He spun around, slapping his palms on the doorframe to bar their entry. Sophia pulled up short, Marianne, bumping into her back.
“Sure looked like ya did.” Sophia raised one dark brow.
“I know you mean well, but I’ve got it covered. Okay?”
Marianne grasped her sister by the shoulders, tugging her back. Sophia folded her arms and stood her ground.
He narrowed his eyes. “Time for you to leave. Unless you want to see me in my birthday suit?”
Marianne lifted her hands and backed away, disgust screwing her nose up. Sophia huffed and met his stare.
He loosened the towel but didn’t let it fall.
She squeaked, turning to march away.
Laughing, he closed the door and got dressed.
Maybe Sophia had a point. Maybe he did need to make sure she was okay. He and Lory hadn’t exactly done much talking after she’d confessed her feelings. He’d basically pounced on her. Shit. He should check on her tonight.
Any excuse to see her again.
_____
Anton parked in the paddock bordering on the Carters’ land and jumped the fence. Their house sat in the next field to the south. The full moon lit the way as he walked across the pasture. A group of cows huddled together under a tree. A series of moos let him know they were watching.
He reached the house to find that her light was already out. Shit. It was late. But he didn’t want to chicken out now. Thanking whoever had decided to plant a Southern Magnolia near the house, Anton climbed its branches. He hopped on the roof of the veranda before creeping over to Lory’s room. Straightening his shirt, he gave himself a mental pat on the back. All without disturbing the peace.
He pulled out his phone and typed a message. Hey. Are you awake?
A dim light broached the edge of the curtains.
Yeah. Can’t sleep.
He frowned. Why not?
I can’t stop thinking about last night.
His face split into a grin. Need me to help you get some shut-eye?
I wish.
His chest expanded as love rampaged inside. God, he needed to hold her. Open your window.
Why???
Because I don’t want to break it to get to you.
The curtain was shoved to the side and Lory’s silhouette appeared. She opened the glass. “How did you get up here?”
“I climbed the tree. Let me in,” he whispered.
“You’re crazy.”
“Aw, come on. Don’t tell me you’ve never made use of that tree before.”
“When I was young and dumb, maybe.”
Lory winked, a wicked glint in her make-up free baby blues, hair wild around her face. How could one simple twitch of an eyelid mock such innocence? She was wearing pink pajamas covered in cartoon cherries, for Christ’s sake. She was fucking adorable.
And completely edible.
Whoa, back up.
Anton clambered into the room, crossing to sit on the edge of her bed. “Come here.” Holding his arms wide, he beckoned her over.
She melted into his embrace, sinking her back into his chest, and resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Hope squeezed his heart while doubt spiked his thoughts. “Are you?”
She sat forward, twisting to look at him with hurt in her eyes. “Yes.”
Disbelief had been a reflex. A habit after years of denial. “Sorry. I’ve been dreaming of this for so long, I guess it’s hard to believe it’s real.”
She stood before crawling into bed and tucking herself under the covers. Giving him a small smile, she patted the space beside her. “Tell me something?”
“Sure.” He took off his shoes and jacket, choosing to lie on top of the sheets.
“When did you know you loved me?” Her sleepy eyes blinked at him.
He rolled to face her; one side of his mouth quirked. “I had a crush on you when we were both still in diapers. But I knew it was love when you were the first person I wanted to share things with. Anytime I had a win or a problem, it was you I had to tell. You encouraged me. You have a way of making me see the other side of things… and then you got boobs.”
She smacked him in the chest. He grinned, kissing her forehead.
“I have a confession.” Her finger traced the line of his jaw.
“Okay?”
“I think I’ve secretly had a thing for you for years.”
What? His eyes darted to hers as blood surged through his veins.
Triumph and tragedy warred for supremacy. So much time wasted. He wanted to roar at the injustice. Had that collar of unrequited love been a delusion the whole time? If it had, he could finally breathe.
“You were always so thoughtful and sweet. I started to look forward to seeing you just as much as Grey, if not more. I had to pull away. It wasn’t even a conscious thing. It was self-protection. I was loyal to him. I couldn’t love you too.” She pressed a palm against her forehead. “I feel like I’ve betrayed Grey by admitting it, but it’s true. I’ve been so confused. I loved him. I really did. But I knew something was missing. He never wanted to… be physically intimate.” Her hand lowered to her throat, fingers blanching the skin as she pressed and took a pause.
Anton stayed silent, her tumble of words clicking into place one by one as they constructed the truth. Slowly, his eyebrows migrated so far north they almost frosted over.
She’d seemed to be in love. And they’d never . . .?
Never?
“And his kisses were friendly at best. I thought maybe he wanted to save that part for marriage. But he never really included me in his long-term plans.
