His Red Carnation (Forbidden Blooms #1)

13. Sloane

13

Sloane

My parents got back the next day, long after I’d already returned home and showered. Callan kept his distance, probably paranoid we’d be caught if we so much as crossed paths within fifty feet of each other. The rooftop date he planned had been perfect—everything from the sex to the movie to the cool spring night air. I wasn’t sure how he could possibly top that.

Mom was in the living room with me, working on her laptop. I sat with a new Sara Cate book in my hands, but I couldn’t focus on the words. My thoughts kept drifting back to Callan—his full, pouty lips, his hard, tattooed body, and his perfect, hard…

I snapped the book shut and grabbed my phone. Callan had to be nearby—his job was to literally protect me around the clock.

Hi. I miss you.

His response came instantly. I miss you too, baby. What are you doing?

I glanced up at my mom, still engrossed in her work, completely unaware of my distraction.

Reading, but I’d rather be making out with you. I bit my lip, smiling as I hit send.

“How was your night out with James?” My mom’s voice pulled me out of my Callan daydream.

“It was fine. He was nice, but…” I shrugged. But he’s no Callan.

Mom smiled softly and tilted her head. “Then who are you texting?” she asked, her tone casual.

I blinked, caught off guard. I hadn’t expected that question.

“Taylor,” I lied smoothly. Taylor had been my best friend back in New York.

Mom didn’t seem to suspect anything, just nodded and glanced back down at her laptop. “Yeah? How’s she doing?”

I sighed, trying to stay casual. “She’s good,” I replied, eyes drifting back to my phone.

There was another message from Callan waiting for me.

Maybe we can sneak it somewhere. How about a Crepeaway trip? I’m fucking aching for you, baby.

My heart skipped a beat. The idea of sneaking around turned me on more than I wanted to admit.

Meet me in my room in five minutes, I typed and hit send without hesitation.

He responded almost immediately. Sloane, we can’t fuck in your room. Not now .

I bit the inside of my cheek, not willing to give up. What if we just make out? Or I could give you a blowjob? Please? ??

It was kind of funny, how I was begging to give him a blowjob—that seemed about right.

Fuck. You win. See you in five.

I grinned to myself. I win again. I stood up quickly, setting my book aside. “I’m gonna go lay down,” I announced, already moving toward the hall.

“Okay, baby,” Mom called back, still absorbed in her work.

I practically sprinted down the hall, bursting into my room. Glancing in the mirror, I quickly fixed my hair, smoothing out my dress, excitement racing through me as I impatiently waited for that knock on the door.

Five agonizing minutes later, Callan slipped into my room, shutting the door behind him with a quiet thud. I gave him a questioning look as he hurried in.

“I didn’t want anyone to see me come in,” he said, answering the question in my eyes.

I bit my lip, pushing myself against him, pinning him to the door. Our hands were everywhere, touching, grabbing, as we kissed with frantic urgency. He guided me toward the bed, our lips never parting, and sat down, pulling me onto his lap, straddling him. I couldn’t get enough—he consumed me, mind and body. My hips moved instinctively, grinding against his hard cock, the friction sending heat through me. I tugged at his hair, desperate for more, frustrated by the layers of clothes between us.

A moan escaped my lips as I pressed harder, the rhythm pushing me closer to the edge.

“Baby, your book—”

I jumped away from Callan as soon as I heard my mom’s voice. Turning around, I saw her standing in the doorway, eyes wide with shock. Callan stood next to me, frozen in place, mirroring my own fear. My heart raced so fast it felt like it was about to burst from my chest.

“What the fuck is going on?” she asked quietly, closing the door behind her and stepping further into the room. “What the fuck is going on? Callan? Sloane?”

I glanced up at Callan, and he looked down at me, then back to my mom. He opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted him.

“I’m in love with him, Mom,” I blurted out, my hands trembling at my sides.

Her expression shifted to one of disbelief, a laugh escaping her lips. “What? What the fuck are you talking about, Sloane? You’ve known him for less than a week,” she argued, still reeling from the revelation.

I looked back at Callan, searching for support, feeling at a loss for words.

“Callan, you’re fucking twenty years older than her. She’s eighteen . I’m…I’m so confused right now.” She sank into the chair against the wall, her gaze shifting between us.

I was taken aback that she wasn’t screaming at him.

“Are you going to say something, Callan?” Her voice rose, sharp and demanding.

“I know this is crazy, Ana, but it’s true. I love her. I don’t know how it happened, but I love Sloane. She is…she is wise beyond her years,” he said, his tone low and earnest, a mixture of vulnerability and conviction.

Mom laughed again. “You’re in love with her? How did this even happen? I need you both to explain how the fuck this all happened.” She stood up again, putting her hands on her hips.

“I seduced him. He fought it. He fought it hard, Mom. He didn’t want to do any of this. But then it happened and now…” I trailed off, sitting down on my bed, and Callan followed, sitting close to me.

She looked between us, her eyes still wide with confusion.

“Callan, I need to talk to my daughter alone,” she said quietly.

“Of course,” he replied, standing up quickly and nearly bolting for the door.

Mom watched him leave, closing the door softly behind him. She turned back to me, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Is this for real, Sloane? You actually love him?” Her voice was surprisingly calm, but I could hear the underlying concern.

I nodded immediately. “Yes. I know he’s older— much older—but something just clicked between us,” I explained, my heart racing.

Mom sighed, raising her hands to her face as she shook her head. “Sloane,” she groaned. “Your dad is going to have a fucking fit.”

“Dad isn’t going to find out,” I assured her.

She smiled and tilted her head at me. “Baby, I just walked in on you and Callan making out. And we’ve only been home for two hours.”

She had a point. “We’ll be more careful,” I urged her.

Mom was silent as she stared at me. I couldn’t stand that she was so quiet.

“Mom, what are you thinking? I know this is crazy, but it’s real. I assure you…it’s very real between us. It’s not just sex. I am…I’m so in love with him.”

Mom blinked. “I must be crazy because as shocked as I am, I’m not mad. I’m just…I’m very shocked right now, Sloane.”

I nodded. I could understand that. But wait…

“You’re not mad?” I asked with confusion.

She sighed and got up from the chair, then slowly walked towards me and sat next to me on the bed. She took my hand and gave it a squeeze.

“I get it, baby. He’s hot,” she said, a laugh escaping her. “You’re not one to jump into things or act impulsively, so this must be something special. And Callan wouldn’t do anything this reckless unless he was on drugs again, but I’m pretty sure he’s not,” she joked, a playful glint in her eyes.

Oh . I didn’t even know that about him. I realized we still had a lot to learn about each other.

“He’s not,” I assured her. “I should know. We’ve been inseparable for the past five days,” I admitted.

She shook her head at me again. “ Dios mío, baby. ” She laughed. “Just please make sure of this one thing.”

I waited for her to continue, my heart racing again.

“Please be careful in public. If anyone finds out, this could really hurt Daddy’s re-election. People don’t understand these kinds of things.”

I nodded quickly. “I know.” I stared down at the floor, feeling guilty for even risking this.

“Maybe Callan can take you to Berkeley this week. You two can have some alone time to get things out of your system, like making out without the door locked,” she teased me.

I sighed with relief. I couldn’t believe how supportive she was being.

“Why are you so amazing, Mom?” I asked, giving her hand a squeeze.

She smiled widely. “Because all I care about is my daughter’s happiness. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

I almost started crying. “I am very happy, Mom. More than I ever thought was possible.”

* * *

Mom wanted to have a private chat with Callan, and I didn’t want to be stuck in my room. I stepped out into the hallway and began to play with the keys of the piano, mindlessly singing “Work Song” by Hozier, the lyrics flowing softly from my lips.

I noticed Callan slowly walking up the stairs, a big smile on his face as he watched me from the top step. I stopped when he approached, but he shook his head. “Please don’t stop.” He settled onto a couch in front of the bookshelf, crossing his legs and watching me intently.

I continued with the chorus, feeling my cheeks burn; I could have sex with this man, yet singing in front of him made me incredibly nervous. When I stilled my hands, he spoke.

“You have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard,” he said quietly.

I raised my eyebrows, wondering how the chat went. “What did she say?” I got up and sat on the couch parallel to him.

He blinked, then shrugged. “She told me she’d kill me if I hurt you. She said to be careful. And she’s scheduling a tour for Berkeley right now. She wants me to take you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “She’s being surprisingly supportive.”

He nodded. “I was about to get a fake passport and disappear to Costa Rica.”

“She wouldn’t be hunting you down— I would. You better never leave me,” I replied, crossing my arms defiantly.

He gave me a small smile, leaning closer with his elbows on his thighs. “Baby, I’d never dream of leaving you.”