My hand moves from her body to her face, sliding my thumb across the wetness on her cheek. “Why are you crying?” She tries to turn away, but I pull her back. “Answer me.”

  She hiccups, stretching out of my grasp. “You hurt me, Alex.”

  It’s a punch in the stomach. We’re on the landing, water dripping from my hair onto my cheeks, and all the frustration twisting inside me rises to the surface.

  “I’m sorry.” It’s more of a growl. “I always have a plan, and when Jessica showed up, I was fucking blindsided. All I could think about was protecting my daughter, and I guess I thought you were strong enough to wait.”

  “Right.” She takes another wobbly breath. “I don’t rank. Message received.”

  Fuck. I hate this.

  The rain grows harder, and I gather her in my arms, pulling her through the door. “Dammit, Cass, the only message I ever want you to receive is you belong with me.”

  “No.” She shakes her head. “I’m done pretending. I have to have value.”

  Dropping to my knees, I wrap my arms around her waist, pressing my cheek against the fabric of her dress, against her stomach. “How can you think you have no value to me? From our first kiss, it was real. Before that… from the moment I saw you swimming in the ocean, when your voice wouldn’t leave my mind and your body lived rent free in my head. You were my angel. That ring is yours because I bought it for you, and when I gave it to you, it was from my heart.”

  Her hands grasp my arms as if she’ll push me away. “And you shut me out like I was nothing.”

  My arms tighten, and I look up into her pretty, pretty eyes. “You’re everything to me. You’re the wind and the sea when I’m the rocks and the sand. You’re the calm, the soothing. You quiet the storm and make me whole. You’re the song in my head I never want to stop hearing. You’re beautiful and smart and kind. You’re priceless.”

  She sniffs, and I rise slowly. Her nose is a light shade of pink, and I reach for her, cupping her face in my hand.

  “I’ve only ever wanted to dry your tears, Cass. I’ve only ever wanted to hold you. I will never leave you behind.”

  Her eyes blink faster, and another tear wells onto her lash, falling when she looks down. Her nose wrinkles, and she rolls her eyes away, fighting a smile. “How do you know what to say to me?”

  “Because you’re mine.” Sliding my hand behind her neck, I draw her face closer, tracing my lips along her cheek. “I want to kiss you.”

  It’s a hot murmur against her damp skin, and she exhales a whimper. Her fingers curl in my shirt, and she pulls me closer, lifting her chin.

  Our mouths chase, and hunger takes over. She fists and jerks my shirt higher, but I catch her hands, guiding her to the stairs then lifting her off her feet.

  Thunder rolls outside, as we enter the small apartment. My shirt is over my head, and I let it fall to the floor. I grip the sides of her dress, trying to get it off her.

  Her fingers fumble over the buttons, unfastening them quickly so her wet dress can slip from her body. We kiss, and I pull her flush against me.

  My mouth is on her shoulder, and I taste fresh rainwater on her skin. Her hands trace the lines of my body, and my cock is hard and desperate to be inside her.

  Cupping her cheeks, I consume her mouth, curling my tongue with hers and nipping her lips with mine. She holds my hands, leading us to the bed, and I stop to shove my wet jeans down, stepping out of them.

  “We’re making a mess…” My voice is quiet.

  She puts my hands on her body. “We’ll deal with it later.”

  Lifting and kneading her breasts, I turn her around so I can slide my fingers between her thighs. Her back arches against my chest, and her head is on my shoulder as I massage her clit.

  I kiss the side of her neck, biting her skin gently as I roll a hardened nipple between my thumb and forefinger. She writhes and moans, and her hand slides behind her back, rubbing and pulling my cock.

  “You’re going to make me come.” I groan as her hand moves faster, drawing me closer to the edge.

  Pushing her forward, I line myself up at her entrance and thrust fully into her slippery, wet heat. We both hold with a moan, but I can’t stop.

  Primal instinct takes over, and I’m moving fast. She’s on all fours on the bed, and I’m behind her, thrusting vigorously, chasing that intense release.

  She gasps and moans as I reach between her thighs, as I kiss her between the shoulder blades, tracing my lips higher to her ear. Another loud moan, and orgasm flashes in my cock.

  “I’m so fucking close,” I groan. “Come for me, Cass.”

  Moving my hand faster between her legs, I breathe raggedly as my hips jerk and my thrusts drive deeper. I couldn’t stop if I tried.

  A shuddering cry ripples from her chest, and her arms tremble. Her pussy breaks into spasms, and I let go, groaning loudly as I hold, my skin flush with her ass. My cock jerks and pulses, and I groan again, filling her sweet body as she trembles beneath me.

  Several seconds pass as I hold her, fumbling back to Earth with the woman of my dreams in my arms.

  CHAPTER 28

  CASS

  My cheek is against Alex’s bare chest, and his fingers slide through my damp hair. He gently kisses my forehead, tracing his lips over my eyebrow, and my eyes close.

  I’m so deliciously satisfied, so incredibly happy.

  “Do you forgive me?” His voice is warm and deep.

  “You have to ask?” Lifting my chin, I kiss his jaw.

  His face lowers, and our mouths seal together. It’s a rush of dopamine straight to my brain. My eyes close, and I’ve never been so happy.

  “Will you tell your friends we’re a real couple now?” A tease is in his tone, and I lift my upper body, grabbing my phone.

  “I’ll text them all right now.”

  “It’s only midnight. I’m sure they won’t mind you waking them.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Grinning, I tuck my head under his chin again. “I’ll wait until the morning. Do you need to get back or can you sleep over?”

  “I informed Jessica I would be gone for the night, so you’re stuck with me.” He traces his fingers slowly, lovingly up my back, and I exhale a hum.

  “I love being stuck with you. We can be stuck together.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  Wrinkling my nose, I prop my chin on my hand to look at his gorgeous face. “If I’d known you were into me in high school…” Shaking my head, I remember the quiet, bookish boy who was always so attractive and always so distant. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  His brow furrows, and the problem-solving expression I love appears. “In the beginning you seemed too young.”

  “Didn’t stop you from looking.” My eyebrow arches.

  “It was an accident.” His fingers trace my back. “But you’re right, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from you. As we got older, it was always you were dating someone or I was.”

  Warmth tightens my stomach. “It wouldn’t have mattered who I was dating. If you’d said one word, it would’ve changed everything.”

  A low chuckle vibrates in his chest. “Pop used to say everything happens in its time. I think he was talking about bourbon, but it fits.”

  Resting my cheek on his chest, I think about the future, Pinky. “What happens now?”

  “We get married for real, make a few more babies, and live happily ever after.”

  Electric sparkles radiate in my veins. “You still want to marry me?”

  His hand slides under my chin, lifting my face to look at him. “I love you, Cassidy Dixon. I most definitely want you to be my wife.”

  My heart squeezes, and I slide forward to kiss his full lips. “I love you.”

  It’s a timid whisper, and he rolls me onto my back, looking straight into my eyes. We don’t speak, and his expression is so serious, my heart aches.

  Cupping my cheek, he covers my mouth with his, kissing me slowly, fully. Our tongues trace and curl, and he moves between my thighs, parting them and inserting his hard cock into my heated core.

  My chin lifts, and I exhale a moan as he moves faster. I’m cradled in his arms, so close, I don’t know where we begin and end.

  We rock like waves on the sea, and I lift my knees, riding the impact of his dominating thrusts.

  His hand lowers, cupping my ass, and I tilt my hips, allowing him to claim me in a way he never has. He finds a place deep inside me, and with every stroke, my body heats. Pleasure twists tighter in my core.

  Faster, harder, we chase our shared release, and when it happens, I cling to him like he’s the only thing that matters. He is my match, my home.

  It’s still drizzling when I open my eyes again. Alex sits on the edge of the bed getting dressed. “I should’ve set an alarm. It’s late.”

  Turning, I see it’s after eight, and I sit up quickly. “You’ve got to get home. No telling what’s happening in that kitchen right now.”

  He grins, and he’s so damn handsome. I spent all night blissfully wrapped in his arms. Half-asleep, I felt him get up at some point and collect his jeans and tee and put them in Britt’s small clothes dryer. He hung my dress in the bathroom before returning to hold me close as we drifted away again.

  Sitting in bed on this overcast morning, I want to pull him to me and disappear under the covers. “What happens now?”

  He stands, pulling his jeans over his toned ass, and my bottom lip goes between my teeth.

  “I’ll stop by the house and make sure nothing’s on fire. Then I’ll get Pinky, and we’ll come back to take you home with us. I’ll ask Aiden what everyone’s doing for dinner…”

  Resting my chin on my bent knees, I love listening to him making plans for us with so much confidence, like I’m one of his family. Just like that.

  A shadow passes over my sunshine. “What about Jessica?”

  “I’ll take care of it.” His shirt is over his head, leaving his dark hair a sexy mess.

  Leaning over the bed, he gives me a light kiss, hesitates, and comes back for a longer one that sends a charge to my core.

  A naughty grin curls his lips, and my stomach squeezes. “I’ll text you when we’re on our way back.”

  He leaves me basking in the happiest glow, and I snuggle deeper in bed, reliving everything that happened last night. My head is still spinning.

  It started so miserably. Being in El Rio, toasting my college admission, I knew I should’ve been happy. I was happy. I’d made a plan for my future, and it was all coming together. I was surrounded by friends… And Alex, was impossibly sexy with his broody, square jaw and those sexy eyes all conflicted and sad.

  I kind of snapped. After the way he’d done me all week, I was furious he’d act like his dreams were shattered. I couldn’t pretend not being with him wasn’t killing me. My feelings were too real.

  Then he chased me in the rain like I was Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and when he got on his knees… He held me so close, his warm face pressed to my stomach, begging me to forgive him. My eyes heat at the memory. My heart completely melted.

  I’ll never forget the words he said to me. They’re imprinted on my memory forever. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. He changed me from the little girl nobody wanted to the woman he can’t live without.

  He made me feel cherished, coveted, desired… loved.

  Holding out my hand, I kiss the angel ring. I smile so hard my face hurts, and my heart beats so loud in my chest, I could laugh and cry and float up to the ceiling.

  Instead, I hop up and take a quick shower and wash my face. Sorting through my clothes, I take out a pair of black leggings and a V-neck tank. It’s not cold, but the drizzle makes me grab a thin cardigan. A quick dash of makeup, and I’m on my way out the door.

  I’ll grab a coffee and head over to his place, no need to wait around. But when I reach the bottom of the stairs, the door to the Star Parlor opens, and Piper’s mom steps out onto the landing.

  “Martha, hey!” My voice is nervous, and I glance up the stairs from where I just came.

  I didn’t realize until this morning the windows were open all night, and Alex and I didn’t give a shit about how loud we were. Hell, I was making animal noises at one point.

  “Good morning, Cassidy.” She steps forward to hug me and kiss my cheek. “You’re glowing today.”

  Shit shit shit. “Did you sleep here last night?”

  “Here? No.” She glances at the neon purple sign with the little gold stars around it. “I just dropped off my special tea for Gwen. She likes to brew it when she’s doing the readings.”

  “I remember…” The tea has a strong scent of ginger and herbs, and it creates a mystical vibe in the room, almost like incense.

  Martha’s eyes narrow, and she tilts her dark head to the side as she studies me. “You remind me so much of your mother these days. It’s amazing how alike you are.”

  Normally, the comparison pisses me off, but for some reason, after last night, it stirs a longing I didn’t know I still had. “You were friends with her, weren’t you?”

  “I was best friends with her. The summer she brought you here, we grew very close.”

  My brows pull together, and I study this woman with her straight, dark hair hanging in a long, thick braid down her back. A stripe of white is in the front, threaded through her braid, and her eyes are pale blue. She’s dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt with a long-sleeved plaid shirt on top.

  Martha has always been suspicious and careful. She has a cellar full of food and tools, gasoline and supplies for the end of the world, and I’ve never known how to take her.

  I can’t imagine her being best friends with anyone—at least not the way Britt and Piper and I do it.

  “I never really knew my mom. She dumped me here and never came back. Then she died, and that was the end of it.”

  Martha’s lips tighten, and she nods. She almost appears sad. “Your mom had dreams, and she tried to manifest them. Her bravery inspired me… but the ones you love hurt you the deepest.”

  It’s a haunting remark, spoken as if she is well acquainted with deep hurt.

  “Piper and I have been friends for so long, I wish you’d told me.” My voice is quiet. “Aunt Carol acted like my mother was a shameful secret.”

  Martha gives me a warm smile. “What would you like to know?”

  “Can we step inside?” I motion to the glass door, and she opens the tarot studio.

  I follow her to the gold velvet sofa in front of the empty fireplace. A small, cherry-wood coffee table is in front of us, and a stack of intricately decorated arcana cards is positioned in the center.

  I used to do readings here, but I’m not interested in the future. Today, I’m ready to dig into the dirt, and I’m going straight to the heart of the matter.

  “Why did she have me if she didn’t want me?”

  Martha’s expression flinches. “Crystal would never call you a mistake. You were a ‘happy accident’… but that didn’t make her right for you. She wasn’t equipped to be a mother, but she hated to let you go.”

  “After she left, I never heard from her again. Not once.”

  Martha reaches out to pat my hand. “I think she thought a clean break would help you forget her, but she asked me about you all the time.”

  “It wasn’t enough.” Pulling away, I remember my dreams, swimming in the ocean, pretending I was a mermaid. “She never said ‘I love you.’”

  “Love takes different forms. Carol is a lot of things, but she was better for you than Crystal. You couldn’t live the way your mother lived.”

  “Aunt Carol watched every move I made, like I was always on the brink of evil. She never showed affection… Try living that way.”

  Martha nods her head. “Carol clings to a lot of fear.”

  Disgust twists my lips. “Fear of what?”

  “Fear that maybe what happened to your mother was somehow the family’s fault, like they made her be what she was.”

  “What was she?” My stomach is tight, but I need to know the truth from someone who won’t hide it from me.

  “She was a dreamer.” Martha hesitates, as if she’s turning this over in her mind. “She used drugs to expand her creativity, but that road often leads to the worst outcomes.”

  My throat tightens, and my eyes squeeze shut. “So she was a junkie?”

  “She was alone.”

  “She chose to be alone.” Anger tightens my throat, and tears burn my eyes.

  Martha grasps my hand firmly, holding me with her gaze. “You are the best parts of her. You’re brave and you have dreams, but you have strength and a foundation she never had.”

  Quiet falls between us, and the anger and the sadness and the grief I’ve carried so long spill onto my cheeks. Martha scoots closer, putting her arm around me and pulling me into a hug.

  Resting my head on her shoulder, I turn her words over in my mind. I’m tired of carrying this anger and pain, but the explanation doesn’t make things easier.

  “It’s hard to see our loved ones clearly.” Martha’s voice has that tone again, like she’s speaking from experience. “When you’re strong enough, forgive her. Then you’ll be free.”

  Forgiveness.

  I sit for several minutes contemplating the word. It’s the second time I’ve been asked for it in less than a day. The first time was so easy, but this time?

  Martha’s hand slides up and down my back, and I sit up, drying my cheeks with the backs of my hands.

  “I grew up feeling worthless because I never had a mom, but now I realize I had two. One left me behind. The other was always with me… She drove me crazy, but she was always there.”

  Martha’s lips poke out, and she nods. “Carol means well.”

  The statement pushes a laugh through my lips. Shaking my head, I can’t let it go unchallenged. “She’s a judgmental old cow.”

  When Martha doesn’t respond, I feel self-conscious.

  I think about this situation, and I think about the stories I’ve heard so many times in this very room, working with Gwen. I remember holding people’s hands and feeling their pain. So many of them were so lost. So many of them were trying to rebuild with broken tools.