Page 41 of Lessons in Falling
Anni’s head flew in my direction.Iris, already looking at me, furrowed her brows.Alfie seemed outright shellshocked, blinking at me with wide, blue eyes.Then, all three of them shot toward me at once.
Are you okay?Anni asked.
Do you feel sick?Alfie wondered at the same time.
The back of Iris’ hand pressed against my forehead while she concluded,It’s the heat, isn’t it?You’ve got a heatstroke?You need to sit, Valentina.
As if the task needed three people, they walked me over to the couch, pushed me into the pillows and looked at mewith wide, concerned eyes.Caden walked around the couch, amusement across his features.When Iris gestured for me to lay back, I couldn’t help a laugh.
Guys,I snickered, but did as I was told regardless.Iris’ hand was on my forehead again.I’m fine.Really,I added when they just looked at me like I’d lied under oath.
So what?You just… don’t want to go?Anni asked, still doubtful.
My eyes flicked to Caden behind the group, and he inclined his head in an encouraging nod.On his lips, he wore a smile I hadn’t seen on him before.Proud, maybe?Excited, most definitely.
I was well on my way to mirror the sentiment, but that was obliterated when Iris said,Oh.
My heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach, because my brain couldn’t differentiate between sensing disappointment and being held at gunpoint.
I couldn’t quite figure out what the look on her face meant.They were mad, probably.Thinking I wasn’t appreciating my time with them, wondering if they’d done anything wrong—
Alright then!Iris clapped her hands together.Fair enough.Anyone going with us, we’re leaving in fifteen minutes.Chop Chop!To me, she whisper-shouted,But don’t think I forgot about Lisa.
Like the non-biological siblings they were, Alfie and Anni raced each other to their rooms.Iris blew me a kiss, then ran after them.And not one of them seemed upset about my decision.
And maybe dreams did come true, because half an hour later, Caden and I had the house to ourselves.
CHAPTER 21
CADEN
Remind me again what we’d been doing when we were so brutally interrupted?
Valentina looked up from the lounge chair where she’d gotten comfortable, making use of the last rays of the day.The sun was about to disappear behind the house, then set over the ocean.She had another twenty minutes, tops.
Her lips tipped upward, and the book in her hands landed on the small table next to her without much consideration.Just so we’re clear: when summer’s over and I barely managed to readonebook, I’m going to blame you,she said, sitting up, leaning back onto her elbows.
Two braids parted her cherry-red hair in the middle, the sun had left her skin flushed, sweat collecting in her hairline and brows.Her bikini, a little crooked, showed off her tan lines.
I held my hand out to her.I can live with that.Cool down?I asked, and nodded toward the pool beside us.It must’ve still been eighty-six degrees, at least.In the sun, it felt more likeninety or more.So I wasn’t surprised when it didn’t take her long to say,Lead the way.
I took my phone out of my pocket and jumped in head first, only so I could watch her take the ladder.I had no problem admitting to my selfishness—and seeing Valentina climb into the pool, hips swaying with each step, was high up on my personal hierarchy of needs.She didn’t hesitate, but those five seconds it took her to get in were still beautiful.With a relieved sigh, she pushed off the wall, then let herself float toward me on her back.Her brown eyes opened, sunlight playing in their color, and I was blinking down at her with a smile that had become more common around her.
Hi,she said, and her nose crinkled with a silent laugh.
My heart swelled, then squeezed tightly in my chest.What the fuck was she doing to me?Unheard of, for my heart to react before my dick did.Somewhere, very far back in a corner of my mind, alarm sirens went off.Signaling that if I wasn’t careful with her, I might actually start to like her.Care for her.Give her the power to destroy me, if she so chose to.
Somehow, Valentina Rhodes didn’t seem like the type of girl that should have that kind of power over me.Her hot-and-cold attitude hardly saidYour Heart Is Safe With Me.Quite the opposite, actually.
Unfortunately, something much louder, and much more present in my head, loved to see her smile.Lovedmakingher smile.Loved touching and kissing her.And made sure those sirens were not taken seriously at all.They were forgotten as soon as she wrapped her legs around my waist.
My dick did react, this time.To her face, so close to mine.My hands, which had instinctively found themselves on herass.And to the fact that this time, no one could stop me from untying her bikini.
Earlier,I started confessing.All I’d wanted was to be alone with you.So that I could do this.My fingers played with the ribbon tying the bottom half of her bikini together.A single tug, and it fell open.One side first, then the other.When I slid them away from under her my finger swiped along her core.
Her eyes widened, and she looked genuinely surprised when she said,Me too.Arms locked behind my neck, hips pressing against my hard cock.She must’ve noticed, because she ground against me in anticipation, and her eyes fluttered shut, just for a moment.When they connected with mine again, hazy and dark, my restraint—barely there to begin with— snapped.
I’d do anything to make her come apart for me.Right here, right now.I walked us to the edge of the pool, bikini forgotten on the other side.When her back hit the wall, she moaned.Quietly, but enough to make me lose my mind, regardless.One hand traced up from her ass, over her hips, all the way between her legs.Lingering, caressing her thigh as I watched and felt her getting impatient in my arms.
