Page 44 of Sterling Touch
“It’s—”
I press two fingers over her lips. “I’m sorry I didn’t seek you out and apologize sooner, and I’m fucking sorry I never knew you had feelings for me.”
I never intended to be so cruel to her.
She was my best friend’s little sister. A playmate to my younger brother. And she’s turned into a beautiful woman and a damn good mother.
“I’m just sorry, Vale. For all of it.”
For destroying our families and breaking them apart.
Tears prickle my eyes. The sensation is something that has rarely happened in twelve years.
Dammit, what is it about this woman that makes me a mess?
“I know you are, Cort.I know.” She clenches her fist near her chest and stares at me in the dark night, like she really understands. Like she knows I never wanted to hurt anyone. Not Stone. Not her. Not our families.
I’d been impulsive, just like I’d been with her all those years ago, and I’ve paid for it ever since. Paid for that decision over and over again, but right now isn’t about me, it’s about the wrong I’ve done to her.
“Bee,” I whisper, brushing a loose lock of her hair around her ear, admiring my hat on her head. It looks good on her, just like my flannel looks right, even if it is three sizes bigger than her.
I tug at the middle of my flannel shirt, pulling her closer to me.
“Vale, let me hug you.” The desperation in my own voice is a whisper in the breeze. I need her closer to me. I need to feel her against me, her heart beating near mine.
I have never been a hug-it-out kind of guy. Never been someone who sought affection, especially after my ex. But right now, Ineedto hug Vale. Like bees crave pollen and lungs desireoxygen.
Vale nods, and I pull her into my chest, wrapping my arms around her neck and knocking my hat back on her head. She catches it against the back of her head, but I pull it off her, not wanting anything in the way of keeping her close.
Her body molds against mine. Her soft curves fitting against my hard planes. I breathe her in—sweet honey and mountain air—inhaling, like she’s the fresh breath I’ve recently learned I desperately need.
Vale eventually wraps her arms around my waist, clutching the back of my tee in her fists. Her nose buries into my chest. We stand like this for a long time, sucking in deep breaths and holding on tight.
Everything in me wants to kiss her. Make it right. Make it romantic underneath the stars on this dark night.
But my chances with Vale have been checked off a list. My only hope now is understanding and forgiveness and then retreat to our corners in Milton County.
Nothing could be so simplistic,though. I couldn’t separate myself from Vale now if I tried. She was still my massage therapist, and I was still her son’s baseball coach.
On Wednesday morning, I didn’t rush to undress for my appointment but sat patiently on the edge of the massage table waiting for Vale’s arrival. Her son’s practices and subsequent games are hardly a place to talk.
When she enters the small space, she does a double take at my seated position, dressed in jeans and a Haven Exteriors tee.
While she sets down her tablet, I reach for her hand and tug her toward me, spreading my legs so she stands between my knees.
“What are you doing?” She glances toward a corner near the ceiling.
I look up there as well then back at her. “Are there cameras up there?”
She nods and casually tries to pull her hand free from mine, but I don’t let go. I spin our hands, so our palms press together and our fingers link. Her skin is so soft. Staring down at her slimmer digits slipped between my thicker ones, I lift our clasped hands and kiss her fingertips. The scent of honey tickles my nose.
“Vale, I want you to talk to me. About you and—” I point between us because something has been on my mind.
Some guys might find Vale’s admission a jab at their ability, and thus a blow to their ego, an insult even. Admittedly, being selfish and unfocused, I hadn’t gotten her off. But there was something in her tone the other night that suggested the issue is deeper than poor timing and a fast fuck in the woods.
She said she needed more. And I want to know whatmoremeans.
“Is this about the other night? What I said happened? Or rather didn’t happen?”
