Page 60 of SALT

I turn to him, hand firmly gripping the rail. "Mad?"

"Anger is momentary madness, anger I can fix, anger I can live with but regret…" He pulls in a stuttered breath.

"Am I mad? Yes, but I'm mad because you matter, and I hate feeling like I don't. I told you last night I wouldn't regret you in the morning. That hasn't changed and?—"

He's in front of me, backing me against the wall before I can finish. "You matter. You matter more than anything ever has." My heart skips a thousand beats as his words, his touch, the move, all speak directly to my heart. His hand slowly snakes up and around the base of my neck, and he presses his forehead to mine. "I want to kiss you."

"You never have to ask––" His lips smash against mine, and I feel like he's kissing me for the first time all over again. I'm nervous, happy, excited, and dizzy all at once. I melt into his hold as his tongue explores my mouth, and my brain turns to mush. It's utterly pathetic, given how I was mad seconds ago. The faint sound of my bathroom door opening has his lips leaving mine as he pulls me into one of the guest bedrooms.

"You left," he pants, chest heaving.

"What?" I question, my eyes darting between his as I try to keep up.

"When I came back to my room, you were gone."

"I didn't realize you wanted me to stay."

"What gave you the impression there was anywhere else I wanted you to be?"

I step back, putting some needed space between us. "Oh, I don't know. You jumped out of bed like the house was on fire when you heard your ex-wife walking up the steps."

"You pulled the covers over your head to shield yourself," he challenges, pinching the bridge of his nose. His reaction has me questioning my own. "Last night was our first night together, Cameron. We were occupied doing a lot of things that didn't include talking. What did you expect?"

I see now what I didn't in the haste of our rude awakening. We're clearly both emotionally strung out, unsure where the other stands and what's next. I'd like to start with the future first, so I say, "First, you didn't say last."

"I know what I said. It doesn't mean it's what should happen. Cameron, I will never regret last night, but I will regret hurting you."

This time, I'm the one who makes the first move; taking a step toward him, I wrap my arms around his waist. "Then don't."

He growls, and the confliction in the vibration is palpable. "It's not that simple. This morning was a perfect example of that. There are more reasons we don't work, can't work, than that we do, and I don't care to destroy your reputation while you figure that out."

"I disagree. You're older, so what? I could list ten celebrity age gaps just like ours right now."

A small smile splays across his face. "I bet you could." The back of his knuckles rake over my cheek. "But it's not just the age gap, Cameron. It's your father, our family, my career, all of it."

"I thought we went over this last night before you defiled me. My father would want me to be happy. You make me happy. As for your career, I'll gladly sell my shares equally to you and your brothers. We both know I don't need it." I drop my gaze to his chest to find my words. "I'm no match when it comes to Connor. I would never want to come between the two of you. I wouldn't expect that of you, but the Connor I know would have an open heart, just like his father, and I think if he saw that being with me made you happy, he'd want that for you." I risk finding his eyes once again. "What are we living for if not a happy life with the people who make it worth living?" My hand caresses his cheek. "You're one of those people for me."

His eyes soften before his mouth is once again on mine as his hands eagerly glide down my back and grip my ass, squeezing hard before lifting me up and pinning me to the wall. "You're determined to shatter my resolve."

I grind myself against his hardening length. "Does that mean you're saying yes?"

"It means I'm not saying no."

"Everett," the sound of Colton's voice ringing out from the foyer pulls Everett's mouth away from mine as we hear the front door close.

"You've got to be kidding me," he mutters, chest heaving as he tries to calm the adrenaline I know is coursing through his veins, same as me. "I'll be down in just a second," he calls out. His eyes land on mine, and I can see he has a million things he wants to say, but he doesn't have the time. "Can this be ours for now?"

He's not asking me this lightly. He took his time choosing those words because what he's really asking is will I be his secret. I should say no. The rational side of my brain knows I deserve to be loved out loud, but damn if being his dirty little secret doesn't feel good. And because I'm a betting a girl, I will make a wager on us. I believe in what we have, and while it might be painful now, I'll love that pain because, eventually, he'll have to trace a line back. All secrets have an expiration date.

A whispered yes falls from my mouth before he takes my lips in his once more and sets me down. "I'll see you downstairs."

Chapter 21

Everett

"Itexted Garrett for drinks to compare notes, and he sent you," I chide as I enter the kitchen and find Colton helping himself to a drink. I can't help but be annoyed. Yesterday, when I invited my brother here for a drink to discuss theories, it was before I let Cameron into my bed. Right now, company is the last thing I want.

"Good to see you too, brother," he mocks as he stirs his vodka and tonic. "The kids were sick, now Garrett is sick. Yet another reason to stay single. No one in my house to pass me their diseases." Pausing to take a drink, he adds, "I'm sure I'm not here to discuss Garrett's health. So what is it you think you know?"

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