Page 47 of Take Me to the Valley

“I had the biggest crush on you when I was in school,” he admits, staring up at the ceiling.

“Really?” I ask. I thought maybe he did, but I didn’t know for sure.

“Yeah, but you were older. Cody made it clear, as did all your brothers, that you were off limits.”

“Plus, I was way too old for you. I still am,” I say.

“Doesn’t feel like it when you are lying here with me like this,” he says.

Dammit, he’s right because it doesn’t. It feels right.

“I think the age thing is your way of keeping a wall up, even if it’s a flimsy one,” he murmurs, turning his head to kiss my temple.

“Maybe, but do you want to talk about it or take advantage of the fact that your daughter is passed out for the night? Should I lock the door or go back to my room?”

“If you try to go to your room, I’m just going to follow you. Your choice,” Evan says.

Smiling seductively, I stand up and walk over to the door. His eyes stay locked on me, daring me to leave. It’s so sexy that look. Makes me want to jump him. And why not? So, I slowly close the door, lock it, and then rip off my shirt.

“Good choice, baby girl,” Evan says.

It feels like the right choice for now. Hopefully, I’ll feel that way in the morning.

Chapter 24

Evan

Today Calista is taking Skye to school and I’ve been deemed capable of staying on my own for no more than an hour at a time. I’m rolling my eyes at the thought. It was a talk with not just me and Calista but Skye, Cody, and his parents.

Even though I feel ready, I am slightly nervous being on my own this morning. After I get dressed, I go downstairs, hoping Skye comes home with another sleepover invitation. Or maybe I can find a way to convince Cody’s parents to take her for a night without raising any questions. What I really want is another night of Calista in my bed, but she won’t stay there when Skye is in the house.

As soon as Calista walks through the door, I pull her into me and kiss her.

“I really hate waking up without you in my bed,” I tell her.

“You can’t be used to it. After all, it only happened once,” she says, smiling big.

“Yet I’m already addicted.” I take advantage of the moment and kiss her neck, while pulling her all the way into the house.

“We need to talk,” she says, taking my hand and leading me to the couch.

My body gets cold. In my experience, when a woman says we need to talk, it’s normally not a good thing, and I’m not going to like the outcome. Sitting, I pull her near me. I already know I’m going to fight for us, and having her close will help.

Once we’re settled, she pauses. Then she’s biting her lips and looking anxious, so I take her hand in mine and rub my thumb over her knuckles.

“You can talk to me about anything,” I say gently.

“The night of the BBQ Festival, do you remember what you asked me that night?”

All I want to do is grab her and then kiss her in sheer relief. Instead, I keep a straight face to see if she is going where I hope she is.

“I asked you to move in with me,” I tell her confidently.

There is a sharp intake of air from her, but she doesn’t say anything.

“You thought I had too much to drink, but I meant every word.”

“Evan…” She starts.

---