Chapter Twenty-Two
Evie wasn't quite sure what to expect when Connor said they were going "camping." When she was a kid, she went with her dad all the time. They would go to one of the campgrounds a couple of hours away from their house, spend the whole weekend hiking, fishing, cooking by the campfire, and sleeping in the little tent they pitched. Tonight, however, after dinner, Connor said goodnight to Lily, Jackson, and Austin, then led her out to the truck.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
They drove further into the property, past the livestock pens and the solar panels, and deeper into the valley. As they turned down one of the dark, dusty roads, Connor pointed out the window.
Evie gasped. The sky was full of stars. They seemed to twinkle and sparkle, filling the sky with a dazzling display. Out here, away from the light pollution of the city, they seemed more brilliant. "Oh, a falling star!" she exclaimed, pointing to the faint streak as it painted the heavens.
“What did you wish for?” Connor asked as he cut the engine.
“I can’t tell you that or it won’t come true,” she said, then flashed him a smile. “But maybe it’s already come true.”
Connor eased out of the truck, and, as was his newly formed habit, walked around to her side, opened the door, and helped her out. It was a little chilly, so she wrapped her arms around herself to stay warm as Connor began to unload the truck. She gazed up at the night sky as she thought about the past few days.
Being out here with Connor and spending time with his family had been one of the best experiences of her life. Coming here with him had been the right decision. She'd also never seen Connor so relaxed and at ease. And why wouldn't he be? He was reunited with his family, and this place obviously affected him in a positive way. He seemed content and maybe even … happy?
But, then again, there was a strange pit forming in her stomach. This place seemed so right for him. She remembered his words about hating New York, and, seeing how he was here, she understood now. But that didn’t mean she didn’t feel a bit resentful that he abhorred New York. A part of her missed it. The vibrant energy, the life, the hustle and bustle. She missed the art and the coffee shops and the noise and the streets.
And then there was the fact that she had had her dream in the palm of her hands and it just disappeared. No, she didn’t regret leaving the toxic environment that had grown around the show. That part she could do without. But, now, she wished she was back there, scrambling up the subway steps to rush to an audition or even being at the open mic at the Stage Bound Bar, singing in front of an audience.
A loud crash caught her attention, and she looked around. Connor had set up some lamps around the truck for light, and she saw the tangled mess of tent poles and canvas by his feet.
“Sorry,” he said. “This looked much easier in the pictures.”
She laughed and walked over to him. “Where does it go?”
He nodded to the truck bed. There was a mattress made up with some thick blankets. “Over there.”
"Hmmm …" She walked over to the tailgate and hoisted herself up, then scrambled over the to the mattress. "Maybe we don't need a tent."
Connor's eyes glowed in the dim light, and, in a flash, he leaped onto the truck bed and was beside her. He caught her mouth in a fiery kiss, his warm lips a contrast to her cool ones. She moaned as he pushed her down on the mattress, pressing his large body over hers. His kisses sang in her veins, quickly heating her up.
He pulled away from her and tossed his shirt over his head as she fumbled with the buttons on her blouse. She opened the fabric, baring her lace-covered breasts to his hot gaze. He leaned down and pulled the cups off, then bent his head to suckle on her nipples. She jerked forward as his wet mouth made contact.
His large hand crept between them, slipping under her leggings and panties. Fingers teased at her damp slit, moving up and down, brushing against her clit. She bucked up against him, but he continued his slow torture with his mouth and fingers.
"Connor," she pleaded. "I'm begging you ..."
"You don't have to beg, Evie," he said in a rough voice. "You never have to beg with me." His fingers plunged into her core, and she grabbed at his arms. He moved his fingers in and out of her, his thumb stroking her clit. She came in an instant, the orgasm nearly tearing her apart. Connor whispered soothing words into her ear, encouraging her, telling her she was beautiful. She shuddered as the pleasure slowed and eddied.
“I need you inside me,” she said. “Now.”
He sucked in a breath and withdrew his hand from her leggings. She shucked them off, along with her panties. Connor kneeled over her, unbuckled his belt, and pulled down his pants and underwear. In the moonlight, she could see that his cock was already hard, thick, and heavy with wanting and she licked her lips, thinking of him inside her.
He covered her, spreading her legs apart and getting between them. Evie held her breath as she felt the tip nudge at her.
She cried out his name as he suddenly pushed himself inside her in one stroke as if he couldn't wait. She couldn't either. They could do slow later; right now, she needed him. He began to move, fast and rough, and she wrapped her legs around him.
Evie threw her head back and gazed up at the stars as Connor made love to her with deep, quick strokes that had her panting. As she felt the orgasm build up inside her, the stars blurred in her vision. Hot tears formed in her eyes, but she didn't even realize she was crying until they fell down her cheeks. Tears of joy, of sadness. All for Connor. This broken, wonderful man she loved.
“Evie,” he called as his body stiffened. She felt the explosion in her, spreading fast like a hurricane. Tearing into her and leaving her breathless.
He collapsed on top of her and kissed her neck. He shifted to his side, taking her along with him as he pulled her to him "Cold?" he asked.
She snuggled into his chest. “Not anymore.”
Heartbeats passed and they lay there, contented. Connor pulled the blankets over them and drew her closer, wrapping his arms around her as he fell asleep.
Evie stared up at the stars again, as another one fell from the sky. What should she wish for? For Connor to love her back, as much as she did him. But that would be selfish, wouldn't it? Instead, she wished for Connor's happiness, whatever and wherever, that may be.
***
The next morning, they packed up their meager little campsite and headed back to the house. As they exited the truck, Jackson and Lily were waiting on the front porch, having their morning coffee. Evie blushed as Lily flashed her a knowing look and Jackson gave Connor a thumbs’ up sign and huge grin.
“How was stargazing?” Jackson asked.
“Beautiful,” Connor said, though he was looking at Evie.
“It was—” A ringing in her pocket cut her off. “Sorry.” She looked down at her phone and saw the name. Annie Fox. Huh? “Sorry, I have to take this.”
“Go on, dear,” Lily said. “We’ll sit out here and have some coffee.”
She nodded at them and then slid the button on her phone to take the call. “Annie?” she said as she entered the house.
“Evie!” Annie’s breathless voice crackled through the speaker. “I’ve been trying to reach you all night!”
“I didn’t have reception, sorry. What’s up.”
“Evie, I have some news. Great news. Phenomenal news.”
“What is it?”
“Love and Regrets is back on.”
“What?”
“Yeah! I can’t believe it either. But our lawyer tore Atlantis Artists a new one for the whole stalker debacle. They didn’t want any bad publicity, so they’re going on with the show. Without Janelle.”
“I’m so happy for you, Annie. And for Jane, too.”
“Thanks! But, Evie, I’m calling you because we want you back.”
“Oh, I’d love to,” she said. “I’m sure I could help out whoever you found to fill in for Janelle.”
“You silly girl,” Annie laughed. “We want you back. In the starring role.”
Evie's heart thundered in her chest, and she suddenly felt faint. "S-s-say that again?"
“We want you to play Colleen. In the show. Can you come back to the theater tonight?”
“I … I’m not in New York. I’m in West Virginia.”
“Seriously? What are you doing there, girl?”
She laughed. “Long story.”
"We can wait for you until tomorrow, but that's about it. We've already lost days of rehearsals, and we want to go into previews as scheduled. So … will you do it?"
“I …” She bit her lip. “Can I get back to you … I just need a minute to process.”
Annie sighed. “Fine. But you need to make up your mind, like, yesterday.”
“I just have to make some arrangements,” she said. “I’ll send you a text message as soon as I know I can be in New York tonight.”
“All right girl. I have my phone in my hands, so just let me know quickly.”
"Thanks." When the phone line went dead, Evie sank down on the nearest surface she could reach, which was the steps leading upstairs.
This was her chance. She would not only be on Broadway, but she'd be in the lead role. She could go back to New York and live her dream. But a glance at the door made her stop. Connor. He hated the city; he was happy here. Even now, she could hear his throaty chuckle. It was a real laugh, one she'd never heard before. She crept up to the door and pressed her ear against it.
"I'm serious, Connor," she heard Jackson say. "Stay here, pledge to the clan, and you can have half of this. It's your birthright, you know. I could even name you Beta. I haven't really needed one, but the clan's grown so much."
“Ha, Beta?” Connor joked. “Like I’d be second to your sorry ass …”
Evie's heart leaped to her throat. Connor staying here would be the best thing for him. It would make him happy and help keep his wolf steady. He wouldn't have to be put down if he stayed here. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped onto the porch.
“Evie? What’s wrong?” Connor asked as he stood up from this chair.
“Nothing,” she said. “I mean, it’s all good.”
“Who was that on the phone?”
“It was Annie. From the production.” She quickly explained what had happened.
“My dear, that’s great news!” Lily said, embracing her. “It’s your dream, right? To be on stage.”
“Yes,” she said with a tight smile. “It is.”
“Congratulations.” Connor drew her into a tight hug. “You’ll be great.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach. Connor was telling her to go. “Thank you. But it means I have to be at the theater in the morning.”
"Oh." Connor dropped his arms to his sides. "If we leave in an hour we can make it back to New York by mid-afternoon."
“What?” she said with a tense laugh. “Connor, don’t be silly. I can’t force you to leave now.” She shook her head. “You’ve hardly had any alone time with your mother or Jackson. Plus, you told me last night that you’re going to talk to that detective.” She turned her face away from them. “I’ll go pack, and then I can catch a flight or a train or something. Let me go and check now.” Before they could see the tears building in her eyes, she tore back into the house, jogging up the steps two at a time.
When she reached the guest bedroom, she grabbed her duffel bag and started flinging her things into it. She only paused to send Annie a quick text message, telling her she’d be in the theater first thing tomorrow.
A knock on the door made her stop. “Evie?”
“Come in,” she said.
Lily walked into the room, a worried look on her face. “Evie, honey, are you okay?”
She wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath before she faced the older woman. “Yes, I’m fine. Just … uh, nerves, you know?”
Lily smiled at her sadly. “Is that really it?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Are you sure?” She walked closer to her and then touched her cheek with a gentle hand.
The emotions were too much, and something inside her broke. Evie's face crumpled, and Lily drew her into a hug as she cried softly.
“There, there dear …”
“Please don’t tell Connor,” she sobbed. “Don’t tell him.”
“Don’t tell him what?”
"That … that I'm selfish, and I want him to come with me so bad."
Lily pulled away from her. "What do you mean, dear?"
"Promise me, Lily." Evie wiped the tears from her face. "He needs to stay here. I've never seen him so happy. And …" She took a deep breath. "If he goes back to New York, he'll die."
Lily's expression turned to that of fear. "Tell me everything. From the beginning."
Both women sat down on the bed, and Evie began to explain to Lily what Connor had told her about why he chose to say in New York. "Can't you see? He's steady here. With you and Jackson and Austin. With the clan. He should pledge to your clan—he'll find purpose. And, if he fixes his wolf, Grant Anderson won't have to put him down."
“Evie, I …” Lily looked conflicted.
“You know it’s the right thing to do,” Evie reasoned. “So, will you convince him to stay here? He has to stay here, you know it.”
Lily nodded sadly. “I’ll do what I can.”
She pulled the older woman into a fierce hug. “Thank you.”
"Evie?" Connor walked into the room, and the two women pulled away from each other.
“Connor,” she said with a bright smile. “I think I found a flight that’ll get me to New York by tonight.”
He gave her a tight nod. “All right. If this is what you want.”
“It is. It’s my dream,” she said. “I’m finally going to be on stage.” The words sounded hollow, even to her own ears.
***
Connor offered to drive Evie to the nearest airport, which was about an hour away from Winter’s Creek. As she waved goodbye to Lily, Jackson, and Austin, her heart felt like it was being crushed under a heavy weight. She didn’t even want to know what saying goodbye to Connor would be like.
The hour sped by quickly, even during the silent ride. Connor’s face was inscrutable the whole time. As he pulled to the curb and was about to slide out the door, she stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to do that.”
He jerked away without a word, and the weight pressing on her heart grew tenfold. His movements were tense as he crossed to her side and opened the door. She slid out, and he reached into the backseat, took out her duffle bag, and handed it to her.
“You have a safe flight,” he said, his voice terse.
“I … I will,” she said with a nod. “Connor—”
She stopped when he pulled her into his arms and planted his mouth firmly on hers. It took all her energy not to cry. She focused on the kissing, infusing it with all her emotions and love, hoping he'd understand. So many times she wanted to scream it at him during the ride over, to tell him to please love her back and ask to come to New York. But she couldn't. Not when this was his one chance to be happy and to live.
“Good luck. Or break a leg,” he said.
“Thank you.” She gave him a two-fingered salute, slung her duffel bag over her shoulder, and turned around. As soon as she stepped into the air conditioned airport, she ran for the bathroom, barely making it into a stall before she lost her lunch.