Page 99 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

MASON

SIX MONTHS LATER

“Mmm…you’re so warm,” Sophie murmurs against my chest, which causes me to laugh, considering California has hot as fuck summers and it’s the middle of June. “Ignore the alarm and stay in bed.”

I silence my phone and wrap my arms around her. “Wish we could, baby.” I drag my nose along the planes of her face until I find her lips. “Let’s go take a shower together. Then we’ll have twice as long.”

Sophie wraps her leg over my hip and pushes my erection against her pussy. She hums with a smile, keeping her eyes closed. “Soph…” I warn, watching as she bites her lip.

Since Maddie moved in after Thanksgiving, Sophie’s been in my bed every night, and it’s exactly how I want it. My future wife should only ever be in my bed.

Although the students in Maddie’s apartment got relocated to another building while they remodeled, Sophie liked spending more time with her, so she asked her to stay through the summer.

At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maddie moves in, considering the room is available anyway.

She has one more year of school before she graduates, but when Sophie and I get married, we’ll find a place of our own.

Sophie reaches down between us and strokes my cock. My head falls back as she increases her pace and pushes my shorts down.

“Baby,” I mutter, but it’s useless. I’m a fucking goner for her.

She’s not wearing bottoms, so when she presses the tip of my dick to her entrance, it doesn’t take much for her to slide her panties to the side and then arches her body into mine. Surrendering, I grip her hip and push inside. Sophie moans, and I pull out before sliding back, harder.

“Fuck,” I hiss with our foreheads touching and our breaths mingling. Grabbing her thigh, I raise it higher and go deeper. “You’re gonna have to come fast, sweetheart.”

We’re supposed to be getting ready to go to Hunter and Lennon’s housewarming party in an hour, and I could make love to Sophie all day.

“Mmm, yes…right there. Don’t stop.” She moans loudly, and I kiss down her jaw, then suck on her neck as I thrust harder. Sophie plays with her clit, and I know the sensitive part behind her ear sets her off every time.

“Come on my cock, Soph,” I whisper-growl, then press my mouth to her sweet spot.

Her body shakes as she gets closer. We’ve become experts at morning quickies, considering my long work hours and her rehearsals don’t always allow us a lot of time at night. I’ve been in my position for less than a year, which means I’m still working on-call shifts.

“So close,” she whimpers, then wraps a hand around my neck. Seconds later, she screams my name as her pussy squeezes my cock.

“Christ, babe.” I pant, my release following hers moments after.

We lie together in silence as we catch our breaths. “We’re gonna be late,” she finally says, chuckling. “Maddie’s probably already waiting for us.”

“Then I guess we better shower together after all.” I lower my hand and smack her ass. Sophie squeals and laughs as I scoop her out of bed and walk us into the bathroom. “Not gonna be a good impression for your parents if we show up late as fuck.”

Considering I’ve cut my father out of my life for good, her parents liking me and approving of our relationship is important to both of us.

After Serena came clean about everything, she kept her word about not going public with the affair, but to keep my father on his toes, she reminds him she can and will if he doesn’t keep up with his financial responsibilities.

She’s seven months pregnant, and even if my father doesn’t want to be involved in my little brother’s life, I have been and plan to always be.

Serena is one of the strongest women I know, and she’ll get through this either way.

Though I do hope someday she meets a nice guy who can love her and her son.

Once Sophie and I have showered and finished getting ready, we’re only a few minutes late to the party. We’re greeted by Hunter and their three-month old, Aaron, who was born in March.

After the baby was born, they finally got married in May in an intimate ceremony in Utah, where I met Mr. and Mrs. Corrigan for the first time.

They didn’t hate me, so that was a plus, but today will only be the second time I’ve been around them, and it makes me nervous.

Although I don’t need it, I want their approval for Sophie’s sake.

When Sophie announced we were engaged, they were speechless—literally.

Shortly after the wedding, Hunter and Lennon bought a house outside of Sacramento, and since their parents are visiting for a couple of weeks, they decided to throw a party for everyone.

Sophie thinks the party is to keep their mom and dad occupied so Lennon and Hunter can have a break from entertaining them.

“Hey, guys. Come in.” Hunter moves to the side and frowns when Maddie steals Aaron from him.

“It turned out to be a beautiful day for a barbecue,” Sophie says, giving Hunter a side hug. We’ve been to their house several times before they bought it, but Lennon’s gone crazy decorating it for the event. “Ooh, I love what she did with this foyer.”

“Yeah? It cost a thousand bucks, so just a warning, these Corrigans are expensive,” Hunter says, giving me a pointed look.

Sophie nudges him. “It’s your home. It’s supposed to be nice!”

“Let me guess, Hunter’s complaining about how much money we spent?” Lennon walks toward us with a shit-eating grin. She scowls at Hunter, which is hilarious, considering they still act like they’re in the never-ending honeymoon phase. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lennon was pregnant again.

“I’d never, babe,” Hunter says before either of us can respond. “I love what you did.” He cups her face and silences her with a kiss.

She pulls back, laughing. “I might have mom brain, but I’m not that dense.” Lennon rolls her eyes. Sophie and Maddie snicker while I give Hunter a shoulder smack of support. “So where’s the Hulk? He bail on us?” Lennon asks, crossing her arms.

“No, his flight got delayed. He said he’s coming right from the airport, though,” I tell her. Once I checked my phone after our shower, I got his message about it.

“Well, come in and say hi to Mom and Dad. They’re playing with Allie outside on her new swing set,” Lennon says as she leads us into the kitchen.

“A new swing set?” Maddie squeals. “Is there a baby swing for Aaron?”

“Of course!” Lennon answers.

Sophie gives me a kiss before following Lennon and Maddie out the back door.

“Homeownership looks nice on you,” I tease Hunter after he hands me a beer. “Husband, dad, homeowner. Who knew?”

“I knew,” he states proudly. He was so in love with Lennon long before they were together.

“So, Liam’s flight really got delayed?” he asks, searching my face. “Or did he get held up again?”

SOPHIE

Lennon, Maddie, and I talk with my parents and play with the kids outside while Mason and Hunter chat inside.

The food is all ready to go, but they’re waiting until more people show up.

Liam could arrive at any time, so we’ve learned not to wait for him anymore.

He doesn’t usually mind either since he gets held up a lot.

When my parents follow Allie to the teeter-totter, I stand next to Maddie who’s pushing Aaron in the infant swing. It’s not a regular baby swing, so he’s able to lie down and not have to worry about his head falling back.

“So any idea where Liam is?” I whisper loud enough so only she can hear me. “Have you talked to him since he left?”

Liam flew out on Thursday and was supposed to be back early this morning.

He said it was a quick two-day job max, but he’s been acting very strange lately.

I found that casino receipt in his pants pocket six months ago, and when I asked him about it, he brushed me off and said he stopped for a quick trip on his way to a job.

However, I could tell he was lying, and I’ve been suspicious ever since, especially when I overheard him telling Mason he would be late with his portion of the rent a couple of months ago.

Either he’s not making as much money as he lets on, or he’s gambling it all away.

Whatever it is, I’m worried as hell about him.

“He told me he had to pick up a fugitive in Nevada,” she says. “We talked the morning he left, but that’s the last time. Why?”

I snicker, knowing she has no idea that I saw them that morning.

“What?” she asks.

“So you’re saying you haven’t spoken to him since before he left?”

“That’s right.”

I purse my lips, wondering if she’s going to tell me or not. When she doesn’t continue the conversation, I figure she’s not, and since he’s coming home today, we need to have this conversation now.

“So…was your make-out session the first time you two locked lips, or have you two been sneaking around for a while?” I blurt quietly, and her eyes immediately widen in shock. “Yeah, I saw you two.”

She tries holding back a smile, but I notice it. Maddie blushes too, which is ironic because she never gets embarrassed.

“I never kiss and tell,” she taunts, which is a lie, considering how much she talks about selling off her virginity. “And no, I don’t know what it means. He said we’d talk about it once he got back.”

I squeeze her arm, wanting to squeal out to the gods that my little sister actually kissed Liam. A guy she’s been not-so-subtly chasing for years. “How could you keep that from me?”

“I’m not foolish enough to think it changes anything,” she says with a shrug as she continues pushing Aaron who fell asleep. “Liam’s a player, and I finally broke through his hard shell, but that doesn’t mean he wants to settle down with me.”

“So Thursday morning was a goodbye kiss before he left?” I push, wanting more juicy details.

“I was grabbing food from the fridge to make breakfast, and he said he had to leave so he wouldn’t miss his flight. I was giving him the cold shoulder. I don’t want to get my heart broken, so I figured if I act like I don’t care, then I can’t get hurt.”

My chest aches, seeing her this vulnerable, which isn’t common for her. Maddie’s a tough girl, always sarcastic and blunt, but deep inside, she’s a marshmallow.

“I walked around him in the kitchen to grab a pan, and then he just grabbed my arm and spun me around. He pulled me into his chest and kissed me. Like really kissed me. Then he said we’ll talk when he gets back, and that’s the last I heard from him.”

“ Oh my God, oh my God! ” I whisper-squeal, which makes Maddie laugh. “Well, from what I saw, it was very hot.”

“You’re a little creeper, aren’t you?” She takes Aaron out of the swing and holds the sleeping baby to her chest. “I better get him into his rocker so he can nap.”

“You guys ready to eat?” Hunter calls from the patio door. Everyone walks into the kitchen and starts piling food on their plates.

Mason and I sit with my parents to give us more time together, and although we didn’t do things in the order they prefer, they’ve accepted us and like Mason a lot.

It helps that Hunter and Mason are friends because they cherish Hunter so much, and he’s told my parents what a good guy Mason is.

They know Mason protected me from Weston and Dalton, and for that, they’re very grateful.

As I sit next to my future husband and listen to him talk to my dad about sports, I can’t help the cheesy smile on my face.

I love watching the two most important men in my life get along and laugh together.

I’m so madly in love with Mason and can’t wait for us to get married and buy a house someday soon.

“So are you gonna get married in Utah, too?” my mother asks.

I look at Mason. “Uh, we’re not quite sure yet.

” He grabs my hand and squeezes. “We’re happy right now, and we’ll make plans when the time is right,” I tell them.

Between our work schedules, it’ll be hard to plan a wedding.

I’d love a Christmas-themed wedding in the mountains, but I don’t tell them that.

The moment I give Mom any information, she’ll continue to pry and push.

“Madelyn,” my mom says, grabbing her attention. “Have you thought about what you’re doing after graduation?”

Maddie plasters on a forced smile. It’s no surprise our mother would ask although she has a year left. “Probably apply to some dance companies and hope for the best.” That’s her go-to answer.

“Well darling, you can’t wait too long in that industry. You aren’t getting any younger.”

I hold back a snort and an eye roll. Maddie takes it much better than me, though.

“I heard twenty-one is the new forty,” Maddie says in a serious voice, but her tone is filled with sarcasm.

Before they can continue their conversation, the front door flies open, and Liam finally walks in. But he’s not alone.

Oh my God.

Maddie’s jaw tightens as she stares at him, but Liam doesn’t glance her way as he walks hand-in-hand with some chick. Maddie’s eyes narrow as if she’s about to murder him for bringing another woman here after he’d kissed her two days ago.

That motherfucker . I’m going to kill him myself.

“Liam, you made it!” Hunter walks up and slaps him on the back.

“Yeah, sorry. Damn delays.”

“Hey, Liam,” Lennon greets from the table. “Who’s your friend?” Her tight, black dress leaves nothing to the imagination, and she’s definitely overdressed for a barbecue.

“Oh, sorry.” Liam smiles wide, which makes me want to knock his teeth out.

He wraps an arm around her waist and she does the same. She rests her hand against his chest. That’s when I notice the big rock on her left hand.

“This is Victoria. My wife.”

Find Liam and Maddie’s story next in Between Secrets and Obsession