Page 79 of Running Winter

"He is desperate, Chase," Rayna moved her arm so that she was looking at me from a different angle. "We don't know what that feels like."

I nodded, but I decided to keep my own counsel.

"What have you told your parents?" I asked instead, watching as she winced.

"I've told them I'm staying here with you."

"Okay.” The word rolled off my tongue slowly. "How did that go down?"

Rayna allowed a small smile to raise the corners of her mouth before she leaned up to kiss me. Her lips were so soft against mine, and I dragged her closer into my arms.

"I had the whole, 'we knew it' kinda thing, but how could they know when we didn't? Anyway, have you decided whether or not you're going to Cali?"

I shook my head; no. I had planned to move there, but there was no way I could leave Rayna with all of this cracking off. But I had to be tactile—if she figured out she was the reason, then she would force me to go.

“Not thought about it much,” I lied as she studied me intently.

“You’re going, don’t even think about staying here for me,” Rayna warned, her voice tight.

“You know, anyone would think you were my girlfriend the way you boss me around like you do,” I teased, enjoying the flush that rose on her cheeks. I didn’t often see her like this, so it was something I relished when I did. I waited for her to respond, but at first, she simply shrugged.

"Did you just try to be sly, Fallon? You want me to be your girlfriend?"

I tried to ignore the way my heart sped up when she said that, but I couldn't disguise it. It was like someone had lit a fire deep within me, making me feel alive and with purpose.

"Yeah."

My fingers grazed her hips as she laid fully on her side.

"You're made for me, Rayna. Look at how we are together."

I sensed her hesitation to do something as juvenile as declaring us boyfriend and girlfriend—a relationship with her best friend. I didn't care, though; I loved her. I wanted to protect her and kill anyone that tried to hurt her.

"I know, but Cali—”

"We can do long distance," I interrupted as she swung her leg over my hip, so she was straddling me. My hands slid up her thighs as she groaned slightly, my fingers teasing the waistband of her jeans. She took her glasses off—an act I knew indicated a strong possibility that things were about to get hot and heavy.

"And then there's this family stuff..." Rayna waved her hand with exasperation before allowing it to land on my chest. "You deserve someone normal, Chase. A nice girl."

I exhaled, trying not to laugh at her.

Who the fuck wanted normal?

"You know what I want, Rayna?" I lifted to a sitting position, wrapping one arm around her waist as I pulled her against me. "You. So stop wondering about what I want, and deserve, and start telling me if you're going to give it to me."

"But all the girls in Cali..."

"Cali, all I hear is Cali. Are you mine or not, Ray?" I demanded, my breath hot on her neck.

"Yes," Rayna murmured, lacing her hands around my neck. My lips danced along her throat then, and I smirked.

"I already knew that. I just needed to hear you say it."

"You're a cocky ass,” Rayna scolded as we heard a rap on the door.

"Permission to enter the love dungeon," Rafe called, and we both grinned.

"Yeah, come in," I called out, and Rafe walked in, a mischievous grin on his face.

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