Page 42 of Chance
Stuck.
On that kiss.
What did it mean?
Why?
Why did he have to make me feel wanted, needed, like I might be enough—when I knew I wasn’t?
Chance
“Sorry,Evie.I have to go.Mila and River have an emergency.There was a surprise delivery, and they’re both home with their kids and no babysitters.”
I shot Everly a look.River’s son, Rocco, hadn’t needed a babysitter in years.He worked at his dad’s ink shop cleaning up and answering calls for cash.Mila’s boys were older than Rocco, and her girls were most likely over at their grandparents’ house, giving Spider high blood pressure as they caused trouble with Willa’s help.
Everly narrowed her eyes on me in warning, which had me shutting my mouth, then gave her sister a huge smile.“It’s lucky for us that Chance happened to be having dinner when we were at the diner.Now he can give you a ride home, and I can take care of that delivery.”
“You’re not fooling anyone.Just for this, I’m never sharing my soup with you again.Ever.Ever times infinity,” Evie threatened with a cute little glower at her twin.
“Sacrifices have to be made,” she said with resignation.Jumping to her feet, she slapped me on the back as she passed.“You got the check, right, Bloodhound?Thanks!See ya!”
Watching her quickly disappear out the door, I waited until I saw the Jeep’s headlights turn on before I even moved.I owed Everly for setting this up.She’d given me an opening, and I wasn’t going to waste it.Standing, I offered Evie my hand.
She hesitated, making my heart jump into my throat, but after a pause, she finally placed her smaller hand in mine.Lifting it to my lips, I kissed it and tugged her to her feet.At the counter, I was quick to pay for everything, barely scribbling my name after hitting some random tip percentage on the tablet.
A couple people called greetings my way as we walked across the parking lot to my truck.I threw up a wave, trying to be courteous in front of Evie.She already thought I was an asshole.I wanted to prove to her I wasn’t.At least, I didn’t want to be with her.
I was trying, damn it.Even with her sister, I’d tried to be friendly.
Opening the passenger door, I did a brief sweep to get my tools off the floor and then helped her up.But as soon as her ass touched the seat, I couldn’t take another second without kissing her.She’d nearly caused me to nut in my jeans with how prettily she moaned from a single bite of my dinner.I’d been half insane ever since.
Burying my hands in her hair, I jerked her forward, taking what I wanted.No teaching this time.No gentleness.I was fucking hungry.She kissed me back, not as manically as I kissed her, but she wasn’t as shy as she’d been that first night.Because I’d taught her.What she liked.What to do to make me crazy.How to tease the tip of her tongue just right over mine to make me chase a deeper kiss.
When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing heavily.Her hair was a wild mess, my flannel overshirt had buttons missing, and my cock was spilling precome like a goddamn leaking faucet in my pants.Pressing my forehead to hers, I struggled for control.“I’ve missed you so much, peaches.”
“That’s not fair.”She twisted her fingers in my shirt, and another button went flying.“You don’t get to say things like that, kiss me like that, after letting your mother call me a whore.”
“I didn’t let her.I didn’t?—”
“You didn’t stop her.You didn’t tell her to shut up.You didn’t defend me or my sister.”She shoved at my shoulders, unsuccessfully.With a little growl, she folded her arms over her chest and dropped back in her seat.“Just take me home, Chance.I’m tired.”
Frustrated, I tried to explain.“I’m not used to correcting my mom.She was out of line for the way she acted the other day.I told her that when I took her home.Things had already escalated enough that day, Evie.I didn’t want to make them worse by causing more of a scene for all of Creswell Springs to talk about.”
“This is a small town, Chance.People are going to talk, no matter what.Even I know that much.By not defending us, you let everyone think you agreed with her.When they were gossiping about what happened, they were talking about how I’m just another one of your many, because you let your mother treat me like I wasn’t important.Something I was already more than aware of, but thanks for confirming that.Not just to me, but the entire town.”
“That’s not true, baby.”I cupped her face in hands that shook, refusing to let her look away.She closed her eyes.“God, just listen.Please listen.You are everything, Evie.Everything.”
Her eyes snapped open, blankness staring back at me.No heat from her anger.No chill of disillusionment.Nothing.Just emptiness that tore me apart.“Everything, including a dirty whore, right?”
“No!Stop saying that fucking word.It doesn’t belong on your lips.”
“I want to go home.”
Frustrating, maddening, beautiful woman.“I’ll take you home after we talk.”
“I’m not having this conversation in the middle of Aggie’s parking lot, Chance.Do you want everything we say to be spread all over town by midnight?”She started tapping her foot.“Okay, sure.Let everyone know our business.”
“They already know it, so why try being discreet now?”I yelled.Seeing her flinch, I instantly deflated.“I’m sorry, baby.”
