Page 120 of Chasing Hope

I don’t think there is anything in this world that could pry me away from her right now. And she’s clinging to me like her prayers are also being answered.

Years of tension.

Years of fleeting touches.

Years of looks exchanged across dining tables.

And it’s finally happening.

I love you.

I want to shout it from the rooftops. I want to give my entire heart to her, lay it bare in the palm of her hand, but I can’t take my lips off her.

The hands fisting my shirt tug once more. We’re both trying to get as close to each other as possible, and the moment our hips align, we’re groaning into each other’s mouths, then diving in for more.

The urgency is growing, the need to get to a bedroom right this instant so fucking strong I start blindly pressing buttons, hoping I hit the right one for our level.

The elevator doors open just as Evie moans inside my mouth, her hand in my hair and her nails scratching the skin of my scalp pulling such a deep groan from me I don’t hear it at first—the voice coming from the open doorway.

“Get your fucking mouth off my goddamn sister!”

Evie pulls away from me and I snap my head to the side.

Caleb is standing there, his face red, the color such a stark contrast to his sandy blond hair.

The look he sends my way—I’m in for a world of pain.

“Caleb—”

“Put my sister down,” he growls.

Swallowing thickly, I slowly drop a silent Evie to her feet.

“Now step the fuck back,” he barks.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath for what’s to come. I part my lips to speak but he snaps, “Don’t say a goddamn word, Matteo.”

My eyes fly open at the use of my first name. Even Evie gasps beside me.

She steps in front of me, one hand on my chest and her other one trying to placate her brother. “Caleb, please take a breath and calm down?—”

He slaps his hands against the elevator doors as they begin to close.

“Not now, V,” he spits out through gritted teeth.

Gently maneuvering her to the side, I whisper, “It’s okay, Dove.”

But that was the wrong thing to say, the wrong nickname to use. Caleb’s eyes flash with rage. Quickly stepping away from Evie so she’s not in the line of fire, I do nothing to stop the punch from coming my way.

My best friend hits me square in the jaw and the last thing I hear is Evie’s terrified scream.

Chapter 36

Evie

UNKNOWN

Caleb gave me your new phone number