Page 73 of Lessons in Falling
Of course I did.My body had known before my mind had been able to catch up.I wanted Caden in every way possible— whispering filthy nothings into my ear, tickling my back until I fell asleep, making us smoothies for breakfast, knowing I’d hate them.
But that wasn’t the point.
You can’t drive 150 miles God knows how many times a week,I argued, instead of answering.
I can.
I shook my head.I don’t want to be a burden—
You’ve never been a burden, and you never could be.I’d drive across the entire country for you, Valentina.HBU is a stone’s throw away.An easy commute.
Caden—
His smile alone cut me off.Do.You.Want.Me?
And it burst out before I could stop it.Yes.
Great.He nodded, smile wider than I’d seen it before.Then we’ll figure the rest out.Together.
CHAPTER 35
CADEN
August slipped away.Those last two weeks on Oakport felt like a good soccer game; fun, exciting, then suddenly hearing the final whistle telling you it was all over—when you felt it hadn’t even really begun.When you had another good couple of minutes in you.
And I couldn’t make use of them.
Valentina attempted to heave her suitcase out of the house— until I took it from her with a scolding look, that immediately died when she smiled at me.Didn’t I tell you I’d take care of it?
She rolled her eyes, handed it over, then kissed me on the cheek before we moved toward her car—or the thing that would hopefully get us from point A to point B (I wasn’t sure if it still classified as acar).You did,she admitted.But I thought—
You thought you didn’t want to bother me,I guessed.Correctly, by the way she hit my arm playfully.
Valentina opened the trunk for me, and it made a loud,squeaky noise before I maneuvered her suitcase inside.The…carbounced a little on impact.ButIthought,I began, pretending to think long and hard—only my smile gave me away.I told you you’d never be able to do that.
Bother you?
Mhm,I hummed, pulled her closer and leaned against the car, carefully, in case it decided to break under my weight.I wouldn’t be surprised.You’re capable of a lot, but annoying me isn’t one of those things, Valentina.
She pressed her lips to mine, short and sweet.Not even if I’d start being mean to you again?
I kind of liked it,I argued, only to hear and see the laugh that tumbled out of her a second later.Her arms wrapped around my neck, and my hands automatically slipped into the back pockets of her jeans.
Oh yeah,she remembered.The degradation kink.
The next words, thank God, were neither mine nor hers:I’m going to be sick!Iris announced, pretending to gag as she waltzed out of the door into the front yard.Can we go back to two weeks ago, and I’ll just pretend to be really mad about this?Her finger flicked back and forth between Valentina and me.Only so I don’t have to be reminded of how painfully single I am every time I see you two together.
Valentina laughed when she turned in my grip, pressing her back against me.My arms easily wrapped around her stomach, pulling her closer again.Maybe because I knew I’d be gone in three days.Because I was starting a job in a different city and it would be the first time we’d be apart.Because I already missed her, when she was literally in my arms—ass nestling against my crotch.
She knew exactly what she was doing, but instead of acknowledging it, she shouted back at Iris across the yard.You never say anything when it’s Anni and Mike!she cried, outraged and amused—and still wiggling against my lap.My hands around her tightened, and she swallowed a yelp.
Because I’m used to it from them.Iris leaned against the same car, finally making Valentina stop moving.
Too late, though.I was hard as a rock, and I knew she knew.The triumphant look she sent me over her shoulder said enough.
I’m—Valentina stopped herself, then went on to say:Not sorry.
Iris gasped, my hands fell away from Val’s waist to clap ironically, and she pretended to bow for us.Thank you, thank you,she repeated, over and over again.
