Every Sweet Regret (Orchid Valley 2)

I saw the look on Amy’s face when Hope mentioned me living in the pool house. I know it’s just a matter of time before Kace tells me I’m no longer welcome. I’m trying to be positive, to tell myself I’ll find something, that this is better anyway, but what I’m feeling right now isn’t really about where I’ll be living. It’s about the way Kace looks at me and the fact that Amy has the power to make him pull away from me completely. She wouldn’t, would she? Not when I’ve kept her secret.

The doubt gnaws at my concentration, so I sit in my mom’s living room, staring at the chemistry equation, and wait for the guy I’ve loved half my life to break things off or to ask me to find somewhere else to live or both.

The best part of my day was making slime with Hope. She smiled, giggled, and thanked me a hundred times. Every once in a while, I’d catch Kace watching me, some unidentifiable emotion twisting his face. It made me appreciate Hope that much more. At least an almost-five-year-old will tell you what she’s thinking.

A knock sounds at the front door, and Rusty jumps off the couch and rushes to greet our visitor with a wagging tail. I follow reluctantly, but Kace lets himself in before I get far.

He stoops to his haunches to scratch the dog behind the ears. “Hey, buddy. Are you hanging out with Stella? Are you the luckiest boy?”

Rusty responds by licking Kace’s face.

Kace chuckles and gives the dog one final butt pat. Standing, he studies my face, worry creasing his. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“It’s not your fault.” I shrug. Like it’s no big deal. Like Amy’s hatred doesn’t bother me at all. In truth, I want to scream that she’s the one who did something wrong. It’s not fair that she treats me like I’m toxic when my only crimes were being a naïve college student and knowing her secret.

“Amy is . . .” He shakes his head. “Can I come in? I’d like to sit and talk this out.”

By all means, let’s get comfortable before you break my heart. I wave my arms toward the living room. “After you.”

Kace takes in my chemistry book waiting on the couch and lowers himself into the love seat. “First of all, the pool house is yours if you want it. That hasn’t changed.”

I brace myself, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “I’m shocked Amy’s on board with that plan.”

He sighs. “She’s not a huge fan, but it’s not her choice.” He waves to the couch. “Will you sit before I pull you onto my lap and forget why I’m here?”

Oh. I bite my lip. Giddy relief bubbles through my veins. “What if I’d rather be on your lap?”

The corner of his mouth hitches into a smile. “We both know there won’t be much talking if I get my hands on you.”

“Huh. I recall you doing quite a bit of talking every time your hands have been on me, actually.”

“That’s it.” He wraps his arms around me and sweeps me off my feet. I squeal and wiggle as he settles me onto his lap. He studies me, then his smile falls away. “You do something to me,” he whispers. “I cannot stop thinking about you.”

There’s a balloon in my chest growing fuller and fuller. “I think about you all the time too.”

His gaze drops to my mouth. “If I start kissing you now, I’m not going to want to stop.”

I thread my fingers through his hair, toying with the ends of it. “We’re on my mom’s couch.”

“I know.”

I hold on to his shoulders and shift on his lap until I’m straddling him, and we’re face to face. “What did Amy say about me taking the pool house?”

He groans. “I’d rather talk about the things I could do to you right here.”

“That could be fun, but then I’d need a demonstration, and that’s pretty risky if we don’t want Mom knowing about this.” It’s a veiled question, and I regret it the minute it slips out. Am I your dirty little secret?

He cuts his eyes toward the dark hallway that leads to her bedroom. “She’s here?”

“Not at the moment, but she has the day off work. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”

“Shame.” His gaze dips to my mouth for a beat, then drops to sweep over my breasts. I swear, a visual perusal by Kace is better than the touch of any guy I’ve ever been with. My skin tingles. “Then again, this couch isn’t nearly big enough for me to do all the things I’ve been thinking about.”

God, I want to kiss him. Instead, I lean my forehead against his. “You’re avoiding the question.”

His hands slide down my back. “Hmm?”