Chapter 20 #2
I want you, he groaned into my mouth, and the sound traveled straight between my legs. All the way, Val. Taste you, feel you, hear you.
Impossible. And it frustrated me just as much.
I’d hoped, now that we’d been touching whenever we could, I’d be more satisfied.
Wouldn’t want him as badly as I did back when I couldn’t touch him at all.
But it had made it worse. Tasting his lips on mine, his teeth playfully digging into my lower lip, his hands all over me and all those filthy sounds and words whispered against my skin.
It drove me crazy. With everyone around. We can’t—
I know. His lips traveled down my neck, and I threw my head back in response. My lips parted, and every sound that wanted to make it past them, I held back. This will have to do, I know. But a man can dream.
So could a woman.
And I was. Of a reality in which Caden and I were the only ones living here.
Where I could wear nothing but oversized shirts, and he could walk around with that God-forsaken towel hanging low on his waist. Where a single fleeting touch would leave us naked, sprawled across various surfaces— couch, kitchen island, sun chairs.
A reality in which we could have each other anywhere, all the time, and wouldn’t have to worry about the sounds we might make when we came in sync, because no one was around to hear them.
The thought alone was enough to consider having him right here, right now. I could. If I’d had the guts, I’d get on my knees, take him out of those swim shorts, and wrap my lips around him right here, behind the kitchen island.
Thankfully, my consideration was cut short. Somewhere behind us, I heard the door to the yard slide open. We had about two seconds before—
Valentina?
We shot apart. Caden started frantically cleaning the kitchen, and I turned on my heels to get to the fridge. By the time Iris could see us, I was neck deep in it—not to find the cooled water, but to regulate my body back to a normal temperature. To get that blush off my cheeks.
Water! I announced, then closed the fridge forcefully with a bottle in hand. I threw it at Iris, and was lucky she caught it before it broke her nose. Sorry, I winced.
Her brows furrowed, eyes scanning the chilled bottle in her hand before returning back to me. Once, they flicked to Caden, pouring his smoothie into a glass.
Could we be any more obvious?
Before she could make an observation, Anni and Alfie joined us inside, dripping across the floor. Ready? The blonde sent a questioning glance across the three of us, who were tiptoeing around (what I thought was) the obvious.
Caden jumped at the opportunity. For what? he asked, around a mouthful of smoothie. I was impressed it wasn’t dripping down his chin.
And it seemed—lucky me—Iris dismissed her suspicion.
It only made me feel worse, though. We wanted to head into Isleton, she said, and took a sip of water.
Get ice-cream, stroll along the boardwalk for a bit.
Her eyes found mine, and her brows rose questioningly.
Talk about that phone call, she added, only to me.
Alfie, oblivious, announced: Go shopping, maybe.
I thought of Caden’s hypocritical words. Say no, sometimes. Then say yes other times.
Maybe this was a harmless enough thing to say no to—just to try it out? See what it felt like? If they didn’t like it, I could still just let myself be convinced.
I glanced around the room. Why don’t you go ahead? I think I’m gonna pass this time.
Anni’s head flew in my direction. Iris, already looking at me, furrowed her brows. Alfie seemed outright shellshocked, blinking at me with wide, blue eyes. Then, all three of them shot toward me at once.
Are you okay? Anni asked.
Do you feel sick? Alfie wondered at the same time.
The back of Iris’ hand pressed against my forehead while she concluded, It’s the heat, isn’t it? You’ve got a heatstroke? You need to sit, Valentina.
As if the task needed three people, they walked me over to the couch, pushed me into the pillows and looked at me with wide, concerned eyes. Caden walked around the couch, amusement across his features. When Iris gestured for me to lay back, I couldn’t help a laugh.
Guys, I snickered, but did as I was told regardless. Iris’ hand was on my forehead again. I’m fine. Really, I added when they just looked at me like I’d lied under oath.
So what? You just… don’t want to go? Anni asked, still doubtful.
My eyes flicked to Caden behind the group, and he inclined his head in an encouraging nod. On his lips, he wore a smile I hadn’t seen on him before. Proud, maybe? Excited, most definitely.
I was well on my way to mirror the sentiment, but that was obliterated when Iris said, Oh.
My heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach, because my brain couldn’t differentiate between sensing disappointment and being held at gunpoint.
I couldn’t quite figure out what the look on her face meant. They were mad, probably. Thinking I wasn’t appreciating my time with them, wondering if they’d done anything wrong—
Alright then! Iris clapped her hands together. Fair enough. Anyone going with us, we’re leaving in fifteen minutes. Chop Chop! To me, she whisper-shouted, But don’t think I forgot about Lisa.
Like the non-biological siblings they were, Alfie and Anni raced each other to their rooms. Iris blew me a kiss, then ran after them. And not one of them seemed upset about my decision.
And maybe dreams did come true, because half an hour later, Caden and I had the house to ourselves.