Beautiful Sinner: a standalone forbidden romance (Beautiful Series)
Beautiful Sinner: Chapter 24

I ALMOST FIND the hard work gratifying. I kind of love feeling the sweat drip down my back, like I earned it. Luckily, the weather has cooled down in the past few days and it’s not as unbearable out here in the barn. I almost like it more than working in the house now.

Today, I take my time. Checking and cleaning Misty’s hooves a little longer than usual, brushing her, feeding her. I have enough to occupy my mind as I work. Callum joining me in the shower this morning plays on a loop in my mind, and not just the part where he bent me over and we had to fuck quietly so Bridget wouldn’t hear. But also the mundane moments, like scrubbing the shampoo through his hair and watching him wrap the towel around his waist after we got out. Who knew an act so simple could be so sexy?

When I hear the van pull up outside, my mouth lifts at the corners no matter how hard I try to hold it back. It’s been two weeks since that night in the church, and I feel myself slipping down a muddy hill with no chance of stopping. I can’t get enough of him, and judging by the way he actually almost smiles around me, I know the feeling is mutual.

I don’t move from Misty’s stall as he stalks into the enclosed space. He comes up behind me and pulls me back with force, making my toes curl when he lands his warm mouth on my neck.

“I think it’s about time you went for a ride,” he mumbles against my neck.

“I went for a ride twice last night and once this morning” I tease, reaching back to run my hands through his thick hair.

He lets out that deep chuckle that is Callum’s version of a hearty laugh. “I was talking about the horse.”

I freeze. “Ride Misty?”

“Sure, why not?”

I can’t help but laugh, pulling him toward the hay bales in the barn, and out of sight of Misty. I’m not sure I can do it in front of a horse, especially her. She always looks so much smarter than I thought animals were supposed to look.

“Because I’ve never ridden a horse before. What if I fall off?” I shove him onto the stacked bales and climb over him straddling myself over his body. Leaning down, I place a kiss on his lips.

“I won’t let you fall off,” he mutters while I’m kissing him. Our kiss turns heated, and I feel myself slipping again, like I literally can’t get enough of the feel of his stubbled face against my lips. I fumble for his buckle while he works on my jeans. In a rush, I climb out of them as he frees himself from his pants.

As I settle myself on him and find my rhythm moving with him inside me, I stare into his eyes. There is no tomorrow or the next day, at least no future worth thinking about if I can’t have this. Once we crossed the forbidden line and gave into whatever this is, it’s like we both went all in. He didn’t bother acting like he regretted or felt bad. That first time on the floor wasn’t even the last time we did it in the church.

If he can give into this so easily, maybe he can let it go completely? Maybe once he realizes I’m enough for him, he’ll choose me.

I keep up my grinding and just thinking about him being mine sends me over the edge. I clutch his chest and he pierces his fingers into the flesh of my hips as he drives my body until he’s filling me up again.

Collapsing against his chest, I inhale his scent and kiss his chin.

“You feel warm,” he mumbles, running his hands up and down my body.

“Well you have that effect on me.” He doesn’t respond, which I know to mean that I’m making a joke out of something that Callum is taking seriously. I lift my chin and look into his eyes.

“I’m fine. I’ve been outside all day, that’s all.”

I watch as his jaw clenches, and I have to admit, seeing him so worried about me is a major turn on. When was the last time a guy was worried about me?

He’s mine. All mine.

I lie to myself because, in this moment, it feels possible.

Landing a rough smack on my bare ass, he kisses the top of my head and says, “Okay, then. You’re riding that horse.”

“Today?” Carefully, I climb off of him and pull up my underwear, knowing that I’m going to have to change them, again, once I get back to the house.

“Yes, today. Let’s go.”

I stand back and watch as he dresses Misty up in her saddle. Then he puts a hand out for me to come closer, and I feel my heart rate rising with my nerves. I’d much rather watch him ride than get on myself.

Still, when he puts a hand out for me as I put my foot in the stirrup, his calming presence and commanding tone settles some of my worry. “You’ll be fine, Cadence.”

Climbing on top of the horse requires more grace than I expected. It takes me a couple of tries before I can get my leg over and once I’m up there, I start to panic. It feels too high and I don’t have enough control over her.

Callum has her on a lead as he guides her out of the stall and toward the field. He shows me everything from how to steer her and stop her and make her run, but I don’t start feeling any more comfortable.

Once he senses my discomfort, he stops the horse and touches my leg. “Look at me.”

When I do, I nearly fall into those green eyes. His hand strokes my thigh with such a comforting touch that it’s hard to associate him with the same man who probably left bruises on my hips just a few minutes ago.

Either Callum has split personalities or he’s very good at playing the necessary part.

“Relax, Cadence. You’re in control. I’m here, but you don’t need me.”

“Don’t leave.” I feel like a child learning to ride without training wheels. He smirks, then claps my hand.

“I’m not going to leave you.”

Holding Misty’s reins, I let his words sink in. I’m in control. I am in control.

After a while, I start to get comfortable. His instructions helped, but once I got a feel for controlling the horse, I knew I could handle it. We walk Misty around the yard for another hour before we head back toward the barn.

Callum indulges me when I ask to see him ride her just once around the pen, and I make sure to store that mental snapshot at the forefront of my memory bank. I want that picture of him, snug jeans and long-sleeve shirt on those broad shoulders as he rides against the setting sun, etched into my mind forever.

Once we put Misty away, we ride toward the house, and I’m hit with a sudden wave of exhaustion. I slump against the seat and nearly fall asleep on the short drive over. It must be from the whirlwind of the past two weeks. I don’t sleep much, and I’ve been working harder than ever.

Callum shakes me awake when we get to the house just before I feel his hand on my head. “Jesus, Cadence. You’re burning up.”

Then it’s like it all crashes on me at once. My head starts pounding, my body aches, and my throat feels like I swallowed rocks.

“Straight to bed,” he commands as I shuffle inside.

Bridget is staring at us with concern as I bypass the lobby and head straight up the stairs. “She’s pale as a ghost,” she cries.

“Grab her something to bring this fever down,” Callum says in his deep authoritative tone while he’s helping me to bed. I can walk perfectly fine. A minute ago I was riding a horse—not to mention, him before that, but Callum is acting like I’m suddenly incapable of basic functions.

So sue me if I savor it, letting him help me out of my clothes and into my pajamas. He dotes on me like I’m his child…or his wife. After putting me to bed, he brings me water, two aspirins, and a cold washcloth for my forehead. Then, he doesn’t leave.

Taking a seat in the chair on the other side of my room, he watches me drink down the water. “I’m fine, Callum,” I admit. “It’s probably just a cold. You really shouldn’t spoil me.”

He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees and watching me with his cold, calculating stare that I’ve learned to love so much. “I want to.”

My heart still manages to thrum a little faster even though my head feels like it’s covered in fog. “You know what they say about feeding feral cats. They’ll never leave.”

“Good,” he replies.

I rest my head against the pillow and fight with the covers. I’m suddenly trembling and burning up at the same time. Sleep starts to pull at me the moment I’m lying down, but I keep my eyes open so I can enjoy this view for a moment longer.

Callum is sitting in my room, not for sex but for me. My thoughts stop making sense as I let that image of him on the horse fill my mind as I drift off to sleep.

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