Page 47 of Home Is Where You Are

I had to leave. Had to escape the warmth of her body against mine. Had to escape the feel of her in my arms and how my heart felt like it had finally found its home again with her by my side.

Gently, I went to move from behind her, thinking I’d make a quick escape.

Only she grasped my hand in hers, keeping our fingers together.

Being this close to her, holding her in my arms all night, sounded like the perfect way to end the night, but I wasn’t sure my heart could handle it if I gave in and she decided to leave again.

“I feel safe in your arms with you next to me. I know I’m asking a lot, but you holdin’ me tight right now is just what I need.”

Her confession gutted me.

Letting out a sigh, I laid my head back on the pillow.

Feeling Ainsleigh in my arms at this moment could not feel more right.

And just for tonight, I’d relish the moment because she’d eventually be gone, and I’d have to deal with losing the love of my life all over again.

seventeen

GENTRY

“Wake up, beautiful,” I whispered as I caressed Ainsleigh’s arm.

“I’m not ready,” she groaned as she stretched and blinked her eyes open.

“Tough. I’m sure your parents are up by now, and your mom is making enough breakfast to feed an army,” I told her as I looked down at her with a smile.

The smile that used to affect her in the simplest of ways.

“You’re not funny. I was having the best dream, and you ruined it,” she replied as she pulled the covers up to her chin.

“You dreamin’ of me?”

I’d love nothing more than to fill her thoughts and dreams the same way she’d always filled mine.

“You wish. Go away, and let me get back to my dream,” she grumbled and tried to roll away from me.

I didn’t let her.

I slid my hands to her sides and pulled her back toward me.

“If I didn’t wake you, your mother could’ve sent one of your brothers, or worse, your father looking for us. I didn’t think you’d want them to find you half naked in my bed.”

“Ugh. I hadn’t thought about that. I don’t even have any clothes up here except for the ones I wore out last night,” she replied as she scrambled to get off the bed.

Turning around so I could watch her make a fast dash to the bathroom, I noticed her fluffing out her hair before she closed the door, restricting my view.

She came out with a panicked look on her face, causing me to laugh.

“It’s not funny, Gentry. What am I going to do?” she asked as she picked up her clothes from the night before.

“You’re going to calm down, for one. Just wear a pair of my sweats and a T-shirt. See, problem solved.”

“No. The problem isn’t solved. That’ll make them talk even more than seeing me come inside wearing last night’s outfit. I can’t believe I’m having to do the walk of shame at the age of twenty-two.”

I stood from the bed and walked over to the dresser, pulling out the clothes I'd promised her and some of my own.

“Who cares what they say? Let them razz you for a bit, and then they’ll get over it.”