Chapter Thirteen

Bright sunlight hit Sarah’s eyes as she squinted awake. Strong arms wrapped around her doused her in warmth, while slow and steady breaths matched her own and the woodsy scent of Cornelius filled her lungs. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself one moment to revel in the delight of having Corey in bed with her. Then she locked down the violent feelings demanding to be recognized within her and slid out of his embrace and the sheets. Cool air hit her skin, making her wince. A wave of dizziness hit and Sarah reached a hand out to the wall. Amazingly, she didn’t have a headache and her stomach held just a hint of nausea. Not bad for how much she’d drunk last night. After a quick trip to the restroom, Sarah came out and peered around. She could sit on the uncomfortable-looking tiny couch, the harsh-looking desk chair or get back into bed. Not being a glutton for punishment, she chose the soft mattress and warm blankets. She wasn’t a masochist, after all.

Lying back down, she closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep, but instead watched Corey. He was peaceful in his dreams, no frowns or creases showing stress or unhappiness. It’d been a while since she’d seen him so at ease. After a few minutes, he fluttered his lids open and caught her staring.

“Morning,” he said, his voice rough and low. The sound did delicious, dirty things to her body.

The air grew warm and sultry, filled with anticipation. She licked her lips. “Hi,” she whispered, then she reached over him and snagged his glasses from the nightstand. He put them on when offered and lifted the corners of his lips. “Thanks.”

They stared at each other for a long second. The tension between them stretched and snapped. Without speaking a word, they both reached for each other. In a heartbeat, she was flat on her back with Corey over her. His mouth crashed to hers and fireworks exploded. Their kiss was a burst of heat and desire and desperation. God, it had been since…their last kiss since she’d felt anything close to this hurricane of need and lust and love. No other had come close and she never wanted this to end. Her tongue met his in ways familiar and new. It was flying and falling all at once. More. She had to have more.

The shirt she wore bunched up at her waist as they pressed together. He rocked his hips and she parted her legs to nestle him against her heated core. A moan vibrated between their lips as he ground into her and she didn’t know if it was from her or him. All she knew was that she was in Corey’s arms kissing him and about to come from the hard ridge of his erection rubbing her through his sweatpants in the most perfect way.

Lifting her legs, she pushed at his sweats to get them down enough to allow his cock to spring free. Then he was gliding through her wetness and the head of his dick pushed over her clit and Sarah was lost. Arching into him, she threw her head back and moaned his name as ecstasy took her. Her body shook and shivered with her pleasure.

“Oh, fuck.” He growled and jerked his hips away from her stomach and spilled onto the sheets. Panting, Corey rested his forehead to hers. “Sarie…”

The lenses of his glasses were fogged and she laughed. She ruffled her fingers through his hair, not wanting the moment to end. She knew when the buzz of their mutual orgasms faded that there would be awkwardness and questions. And neither of them had the answers. Even saying anything could crush this fragile aura.

Instead, she kissed him again. Soft and slow. Long and lingering. At last, when they parted their lips and tongues, Sarah wiggled from the bed and into the bathroom and snagged her phone on the way. She fired off an SOS text to Becca to see if her suitcase could be dropped at the room. She needed something to wear other than the dress from last night. “Becca is going to bring my bag over. Is that cool?” she yelled through the door.

“No problem,” he called back to her.

When it arrived, Cornelius gave a quiet knock at the bathroom and slid it to her when she cracked the door open. After a fast shower and donning regular clothes, she emerged. “Hey.”

Corey looked up at her. “Hey.” An awkward pause rested in the air. “Uh, Jack messaged that he and Bridge are getting dressed. They want to grab breakfast somewhere.”

“Cool.” She watched as he took his turn in the bathroom and flopped down on the couch. Burying her face in her hands, she huffed. “What is wrong with you?” How did she figure this out with Corey in the limited time before they had to meet up with everyone and pretend they hadn’t gotten one another off this morning? What did she want with Corey? Passion and sexual compatibility had never been the issue. The problem was her and her secret, one she still wasn’t willing to tell him. She couldn’t. He’d hate her. A tremble of fear shook her.

A knock on the door pulled Sarah from her spiraling thoughts. Springing up from the stiff cushions with relief that they could avoid the entire conversation, she opened it to a grinning Becca with Jack and Bridget in tow.

“Good morning,” Becca said as they entered.

“Morning. Cor-nelius is changing the bathroom.” She hoped none of them caught the way she’d tripped over his name, almost calling him Corey. She needed to get her head sorted out and didn’t want them asking questions about the two of them in a one-bed hotel room last night. “Where’s Tyneisha?” she asked Becca, going on the offense.

“She had to head home. Something about a standing brunch date with a friend. All good things. We had a great time together last night and are both happy leaving it as is.”

Cornelius came out and Sarah relaxed at his appearance. They wouldn’t interrogate her with him here. Right?

“Breakfast,” she announced. “I know a great place we can walk to.” She led the way and put her thoughts and feelings and what-ifs into a box and locked it away in her mind. This weekend was for Bridget and Jack and she didn’t want to mess with it. Safer to avoid Cornelius and what happened until later…much later. Maybe never.

 

* * * *

 

Cornelius willed his phone to chime in response to the text he’d sent to Hop when he’d gotten home from Seattle last night. A quick glance told him his mental telepathy hadn’t worked. Hop must not be able to respond or didn’t want to.

He clicked open the thread and reread his message.

 

Cornelius: Are there any exceptions to your no break-up-make-up rule?

 

He didn’t know why he felt like he needed Hop’s permission to try again with Sarah. Maybe because his friend had been so adamant about it and Cornelius had been at an impressionable age where it had stuck with him.

Memories of Sarah in his arms, kissing him, coming for him replayed in his head. Forget what Hop thought—he was going for it. His heart knew who it wanted and that was Sarah. Now to persuade her to want the same.

Sarah had managed to avoid Cornelius for four days before he at last ran her down. How she managed to dodge him while living next door was impressive, but Cornelius knew she’d be at the dress shop for final fittings. And those were scheduled for today. He couldn’t stop thinking about last weekend.

The two of them, in bed, together…where the hell had that come from? For years, they had skirted the edge of being friends and denying any attraction between them. Sarah was meticulous about not touching him. He was adamant about giving her the space she wanted. He didn’t want her uncomfortable or feeling pressured in any way. Cornelius kept in mind that if he wanted her to visit, to come back to Fallbank where he had even a chance to see her, he had to ensure their relationship stayed friendly.

Yet that hotel room with its one bed had taken those boundaries between them and annihilated those walls to dust. For that moment, it was as if they hadn’t skipped a beat. The taste of her lips, the feel of her skin, knowing how to tease pleasure from her body—all of it was as familiar and easy as breathing. And now his brain had those memories playing on repeat. His body was desperate for another round. His will to hold by the don’t-get-back-together-with-your-ex rule was weakening by the minute.

He needed to talk to Sarah—and Jane. He’d talk to Sarah first, then Jane. Clarity on what was happening with his ex-girlfriend was paramount for him, even if the outcome wouldn’t change him breaking things off with Jane. He and Jane had gone on four dates and kissed twice. No sparks. No desire. No urge to continue dating her and see where things went. She was sweet and pretty and worthy of someone’s attention, but if his heart had been reluctant before, it was dead set against her now. Friends was a good place for him and Jane. She had to feel the same, right? This couldn’t be one-sided.

His phone chimed and broke his intense thoughts. A quick glance showed a new text from Becca’s older brother.

 

Hop: Nope. I don’t have exceptions. Did you date someone I don’t know about that you want to get back with?

 

Cornelius: You know her.

 

Hop: You mean my cousin? Sarah?

 

Cornelius had to chuckle under his breath. Who else would Hop think he was talking about?

 

Cornelius: Of course I mean Sarah. There’s never been anyone else for me.

 

Hop: Well, shit. Why didn’t you say so? No question that you and she belong together. Go get her back, dumbass!

 

This time he guffawed out loud. He should have known Hop wouldn’t mean to not go after Sarah. They were family, after all. He tapped a quick reply then tucked his phone into his back pocket. A lightness filled him that wasn’t there before. It seemed all Cornelius needed was his friend’s permission and a hot-and-heavy make-out session with Sarah to get his head on right. He nodded to himself as he waited outside the store.

There was a light breeze, but early May was turning warm. The garden boxes lining the main streets of downtown had bright color flowers and lush green plants in them, making the town feel cheery and vibrant. Spring was making itself right at home in Fallbank. The grass was getting greener and the trees were starting to bud to life. The nagging rain seemed to be easing off and giving way to more peeks of sunshine. Given a few more weeks by the time the wedding came around, the wild flowers would be in full bloom. He smiled. Bridget would love it and Sarah would look amazing in her pale blue bridesmaid dress with the splash of colors as the backdrop.

The door swung open and Sarah, Bridget, and Becca stepped out, laughing together. The sight of the three of them had a grin spreading across his cheeks. The family resemblance was unmistakable. They were bonded together tighter than sisters. Now if he could convince Sarah to stay in Fallbank…and give him another chance. Rules were meant to be broken.

“Cornelius,” Bridget exclaimed with a smile when she caught sight of him. “What are you doing here?”

He nodded to all of them then settled his gaze on the blonde who had of late taken up residence in his mind. “I need to speak to Sarah for a few minutes.” He winked at Bridget. “Wedding party stuff.”

Becca cocked one brow. “And you don’t need me? The other bridesmaid?”

He felt heat flush up his neck. “I, uh… Sarah and I have already started this project, so I thought it might be easiest kept simple. Just the two of us.”

Sarah fidgeted with the ring on her right hand. “Now’s not a great time-”

“It’ll just take a couple of minutes,” he interrupted. Determination to not let her sneak away again gripped him tight. “Promise you’ll be back with the girls in no time.”

“We’ll leave her with you and catch up at Three Sisters. Sound good, Sare-bear?” Bridget asked, then grabbed Becca’s arm and tugged her down the street.

“Thanks, little B,” Cornelius called after them.

“What’s up, Cornelius?” Sarah looked around at anything but him. Two people walked by with curious looks as he and his ex loitered on the sidewalk.

On impulse, he snagged her hand and led them around the corner to a small alley between stores, out of direct sight from prying eyes of townsfolk. “Have you been avoiding me?”

“Why would you think that? What would there be to avoid?”

He placed two fingers under her chin and tilted her face up to him. Her green eyes drowned in uncertainty and he wanted to take that away. “Sarah. We need to talk about Seattle. About what happened between us.”

She swallowed. “It was nothing. We got caught up in the moment is all.”

“Nothing?” he echoed. “You’re kidding me, right? I don’t know about you, but I don’t just…”—he struggled for the right words—“dry-hump women to orgasm.” God, that felt so weird and juvenile to say and it didn’t quite fit what they’d done, but there wasn’t any other phrase that worked. “Stop pretending this wasn’t something more.” Cornelius shoved his glasses up his nose and ran a hand through his hair. How could she not be feeling the same way as he did?

With red cheeks, Sarah chewed her lower lip for a second. “I’ll concede that it isn’t something I’d do on the regular, but it doesn’t change anything. We aren’t meant to be together. It was a one-time event.”

“A one-time event?” His pulse pounded and heat rushed through his limbs. The muscles of his body tensed as everything inside him screamed to prove her wrong, to show her how right they were together and that their connection wasn’t a fluke.

She blinked, but held his gaze. “Yeah. I’m not even sure we could replicate the chemistry from last weekend.”

“Is that so?” She did not just say that to him. There was no way Sarah believed that—none. She felt their pull, even if she wanted to deny it. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not.” She tilted her chin up in defiance.

“Okay, then.” He ground his molars together, stepped closer into her space and put one hand on the brick wall behind her. Leaning in to close the gap between them to a few mere inches, he growled. “Prove it.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What?”

He pressed closer, feeling the heat rolling off her body. He stopped short of touching her and glanced at her pulse fluttering at her neck. “You heard me. Show me that we don’t have a bond.”

She licked her lips, but said nothing.

“Kiss me, Sarah. Show me there aren’t feelings between us.”

Cornelius closed the distance from him to her, the softness of her curves yielding to the hardness of him. Bringing his head closer, he watched for any sign that she didn’t want this. Gave her the chance to say no or pull away. Instead, she lifted on her toes closer to him. When their lips met, he moved with deliberate slowness. Light brushes to tease turned to gentle pressure of his mouth on hers morphed into slow slides of their tongues along one another. She gripped his shirt before gliding her hands up to fist in his hair.

He groaned and delved deeper into the kiss, shifting his hands to grab her hips and align their bodies fully. The flame burning between them flared and became an inferno. Their chemistry bloomed into a wild tangle of desire and need, both of them lost in one another. He rocked into the cradle of her thighs and a whimper vibrated from her throat. When at last they came up for air, her panting breaths mingled with his. And the lustful look in her eyes let Cornelius know Sarah was as swept up as he was. There was no denying that there was still emotion present, but it was stronger than ever.

Cornelius rested his forehead to hers and laughed when he noticed his glasses had fogged over.

“I guess we did get a little heated,” Sarah joked.

“I know we need to talk, but…” He dipped to capture her mouth again.

Sarah had melted into him again when—

“Oh! I’m sor—Cornelius?” A familiar voice jolted him from the intimate bubble they’d created. “Sarah?” This time Jane spoke more softly.

Fuck. Cornelius jerked back from Sarah and flashed a guilty wince at Jane standing at the corner of the dress store and the alley. He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed heat radiating from it. “Jane, I…can explain.”

Jane crossed her arms around her waist and darted her brown eyes to the side. “I’m pretty sure I understand.” Her voice was sad and dejected. “I should go.” Turning on her heel, she walked off at a brisk clip.

“Shit,” Cornelius muttered, then looked at Sarah. Her expression gave nothing away. “I need to talk to Jane, but this isn’t over.” He slid an arm around her waist. “We’ll talk, yeah?”

The softness in her green eyes melted his insides. “Yeah.”

With that, Cornelius stole one last claim of her lips before chasing after Jane. He caught up with her as she was turning onto the side path to the inn, the one that lead to the door she and her staff used. It was lined with tulips and daffodils that were a refreshing burst of color. It was a stark contrast to the woman huddled in on herself rushing up the brick-lined walkway. “Jane! Please wait.”

She glanced over her shoulder.

He felt sick to his stomach at the wetness glittering in her eyes. He’d clearly misjudged her investment in their dating. “I’m sorry. I… This should have gone down in a different way and that’s on me.”

Jane stopped and allowed him to catch up. She looked down and fiddled with the corner of the cardigan she wore. “It’s fine. We weren’t serious or exclusive. It was a surprise, is all.” Her voice trembled, but no more tears fell down her cheeks.

“It isn’t okay. I messed up big time. I wanted to give us a chance, but the connection I’m looking for…it wasn’t there on my side.” He sighed and adjusted his glasses. “I should have said something sooner and I…” He couldn’t bring himself to regret what had happened with him and Sarah, even though the guilt was there. Yet he should have owned up to his lack of feelings with Jane before now. “I’m so sorry, Jane.”

She swiped at her face, brushing away the dampness. Then she inhaled and let it out. “It’s fine. I’m more embarrassed than anything.”

He shook his head. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m the one who should be ashamed.”

“Well, like I said, we weren’t exclusive or anything. I think I knew things weren’t going to work out long term.”

“Still doesn’t excuse my actions. Sarah and I… We have a history together. We used to date.” That was putting it mildly. “There’s unresolved feelings on both sides and with her back in town, it bubbled up and overflowed.”

“I get it. I didn’t know about your past, but I could sense something when she was around.” She paused and gifted him with a small smile. “I hope things work out for you two. Seems like there’s strong feelings there.”

“Thank you, Jane. I don’t deserve your kindness or forgiveness, but I’m grateful.”

This time when she turned, he didn’t stop her from walking inside the inn. A twinge of guilt lingered, but the predominant emotion he felt was satisfaction…which should give him more remorse, but he didn’t. What did spark was excitement at seizing a new opportunity with Sarah.