Page 8 of Rescued

“Well, that’s not true.”A lump moves down her throat as she stares up at me. “I’m a lot older now.”

I shake my head and pull her hips tight against my frame. “You’re gorgeous.”

Her eyes meet mine. “You said that already.”

“It’s true.”

Dark red heat rises to the tops of her cheeks. “Thanks for everything. Marrying him was a huge mistake.”

“How long were you married?”

“Five years. No kids. Just a whole lot of heartache and delusion. What about you? You ever marry?”

“No.” I bite down the details of how I never married because I never stopped thinking of her. It’s too soon for that.

Her gaze drops to the floor, then rises again. “I never stopped thinking about you. I always wondered where you ended up, how you were.”

“Same.” My breath catches on the swelling in my throat, and while I know I should be a gentleman and take my time reigniting this flame, I’m black out drunk on her touch and my patience has run out.

Chapter Five

Kelly

I trace my fingertips over Gentry’s big, rough hand. I want to know every detail of every callous until we’re one person, until all his demons make sense to me, and the past isn’t the past, and the future is right now.

He sits on the couch and pulls me onto his lap. I wrap my thighs around his waist and stare at him with what I’m sure is a pleading look. I don’t mean for it to be, but I feel the desperation of ten years rattling my cage.

He stares toward me with hooded eyes. He wants me as badly as I want him. There’s no doubt in my mind. “Fuck. I can’t even think straight right now.”

“So don’t think straight. What are you feeling?”

He growls deep in his throat as he leans into my lips and brushes warmth against them gently. “Honestly?”

“Yeah,” I laugh. “Honestly.”

“Well, I ask because I don’t want to scare you away.”

“I like being scared.”

He narrows his thick brows and stares at me. “You like being scared?”

“I do. Whenever I’m scared… that means something good is about to happen.”

He laughs and strokes his rough palm over my bare arm. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I was scared to leave my ex and that turned out to be the best decision in my life. I went on vacation last year with my friend, Jovie, and I was scared to jump off this cliff into the ocean. But once I did it, I felt free. I think I’ve learned that being scared is a prerequisite for good things. So… scare me.”

Gentry drags in a deep breath as I brush his hair back away from his face. Time has changed him, but only slightly. I guess he’s in his early fifties, but he looks as good as ever. “Okay,” he swallows hard, “I’ll scare you.”

My heart hammers against my chest, unsure of what I’ve asked for. He could say anything. Maybe he’s going to tell me he spent the last ten years as a serial killer and I’m next. He did burst in here without warning.

His gaze meets mine and his hand cups my face. “I never stopped thinking about you. I sent that letter because I was hoping you’d read it before the wedding and maybe you’d change your mind. When you didn’t, I spent the last ten years wondering if I was feeling something you never did.” He looks away then back again. “For the last decade, I’ve held you up on a pedestal that no one else can compare to. And now, I need you to know that if I take you, I’m taking you for good. I can’t live in a world where you’re out there without me anymore.”

Tears slide down my face in quick succession. I’m not sure why I’m crying, but my emotions are overwhelming and a part of me is questioning whether one of the movers hit the gas line and I passed out hours ago. I mean, that would make the most sense right now.

Gentry wipes away my tears with the side of his thumb. “What’s wrong, princess?”

Princess.My heart crushes and warms all at once.

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