Caught in Us (Caught Series Book 4) by Kacey Shea (free e books to read TXT) 📕

me from the top level of his cat tree with a disapproving look. I swear he’s judging me.

“You don’t know what you’re missing,” I say to my neutered feline friend, then turn off the lights.

Alicia comes out of the bathroom as I’m walking by the door.

“Oh, hey.” She glances down at her toes, her cheeks blushing as if we weren’t just doing dirty things to each other.

“I thought you might like a drink.” I hold out one of the water bottles.

“Thanks.” She takes it.

“I was hoping I could convince you to stay a little longer.” I nod toward my bed. “Maybe the rest of the night.”

“I’m good with that.” She turns her cheek as she walks by, trying to hide her grin, but it’s too late. I already saw it.

We settle onto the bed, relaxing into the bedding side by side. She tucks a pillow under one ear, turning onto her side to meet my stare. “So . . .”

“Yeah.” I brush the hair back from her face.

“You tired?”

I am, but I’m not ready to give in to sleep. It’s been so long since we’ve been together this way and I want to savor the moment, stretching it as long as time will allow. “How about we talk? Unless you’re too tired.”

Her gaze casts down to where her fingertips trace patterns on the bedsheet. “What do you want to talk about?” There’s a hesitancy to her words, as if she’s not quite sure.

“How about we play a game?”

She perks up at the suggestion. “What kind?”

“One where we get to know each other again.” I hate that there’s a void in our histories. It’s only been three years but I missed so much. I have so many questions.

“Like speed dating meets second chances?”

“Yeah, an I-go-you-go back and forth with questions.”

“Fine.” She exhales a long breath, her gaze lifting to mine. “But you go first.”

“Okay, but you’re too far away.” I scoot closer, my hand snaking around her waist to pull her tight against my body. I smile when she hooks one of her legs over mine. The hem of my T-shirt rides high on her thigh and I run my hand along her bare skin. “When’s Matthew’s birthday?”

“March twenty-sixth.”

My hand brushes up and over her hip to graze her stomach. I try to picture it swollen and full with our child. I swallow hard, sadness overcoming me at the thought of all the moments I missed. “Was it an easy birth?”

“I mean, I think so. I got an epidural so the physical pain was tolerable.”

I wish I could have been there.

“That was two questions,” she teases, but I get the feeling she’s only trying to ease the tension.

“You know I’m horrible at playing by the rules.” I force a smile. “Your turn.”

“Are you really good friends with Callie and Jill?” She winces. “Sorry, that’s personal.”

“Alicia.” I tip her chin up with my fingers. “I want us to get personal. Nothing’s off limits. And yes, I consider them friends. It took time. Probably wouldn’t have happened if Cam and Jill weren’t soulmates. I had to prove myself and re-build that trust. It’s funny, I was thinking about how weird it should’ve been today, walking down the aisle with Callie. But it wasn’t. I am not proud of the man I used to be, but I am proud of who I am today.”

“I’m glad you have such a good support system here.” She brushes her fingers over my chest.

“What’s your favorite thing about living in London?”

She doesn’t answer. Her mouth opens, then shuts, her brow furrowing with her thoughts.

“Surely there must be something.” I aim for teasing, but anger pulses in my veins at the idea she isn’t happy. There better be a reason she’s been living in another country for three fucking years.

“I like the work I do at the university.” Her tone is measured. “I enjoy teaching more than I thought I would. The research too. What about you? Why’d you go back to firefighting?”

“I realized it wasn’t firefighting I hated. It was who I’d become.” The warmth of her body pressed to mine pulls a yawn from my mouth. It would be so easy to fall asleep, but I blink away the exhaustion. “What’s your biggest regret?”

“Besides avoiding you?” She sighs. “Not talking with my dad when I had the chance.”

It hits me. In the letter she left behind she mentioned he had a stroke. “I’m sorry. Did he pass?” I never got to ask. I was so consumed by the fact she left.

“He survived the stroke. It’s just . . . You know, I’d rather not talk about it. It bums me out.” Her body stiffens, her discomfort apparent. “What’s yours?”

“My biggest regret?” My answer comes quickly. I’ve given this years of thought. “Getting behind the wheel drunk with Maverick.” Those memories haunt me like a nightmare I can’t escape. “But then I wonder, if I took that night back where would I be?” My hand caresses her hip, her closeness offering me a comfort she probably doesn’t realize. “That horrible mistake forced me to evaluate my life. It brought us together, and we made a child. And I have to think about Tyler too—would he be alive? Would I have started the teen center here in Richmond? Maybe, but it’s unlikely. So, do I wish I could erase Maverick’s injuries and suffering? Absolutely. But that pain used me, and I turned it to a purpose. That’s something I can’t regret.”

The weight of my confession settles between us. Her breathing grows even and her eyelids drift shut. I wonder if she’s about to fall asleep. I like the idea of her sleeping in my arms, even if I don’t want this night to end.

“Chase.” Her voice is timid, sleepy and soft. “I’m leaving next week. I have to finish my program.” We both know what that means and I sense her apprehension. I understand it all too well. There’s so much we have left to figure out.

“We’ll work it