Lead Me Home (Fight for Me #3)(97)

Kale was already off with his new girlfriend, and damn, it would be nice if Rex had a distraction, too.

All he needed was to finally get Nikki alone.

“Told you not to come,” Ollie told her.

Hurt twisted up Sydney’s face, and crap, that was all it took for regret to start tugging at Ollie’s conscience. At that place carved out that would forever give up anything for his sister.

She was supposed to be his priority.

His best friend.

It tugged and it tugged.

Only it wasn’t as strong as his need for Nikki that pulled at the inside of him.

Two of them tethered and hooked.

Just one night. All he wanted was one night.

He looked at his sister, whose expression was so pinched with betrayal he almost apologized.

He swallowed it back, his voice a little rough when he said, “Go home, Sydney. Told you tonight wasn’t for you. Call Mom to come pick you up at the dock.”

Wounded disbelief glistened in her eyes as she looked at Ollie then turned her attention to Rex.

A beat passed.

Then two with no one saying anything.

Like she was waiting for someone to change their mind.

To tell her to stay.

Guilt clawed through Ollie, but he forced it down.

One night.

On a choked cry, she finally turned and started to walk away.

Nikki scrambled to her feet to go after her, and Ollie sent her a pleading glance.

Stay.

She blinked between them, torn, before she settled back onto the log.

All of them watched Sydney walk down the dirt road, her receding silhouette getting dimmer and dimmer before she disappeared around a bend.

Ollie breathed out, a loaded sound of frustration and relief. This was so messed up.

He watched as Nikki got up, clearly upset. She headed toward her things she’d left behind in one of the tents.

Pushing to standing, Ollie hopped over the side of the truck, feet landing hard on the dirt. “Got to take a piss.”

He skirted around the camp, going around the long way until he found Nikki standing with her head dropped. Without saying anything, he grabbed her hand and the rolled-up pallet he’d made.

Silently, he clutched her hand, guiding her through the maze of spindly trees.

The voices and laughter grew more distant the farther they went, the sound of the waterfalls growing more distinct.

Nikki finally tugged at his hand, and he spun around to face her.

His breath hitched.

Air gone.

It was the exact same thing it did whenever he looked at her.

That feeling sweeping through him with the strength of the falls that crashed into the lake below.

But her voice, it was pained and whispered. “I think we should go after her. This isn’t right.”

He dropped the pallet to the ground and gathered her face in his hands. “Just tonight, Nikki. I want it to be us. For one night. That’s all I’m asking for. Tomorrow, we’ll apologize to her. Confess everything. We’ll make it right.”

Those mesmerizing eyes searched his face. “Why can’t we do that right now?”

“Because you know it’s going to be a thing. She’s going to be upset. It would ruin tonight. It would ruin everything we have planned.”

Her gaze drifted, worry written in her expression. “I just hate the idea of her going home angry. Feeling like we don’t care.”

Nikki fiddled with the red woven bracelet she wore on her wrist. The one that matched Sydney and Ollie’s. Like if she touched it, she might be able to touch Sydney through the distance.

“She’ll understand. It might take her some time, but she’ll understand.”

Nikki looked out over the streams that ran over the smooth rocks and tumbled over the cliffs. “I just . . . don’t want her to be mad at me. When this comes out, I don’t want it to change things between her and me.”

He gathered her closer. “Is that what you’re so worried about?”

Nikki nodded, eyes dropping when she confessed, “I’ve been worried all week. So worried, Ollie. She’s been my best friend my whole life. I don’t want to ruin that.”

Ollie brushed his fingertips across the moisture on her cheek.

Moonlight poured from above, caressing her olive skin, spinning it into silk.

“You don’t need to worry. We’ll make this right. I promise. But for tonight, it’s just you and me.” He brushed his nose against hers. “And me and you.”

She set her delicate hands on his trembling stomach. “Us.”

“Us,” he murmured, so softly, a promise that came from his spirit and fell from his lips.

He took her hand again, picked up the pack, and silently wound her the rest of the way to the meadow secreted by a break in the trees.

It was the spot where he’d found her every single time they’d played hide and seek there at the lake.

Where they’d grown and learned and changed.

Where she’d run and hide and wait for him to come for her.

To find her.

He spread out the cushion and blankets, and they both knelt on their knees as he silently, slowly undressed her and she timidly undressed him.

A blush on her skin as she peeked up at him.

Energy roiled between them.

Soft surges.

Gentle prods.