Page 38 of Forever in the Country

When he pulls back he looks exhausted. “You can be mad, but stop tryin’ to fight me.”

“It’s a lot,” I admit. Our relationship has become an avalanche—the tension building fast and furious until it’s consumed everything in its wake.

“I know and I need you to trust me while we figure it out.”

Placing a soft kiss on his lips, I give the only answer I can. “Just please don’t shut me out.”

“I’ll try.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “I can’t change overnight, Rhea, and I won’t always be able to talk about it.” He swallows. “I’m doin’ the best I can.”

“I just want to help,” I say quietly.

“You have. Since the moment I crossed the county line.” His phone vibrates on the floor again and Sorren lets out a defeated breath. “I need to get that before they send out a search party.”

“Okay.” His finger tips up my chin, and he places a lingering kiss on my lips. It’s not enough, but for now it will have to do.

17

SORREN

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“Ican’t stay tonight,” I say as I park in Rhea’s driveway and kill the engine. My jaw clenches and I try desperately to relax. She doesn’t need any more bullshit to pile on to how pissed she already is at me.

The moments following the storm were the same chaos they always were, and I picked my phone up to find no fewer than forty messages. Scanning to make sure everyone was okay, I replied we were fine and then silenced it.

Rhea had to respond one-handed once I tucked her into the passenger seat because I couldn’t make myself let go of her hand. Even walking around the car to the driver’s seat had been pure torture.

Every ounce of restraint evaporated seeing Colt’s arms wrap around her in the parking lot. I was unhinged in a way I’d never allowed myself to be. Even now, my heart is beating too fast in my chest and I need to rein it in before I scare her off.

Before I do exactly what I was afraid of.

Her mouth opens and then closes again before she pulls her hand from mine and crosses her arms over her chest defensively. Exhaling heavily through my nose, I clarify, “I have a week-long training with Tanner a couple of hours from here.”

“Of course you do,” she replies on a growl and I fight the twitch of my lips.

“We’ve been on a waitlist, and two seats just became available and we need it to complete our certifications.”

“No, I get it. I just don’t like it.” She glares. “Your timing sucks.”

“I told you I wasn’t ready yet,” I say quietly. I don’t want to fight with her, but this whole night has been a fucking mess. Her coming all over my fingers was a glorious fucking mess but still.

“You did.” She pushes out of the car and charges up the sidewalk.

I’m out just as fast, my hand gripping her arm and pulling her around to face me. “Rhea.”

Pulling out of my hold, she squares up on me, hands on her hips. “You told me tonight. You didn’t tell me weeks or months ago. You told me you didn’t want me and then you show up tonight guns blazing like this is some damn western and made a scene in front of Colt.”

Just the mention of his name has my jaw clenching.

“You owe him an apology.”

“I will have a conversation with him,” I say because I won’t apologize for getting my fucking girl.

Her eyes narrow. “That’s not what I said.”

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