Page 39 of Unraveling Rain
“You’re right. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a great time with someone who hasn’t either shared the womb with me or lived under the same roof.”
My eyebrows shoot up.
Holy shit. She admitted it.
“But don’t get your hopes up, Xander. I told you I didn’t want to hook up with you, and I meant it.”
My chest deflates like a forgotten birthday balloon.
“Rain, look at me.”
She drinks her water before her gaze meets mine.
“We’re just getting to know each other, so I can’t promise everything is going to be smooth and peachy like it’s been the past couple of days. But what I can tell you is that I haven’t felt this good in a very long time.”
She nods, letting me know she’s listening, so I keep going.
“All I ask is that you give me a chance to get to know you. I just want to spend time with you and see where things go.”
I’ll settle for something casual, even though what I really want to tell her is that I want her in my life.
I know it sounds crazy and rushed, but when you know,you know.
“We can definitely spend time together while you’re here. I think you need my company as much as I need yours.”
My heart starts racing at her words. I don’t think I can wait much longer to taste her lips.
“But once you’re back in Raleigh,” she says.
I raise my eyebrows, silently asking her what she means. I need to hear it from her mouth.
“Once you’re gone, we’re over,” she finally says.
I sigh, and my shoulders sag. “Why do we have to put an end to things if they’re good?” I ask, needing to understand.
The most at peace I’ve ever felt has been in Raleigh—and now here.
But something tells me the way I feel in Azalea Creek is not just because of the place.
It’s because ofher.
Still, there’s something else she isn’t saying.
I study her. Her posture is relaxed, her face at ease, but when I look at her hands, she’s pushing down the cuticles on her thumbs.
What is she holding back?
“Okay, enough serious talk for today. The last one in the water has to clean up this mess,” she says, bolting for the waterfall, a trail of tiny shorts and her tank top left in her wake.
Fuck. Me.
I know I’m going to lose.
I want to lose.
I want to take my time, enjoying the view—the way her toned, perfect body moves as she dives into the water, wearing only a skimpy red thong and matching bra.
When did she untie her boots?
