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She leaned in close, lips brushing the shell of his ear, warm breath sending a shiver down his spine. “Maybe we could go use the hot spring. Now. Together.”
Oh. Shit.
Cal nearly dropped her. “You… want to take a soak in the hot spring? Right now? With me?”
Sage pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, her gaze full of lust and even more love, bright and shining. Then she tilted her head with feigned innocence. “Well… I could go with Brutus, Daddy, but he’d get hair everywhere and—”
Come on, Cal. Now or never.
Before he could overthink it, he hoisted her up and over his shoulder in one smooth motion. Sage let out a bright burst of laughter that filled the whole house as he turned and headed straight for the front door.
“Wait! Haha—Cal! Don’t we need towels and—”
Smack.
His hand landed firmly on the generous curve of her ass, appreciating the soft, beautiful jiggle that followed. “No,” he said, completely deadpan. “Tactically, that would be a big mistake.”
Sage laughed even harder, kicking her feet playfully. “Oh really? Why’s that, Mr. Navy Man?”
He stepped out onto the snow-dusted porch, boots crunching softly, moving carefully but with purpose. The cold night air nipped at his skin, sharp and clean, while Sage’s warmth radiated against his shoulder. Brutus cracked one lazy eye from his bed near the door, then went right back to sleep.
“Because, sweetheart,” Cal rumbled, “I don’t plan on letting you get cold.”
Her laughter softened into something quieter, warmer, as he carried her across the yard and into the barn. He nudged the heavy door shut behind them with his foot, then gently set her down on the wooden floor.
“Cal?” she asked softly, looking up at him.
“Yeah, baby girl?”
Sage smiled — slow, radiant — and reached for the hem of her sweater. She pulled it up and over her head in one smooth motion, revealing smooth skin kissed by the soft golden light of the barn lanterns.
“It’s about fucking time.”
SAGE
Sage’s heart hammered against her ribs as she dropped her sweater onto the hay-strewn floor. Cool night air kissed her bare skin, pebbling her pierced nipples beneath the thin lace of her bra, but the heat in Cal’s eyes burned hotter than any winter chill.
Finally.
She watched him—all seven-foot-four of solid, battle-hardened mountain of a man—swallow hard, those huge hands flexing at his sides like he didn’t quite know what to do with them. God, he was beautiful when he was nervous. And tonight she was done waiting.
“Cal?”
He met her gaze and gave a small, wordless nod, throat working.
“I’m going to take these pants off,” she said softly, “and I’m going to try really hard not to drag you straight into the hayloft.”
His mouth twitched—almost a smile. Good. He was still with her.
She hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her yoga pants, pausing just long enough to let the moment stretch. “Then, Daddy… I’m going to walk out the back of the barn to the hot spring. And I expect you to join me. Okay?”
Cal’s eyes stayed locked on hers, bright with nerves and something deeper. He knew exactly what she was doing—giving him control even while she led. He loved her so much for trusting him with this.
He drew in a slow, shaky breath. “I love you, Sage. I want this.” Then he closed his eyes, voice dropping to a bashful rumble. “I just… don’t know what the heck I’m doing.”
Sage’s heart squeezed. She peeled the tight fabric down her thighs and stepped out, standing completely bare before him—soft belly, wide hips, the smooth, hairless swell of her pussy already slick and aching. Moonlight silvered her skin and caught on the little silver rings through her nipples.
“That’s okay, baby,” she whispered, stepping closer until her breasts brushed his shirt. “We’ll figure it out together.” She searched his face as his eyes finally opened again, drinking in the storm of emotions there; shock, wonder, longing, love, and that sweet edge of nervousness. “I promise I’ll stop the second you say.”
