Hothouse Flower (Calloway Sisters #2)

by Krista Ritchie

“I want to be fully committed to someone, to be married, probably earlier rather than later. And I do want babies. Maybe like three. I also want to travel and visit the great seven wonders and scuba dive and stand beneath a waterfall in Costa Rica, kissing you.” He reaches out and holds my hand. My heart swells. “Not in that order,” he tells me. My lips pull high because he didn’t discount a single one of my wants. In fact—I can see it in his eyes. He wants all of it too.

aw, okay, this is cutee.

Connor

CONNOR!!!!! i missed you. (it's been like 20 pages)

I’m so fucking proud that I have her in my life.

I wipe the trail of hair dye off her forehead, staining my finger and smearing purple onto her skin. “You’re about to turn into a fucking purple dinosaur.” “Aww,” she says with a smile. “Barney.

I CAN'TTT. she's the only one who can make references i understand because she's so young :')

“So we tell them in Utah,”

OH, I'M SCARED.

“You sure?” she frowns. “Because Lo⁠—” “He’ll get over it.” I have to believe this or else I’ll never take the fucking leap. I stop in the middle of the path and hold her face, my fingers stained different colors already. “I want to be with you, Dais. No more hiding.”

BRO LO IS GONNA FIGHT YOU. I'M SCARED.

But I haven’t really earned any trust to ride backwards yet. So I doubt those are his true intentions. The mystery intrigues me more and more, and I study his features to solve it. He straddles the bike, facing me, tossing his helmet aside. Don’t need those. Okay. I toss mine too, my heart beating wildly before my mind catches up with me. My body knows what’s about to happen. I swallow hard, and when his eyes meet mine, my heart thuds a few times. He wears a carnal look. Like he’s ready to devour me whole. Oh God. My lips part, desperate for air like I’m crawling up a mountain. We’re on a motorcycle. Together. And. And. I can’t think it. I just feel it. I can’t believe this is about to happen.

BRO. YA'LL JUST DID IT IN THE FIELD OMG. I CAN'T READ ANY MOREE. i should've known he'd be a freak from how much him & melissa were doing it in cancun GOD.

My core screams for her, as though she’s mine and only mine, and I’ve finally returned home.

I don’t want to spend an extra ten minutes stripping, so I reach into my boot and grab my knife.

YOU'RE LYINGGGGG. DO YOU GUYS EVEN HAVE EXTRA CLOTHES??!!!

She clutches my neck and starts rocking her hips before I’m even halfway in. So I go all the way.

okay, but this is like.... on the side of the road? in the public eye?? god, they're CRAZY.

“Dais,” I say forcefully, reaching above her to grip the handlebar. It allows me to push deeper. Once. Twice. My erection fitting perfectly inside of Daisy. She cries, her eyelids fluttering. I lift her leg higher around my waist, and she breathes like she’s having a panic attack. “I can’t…” She shakes her head from side to side. I kiss her lips and slow down for a second. “You can, Dais.” I know. It’s fucking intense.

The red dust whips around us. I don’t give a fuck. I make love to her like it’s the most primal experience in the world. Like it’s what our bodies are created to do.

i can't even keep track of how many times you didn't pull out, and it's STRESSING ME OUTTT.

She turns her head to catch the sunrise, the warm glow bathing her face in color. “It’s gorgeous…” It has nothing on her.

THAT'S SO SWEET :')

“Hey guys!” Daisy waves to them, and they all spin around, but none come to meet us halfway. They all just stare. And it’s at this moment that I know something is very fucking wrong.

I SWEAR. IF PAPARAZZI TOOK A VIDEO OF YA'LL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE YOU TWO COULD TELL THEM FIRST.

“What’s wrong? Let’s talk about this.” He’s only ten feet away now. “You wanna talk about it?” His voice is full of pain. “I gave you a million fucking chances to talk about it,” he sneers. “I’m so done talking to you.” His fist flies and hits my jaw hard.

WHATTT.

“You spend so much of your fucking time trying to save me,” he says, “and you don’t even realize you’re killing me.” A tear slides down his cheek.

“I just wish you could love me more than you hate him,” Lo tells me.

But then he points to my face. “That bruise right there, that’s for fucking my girlfriend’s little sister by the way.” My stomach churns. What?

“How long, Ryke? Tell me that, how fucking long have you liked her more than just a friend, and let’s see if it’s all in my head?” “I don’t know.” I do though. I always have. I just can’t stomach admitting it. “I’m going to ask you again,” Lo says, his voice rattling with anger. “How long⁠—” “Stop,” I say forcefully. He takes one step closer. “No, how long⁠—” “FOR YEARS!” I scream, veins protruding in my arms, my face reddening, unleashing this thing held captive inside of me. I step towards him. “Is that what you want to hear?! Years, Lo.” He clenches his teeth so hard. “You’re lying?” He didn’t want to believe it. He wanted to be wrong. “I’m not,” I say, hot tears burning my fucking eyes. “I have been so fucking attracted to that girl. And I never planned on doing a fucking thing about it. I never was going to try. And I tried…”

BRO. THIS IS SO ILLEGAL. I'M HONESTLY TEAM LOREN IDC.

And I explode. “I FUCKING LOVE HER!” I scream, my heart thrashing in my ribs.

“How much did it hurt?” he suddenly asks. “Did what hurt?” “Watching her with other guys.” I choke at the flood of memories. “It felt like someone was drowning me in fucking salt water and lighting me on fire.” His lips almost rise in a fraction of a fucking smile. “Same.”

AWWW. STOP.

October 31st.

MY BABY LO'S BIRTHDAY!!!

“Get over it, Loren. They’re fucking. His dick is going in her—” Connor is fast, his hand flying back over her mouth.

IMSCREAMINGGG.

“Lil,” Lo says, about to drag the tray of shots towards her. She shakes her head. “I don’t feel like drinking.” He frowns. “Are you sure?” His voice is softer with her. “Would you rather have a beer?” “No, I think I’ll stick with water.”

HELLOOOOO OMG. I FORGOT. AND THAT'S WHY CONNOR IS STARING AT ROSE. BECAUSE SHE'S NOT DRINKING. HOLYYYY.

Rose glares at Connor, and he stares back in challenge. They’re usually strange, but they’re being really, really fucking strange right now. He says, “Buvez avec moi.” Drink with me. Her nose flares as her eyes drop to the tequila.

OH MY GOODNESS. OH MY GOODNESS. I'M LITERALLY WALKING LAPS RN. connor, this is what you wanted !!!!

Rose puts the rim of the shot to her lips. Connor grabs her wrist and forces her hand down, the shot splashing as the glass meets the table.

HOW DID HE KNOWWW.

Connor pinches her chin between his fingers, and he says, “Vous êtes enceinte.” You’re pregnant. I spit out my water.

“You want a lineage. Eight kids, I remember.” “We’re married,” he says. “We have billions of dollars. We may be young, but we can be the best parents. You just have to trust that you’ll be a great mother.”

“We have unprotected sex,” Connor announces.

CONNOR. I JUST TOOK A SHARP BREATH IN. WHY ARE WE SAYING THIS ALOUD.

Rose smacks him on the arm for that comment, and he grabs her wrist and kisses her deeply. She melts. I stop fucking watching.

“Comment allez-vous?” How are you? Connor replies with a genuine smile, “Je ne pourrais pas être plus heureux.” I couldn’t be happier.

SO CUTEEEEE UGH.

He turns to Lily. “You’re almost fluent, love.” She punches him in the chest, and he mock winces, acting like it hurt. They’re both smiling.

My eyes flicker up to Connor, who stares at me with understanding and more compassion. He says, “Tout ira bien, mon ami.” Everything will be fine, my friend.

AW OMG. connor ily.

Rose slaps her arm and curses out the mosquitos. She sits on a wooden bench behind me. “I told you not to wear perfume, darling,” Connor says casually, sitting beside her.

AWHH. stop it. i love connor and rose. MY PARENTS ARE ACTUAL PARENTS.™

I’m interviewing the best plastic surgeons in the city. You’ll be okay. – Mom

samantha calloway, they could never make me like you.

She jumps off the picnic table quickly and flings her arms around him. Then she pulls away and presses a sticker on his shirt. “It’s Spider-Man. For good luck.” “Thanks, Lily.” I can’t see his smile this time, just his back. But I’m sure he’s smiling because Lily’s eyes are flooded with emotion.

stop omg. the development in their relationship from the start to now :')

“I was waiting for the sun to chase me,” he breathes, drawing me to his chest. In one swift movement, my lips are on his. The world is spinning. He kisses me like this is the moment he’s envisioned all his life. Like this is heaven on Earth.

He whispers, “I fucking love you.” I smile, my lips tingling. “Guess what?” “What?” “I love you more than chocolate cake.”

“Please, please invite me to the wedding.” I picture his smile reaching the ends of his scraggily red hair.

i swear, if he dies before the wedding, i will BAWL.

Her eyes are tight with concern like Greg’s, and her gaze fixes to her youngest daughter. Samantha places one palm to her chest, as though swept up in emotion upon seeing Daisy. Knowing she’s safe. But then her eyes focus on me. And she glares.

girl, don't even. he literally saved your daughter.....

I’m no longer scared to express myself. She can’t stifle my voice or take my opinions away. I matter.

You are your own anchor. Do you want to keep burning or are you going to let yourself rise? No more dragging myself down. I’m finally ready to rise.

Connor looks amused by the whole conversation. He leans back and sips his wine.

my husband is so cute I CAN'TT. he's always just here for the drama!!

I’m going to build a relationship with her father, even if it means having to get closer to mine. It’s a sacrifice I am willing to make a thousand times over. I’d fucking call that love.

I think Rose is announcing her pregnancy to our parents.

BRO. i want connor and rose's POVs back so bad. WHEN CONNOR HEARD ROSE SAY SHE'D BE OKAY WITH HAVING CHILDREN, HE LITERALLY SMILED AND TACKLED HER ON THE BEDDD. i NEED his thoughts when she actually IS pregnant. like are you kidding me??? i've been ROBBED.

And then all of a sudden, a body stirs underneath a mass of pillows and blankets. Lo turns his head and pats what I guess are feet. Lily sits up like she rose from the dead, rubbing her eyes and stretching. The way Lo is watching her—it’s like he’s witnessing daylight for the first time. It makes me smile because their love is so transparent, and it immediately slices through any awkward tension that clung to the air.

I GIGGLEDDD. THEY'RE SO CUTESIES.

“Thank God.” She lets out a breath. “Thank me, darling.” She glares at him, and he stares at her like he’d enjoy taking her in his limo and fucking her hard.

HELLOO. connor doesn't play about his credit. EVERY. TIME. him & rose sleep together and she says, 'oh, god,' you BET connor is saying 'not god. ME.' LIKEEEE.

“Ryke Meadows?” “Yeah.” I don’t know why he fucking asks whether it’s me. He knows it is. Then the officer takes out handcuffs, and I hear a car door shut. I look up, and a second police officer is coming as back up.

WHAT DID RYKE DO. MY MAN DIDN'T TOUCH DAISY AS A MINOR. I SWEAR.

“Ryke Meadows,” the first officer says, ignoring Daisy, “you’re under arrest for statutory rape⁠—” Daisy bursts into tears. “No!”

She tries to rush over to me, but Connor grabs her around the waist, forcing her back. She sobs, and I can’t do a fucking thing. I just have to stand here and watch.