One of Jarrett’s dogs crosses in front of us making its rounds. Knowing him, he’s probably doing his own reconnaissance. I feel better having him here to help guard my girls.
My girls.I walked away years ago, hopeless that my dream would come true. But maybe… “Thank you for all you’re doing for us. Thank you for being here.”
She looks at me. “Me? You came to my rescue.”
I grin. “Maybe we’re rescuing each other.”
She laughs. We both relax and enjoy the night. Too soon she sighs. “I need to head to bed. Wake me in the morning so I can help with breakfast since your dad isn’t’ here.”
I stand and follow her in, lock up, then head up stairs. I don’t want the night to end. I don’t want her to go into that bedroom and shut me out. I’ve waited a lifetime.
“Gentry,” I whisper when she gets to her doorway. She pauses. “Gentry, please look at me.”
Slowly she turns, looks in my eyes, and shakes her head. “Sayer, we can’t?—”
“I can’tnot. I can’tnotlove you. I’ve tried. For eighteen years I’ve tried. I’m at the point now that I’ll take any little scrap you throw me. A glance. A smile. A shoulder brush as we pass in the hall. Any crumb.”
“I’m older…”
“That may have mattered when I was ten. It doesn’t now.”
She shakes her head eyes filled with doubt and something else…fear?
“Do I repulse you?”
“Sayer, you have to know how hot you are. How attractive. And kind. And thoughtful. And…perfect.”
“Then why? Why can’t we try?”
“Because I’m not good enough for you. You deserve someone better.”
“So, I deserve what’s good for me? What I need? What brings me joy and happiness?”
“Yes. You deserve it all.”
I crowd her against the wall. “Then I’m taking what should be mine. Because you’re all of those.”
Giving her time to push back, to refuse, I lower my lips to hers. After the first few seconds she releases a groan and leans into me. That’s all the invitation I need.
CHAPTER 14
Gentry
He tricked me, and I let him. I let him because I’m tired of wanting and never having. I want this one taste.
I loved his sweetness when he was ten. His fire when at fourteen he took on an older guy. His love for his father and his commitment when he found his daughter. All the qualities of a good man. A man who would know how to treat a woman and not just use her.
My mom and sister never found that kind of man. The users and abusers found them. After being hurt once, I swore I’d never be a victim again.
Meeting Sayer, learning the true meaning of a man, I’ll never settle for less. But he deserves so much more than I am. He’ll grow tired of me. But I can be a fling and cherish every memory for the rest of my life.
I turn the knob on my door. He shakes his head and lifts me bridal style and indicates his door. “Our bed. Our room.”
He crosses to his room and pauses by the bed letting my legs slid from his grasp and cups my face. Slipping his fingers into my hair, he kisses my forehead, each eyelid, the tip of my nose before claiming my lips. Warm, gentle, tender.
“I want to kiss every inch of you. Taste all your sweetness. Savor every sound. I’ve dreamed of you my whole life. I’m so afraid I’m going to wake up and this will be yet another dream of you.”
“Y-you dreamed of me?”