Chapter 194: Vivid
Hailee’s POV
My breath caught. My eyes opened in the dark. The room was quiet, but the touch... it was real. A finger slid up my thigh, slow and teasing, until it touched the edge of my nightdress.
I turned, and my heart almost stopped.
Callum.
He was there, leaning over me, his stormy eyes glowing faintly in the dark, locked on mine. His lips curved, full of hunger and longing.
"Callum..." My voice broke, half whisper, half moan. "What are you doing here?"
"Can’t sleep," he murmured, his hand moving higher, burning my skin. "I’ve missed you, Hailee."
Before I could answer, his mouth crushed mine. Hot. Fierce. Desperate. The kiss stole my breath, making my body arch into him. My hands clutched his shoulders, and instead of pushing him away, I pulled him closer. Goddess, I couldn’t stop myself.
His weight pressed over me, his body hard and warm. His hands slid under my nightdress, caressing me, while his mouth swallowed every sound I made. My thighs opened for him without thought, betraying me, welcoming him.
The air grew hot, my skin alive under his touch. His lips left mine, trailing down my throat, across my chest, until I cried out softly.
"Say it," he rasped against my skin. "Say you still want me."
I gasped, trembling under him, my body coming apart. "I... I do," I choked out, the truth ripping from me, raw and bare.
A deep sound rumbled in his chest, full of victory, and his last restraint broke. He kissed me again, harder, claiming me. His hand slid down my waist, over my hip, and between my thighs, sparking fire.
I shifted, restless, the friction driving me wild. A whimper broke from my lips as he found the soft, swollen peak of my pussy, pressing, rubbing, steady and sure. I arched up, begging without words.
His fingers worked me, teasing, stroking, until the pressure inside me grew sharp and heavy. My nails dug into his back, clinging to him as he built me higher and higher.
Then he moved, shifting his weight, and I felt the thick press of his cock at my entrance. I didn’t hold back. I lifted my hips, aching, ready. With a deep groan, he pushed inside.
The stretch made me cry out, a muffled sound against his shoulder. My body gripped him tight, full to the brim, almost too much, almost perfect. His stormy eyes caught mine for a breath, fierce and burning, before he started to move.
Slow at first, deep, each thrust sending shocks through me. Then faster, harder, matching the frantic beat of my heart. The air was thick with heat, our ragged breaths and the scent of sweat and need.
Every thrust tore another sound from me, my body clenching, pushing back against him, meeting his rhythm with my own. My world shrank to him—to his skin, his voice, his body pounding into mine.
The pressure inside me grew unbearable, sharp and sweet. I clung to him, my teeth biting his shoulder as it broke. My body convulsed, trembling hard, a wave of white-hot pleasure crashing through me. A loud, broken moan ripped free as I shattered, gripping him, squeezing him in my climax.
Callum groaned my name, low and rough, and slammed into me one last time, spilling his release inside me as my body shook and fell apart beneath him. He collapsed onto me, chest heaving, his weight warm and heavy, anchoring me to him.
The sudden jolt sent my eyes snapping open.
My body was tingling, my skin slick with a phantom sheen of sweat, my breath ragged and uneven. My thighs were pressed together, an ache of unsatisfied tension humming low in my groin.
The room was still cloaked in shadows, but the air was cool, quiet, and completely empty. There was no warm, heavy weight pinning me to the mattress, no scent of musk and sweat, no frantic pulse against my neck.
I was alone.
I sat up slowly, my heart still racing wildly, and ran a hand through my damp hair. I looked at the empty space beside me, the sheets smooth and warm.
It had all been a dream. A vivid, soul-shaking, agonizingly real dream.
I sank back onto the pillow, the heat in my cheeks fading into a deep, frustrated flush. Callum wasn’t here. He hadn’t been here. But the memory of his touch, the taste of his kiss, the shattering feel of his cock inside mine, was more real than reality.
I closed my eyes, a soft, heartbroken whimper escaping my lips. God, I thought, pulling the cool sheet up to my chin. I’m going insane.
The morning came too quickly.
I woke with a heavy heart, the memory of the dream still clinging to me like a second skin. My body ached, my lips still tingled as if Callum had really kissed me. I shook my head hard, trying to push it away. It was only a dream. Nothing more.
I bathed slowly, the warm water sliding over my skin, but even then, my mind betrayed me. I kept seeing his stormy eyes, feeling his body against mine, hearing the sound of his moans.
"Stop it," I whispered to myself, scrubbing harder. "It wasn’t real."
When I stepped out, I dressed in a simple gown, tying my hair back with shaking fingers.
Suddenly, I heard the ringing of a cellphone, and that was when I remembered Nathan had given me a cell phone before I left. According to him, he wanted to be sure I was okay... and pleaded with me to call him if anything went wrong. He acted like Callum was going to hurt me, like he didn’t trust him.
I picked up the cell phone and saw the name Nathan slowly written on it. I scoffed. Obviously, he had already saved his number. Typical of him, trying to keep his hold on me even from miles away.
Rolling my eyes, I pressed the phone to my ear.
"Yes?" I said flatly.
There was a pause, then his voice came, low and rough, tinged with a kind of possessive worry. "Hailee. Did you arrive safely?"
I clenched my jaw. "Yes. We did."
"And the boys?" he pressed quickly, as if he didn’t trust my answer. "Are they alright? Has anyone mistreated them?"
My grip on the phone tightened. "They’re fine, Nathan. Callum made sure of it."
He wanted to speak, but I beat him to it. "Nathan, I would appreciate it if you don’t call me. This is Callum’s weekend. Please respect that." With that, I ended the call.
My heart sank at the way I spoke to him, but I sucked in a deep breath. I had to be steady, especially for the boys. They needed me strong, not flustered like some girl with a crush.
But when I entered their room, they were already dressed.
"Mama," Oliver said quickly, his eyes shining with excitement. "We’re going to the training grounds today!"
Oscar stood straighter, trying to act serious, but I saw the flicker of eagerness in his eyes too. "The warriors said we could watch—and maybe join."
Ozzy nodded, also excited but trying to hide it. "I’ll go too. I want to see."
Before I could respond, three tall warriors stepped forward from the doorway. They bowed slightly. "We will watch over them."
My chest tightened with unease. Leaving my boys in the hands of these men got me a bit tense, but I knew I had to start getting used to being away from them.
I forced a smile. "Alright. Have fun."
The boys hurried to follow, Oliver almost bouncing, Oscar keeping a straight face, and Ozzy trailing but curious. I watched them leave, my heart aching with pride and fear all at once.
Then I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Hailee."
I turned—and there he was.
Callum.
He stood in the hall, tall and smartly dressed, but his eyes... his eyes burned as they found mine.
And in that instant, my dream came rushing back. His hands, his mouth, his body pressing into mine. My cheeks flamed red.
He stepped closer, frowning slightly. "Are you alright?" His voice was low, careful, but filled with concern.
I swallowed hard, my lips parting, but no words came out. I could feel the heat rushing up my neck, the way my heart pounded against my ribs.
"Yes," I whispered too quickly, my face still hot.
He tilted his head, studying me with those stormy eyes. For a terrifying moment, I thought he could see straight through me—straight into the dream I had, the shameful memory of how I cried out his name in my sleep.
"Good," he said softly, his lips curving into the faintest smile. "Because I want to show you something. Come with me."
His hand lifted as if to guide me, but he stopped just short of touching. My cheeks only burned hotter.
Goddess help me, I thought, turning my eyes away. How do I face him when all I can think about... is that dream?