Page 32 of Take Me to the Valley

Gently, I tug her hand toward me. Not enough to move her, but enough to let her know what I want. I hold my breath waiting for her to make the choice. If she wants to turn around and walk out the door, I'd let her, and it would all end here. If she comes to me, then I know she wants this as badly as I do.

I can see the thoughts warring in her head because they are written all over her face. But I can see the moment she gives in and a moment later, she sits next to me on the edge of the bed facing me.

Dropping her hand, I use my good arm to reach up and cup her cheek, pulling her toward me. She comes willingly. I hesitate an inch from her lips, making very clear my intention and giving her time to pull away or change her mind. She shocks the hell out of me when she is the one to close the gap, and her lips land on mine.

But my surprise doesn't last long as I quickly take control of the kiss, wrapping my hand around the back of her head and angling her face so I can kiss her deeper. If this is the one time I get to kiss her, I'm not wasting the opportunity. I'm going to give it my all and make sure it's all she can think about for the days to come. Because this kiss is all I will think about for not only weeks and months, but years.

She moans and opens her mouth, allowing me to slide my tongue against hers. When she melts into me, it's my turn to groan because I want so much more than a kiss. My cock is throbbing, reminding me I've been ignoring it, and it wants inside of her. Then her hand runs through my hair, and I almost come at how good it feels.

That's when I pull back. I want more, but not here. Not like this when Skye could burst in waking up from another nightmare. That would not be something that I would ever want Skye to see. Ever.

“You know, I have been thinking about this a lot longer than I want to admit,” I say, resting my forehead against hers, and we catch our breaths.

“That makes two of us,” she says, shocking the hell out of me.

Chapter 16

Calista

After that kiss last night, I didn't get a wink of sleep. It was all I could think about, and for hours, I still felt his lips on mine. When my alarm goes off, I feel like I just closed my eyes. Even so, I'm up and getting Skye ready for school and making the coffee extra strong this morning.

When I take Skye into Even's room to say good morning before my mom gets here, he is already up, and he doesn't look like he slept much either. With Skye at school and the house to ourselves all day, what will happen? I need a breather before I find out, so when my mom shows up, I’m excited to get away.

“Would you mind staying with Evan and letting me take Skye to school? I want to check on Kaylee while I'm out. I haven't heard from her in a few days.”

“Of course! You need to get out of the house, too, and recharge. It will be good for Evan and me to catch up,” Mom says.

“You okay with me taking you to school?” I ask Skye.

“Yes! I can show you where to drop me off!” Skye bounces out the door.

“Get in my car!” My mom calls after her, and she hands me her keys. “I have her car seat installed in my car, so it would be easier for you to take it instead of moving it to your car. Plus, my car is already warmed up.”

I don't argue. Taking her keys, I give her a hug.

“Even is already up, but he needs to eat and probably take a pain pill. He’s been weaning himself off slowly, but he often wakes up sore and in pain, so he’ll take one. Oh, and he’ll try to tell you he doesn’t need help getting out of bed, but he does. He's still a bit unsteady. I promise I won't be long,” I say.

“Take as long as you need!” Mom calls after me as I put on my jacket and walk down the stairs.

It feels like I’m running away from Evan, leaving my mom at the house, so I'm not alone with him. But not only do I need to process that kiss, but I also I need to talk to Kaylee. Last night, I didn't want to wake her up, but I know I will catch her while she gets ready for work this morning.

Skye talks the entire way to school about what she’ll be doing. Today is music class and she’s excited. How it's her turn to play the triangle, and how fun it looks. As we get closer to the school, she points out where to enter for a drop-off.

“Mrs. Fraser! This is Calista, Uncle Cody's sister. She’s the one I told you about. She’s staying with us and helps Daddy, and she has also been doing my hair. See the braid she did today?” Skye says to the teacher who opens the car door.

“It's very pretty. It's nice to put a face to the name she has told us all about this week. How is Detective Greer doing? We have all been praying for him,” Mrs. Fraser says.

“He's doing better. He's still healing, but he's up on his feet a little more now that he’s home,” I tell her.

“Give him our love and let us know if you need anything!” She says before closing the door.

From the school, I go right to my apartment to chat with Kaylee. Thankfully, I can see a light on from the parking area, so I know she's awake, not that her sleeping would have stopped me from waking her up.

“Kaylee, I need emergency girl chat!” I say as I walk in. She peeks her head out of the bedroom and looks me over to make sure I'm physically fine. I follow her back to the bathroom.

“What is going on? Everything okay?” She asks as she keeps doing her makeup.

Putting the toilet seat down, I sit so I can comfortably share with Kaylee my news.

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