Chapter 22

Faith slowly opened her eyes, still trying to catch her breath. She suddenly realized, that somehow, they were lying on the grass, Callum's body was hovering over hers. The warmth and weight of his body felt too good for her to move, and his smell was inebriating.

"We should head back," she said, almost in a whisper, still with shortness of breath and still trying to process the feeling of Callum on top of her.

"Let's just stay a little longer." He smirked, without moving an inch, wishing that they could stretch this moment, wishing they could stay there indefinitely. Faith in is his arms, close enough for him to be able to count the freckles around her nose. Close enough to see the different shades of green in her eyes. Close enough for him to believe that she was and would always be his. And he knew, with his whole heart, that he belonged to her.

Damned charming smiles... she cursed while feeling the butterflies take over her whole body and a strange warmth taking over her entire being. "I..." she stuttered, her breathing still irregular and head dizzy. "I'm pretty sure it's going to rain."

"What? No way. Look at this sunset."

"I can smell it in the air."

Callum chuckled. "You can?"

"Trust me. It's going to rain."

Callum got up and slowly pulled Faith up from the grass towards him, his hands on her waist while she regained her balance. Even with the thick sweater she was wearing, Faith could feel his warmth burning into her skin, making her heartbeats irregular and out of control. He placed a tender kiss and the back of her hand as he helped her up to the saddle, and Faith could swear that her skin was tingling with the feeling of his lips on her.

They were almost at the stables when the downpour started. A few more seconds and they would've gotten there before getting drenched and cold. Faith took care of Butter while they waited for the rain to stop, but there were no signs that the storm would go away anytime soon.

"So, I guess you were right after all," Callum said as he looked outside at the distance that they would have to run under the pouring rain so that they could reach the house. "How did you know? Have I been wrong about you all this time and you are not the princess but the wicked witch instead?" He smirked.

Faith chuckled. "No sorcery of any kind. I promise. I've spent enough time around this area to notice the little changes. There's a microclimate around here. It can be sunny and warm in the mornings and a storm at night. Pretty common."

"So, not a witch in disguise?"

"No. Do I look that bad? Do I look like a witch at all?"

Callum walked closer to Faith, narrowing the distance between. He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "You look perfect. Soaked hair and all." He smirked and Faith's heart skipped a beat, and she could feel her cheeks burning. "How are we going to get to the house?"

"Make a run for it?"

"No choice, I suppose. Ready?" Callum asked while grabbing her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers.

Faith nodded. "Let's go."

Between giggles, Faith and Callum ran to the house, while trying to not slip on the puddles of mud that were starting to form all over the property.

"Oh my. You two are soaked. Let me go get some towels and dry clothes," Angela said as soon as she saw them by the front door, looking like they had gone for a swim and leaving a trail of footprints behind them.

Angela quickly came back with a bunch of towels. The storm outside didn't seem to show any signs of slowing down, and the lights were starting to flicker.

"These are some of my son's clothes. He leaves stuff behind every time he visits. You two are about the same size, so it should fit you. I hope it's okay."

"These are perfect. Thank you so much."

"The two of you should take a warm shower before changing. I left some extra towels in the guest bedroom. There's everything you need in the bathroom."

"Thank you so much, Angela."

"Please, make yourselves at home. You might be stuck here for a while."

"What do you mean?" Faith asked as Callum and she glanced at each other.

"I just heard on the news that the storm should last a few hours. The roads will likely get flooded and muddy since it hadn't rained in a while. The lights might go out too. Downsides of living this far out in the countryside, I suppose. But all should be good in the morning. And we are up hill so, the ranch won't get flooded."

"But we don't want to impose, Angela."

"No at all, my dear. You know I love to have you around, and besides, it's not like we really have a choice. You two go and get changed, and I'll make us some dinner before the lights go out."

Faith knew that there was only one guest bedroom in the house. Even then, she didn't know exactly how she felt about having to share it with Callum. Angela had clearly assumed that they were a couple, even though neither Callum nor Faith said it. We're not exactly just friends either, are we? She thought while looking at the bed in the middle of the room.

"Do you want to shower first?" Callum's voice brought her back to the present moment.

"What?"

"What were you thinking about, princess?" He grinned.

She gulped. "Nothing."

"I was asking if you wanted to shower first."

"Oh...But then you'll stay in those clothes for too long."

"How about we shower together then, princess?" Callum said with a grin. "Solves the problem."

Faith turned her back to Callum right when she started turning as red as a tomato. "Never mind. I'll go first. I promise I'll be quick."

Callum chuckled. "You sure you don't want some company in there?"

"I'm sure." Faith yelled back from the bathroom.

As the warm water touched her skin, Faith could only think about the warmth of Callum's body on top of hers and how nothing else felt as good as his touch on her skin and his lips on hers. Damn it... She took a deep breath before turning off the water.

Callum heard the water stop running and couldn't help but to feel a bit disappointed. He had hoped he could've joined her for at least a lit bit. I'm daydreaming too much, aren't I? He sighed. Faith walked out of the bathroom, looking a bit flustered, which made him smirk. What were thinking about in there? He wondered.

Faith sat on the bed and grabbed her phone. She had a bunch of texts from Mira, talking about how bored she was.

M: Up for dinner? Richard went to watch a game with his friends.

Fay: Stuck at the ranch. There's a storm. Roads are cut. Heading back tomorrow.

M: Bummer. I'm bored...

M: Wait...

M: Does that mean you're stuck at the ranch with the handsome doctor/gardener? Alone in the middle of a storm <3

Fay: Stop it.

Fay: But yes...

M: I want to know everything

M: I NEED to know everything

Fay: Nothing to know. But we are sharing the guest bedroom

M: No way! One bed? Best rom-com trope ever. I love it!!!! I'm squealing

M: Lunch tomorrow when you come back. I want to hear everything about your little adventure. Bye. Love you. Be safe

As Callum walked out of the bathroom, he saw Faith sitting at the edge of the bed while smiling at her phone.

"With a smirk like that, is prince charming on the other side of the screen?"

Faith raised her eyes from her phone and looked up at Callum. He was still buttoning up a flannel shirt, so she managed to get a glimpse of his abs. There were still some water drops rolling down his body. "What?" Faith swallowed dry, completely unable to hide the fact that she was drooling over him, which made him smirk. "Mira. It's Mira. She's bored and wants to go out."

"Well, I don't really think we can leave anytime soon." Callum pulled the curtain to the side and stared at the rain that had been pouring without breaks.

"What are we going to do? How are we going to pass the time?"

"I can think of a couple of things," Callum said with a mischievous grin.

"What?" Faith turned red from head to toe. Her imagination was getting a little wild.

"You know what. Weren't you gawking at me just now?" Callum said, leaning over Faith, pushing her onto the bed. His knee, on the bed, right beside her hips, and his arms beside her shoulders.

"What?" Faith mumbled. She couldn't think straight anymore.

Callum smirked before leaning in to kiss her. Faith wrapped her fingers around his hair and instinctively pulled him closer.

"Dinner is on the table. Come down when you're ready," Angela yelled form the corridor.

Faith was red and out of breath again. Her heart pounding and she was pretty sure she was losing control over all her brain functions.

"Let's go. We can pick up where we left off after dinner." Callum winked.

"What?" Faith's heart skipped a beat. Or maybe it stopped all together. She wasn't entirely sure.

"Are you okay, Faith?" Callum chuckled.

"Fine. Perf... Perfectly fine. Why do... Why do you ask?"

He couldn't help but to chuckle again. "No reason in particular." Callum placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"You know exactly what you're doing. You're making me weird. My brain is not... braining."

"That's not an actual term."

"Well...Now it is, because I can't think of anything else right now."

How adorable... Callum grabbed her again and kissed her.

Dinner was a delicious stew that Angela made with vegetables she grew herself. She managed to finish cooking the meal right before the lights went out, but they had to eat dinner under the candlelight. Callum was delighted to see photos of young Faith still learning how to ride and to hear all the stories Angela had about her.

"Here are some pyjamas. Let me know if you need anything. I'm sorry I can't stay up any longer. I'm not as young as you two."

"Thank you. Oh, and Angie, do you still have all of those board games?"

"I do. There still in the same place. Pick any you want. Good night." Angela left, leaving them alone in the living room, with the just the thundering and the candle lights.

"Board games?" Callum raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. There's a bunch. I used to play with Mira and Angela's son, and some of their cousins. Let's go. Let's pick one." Faith dragged Callum into Angela's office and opened a cabinet with a huge collection of old board games.

"This is impressive," he muttered while looking at games he remembered from his own childhood.

"Is there one you like in particular?"

"Is that an old Monopoly with actual paper bills? Not the credit card version?"

Faith chuckled. "Do you want to go back to your childhood and play that one?"

"I do. I really do."

"You sure? Monopoly takes a while to finish."

"Are you in a rush for something, princess?" He asked with a smirk.

"What? No." She blushed. "Oh look, is that hungry hungry hippos?"

"It is. Let's play that one."

They sat the game on the centre table in the living room, carefully placing the candles around them.

"Let's make this more interesting." Callum had a mischievous smile on his lips.

"How?" Her heart fluttered.

"Winner gets to ask for something."

"Anything?"

"Anything at all. Are you up for it, princess?"

Faith hoped that the candlelight was dim enough to hide her blushed complexion. "I'll make sure I win then."

Callum chuckled. "Let's see about that."

Between giggles and swears, the game came to an end and Callum was victorious, which he couldn't be more pleased about.

"So, do you know what you want as your prize?" Faith asked while the butterflies caused a storm. Even under the candlelight, Faith could see Callum's eyes, how intense his gaze was, how he was solely focused on her.

"I do." He said with one of his smiles that made her world stop.

She gulped. "So, what is it?"

"Kiss me."

"What?" she almost squealed.

"Come over here and kiss me."

Callum needed to know that Faith wanted him as much as much as he wanted her. He needed to know how much she desired him, too. Take the initiative, princess... He though with a smirk, while he stared at her. You want your butterflies, don't you? Chase after them, then...

Faith's heart was beating so fast that she could hear it. She could feel the blood rushing through her whole body. Trembling, she leaned forward, the centre table still between them. Callum stood still and waited for Faith to place a soft kiss on his lips.

"Happy with you prize?"

"Not yet." He didn't smile nor did he move his eyes from her. There's an overwhelming intensity coming from him at that moment.

"What then?" Faith asked in a whisper.

Callum blew out the candles, got up, pulled Faith towards him and kissed her with a passion she had never felt before. With the storm outside and the lightning guiding their path, Callum held Faith in his arms and took her to the bedroom.