Warning: Slightly mature scenes ahead. Reader's discretion is advised.

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"The next time this happens, I'm taking you to the hospital. Doctor's orders." She warned Larkin, who gave her a quick eye roll. Callie continued to take a sip of the latte in Larkin's coffee jar. She could see why he always took coffee so much, it was almost addictive, sending buzzing rings to her head when the delicious taste kicked in. "I can't believe that the first time you're leaving this house is because of a dress. But when you had the chance to leave here and go to the hospital, you refused. How's that?"

His half shrug still made him wince again. "I've left this house a bunch of times before. It's not the first time. I'm not agoraphobic. I just don't like being seen." His stony look resurfaced. "I usually go to the hospitals at night when I want to do my Xray scans or anything that my doctors can't do in this house."

"Oh. I didn't know that. Well at least you are giving yourself the chance to explore the world."

He cocked his head. There was an incredulous look in his eyes when he wore a tiny frown. "The first time I tried to leave this house, was the week after my parents died. I tried to hide the scars on my face with a hoodie and a pair of dark glasses but it wasn't enough. My neighbors recognized me easily. And do you know what I overheard them say one day while they were gossiping? One said. 'That's the guy who caused his parents' death.'" He paused to give a humorless laugh that worried Callie a lot. "And the other person said. 'Well I'm glad he got what he deserved'. It's stuff like that, that traumatizes people like me. I never got it out of my head and it made me afraid to hear what others had to say."

Recounting her own experience, she said. "Do you know what people said when my mom died? Someone once told my dad to his face that they didn't think we'll be able to survive without my mom. It was cruel and unnecessary, but people would always have something to say. It's just up to you to decide not to let it get to you. That's just life."

He was quiet for a couple of moments. Larkin's next words sliced through the silence of his room. "You should really try chasing a career in Psychology. You're pretty good at this."

She scoffed, unconvinced by what he said. "Please, I haven't fully gotten my shit together yet. I was stupid enough to think that forgetting my mom's death anniversary meant that I was moving on but I still flinch whenever I talk about her. This grief thing is driving me crazy."

His emotionless tone started to soften. "It's a process. We're both crossing the stages, even if it's at a snail pace. It's not gonna happen at once. We lost people we loved, so it won't be easy. We're still growing. Months ago, I couldn't make friends, I was always difficult and battled with my inner demons. Now, I have people that I care about and I'm doing things I'd never have done in a billions years. There was once a time that I'd always carry an umbrella with me whenever I was gardening, so people wouldn't see my face and laugh about my scars. Now I don't use it anymore and would rather give anyone the middle finger if they dared to make fun of me."

Callie remembered the brown polyester umbrella. Larkin carried it around with him when they first met. But that already felt like a lifetime ago. So many things had changed for both of them from that point. Her lips curled up at the memory. "Look who should be aiming at a degree in Psychology instead. It'll suit you too."

"It's actually not a bad idea, but I'll just settle for the counsellor that Dr. Guilbert recommended for me instead. The doctor's concerned about the effects of today's attacks and how it ties to my past losses. I'll do the therapy thing, but my priority right now is to make sure those scumbags that hurt me, go to jail. I'll get the best lawyers that'll make them stay in prison till they're 100 years old and nothing will st—" He leaned forward and let out a small scowl at the pain trooping all over his body.

Callie dropped her weight lightly at the edge of his soft bed and pressed his back to the headboard. Her cup of coffee edged on a table far from them and her cider-brown eyes filled with concern. "Easy there. Why don't you prioritize about getting better first? We'll deal with those scumbags later. You're burning up again." She touched his forehead. The sizzling heat scorching over him made Larkin drag his face into a weary look. "Are you sure you're okay? Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere hurts." He mumbled inaudibly.

"Give me a second." With that, she disappeared through the door in a split second. It didn't take long for her to return with a damp clean napkin that looked exactly like the one his mom bought in Japan.

In a soft tone, she said. "Just tell me where it hurts." Still sitting at the corner, she put the white napkin on her legs and curved closer to him. His gaze tailed her face, a small nod was all the approval she needed, to continue.

The purplish hue of the pockmarks on his face couldn't hide his insanely attractive features. Callie didn't realize how much she loved staring at his face, until now. Eyes as green as leaves from a blooming juniper tree and a face so soft and tanned, it hurt to see how much pain he was in. Her thumb smoothened over the grazes on his pure olive skin. Touching the smooth edges of his beautiful scars. His eyes flickered to hers, wearing a host of emotions that toppled the feelings within her.

Still he was silent, not stopping her and watching her every move with an intensity that would bring anyone to their knees. She continued to trace her fingers down the jagged scar lines that crisscrossed across a huge portion of his face's right side. "Does your face hurt?"

"No." His voice cracked. Callie could see his Adam's apple bobbing. Larkin's breathing had become ragged. Just like hers, but it was taking everything in her to pull herself together.

Drawing her lips tighter, her hands trailed down his chest, tugging what was left of his torn vest. He winced at the rough contact and Callie tried her best to ease it off him gently. Her eyes flickered back to his bare torso. Her mouth dried. He wasn't ripped in a herculean kind of way, but his well developed muscles rippled sexily when he winced again. Walking back and forth on the Manor's three storey stairs did help with something, after all.

Copious strands of hair wisped together and trailed down his firm chest, all the way to his boxer lines that was peeking above his jeans. She could see the newly stitched cuts that Dr. Gilbert just fixed up, right above his waist. But it was the scars on his body that caught her attention the most. It almost made her gasp.

The cicatrice lines puckered and snuck down his chest in a faint pink tint. The ghastly scars overlapped till the mid of his soft abs. Callie didn't even know he had scars on his body too, so this came as a complete surprise to her. "I thought you only had scars on your face."

He answered wryly. "Didn't you notice? I have scars everywhere." Callie knew he just wasn't talking about his face or his chest. He was scarred deeper than the lines on his face and it ripped out whatever that was left of his beautiful heart. His scars ran deep and Callie was afraid that he'd never be able to pull out of it.

Callie snuck her gaze away from Larkin and rested it on the napkin on her lap. She balled the napkin in her fists and dabbed it carefully over his chest, trying hard not to do something stupid. Like kissing him.

She sprung up from the bed, putting enough space between them and fighting whatever illicit desires that were filling her head. The buzzing sound in her head started to ring again, and the heat burning through Callie made her whole body feel like it was on fire. Everything in her wanted to touch him and let his hands hold every part of her but Callie shook it off again. What was wrong with her? Why was she thinking like this? Where did all her weeks of control go to? She fought back a frustrated groan.

Feeling the need to ease her inner turmoil because of him, Callie rambled on like a mad man on the street. Speaking so fast that it made her sound like a terrible rapper, and the puzzled look on Larkin's face made her insides heat up again. "I won't be here for long. I already told my dad that I'd be home by 10 and I also begged my friend, Naomi to pick me up from here by that time too. I'm too frightened to walk out of this house alone." With a quick exhale, she slowed down her words. "I don't want to run into any of those thugs, so Naomi's my safest bet."

"Oh, I was hoping you'd stay longer." He responded in a disappointed tone. Then he shrugged. "But at least you're here now."

Callie said in a aloof manner, trying to keep her voice steady. "Quit talking so much, you'll give yourself a headache." 

His eyes narrowed. The dangerously sexy look in his eyes made her feel breathless. Callie could detect everything on his face. He knew she was avoiding him but Larkin didn't look like he wanted to let her go just yet.

"Hey, come here." His right hand stretched out, motioning for her to come nearer. Nearer to him? The completely hot shirtless guy on the bed? Sirens in her head rang like that of a speeding ambulance but her heart had taken over faster than her brain could process, her raging teenage hormones rose.

Her legs dragged to the bed, Callie's small hands took a hold of his larger soft hands. The heat of his touch snaked over Callie and a deep blush rose to her cheeks. Without giving much thoughts to it, Callie let her desire take her as she climbed into the bed, taking Larkin completely by surprise. He looked hesitant to touch her, his guarded look gave way to little emotions on his face. But then a slow smirk stretched out and made his beautiful face look so mischievous, it was a major turn on. With her legs spread apart, Callie landed on his outstretched legs and eased onto his laps, straddling closer to him. For once, Callie wished she had worn a dress, instead of the denim shorts that hindered her dirty intentions. She could feel his rising bulge aligning between the mid of her legs. It made her heart race and the sudden need to tease him overwhelmed her.

Callie rocked her waist over his bulge, pressing herself deeper and smiling devilishly at the intense look in his eyes. Larkin leaned his head closer to nuzzle her neck. Her back arched, enjoying the spikes of arousal it brought her. "I'm not kissing you just yet."

"Fuck, Callista." His silky voice came out in a low whisper. The familiar hunger in his eyes made her heart flutter. "Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Her feigned innocence made his lips part in amusement. "What are you talking about?"

Chuckling, he closed the gap between them, burying himself against her lithe torso. His face twitched when their bodies pressed together, his aching chest right on the fast-thumping beats beneath hers.

Noticing his pained expression, Callie peered at him. "Are you okay? Does it hurt? We could stop if your whole body hasn't recovered from y—"

Pushing back her hair that tipped strands over her face, Larkin ran his fingers over her jaw, and down her arms affectionately. "I'll make it work."

"Still the doctor wouldn't......" Her words trailed off, drawing out a soft moan when his mouth reached her collarbone. Her most sensitive part ached for his touch. Callie's mind went on haywire as she could feel it building in her core.

Larkin continued to caress her neck with his slow soft kisses, his precision and skill easily made her knees go weak. His sexy lips sent assaults of pleasure over her exposed skin and it made her crave for what those lips would do to hers.

Drawing his lips away, Callie let out a disappointed whimper, her body yearning for more of him. Larkin's free hand traveled to her waist, gripping her in a possessive yet delicate way. A shiver tore through her spine and Callie knew he could feel it too. His eyes dropped momentarily to her lips. Her breath hitched when she caught the brief sight. The burning need for a kiss blazed in their eyes and rooted deeply in their hot, shallow breathing.

The gentle grinding of her hips hadn't slowed down and his grasp on her waist had tightened, thrusting his hips deeper and pushing his erection right where she wanted. His growl, low and rough through each contact. She twisted against him, moaning softly and enjoying the feel of his jeans pressing underneath her shorts. She had no idea that dry-humping him could pull her into an euphoric climax like this and Callie didn't want it to end.

With her arms swung around his neck, her head lowered to meet his lips. Her heart pounded in her ears in eager anticipation. His lips, only an inch away........

But then her phone started to buzz in her pocket, interrupting their heated moment.

With their foreheads touching each other, Larkin's breath fanned over her lips. "Don't pick it up, please."

"I'm sorry, I can't. It must be 10 already and you know what that means." Callie took out her phone to glance at it. Her tiny and adorable-as-hell nose crinkled. It almost made him smile but he knew how crazy she'd act if she knew that he called her nose adorable. "I've gotta go. Naomi's here."

Callie's lips pressed his cheek for barely a second. The affectionate peck failed to linger a little more and Larkin's face clouded at the quick gesture. Callie wanted the toe-curling kiss too but the corners of his lips were still swollen from the punches hurled at him and Callie was worried how much it would physically hurt if they kissed. Still, Callie needed to reassure any of his doubt. "Don't worry, we'll pick up right where we left off."

She slid off his grip and made her way off the bed. Larkin protested. "But tomorrow's the get-together with Maxime and Leona. We won't have time for that."

She shrugged, pacing around to find her handbag. "We'll figure it out. Just promise me that you'd rest." Callie spotted her bag and did a little dance in her head. She really needed to go home. Everything about today overwhelmed her and fatigue started to kick in.

She froze when she heard him say. "I'll miss you."

Her heart glowed. She wished she could run into his arms again, but Naomi was still patiently waiting outside like a good friend. It would be a really selfish thing to do and Naomi deserved better. "I'll miss you too, Larkin." But that was her goodbye to him.

With a small nod, Larkin watched her pack her stuff—including his mom's yellow dress, and left quietly. But it just felt like a part of him had left with her too.

★★★
"Jesus, Cal. Whose house is this?" Naomi asked the first question burning through her head when Callie entered her Porsche.

Callie leaned against the seat, letting its warmth against her back to envelope her. Exhaustion overwhelmed her body and Callie didn't expect all the things that happened today to happen at once. "I'm just so tired. Can we talk about this another time? I'm sorry. Today has just been a long day."

Callie didn't even know where to start if she started explaining her ties to Larkin. Nope, this was a story for another day. All she wanted to do right now, was to fall asleep and bury today's events away from her thoughts.

As usual, Naomi said nothing. Choosing not to upset her visibly exhausted friend and respecting her privacy, even though it hurt.

★★★

Answers to any possible questions in this chapter
Did they have sex?  No.
Did they kiss?  Not yet 😉
Did they have fun? Definitely 😈.
Did they do things that would make a pastor start speaking in tongues, in complete shock at what I wrote? Well, that's for you to decide 😏.

Yep, that's pretty much all the answers to any inquiry on this chapter.

Xoxo
Your dirty minded writer (😈😈),
Jasmine