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His large palms cover my jaw on either side, the thumbs stroking the hollow of my cheeks. The full force of the desire in his eyes punches a hole in my protective walls. “God, I’ve missed you.”
My lips press into the edge of my teeth as he takes them in a bruising kiss. His tongue dips into my open mouth, and I fight to force mine into his. After days apart, the anguish and pain of loss, of nights spent alone in a cold bed, I want to taste him. I want to breathe him and drink him in, knowing firsthand how fleeting life has become.
Rhett wraps one arm around the small of my back, dipping me slightly as he takes over again. A groan reverberates in his chest, vibrating beneath my palms. We’re both breathless as we part. The sound of our panting breaths washes away with the gentle waves below the dock.
Hearing the approaching footsteps urge me to turn in his arms. My back fits against his front like a piece of a puzzle. His arm crosses over my front, angled in a possessive hold. Caiti and Tate approach, and at her blotchy expression, I pull free to take her into my arms.
“I’m so sorry I walked away. I couldn’t—” I choke against threatening tears and rub her back to distract myself. “The memories…” I try and fail again.
Her arms wrap around me unexpectedly tight. “Go be with your man.”
I hold her back. “You asked him to come.”
“I wish Eric could be here to hold me through this. There’s no reason for you to suffer alone.”
Her words burrow their way into my heart for safekeeping. Alone lost its appeal the day I met Rhett in a small-town parking lot.
“I wish I could pack you and take you with me. Please come stay with us.”
She looks out at the watery horizon, and I follow her gaze there.
“When I’m ready, I’ll be on my way.”
I drop my head to her shoulder, watching the clouds float above calm blue waters as I bid my brother a silent goodbye. “Take your time.”
30
Evie
Hot rays of the sun send a glare through my windshield. Lowering the sunglasses over my tired eyes, I punch the call button on my dash and bring up Rhett’s contact. After two flights and a layover, I’m finally about fifteen minutes from Arrow Creek with my eye set on a hot shower and a warm bed, preferably with Rhett in one or both.
“Hey,” he answers. The sound of his engine roaring to life can be heard in the background.
“I’m nearing town. Can I come to your place for a shower and a nap?”
“Actually, I’m picking you up. Meet me at the truck stop.”
I don’t stifle a thick yawn. “I don’t know. I’m so tired from two flights and a layover.”
Rhett tried to push his ticket to a later flight, but he needed to get back, not wanting to spend more time out of the state than necessary in case Nora decided to drop by. Only twenty-four hours have passed since he left, but I’m more than ready to see him again.
“Do you trust me, Rosie?” The husky notes I love infiltrate his tone and settle deep inside me.
“What are you up to?” A suspicious flutter rouses nerves in my gut.
“Do you trust me?”
“I do,” I answer softly.
“Then I’ll meet you at the truck stop.”
Nervous energy sparks to life. A grin resides in my voice when I give in. “Okay. But if I fall asleep in your passenger seat, the person to blame is you.”
“Do I need to stay on the line to keep you awake?”
“I’m okay, Rhett. I’ll see you soon.”
“Drive safe.”
