Seth (Casella Cousins #2) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,25
mad at him.”
Still holding the present, Finn crossed and dropped into a chair. “Me, too. I know I punched him at the hospital, but I wish he’d come to see us again.”
“It’s a mystery to me why he doesn’t.” Seth didn’t know what else to say.
“Yep,” Finn snapped bitterly. “Just like our dramatic brother.”
* * *
Back in their Hyatt Hotel room, Ali and Julianne changed into Victoria’s Secret pajamas and sat on their respective beds. When they were teens, they loved the store’s nightwear and still did.
Ali brushed her hair while they talked. “I’m sorry I can’t stay tomorrow. My mother-in-law thought she could watch the kids for two days but Petey’s being a jerk.”
“Don’t worry about it. We can come to New York again.” Julianne gave her a reassuring smile. “Ali, I’d be glad to help out with the kids if you need a break. Or have a date.”
“What’s a date?”
“You could find somebody else, honey. You’re a beautiful woman.”
Ali shook her head. “I already had the love of a lifetime. I won’t get another. But that’s okay. I want to concentrate on college and a career.” She yawned. “Even if I wanted to date, I don’t have time.”
“Are you tired?”
“Yes. I still have trouble sleeping sometimes, since Billy died.”
“Oh, Ali, I’m so sorry. That was six years ago. Did you ever see a counselor?”
“No,” she said, “I had my family. I wish I’d had you those first weeks.”
“Again, I take full responsibility for the fracture in our relationship. Seth and I broke up one of our many times for that year, and I had to stay away from all of you to survive.”
“I understand that, honey. I’m not accusing you.”
“What are you saying?”
“Julianne, life’s so short. I thought I had a happily-ever-after with Billy and fate took him away. You thought the same about Seth.”
“We could have commiserated, is that what you mean?”
“Damn it, Jules, how can you be so dense?”
Startled, she recoiled. She watched Ali climb off her bed, sit down next to Julianne and pick up her hand. “If I could have Billy back, I’d take him under any circumstances, even if he cheated on me. Those things can be worked out. I told you a long time ago, Seth needed counseling. He can get over those terrible lapses.”
“Do you think so?” she asked hopefully.
“I do. All I’m saying is life’s too short to dick around with stuff like this. If you want Seth, which I know you do, go to him. Tell him. Work this out.”
“I’ll think about it.” Julianne moved back on the bed. “Want to sleep here tonight?” They used to share the same bed when they had overnights.
“Yeah, I do.”
They slid under the covers, and Ali grasped her hand. Julianne was delighted when her friend zonked only a few minutes later. But Julianne didn’t go to sleep. Instead, she thought about Seth. Did she really want an excuse to get back with him? Is that why she came to his party? She knew one thing. She was sick of dithering about wanting him back. Sighing, she climbed out of bed and threw on a robe.
A shocked Seth stared at her when he opened his door. She stared back. Then he drew her into his hotel room.
* * *
“I don’t want to talk yet.” Her words were hoarsely whispered.
“All right.”
She led him to the bed. Eased off her robe and opened the buttons of her pajama top and let it fall to the floor. She pushed the bottoms down then kicked them off.
He sucked in a breath. God, he’d forgotten how beautiful she was. She’d gained some weight in all the right places.
When she reached for his boxers, he helped her get him free of them. Soon they were both naked. She smiled at his nudity, as if seeing it for the first time.
Leaning in, he picked her up, laid her on the sheets and covered her with his body. He steeped himself in her familiar scent, in the skin-to-skin sensation, with the full length of her against him. When he sat back, his hands roamed the curves of every indentation of her torso. Then he leaned over and covered her lips with his. He tasted the sweetness her mouth. She anchored her hand at his neck to keep him there. Finally, she eased her grip so he traveled down her body, kneaded her breasts, which made her arch off the bed. He ground his palm against the juncture between her thighs and