Page 175 of Let Me In

He brings my knuckles to his lips. Kisses them once.

Then, quietly— “Come to bed with me.”

My breath catches.

Not because I’m afraid.

Because I’m ready. Because I’ve never wanted anything more.

I nod.

He doesn’t wait for words.

He lifts me.

Bridal-style. Like I weigh nothing, and carrying me is just what he does. His skin is warm and slick against mine, arms iron-strong and steady as they cradle me close. I can feel the thrum of his heart where my chest meets his, solid and sure.

My arms loop around his neck, my cheek pressing back into his shoulder.

He carries me down the hallway, every step slow and sure.

It’s not dark; the room is warm with soft shadows and those steady arms that always make me feel wanted. The quiet press of his breath against my temple.

He doesn’t rush, not a single step.

When we reach the bed, he sets me down with a care that makes my heart ache.

Not like I’m fragile. Like I’m his, and this is how he treats what belongs to him.

The sheets are cool against my skin. The towel slips from my shoulders. His jaw tightens, just slightly, but enough to betray the depth of his restraint. The stormglass of his gaze darkens, not with lust, but with something deeper. Like awe. Like thesight of me, bared and willing, is more than he knows what to do with.

And Cal just stands there for a moment. His eyes trace every inch of me like he’s trying to memorize this, us, before it even begins.

I feel exposed, but not in the way I expected.

Not embarrassed, or afraid.

Just… open.

His.

I watch him pull his towel free. Slow and deliberate, and when he steps closer, there’s no weight in his footsteps—just intention.

“Emmy,” he says, low and sure.

“Yes?”

He sits at the edge of the bed, his hands skimming the outsides of my thighs, before he leans in.

And kisses me. His lips part mine like a promise. His tongue sweeps once, slow and absolute. Deep.

When he pulls back, we’re both breathless.

“You sure, sweet girl?”

I nod, but he doesn’t move. The intensity of his gaze holds mine.

“Use your words.”

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