The Sterling Boys(54)

She honestly has no clue about social interaction.

But she manages to make everyone in the car snicker quietly, including Kode, because she's so real. She smiles tightly, only because she doesn't know why we're laughing.

The car pulls up to Rain's house, and the light atmosphere in the car becomes heavy and exhausting once more. I'm starting to wonder if Kode and I will ever be okay again.

"I'll go get them," I murmur quickly, climbing out of the limo.

This night isn't what I wanted to do for our first date, but I completely forgot about the charity event at my country club. At least I have an excuse to see Rain. I had no idea how long I should wait to call her, and I sure as hell didn't want to rush her, but I also didn't want to wait too long. Christ, this shit is complicated.

I knock on her door, and Tria swings it open almost immediately.

"She's in the bedroom. I'll wait on you guys here."

I point toward the limo while saying, "We've got champagne in the car if you want to wait there."

She risks a nervous glance toward the car before she shakes her head. "I'm not brave enough to deal with four Sterlings on my own."

I really need to talk to the guys. If Tria and Rain are trying to mend their relationship, the guys have to be onboard.

I nod in acceptance before heading back to Rain's room. If I've ever been more nervous, I don't remember it. We're about to have the conversation I've wanted to have since we were thirteen—the conversation I planned on having two days ago. Damn Edward Noles stole that moment from me.

I've spent the last six years feeling miserable because of this girl, and now I plan to spend much longer feeling nothing less than ecstasy.

"Rain," I call, looking around at her empty room.

"Coming out," she says from her closet, and I swear my knees try to buckle and drop my ass to the ground when she steps into view.

A long, icy blue dress that rivals the color of her eyes clings to her body in a way that will distract me all night long. I swallow hard as I slowly rake my eyes over her from the ground up.

The dress has a small train that pools behind her, and the fabric is loose until it reaches her thighs. That's where things get interesting. I can see every curve, every line, and I can tell her underwear has to be nearly nonexistent. Motherfucker.

The sides of the dress are missing, and the mirror behind her lets me see the back is completely bare, coming to a point above her tightly covered ass. The top is strapless, and her cleavage is definitely accentuated.

As my eyes rake over her bare, tan, glistening shoulders, I notice her blonde locks curled and hanging loosely to one side, while the other side is pinned up. Her lips are curled into a smile that could stop the hearts of a thousand men, and she's staring at me. So this is heaven.

"Wow," I murmur, sucking in a breath that's not deep enough, before clearing my throat.

She chuckles softly while walking toward me, and I prepare myself for anything. She reaches up and pulls me down by the neck, brushing her lips against mine teasingly.

"Wow to you, too," she whispers against my lips, and I fight a war against gravity to stay upright.

It'd be damn easy to drop to my knees and profess my love for her right now, but I'm fairly positive I'd look like a pathetic freak. How do I tell her I've loved her for over decade without terrifying her? We just started dating.

"So," she says with a sigh, backing up a little. "This thing between us... What's going on? You said we would be together, but then all the crazy happened, and you haven't called me but once since then. And you seemed to be in a hurry to get off the phone."

What? I really suck at this shit. And she's very... distracting right now.

"You and Tria needed time, and I didn't know when to call. You can always call me, you know. I've never really done this," I say lamely, inwardly cursing myself the second the words leave my mouth.

She doesn't seem to know whether to smile or frown.

"You've never been in a relationship?"

I shake my head while closing the distance between us again. The need to be touching her is almost overwhelming.

"Never. I'm assuming you have?" I ask, bending to kiss her neck and trying not to think about anyone else touching her.

I couldn't ever get serious with anyone, because no one was Rain. Everyone since her has only been someone to pass the time. And nothing past the superficial ever developed.

"No, not really," she says at last. "You were the closest thing to a boyfriend I ever had when I was younger, and after high school... well, guys weren't exactly up to par."

My grin is involuntary and painful. "Up to par?" I muse, bending to press my lips against hers in a gentle brush.

"Yeah," she says absently, leaning forward, but I lean back, keeping our lips just barely separated so she'll elaborate.