food in that stomach.”

“Okay.”

Neither of us moves. Callie wiggles her naked body against mine to keep me in place.

I tug her tighter to my side with a contented sigh. After all this time, I got her. I’m right where I’m supposed to be, with her in my arms. I’m lost in the feel of her fingers as she lazily draws circles on my chest until her hard nipples brush my side, making it impossible for me to ignore my stiffening cock.

Her stomach grumbles a second time, saving me from taking her again. Callie whimpers when I climb out of bed and grab my boxer briefs off the floor to slide them on.

“No whining. Come on. Arms up.”

Grumbling under her breath, she sits up. I slide my shirt over her head and let it fall, covering her perfect tits from view.

Because I can’t help myself, I swoop her into my arms and carry her to the kitchen. She doesn’t fight me; instead, she kisses my neck and lays her head on my shoulder.

I place her on the counter, and she hisses as her bare ass presses into the cold countertop.

“Sorry, baby. I promise to warm your ass up later.”