Every Time I Fall (Orchid Valley 3)

She’s dressed in typical Abbi fashion—black cropped pants and a loose sleeveless top—but her feet are bare, her flip-flops discarded on the patio, and there’s something unexpectedly sexy about seeing her curl her toes in the grass.

It’s been years since I let myself really look at Abbi Matthews, years since I let myself indulge in fantasies of the woman who shut me down in such an epic way on her twenty-first birthday. So naturally, I spent a lot of time thinking in that week after offering to show her just how good she can be in bed.

A lot of time. Some of it’s been innocent. Some of it’s been straight-up X-rated.

I didn’t let myself text her or randomly show up at The Orchid—even though I was tempted to do both. I let her stew in it. I realize I’m playing with fire here. Taking my best friend’s little sister to bed just to prove something to her is insane. Add in some history and long-ago-buried feelings, and it’s probably a recipe for disaster.

For this reason alone, I don’t want to rush her. I might be okay with pushing the boundaries of our friendship, but maybe she’s not. Hell, maybe I’m imagining the way she looks at me sometimes. Maybe she doesn’t want to take me up on my offer because she’s not attracted to me.

Only, she hasn’t said no yet. And the way she keeps sneaking glances my way tells me I’m not the only one who’s been doing some thinking this week.

“Kace,” Abbi says, leaning on her brother in an uncharacteristically sloppy show of affection, “I’m so glad you bought this place. I swear I want to live at your pool next summer. I love it, and I love you, brother.”

Kace stares at his sister, baffled. “Are you drunk?”

“Totally drunk,” she says, nodding. “But you said I can crash in your guest room anytime, so it’s fine.”

I bite my lip, but I can’t hold back my grin. I did that. I love that I’ve flustered her enough to throw her off her game.

“Would you two get a room?” Smithy says. He gives pointed looks to both Stella and Kace. “The eye-fucking is out of control.”

“Jealous, Smithy?” Stella calls.

“Damn straight I am. It’s not fair that you get that fine ass in bed with you every night, Stella.”

Stella laughs, and Kace smiles.

I’ll admit I never expected my sister to end up with my best friend, but I love seeing them both so happy. I want that for them. I open my mouth to tell Smith to mind his own business when he points at me and then Abbi.

“Those two are just as bad.”

“What?” Abbi squeaks, and I have to bite back a grin.

Kace’s eyes go wide and his face pales a bit, taking any thrill out of the moment for me. I might be happy to see my best friend with my sister, but clearly Kace doesn’t feel the same way.

Kace takes a deep breath and waves a finger back and forth between me and Abbi. “Are you two . . . ? Seriously?”

Abbi’s eyes go wide. “No! Why would you—”

Half because I’ve been dying to touch her and half because I’m a stubborn asshole, I step up behind her and wrap an arm around her waist. I lower my mouth to her ear and feel her shiver in my arms. “See?” I murmur. “Even Smithy can see the chemistry between us. So tell me what it’ll be. Are we doing this?”

I search her face. It’s been a week, and suddenly I feel like I can’t breathe until I have my answer. Until I know.

Abbi swallows, but she doesn’t take her gaze off me. “There’s nothing happening here.”

My stomach sinks at the clear rejection. Nothing changes.

“The lady doth protest too much,” Smithy says. He offers his knuckles to me for a fist bump. I just arch a brow and leave him hanging. Abbi’s protests aren’t exactly the highlight of my night.

“Weirdos,” Kace mutters, but he’s already forgotten about us, his focus on Stella.

Abbi steps out of my arms like my touch did nothing for her. Like it meant nothing. And hell, maybe it didn’t. Maybe I imagined everything.

Chapter Seven

Abbi

My stomach flip-flops. I cannot believe Dean just asked me that question at my brother’s house, in front of all our friends. If nothing else, this moment in this spot with these people should remind us exactly why we shouldn’t be considering it.

“Where’s your date tonight, Smith?” I ask, just to change the subject. I swear Smithy doesn’t miss a damn thing, but right now I wish he would. I wish he’d miss a lot of things.

“No date,” he replies, tilting his head back and gazing up at the stars. “Can’t risk having a lady friend around when I’m doing Celibate September.”

“What the fuck is Celibate September?” Dean asks. He takes a step away from me and shoves his hands in his pockets as if he’s totally unfazed by the moment we just had. And maybe he is. Personally, I’ve been a mess all week while I tried to keep my attraction to Dean from overriding every logical argument against whatever it is he was suggesting.