Every Sweet Regret (Orchid Valley 2)

My heart aches as I reread Kace’s words. This strong, steadfast man is lonely, and if anyone deserves the kind of connection he’s talking about, it’s him. And maybe he isn’t looking for that connection from me, but . . . maybe I can chase away the loneliness for the little time we do spend together. Without thinking too much, I slide on a pair of flip-flops and grab my keys.* * *When I park at Kace’s house, the lights are on in the backyard, so I go straight to the gate. He’s out at the pool, sitting on the patio and staring at his laptop, a baby monitor humming from the side. On the other side of the water, a small fire snaps at the night air.

I hesitate right inside the gate, suddenly unsure if inviting myself over to heal his loneliness was the best plan.

Drawing in a deep breath for courage, I wander toward him. I was already in my pajamas when we started messaging, and I didn’t bother changing. My shirt is light pink and says, “Zzzs for Dayz,” and the tiny matching shorts are barely visible beneath it.

When Kace catches sight of me, his eyes go wide, then a grin slowly stretches across his face. He closes his laptop without taking his eyes off me. “Hey, you.”

I pull out the chair next to him and plop myself into it. “Hey.”

“I thought you’d be out tonight,” he says, searching my face. “It’s Saturday.”

I laugh and fold my legs under me. “I love that you think I’m hitting up the clubs every weekend, but it’s more a rare treat than a regular hobby.” I shrug. “And anyway, I’d rather be here with you. If you don’t mind an uninvited visitor, that is.”

“Not at all.” He glances at the baby monitor, still humming softly. “Hope’s sleeping, but we could . . .” He waves to the pool, which is open, the underwater lights making the water glow blue. “I don’t get in without Hope very often. It might be nice.”

“I didn’t bring a suit.”

His eyes light up before flicking over me. “That’s a shame. I guess you’ll have to swim naked.”

My stomach flutters. If I get naked in that pool with him tonight, I know exactly what’s going to happen, and nervousness sizzles in my blood. About letting him see me entirely naked. About crossing that final line with him. But I muster all my bravado, stand, and wiggle out of my sleep shorts.

Kace watches my every move as I drop them into my chair. I reach for the hem of my shirt, and his nostrils flare. His eyes glued to me, I slowly pull it off over my head and drop it with my shorts. My nipples pucker in the cool evening air. Kace stares at me and swallows. I’m frozen in place but melting under the heat of his gaze. “Stella, you’re perfect.”

He pushes out of his chair, but before he can reach for me, I jog away, tossing him a smile over my shoulder. I climb onto the diving board, run to the end, and swan-dive into the pool.

The water’s warm after so many hot Georgia days, and when I surface, the night air feels cool on my face.

Kace stands at the edge of the pool, barefoot, arms folded, smiling down at me.

I look him over, staring meaningfully at his jeans and T-shirt. “You gonna take those off so you can join me?”

He licks his lips and shrugs. “I don’t know. The view from here is damn sweet.”

My cheeks heat, but I splash him.

With a soft chuckle, he shakes his head, and a second later, he’s removing his shirt with one rough tug then peeling his boxers and jeans from his hips. He steps out of them and right into the pool. When he resurfaces, he treads water and tips his head up to the clear night sky.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask, treading water and inching closer.

Sighing, he shakes his head. “I’m just . . . Nothing.”

“Liar,” I whisper.

He swallows. “I think too much, honestly. I get so damn busy thinking that I miss out on good stuff that’s within arm’s reach.” His gaze drops to my lips, and my breath catches. “I want you so much that I hardly know what to do.”

I close the distance between us with two easy strokes and loop my arms behind his neck, pressing my naked breasts to his hard, bare chest. “You could try kissing me and see what happens then.”

The corner of his mouth hitches into a crooked grin as he slowly lowers his mouth to mine. Every second I wait for our lips to meet, my heart beats faster. Then he’s there, and we both sigh into the kiss, as if we’ve been holding our breath all day and we’re finally able to breathe normally again.