Page 104 of Forever in the Country

“Can’t be changin’ it up now,” Sorren says before taking a step and picking her up off the ground. She laughs as he spins her around, and I wrap my arms around Waylon, resting my head on his chest.

It’s a moment I’ll never forget. A moment filled with love and happiness and so much that had come full circle.

“Are you happy?” he asks quietly, and I can’t stop my smile.

“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Me too,” my brother agrees as Marlee and Sorren turn back toward us. “How’d we get so lucky?”

“We finally found forever.”

47

SORREN

“Night’s on Fire” by David Nail plays as rain pelts the windshield and I don’t think about it—I turn off the main road and onto the dirt one that leads down to Cedar Lake.

We’d just left the party at Waylon and Marlee’s as the rain started. Their pregnancy announcement had left me reeling in the best possible way. It really did feel like a new beginning, and I wouldn’t let myself miss out on enjoying this new lease on life.

Rhea and Marlee had talked animatedly about the details while Waylon and I just smiled at the fact that we’d been so lucky to have found happiness here. I couldn’t figure out the math, but Marlee said she’d been so busy she hadn’t noticed she was late.

Really late.

“What are you doing?” Rhea asks, but I don’t answer.

I can’t.

No one would ever call me spontaneous, but hell if I don’t want to just let go and be in this moment. I kill the engine when I pull into the driveway of Hank’s lakeside property and stare out the windshield.

“Sorren?”

“Come with me?”

I ask the question and let Rhea see the vulnerability in my gaze. Biting her bottom lip, she nods and I can’t help the way I have to kiss her—the way I always seem to need my mouth on hers.

She’s intoxicating, and maybe that’s why I never let myself see this before—see her before. I knew she’d ruin me and save me all in the same breath.

Her lips are soft against mine, but she’s not shy about the way she wants me—needs me—andfuckif that’s not the biggest turn-on.

Pulling back, I make quick work of untying my boots and kicking them off on the floorboards before pushing open the car door as Rhea calls my name. I strip my shirt over my head as the rain coats my skin and throw the balled-up fabric at her.

She giggles and calls my name again, but she’s already taking off her sandals as I shuck my jeans and throw them onto the driver’s seat.

“Sorren!” she yells, the smile practically splitting her cheeks as I close the door and walk backward toward the water wearing only my boxer briefs.

Tilting my face up toward the sky, I let my eyelids fall closed and stretch my arms out to the side. I let the rain pelt my skin, and I give in to the way the sound ricochets around the lake.

I hear the door closing and Rhea’s footsteps as she jogs over to where I’m standing. My eyes pop open barely a second before she jumps into my arms and slams her lips over mine.

We stumble backward before I regain my balance and walk us into the water. It’s warm compared to the rain, but she still gasps into my mouth when I bend my knees and drop us neck deep into the lake.

Rhea throws her head back and laughs, her hair dipping into the water, causing it to dance and sway along the surface.

“I love you.” My words are low but sure because I’ve known forever and a day that this girl was all I’d ever need.

Her arms wrap tighter against my neck, and she rests her forehead against mine. “I love you.”

Her nose nudges against mine and I take the hint, turning my head enough to kiss her. To slide my tongue between her lips as I tangle my hand in her hair and hold her exactly where I want her.

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