Devour (13 page)

I didn’t miss the innuendo and I smile.
He’s amazing.

“It’s been a long night and I’
m in need of a hot shower before bed. I’ll see you tomorrow night, right?”

“A shower
, huh? Think about me, would you? I’ll sure be thinking about you. I won’t be able to get that image out of my head all night now, Callie. The things you do to me already. It’s going to be a long night.”

“You are definitely a typical guy.
I love you. Goodnight, Cody.”

“I love you
, too. Goodnight Callie.”

I hit the end button on my phone and make sure to program him into my contacts.
Then I put him on number two speed dial, right behind Jane. After I place the phone back down, I get up and stretch my arms out. I’m exhausted.

After heading into my closet to grab a tank and a pair of shorts, I make my way into the bathroom.
I turn the water on really hot. I need to loosen up. All this change is making me tense. I was telling Cody the truth about not enjoying a lot of change in my life.

I soak
myself in the hot water until my skin turns a brilliant pink. I’ve managed to wipe away all my distress and leave nothing but thoughts of Cody. I’m back to grinning like a lovesick girl, which I actually am.

Once I dry off and get dressed, I brush the tangles out of my hair.
I open the bathroom door, letting all the steam escape. My dress is hanging on the back of the bathroom door and that’s where it’s going to stay tonight. I’m so tired.

Trying to distract myself, I place my ear buds in my ears and
start my night time playlist. I’m hoping it will soothe my thoughts and help me fall asleep. I can hardly wait for tomorrow. I want to see Cody so badly. I don’t know if it’s just my feelings or his wrapped in there too. I’m feeling nothing but euphoria from him.

I climb into bed and g
et comfortable. I don’t make it long. I’m just so tired.

As soon as I am awake, I bolt out of bed.
I can’t believe how excited I am to see Cody. All I can think of is running my hands through that sexy hair of his and kissing those soft lips. I want to feel the definition of his muscles and wrap myself in his arms. Just the thought of his intense, hazel eyes settling on mine gives me shivers.

I throw the covers back up half assed over my pillows.
I don’t really care about them this evening. I pull the door to my room open and bound down the stairs into the kitchen. As usual, Mom is already in there, drinking her blood cocktail. I pour myself a glass and have a seat at the table.

“Good
evening sweetie. How are you doing? Are you excited to see Cody?”

“I’m fantastic
, Mom. I’m dying to see Cody. It totally sucks being away from him.” (Listen to me with the vampire jokes today. I crack me up.)

“It’s good to see you in such good spirits.
It’s something I only ever see when you go hunting with Jane.”

That d
oes it. That stops all thoughts of Cody. The room goes silent and I know she feels bad, I can see it in her eyes. I’m stunned though. I’ve managed to temporarily forget Chase in my excitement over seeing Cody.

I take another sip of my blood in silence.
Then Dad walks in. He can feel the tension in the room and just dives right in. “Your mother and I will deal with Chase today while you’re with Cody. With any luck, he’ll be gone when you get home.”

I look up, hopeful.
This mess could be over today. Then I can get on with my life with Cody. I can only hope. “Thanks Mom and Dad. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t thank us yet.
We don’t even know if it will work,” Dad says.

I drain my cup and jump
up with excitement. “Well, I have to go get ready for my date with Cody. I’ll see you guys after I get back, okay?”

“Sure, dear.
Have fun tonight. Cody’s a good boy. You are lucky to have him in your life now, Callie,” Mom replies.

I just smile and hurry up to my room.
When I get there, I notice my phone is lit up. I have a text and a voicemail. I listen to the voicemail first and it’s from Jane.

“Hey girl, I need the scoop.
I didn’t find a mate, so I have to live vicariously through your mating. Call me sometime tonight when you get a chance! Later babe.”

Shaking my
head at her voicemail, I check my text. My heart starts beating wildly. It’s from Cody.

Good evening,
princess. I love you. I’ll see you at nine.

I hurry up and send a reply before taking my shower.

I love you too! Can’t wait to see you! I’ll be waitin
g


I’
m still wearing my stupid grin when I get out of the shower. Now I have to find something to wear. It’s warm enough out, but I don’t want to dress in anything too skimpy. Easy access equals getting carried away. That means sundresses are out.

I narrow it down to a pair of frayed
, jean shorts, but I’m still trying to find the perfect shirt. Finally, my eyes land on a teal tank top trimmed with lace on top and bottom. It’s perfect. I put everything on and search for shoes. I go with a pair of sequin trimmed, black sandals.

Satisfied, I spend the rest of the time drying my hair and fixing my makeup.
My hair is down and straight like usual. It’s always straight. My hair is next to impossible to curl. I finish my makeup with expert care.

Finally ready, I shove my phone in my back pocket and head downstairs.
Mom and Dad are still in the kitchen so I go into the living room and turn on the television. I try to watch it, but I’m so keyed up that my thoughts keep straying to Cody.

I pull my phone out and look at the time.
Its ten minutes until nine. I tap my foot anxiously. This waiting thing is hard. I just want to be in his arms, kissing him, connecting with him. Finally, I just give up and shut the television off. I have no desire to watch it anyway.

I’m about to go in and talk to
Mom and Dad as a distraction, when the doorbell rings. I practically knock Finn, the butler, out of the way in my attempt to get to the door. I throw it open and fling myself in Cody’s arms.

He has a bouquet
of flowers in his hands but manages to get them away before I crash into him. I take one look into those hazel eyes I’m coming to adore and kiss him. The world just falls away as I melt into the kiss. I feel a sense of comfort being in his arms again.

“Mm, it’s good to see you
, too,” he says between the kisses I am raining down on him.

When I pull away, I’
m smiling. He hands me the bouquet of flowers. “These are for you. They’re not as beautiful as you, but they will have to do.”

They are a dozen red roses.
I inhale the sweet fragrance and I am still grinning like an idiot. I tug him inside with me while I go to the kitchen to put the roses in a vase.

Mom
sees us and puts her hands out. “Just hand me the flowers honey. I’ll get them in some water. You go enjoy yourself.”

“Thanks
, Mom.”

“You’re welcome and have fun.”

I squeeze Cody’s hand tightly and we head out into the warm summer evening. He places his hands on my waist as he guides me to the truck. He is all gentlemanly as he opens my door and helps to lift me up into his big, black truck.

I can tell it’s no hardship
for him to place his hands on my waist and lift me up into the seat. His muscular frame is hot. He shuts the door behind me and slides into the driver’s seat. I’m at ease. Being in Cody’s presence again has lulled me into a sense of peace and happiness.

He grasps my hand and pulls it to his lips and kisses it.
Then we are off, pulling out of my driveway and onto the road. The moonlight spills over the view of the community and I admire it. I must have been smiling because Cody brings my attention back to him.

“What’s making you so happy?
You feel very Zen right now.”

“There are a million different ways I could answer that question.
The moonlight flooding the valley is gorgeous, I’m with you, I’m in love. Do I need to go on?”

“I don’t know, I think I have you beat.
I’m in love with the most beautiful princess in all the land and for some reason, she loves me back. I can’t wait for Saturday. I want to be with you, united, in love and together. There couldn’t be anything better in this life.”

I’
m blushing now. He’s laying it on thick, but I like it. It makes me feel loved and like the princess I am. Who could have foreseen this? Cody and I are true mates and by some miracle, we’ve found each other.

It’s a short drive to his house and we are there in minutes.
He parks and hurries around to open the door for me. Once again, he grasps my hips and lifts me out of the truck. Only this time, I slide down and come face to face with him just inches from me.

I
breach the gap and indulge in a kiss. He tastes like cinnamon mint. He must use cinnamon toothpaste. Yum. My body is pressed against him and he leans me into the side of the truck. I close my eyes and let everything fall away except the feel of his mouth caressing mine.

He pulls away first, but I can feel how excited he is.
It is very satisfying to know I have that effect on him. “You are going to get me in trouble, Callie. We can’t do this out here, and I certainly have no willpower against your feminine wiles.”

“Who says I have any willpower when it comes to you?” I tease.

“Come on, woman. Let’s go make our appearance for my parents. I think they want to grill us.”

“Ugh, are you sure we can’t get out of it?”

“My parents are very persistent. It is inevitable so we might as well get it over with.”

“Okay, but you owe me later,” I reply with a wink.

“I’m counting on it,” he says in a husky tone that leaves no room for doubt.

Cody pushes open the door and we step inside.
I’ve never been to Cody’s house. Shocking, I know, given the small community that we are. Truth is, I’ve never been close to Cody until now. His parents ran in the same circles as mine, but we usually weren’t allowed around the grown up events. I see Lana at school and hang out with her occasionally, but we’ve never spent time here.

I’m not surprised when Lana bounds down the stairs and wraps me up in a big hug.
“Holy hot sauce, I am going to have a sister! You’re the best sister I could imagine having. I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Thanks
, Lana. I’m pretty excited myself. Your brother’s amazing. It’ll be great to spend more time with you.”

“I’d love that
, Callie. I’ve always wanted a cool sister.”

“I’ll tell you what.
I need to go out with Jane one day this week to get my mating gown. Would you like to come with us? We can catch dinner, too. Make a girl’s night out of it,” I suggest even though the thought of being away from Cody makes me ill.

“That’d be awesome!
Just give me a call when you get the date nailed down.”

“I will,” I say before turning my attention to Cody again.

“Alright, let’s do this. Lana, we’ll see you later.”

He tugs me gently towards a room down a short hallway.
Cody knocks on the door and we wait until his Dad says, “come in.” He opens the door and we step into a gorgeous sitting room.

“Oh
, Callie. It’s great to see you again,” Mrs. Gregoria says to me.

“Thanks
, Mrs. Gregoria. It’s great to be here.”

“Oh
, dear, call me Ginger and Cody’s Dad is Nick. You are going to be family. None of this formal stuff anymore.”

“Okay
, Ginger. Thanks.”

Cody pulls me down to the rich
, gold settee and I scoot into him. His presence soothes me. I only hope it will always be like this.

“It’s so great to see a young couple in love.
I can only hope Lana finds someone special the way you two have found each other. Being true mates is an amazing gift,” Ginger says.