A shudder runs through me, and I gasp. I tighten my legs around his hips and push up against him as the waves of pleasure dance through my body. I keep holding onto him—arms and legs refusing to release the lock around him—until I feel him tense and hear him cry out my name as he fills me.
He collapses on top of me for a few seconds before rolling to the side, taking me with him. I feel him slip out of me, and I can’t help but notice he again didn’t say anything about condoms or birth control. Not that it matters now, at least, not in terms of pregnancy. We’ve never really talked about his past relationships or how many women he’s been with, and I start to wonder if I am as naïve as everyone thinks I am.
Nate reaches over and strokes the side of my face, pulling me from my dark, unsure thoughts. We lie on our sides, looking at each other. Nate keeps smiling and stroking my face, and I smile back as I run my hand up and down his arm. The silence is a comfortable one, and his warmth wards off the chill from outside.
I still haven’t told him.
The bandage cliché runs through my head, and I know I should just tell him. I have a pretty good idea that he will be happy about it, but uttering the words feels like a huge step, and I’m hesitant to interrupt the moment.
It has to be done.
“Nate, there’s something I need to tell you.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. I don’t know how to say this, and I’m barely mentally prepared to understand the implications myself. I can’t say it yet.
“What is it?”
I look away, not responding.
“Cherry?”
I feel like we’re at a turning point, and bringing up the pregnancy right at this moment might not be the best idea. Aside from being terrified to say it aloud, I don’t want this reconciliation to be about the baby. I want it to be about us.
“Janna Ramsay was here,” I blurt out.
“What?” Nate’s face goes pale as he props himself up on his elbow.
“She came here about a week ago, giving me a sales pitch about how we were sisters.”
“What did you do?”
“I listened for a little while, then threw her out.” I expect him to laugh, but he doesn’t.
“She actually came here and introduced herself? What did she say?”
“Well,” I say, suddenly realizing I’m not ready for this conversation either, “she did talk about your brother a little. She said Jay acted in self-defense.”
“She actually told you that? She admitted that she killed Micha?”
“She said it was Jay, but yes. She also said your father knew.”
“He couldn’t have known.” Nate scoffs at the revelation. “If he had, he would have taken Jay out without hesitation.”
“I can only tell you what she told me. She said Carlo knew Micha started it. She also said it was all because Micha was looking into me.”
“I came to that conclusion myself. We hadn’t had any significant disputes with the Ramsays for a while, and it was the only thing that made sense. Still, I can’t believe she had the audacity to show up here. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t think she would have…hurt me or anything.”
“I wouldn’t put it past her. Actually, sister or not, if she knew how much it would hurt me, she’d probably do it.”
We gather our clothes and dress in silence, Nate still looking pensive.
“It’s not safe for you here alone,” he eventually says. “Will you come back to Cascade Falls with me? If you don’t, I’m going to have to find some other way to keep you safe.”
“You really think it’s dangerous?”
“I think it’s possible.” He sighs, and I see the fallen look on his face. “You wouldn’t have to stay with me indefinitely.”
“I’ll move back,” I say. “There isn’t anything here for me now. I know that.”