Page 70 of Back to Square One

“Oh my God,” Evie said softly, dark eyes going wide.

Rowan grinned and lifted one shoulder. “Your fault.”

“I accept all responsibility,” Evie said, moving her fingers and sending little shockwaves through Rowan’s body.

She caught her breath and pushed up to her knees as Evie stroked her, undulating her hips to Evie’s rhythm. Evie bent her own legs, lifting her knees so Rowan had something to brace herself on, and she did. A hand on each of Evie’s knees allowed her to move more freely, and when Evie slid inside her, a cry was pulled from her throat. God, this wasn’t going to take long at all. She knew that, and no sooner had the thought crossed her mind than her orgasm ripped through her body as she rode Evie’s hand. She knew Evie was watching her, taking it all in from where she lay beneath Rowan, but she couldn’t maintain eye contact with her. She threw her head back and let go of a cry she didn’t recall herself ever making before, one born of the ultimate pleasure given by somebody she loved.

Somebody she loved.

No, that wasn’t a surprise. At all. But admitting it so freely, even in her own mind, was a big fucking deal, and she let it sink in, let it absorb, even as she slowly came down from her climax, Evie’s fingers still inside her, Evie’s thumb still slowly working her clit, until she grabbed Evie’s wrist and stopped her movements.

Her entire body throbbed, like she was simply one, giant, beating heart, and she slowly leaned forward until she was braced on her hands above Evie. Evie, who was smiling up at her like she had a secret. “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen,” she whispered, her eyes locked on Rowan’s. “You’re so fucking sexy.”

Rowan smiled down at her, wanting to say so many, many things, while also wanting to say nothing. She opted for the latter as she stretched her body out alongside Evie’s, her head cradled on Evie’s shoulder. Evie pulled a blanket up and around them, and it occurred to Rowan that if she were to die in her sleep right then, that night, she’d have absolutely zero regrets.

I love you…

She wasn’t sure if she’d said it out loud, if she’d heard it uttered by Evie, or if it was simply a thought in her head, but she had no time to wonder as sleep pulled her down into its warm, cozy depths, and Evie’s arm tightened around her.

Chapter Fifteen

They had sex every night for the next week and a half, as if they were newly girlfriends—except that was a discussion they’d skipped right over. Rowan was tired and sore—in the best of ways—every morning, but she was also ecstatically happy, and while having an important conversation wasn’t something she’d intentionally avoided, she’d avoided it just the same. They’d get there. They would.

Her mother was worried, that much was clear by the way she watched her when she didn’t think Rowan noticed, her eyes filled with concern. She didn’t need to stop by as often as she did, but Rowan had yet to settle on a way to tell her that without hurting her feelings.

“Mom, seriously, stop,” she finally said one Saturday as they had lunch together in the small eat-in area of Rowan’s kitchen, and she could feel her mother’s worried eyes on her.

“Stop what?” Her mom feigned surprise, as if she didn’t know exactly what she’d been doing, and it got under Rowan’s skin.

“Stop looking at me like I’m gonna break.”

“I’m not.”

“You are. I can feel it. You have to stop. I’m fine.”

There was a beat as they both ate their salads Rowan’s mom had brought, the only sound the crunching of greens. “You’re never home anymore,” her mother finally said, her voice quiet.

Rowan sighed. She hadn’t meant to, but it blew out of her before she could catch it. “I’m at Evie’s. You know that.”

“Every night?”

Poking the inside of her cheek with her tongue, Rowan put down her fork. “Mom, I love you, but you have to stop smothering me.” Her mother’s eyes flashed at that, so Rowan pushed on. “I am a grown-ass adult. If I want to sleep away from home every single night, I can do that. Plus, it’s easier for Evie to be in her own space than to come here.”

Her mother kept her gaze on her plate as she pushed around a cherry tomato with her fork. Rowan knew she’d struck a nerve, and she felt bad about it, but it needed to be said. She waited her out and finally, her mother spoke. “I know.” Her voice was soft. “I just worry.”

“About what?” Rowan’s question was a bit louder than she’d intended, but the proverbial end of her rope was close enough to touch at this point.

“Just make sure you’re protecting yourself. Okay? I’m really glad you’re being a good friend, and you’re helping Evie with her health, but take care of your own health as well. Please.” Eyes down, she pushed her chair back and stood, then took her dish to the sink.

And now Rowan felt like shit. Because of course she did, how could she not? She scratched at an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, Mom. Okay? I know you’re worried. I get it.” And she did. Didn’t mean she liked it, but she could understand it. She had to admit that. When her mom turned to look at her, Rowan gave her a half-grin. “Sometimes I forget that I’ve forgotten. You know?”

Her mom nodded, but the attempt to humorize her memory loss didn’t work, and her mom said nothing more. There wasn’t much conversation after that. She’d hurt her mom’s feelings, and she knew it, but she’d also stood up for herself. Not something she was going to apologize for.

“I’ll call you later,” she said as her mom gathered up her purse and keys. “Thanks for lunch.” She gave her a kiss on the cheek and a hug and then stood in the doorway as she watched her mom start her car and pull out. Finally, she closed the door, stood with her back against it, and blew out a long, slow breath.

Kevin sauntered by and gave her a look.

“Hey, don’t judge me. She needed to hear it.” She grimaced at him. “Of course, now I feel like crap. I’m a terrible daughter, aren’t I? God.”