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He gently smoothed her hair away from her face, trying to soothe her emotions just as much. “Don’t be angry.”
“I’m not angry with you,” she said, her eyes great big pools of misery. “I’m sad for us because I loved you so much and would have found a way to make it work between us.”
He tried not to think of her past tense use of the word love, but he did believe that Raevynn would have done everything she could to keep them together. But he also knew if she’d defied her mother back then, the fallout wouldn’t have been pretty and Collin would have most likely ended up serving time. Nobody would have won that war.
“But I am furious with my mom,” she went on, resentment vibrating in her tone. “I always had a feeling she was involved in our breakup somehow, but no one, not even you, would admit it.”
He winced at the accusation, because it was true. But seven years ago, with his and Raevynn’s future on the line, he did what he thought was best, for both of them. A part of him still believed he’d done the right thing, even if it had cost him the girl he loved.
He framed her face in his hands, needing something essential from her in that moment, to help ease his own regrets. “Tell me you understand why I did what I did, Rae,” he implored her. “Why I didn’t tell you the truth back then. Tell me you forgive me for hurting you so badly.” He desperately needed to know that she didn’t hate him for the choice he’d made.
To his relief, her expression softened, as did the look in her eyes. “I might not like what you did, but I do understand your reasons, and I do forgive you.”
“Thank you,” he whispered gratefully, and settled his lips against hers.
The kiss started as an affirmation, a way to assuage any lingering pain between them, and quickly escalated into a frantic need to have her. To bury himself back inside Rae’s body and claim her every way imaginable. His time with her was limited, and he didn’t want to waste a minute more of it immersed in the past. Not when he was exactly where he wanted to be, with the one woman who finally made him feel again.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Raevynn was startled from a deep, peaceful sleep by the sound of the front door slamming shut and a female voice calling out from the living room area of the beach house.
“Hello, anyone home?”
She sat upright in confusion, trying to make sense of what was happening. Beside her, Collin jolted awake and swore out loud as he immediately jumped to his feet and quickly pulled on the shorts he’d worn the previous day, his hair a tousled mess around his head. The pattering of running feet sounded down the hall, and Collin leapt forward, reaching the bedroom door right as it flew open. He caught it halfway, blocking the entrance, and from where Raevynn was sitting on the bed with the covers pulled up to her chest, she could see two little people just outside the door—a young girl and boy jumping up and down with enthusiasm.
“Uncle Collin!” they both greeted him eagerly, making Raevynn realize that his niece and nephew were in the house, which perplexed her even more.
“Hey, guys!” he returned just as exuberantly, though his voice was still raspy from being woken up so abruptly. “What are you two doing here?”
“Mommy brought us,” the cute little girl with brunette curls bouncing all over her head told him. “We came to visit and go to the beach!”
“Sorry for the early-morning wake-up call,” that same female voice interrupted from down the hall, obvious amusement in her tone. “Clearly, you didn’t get my text message.”
Collin scrubbed a hand along the stubble on his jaw. “Nope, didn’t see it. Give us a few minutes and we’ll be out.”
“Come on, kids.” The woman beckoned to the girl and boy. “Leave Uncle Collin alone so he can get ready.”
“Okay!” they said in unison, and ran back down to the living room.
Closing the door, Collin leaned against it, a half smile on his lips. “Surprise,” he said sheepishly.
“What’s going on?” she asked, still bewildered by the unannounced visitors. “Is that Avery and her kids?” she guessed.
“Yeah. I texted her yesterday afternoon while we were at the boardwalk and you were in the restroom. She has Sundays and Mondays off from the salon, so I told her you were here, and if she was able to visit for the day, you’d probably love seeing her. She said she’d see what she could do and get back to me and that was the last I heard. I didn’t want to say anything to you until I knew for certain she could come.”
Pushing off the door, he reached the nightstand and picked up his phone. He swiped it open and winced. “Yep, she texted me about two hours ago, around eight this morning,” he said wryly, then read her message out loud. “On my way with the kids. Be there soon.” He lifted his gaze to hers, appearing suddenly uncertain. “I hope you’re okay with this.”
Now that her confusion had cleared, Raevynn was definitely surprised but incredibly excited to see her friend again. She knew Collin’s invitation to his sister had been issued with good intentions, and she appreciated the sweet gesture. And if Avery had made the effort to come and visit, then it meant that the other woman wanted to see Raevynn. And that knowledge filled her heart with joy.
“Sounds like a fun day,” she said with a genuine smile from her side of the bed. “Guess we ought to take a shower and get ready.”
“Want to take a shower together and save time?” he suggested, waggling his brows at her.
“No!” She laughed, even as her body went liquid at the heat glinting in his eyes. “I’m not fooling around with you while your sister is in the house with her kids!” she whispered. “And taking a shower together would not save time. You go first since you’ll be quicker.”
“Okay, fine,” he said with a cute boyish pout.
He headed into the bathroom, the shower went on, and ten minutes later he strolled back out, hair damp and dressed for the day.
