Page 59 of Hard to Love

I wanted to hold her here last night until she saw reason. Until she realized this is where she’s supposed to be. But I hurt her. I never gave our love a chance it deserved. First, it was about One. Her brother, my best friend. He knew who I was, who I’ve always been. I never imagined he would accept us.

Then, it was my past. Washing ashore like a storm raging. Nothing she couldn’t handle, though. It was me who couldn’t. I didn’t want my former life to tarnish her in any way. All the while, it was my feelings on my past that kept us apart. Thinking I wasn’t good enough for her, I walked away instead of standing firm for us.

Now, in the middle of the downpour, I stand waiting for her. Waiting for her to come back home. Just like I did, knowing without her by my side, I would be homesick for the rest of my life. Whatever it takes, I’ll wait for her. My heart breaks every second that passes without her with me.

From the moment I met her, I knew Thayer was it for me. She blew in from the coast, taking me by storm. How could I have ever doubted her? She’s what the eye of the storm is made of. Strength and calm. She’s strong in ways that I’ll never understand. Not a day goes by. I’m not thankful for her kind of rain.

Why the hell am I sitting here? I’ve sat here the better part of the day. I can’t wait another minute. I call for Lulu as I hurry to the truck. I’m going to get her. I can’t wait for her to come back, she’s making a huge mistake marrying him, and by God, I’m gonna go stop her.

I tear up grass and gravel as I burn the tires off my truck, getting turned around. By the time they find purchase on the highway, I push the pedal to the floor. Even if I have to run through the church doors, I’m getting her to come home with me, where she belongs.

I run every light between Still Creek and Cherry Grove, getting my ass to the church. It’s two o’clock. I’ll be there in less than five minutes. Maybe I’ll make it just in time to be the one who objects. Making a right, I pull in front of the church and race up the steps.

I practically take the door from its hinges as I burst through them. One looks up at me. The church is empty. What the fuck? Looking around, my eyes land back on my best friend. He smiles.

“She called me to ask if I would let the guests know there’s not going to be a wedding today.” He shrugs as his smile grows.

“Where?” is all I manage to say.

“Home. She said she was going home.” One’s mouth pulls into the broadest smile. Home. I know where that is.

“I’m gonna go get my girl.” Throwing my arms around him, I drag my best friend into a bear hug as he pats me on the back.

“Good.” Breaking away, I set off in a dead run to my truck.

“I’m marrying her, you know that, right?” I throw over my shoulder as I hit the door.

One yells back before it closes behind me, “You’re already my brother!”

Damn. Right in the feels.

Spinning my truck around, I hurry down the same road I just took to get here. Thayer’s going home. Our home. My palms sweat at the thought of holding her again. Hearing her say my name in her morning voice, sleepy and gravelly. Fuck.

I can’t drive fast enough. I run every traffic light once again. I need to get to her. I pray she waits. My old truck fishtails as I leave the pavement and my tires hit the gravel. The road to our open field by the pond grew by a hundred miles once I was on it. I just couldn’t get there fast enough.

As the clearing comes into view, I see her truck; instead of calming, my heart races as I see her slide from her seat. She’s more beautiful today than she’s ever been because today, she’s mine. She’s here, and I’m never letting her go again.

I no more than slam my truck into park, and I’m bounding out the door. Rushing her like a linebacker, I wrap my arms around her as she throws her legs around my waist. My lips waste no time in finding hers, finding my home. We break apart in short bursts, saying all we need to say right now.

“Is this crazy?” she wonders.

“Love is crazy,” I tell her.

“How’d you know?” Thayer asks.

“You’re my home too, hun,” I say, retaking her mouth.

Our tongues are at war but not in the same way they had been for months now. I bite at her bottom lip that I’ve missed so much as she moans. Backing her up against her truck, I take her by the waist, setting her in the seat. Nothing like these older trucks. Total bench seats, perfect.

My hands find her face as I pull her even closer into my kiss. Licking along the line of her bottom lip, now crimson from my assault. Her thighs squeeze my sides when I press against her. Her center is hot, and I’m really hoping she’s ready for me.

Her fingers tangle in my hair as I pull hers loose from the knot on top of her head. It falls down her back in a mass of dark waves. Running my hand down her back, I stop in the middle to press her into me so that we can’t tell where she ends, and I begin.

Her gasp as she crushes my waist with her thighs makes me cream. I need her more than I need my next breath. She reaches down and pulls my shirt over my head. Her cool fingers trace across the tattoos on my chest as she works her way down to my abs. Fuck me. Thayer forces her thumbs inside the waist of my pants, following my hairline.

My cock springs to life. I grab her shirt and tear every button from it, revealing my favorite turquoise and black lace bra. She spills just slightly from the top as I jerk her sweater over her shoulders, and she wiggles it from her hands.

Caressing her breast, I trace the lace laying against her with my tongue as I watch her goose bumps grow. Her nipples peek as I shift my thumb under her lace and rub the now hardened tip. She arches her back in response, making her pussy thrust against my zipper.