Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms #2)(38)

“Why is that?”

“Because she still controls the money.”

“Really? I thought you inherited your money when you turned twenty-five. I saw you in Chicago right after that, and I remember you saying you’d just gotten access to it.”

I tipped back some bourbon. “I did inherit a portion of my trust after grad school, but the Pemberton family fortune is still controlled by Gran. And our trusts were set up in a way that they sort of trickle into our names as we get older and hit certain milestones.”

“So what are the milestones?”

“Turning twenty-five. Getting married. Buying a home. Having kids. She wants to see that we’re settled before we inherit. I mean, she’s ninety. She has pretty traditional, old-fashioned values.” Fuck—I hadn’t meant to get into this with Chloe yet. The bourbon was loosening my tongue. “Whose turn is it?”

“Mine, I think.” She took the flask from me and tipped it up. “God, this is good. I better stop drinking it though. I really don’t want to visit that outhouse again tonight, especially in the rain. Here, take it. I’m done.”

I took one last drink from it and screwed the top back on before setting it aside.

She stretched out on her side atop her sleeping bag, propping her head in her hand. “What’s your greatest fear?”

“Failure. I hate being called a fuckup.”

“What’s your proudest accomplishment?”

“So far? Brown Eyed Girl. But I think what we do together will top it.”

“Same.” She smiled. “Okay, last question. You go.”

“What’s your biggest regret?” I asked her quietly.

“I’m not sure I have one, as an adult. I suppose I regret being such a terrible teenager to my parents, but we have a good relationship now. They’ll probably make me pay for it someday by moving in with me and making me take care of them when they’re old and cranky all the time.”

I laughed. “Probably.”

“What about you?” She met my eyes. “What’s your biggest regret?”

Raindrops thrummed steadily on the tent, and thunder continued to roll softly overhead. I inhaled and caught the scent of something she must have put on her skin—it was summery and sweet, and it mingled with the smell of the rain, which I’d always loved. I tucked her hair behind her ear. “Running away from you.”

“Oliver.” She closed her eyes. “Don’t. You said you wouldn’t.”

“I might have lied.”

She sighed. “This is why I can’t trust you.”

“Okay, it wasn’t a lie exactly, but I might have … overestimated my ability to resist you. And I meant what I said.” I brushed a thumb across her cheek. “I was a complete idiot to leave when I did, the way I did. And I’ve always regretted it.”

“I don’t believe you.” Her lower lip trembled.

“Give me another chance, Chloe. I’m not that guy anymore.”

She lifted her chin. “Prove it.”





15





Chloe





NOW



Oliver looked confused. “Huh?”

“Prove it,” I challenged. “Prove to me that you’re not the same guy you were before.”

“How?”

I pushed his hand away. “By keeping your promise not to lay a finger on me.”

“But … can’t we think of another way?” He looked longingly at my bare legs.

“Nope.” To reinforce my stance, I opened up my sleeping bag and got in it. “If you mean what you say, and you really do want another chance with me, you’ll have no problem keeping your hands to yourself on your side of the tent. If you just want to get laid tonight and you’re looking for an uncomplicated vagina, you’ll have to seek it elsewhere.”

“Because your vagina is complicated?”

I raised my chin. “It’s very complicated.”

“Fine.” Sighing heavily, he reached over and turned down the light, removed his T-shirt, then flopped onto his back, hands behind his head. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” I turned onto my side, facing away from him, trying to hide a smile in the hoodie I was using as a pillow. I was positive he would be crawling over to me within minutes, proving me right.

Then, and only then, would I give in.

So I stayed awake and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The thunder moved on, the rain eased to a drizzle, the crickets chirped louder … but Oliver stayed on his side of the tent.

Damn you, Oliver. I know you want me.

I sighed loudly, just to remind him I was there and let him know I wasn’t asleep.

Nothing.

After another minute, I rolled onto my back and took my legs out of my sleeping bag.

Nothing.

I rolled onto my side, facing him, and peeked. He was in the exact same position he’d been in before. Eyes closed. His bare chest was visible, and it made my pelvic muscles contract.

I sighed again. Even louder.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked, not moving a muscle. He had such a great profile.

“I guess not.”