Page 28 of Everything I Crave

She balks at my request, almost refusing.

I take her hand in mine and pull her down next to me. She moves to the floor, sitting on her legs, kneeling, facing me in. She looks up at me with bright green eyes begging me to make this safe for her.

“Can I, do you mind, I mean -”

“What do you need, darling?” I ask.

Her cheeks blush pink at the reminder of what I said last night.

“Can I record it? I promise to not post it.”

I nod to her phone in response and set it up. Whatever she needs.

“You know Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter?” I ask, placing the guitar back in my lap.

“Of course,You and Tequila?”

I nod again and start strumming.

As we both sing our parts the line“One is one too many, one more is never enough”hits me hard with my current situation.

I know if I let myself fully get a taste of what it would be like to be with Willow, I’d never want to give her up. I feel like I’m already craving her much more than I should.

Singing with her is like an out of body experience. I feel like I’m above, watching two people have this intangible connection that can never be quite connected fully.

She needs to heal from Nashville, and I won’t take advantage of her for so many other reasons. Even though my willpower is waning when it comes to her if last night is any indication.

We finish the song, and she rests her head against my knee. “Gunnar, that was -” She pauses trying to find the words, “indescribable. I’ve never had such an emotional reaction to singing with someone.” She holds up her arms, as if the goosebumps are proof she felt what I felt. She leans forward and stops the recording.

A lump forms in my throat. I understand exactly what she means. It feels like the most intimate moment I’ve ever shared with someone before, more than any physical act. I’ve never felt this kind of connection to any woman, it scares the shit out of me. Especially to feel it with Willow.

We sit like this on the floor for a few minutes, her head resting on my knee, me running my fingers through her silky, copper hair. Both of us feeling the need to come down from the emotional high of singing together in silence. It’s almost too much, much more than our physical connection.

“Will you post that?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“I’m not sure. It feels private, and I haven’t even watched it back yet.” She stands up and places her phone in her pocket. “How about some food?”

I agree, acknowledging she’s ready to end this moment, and uncomfortable with the feelings that were just brought up. I’m uncomfortable with them too, but only because I know I shouldn’t be feeling them.

She goes to the kitchen and pulls out everything to make pancakes. “How about some carbs and sugar to start the day?”

“I need the energy so load me up.”

“For what?” she asks. She whirls around quickly though. “I’m sorry, it’s not my business.”

I laugh, “I’m just meeting the guys for golf. Hopefully I don’t see any groups like last night.”

The mention of last night has her cheeks blushing again, and I’m tempted to jump across this island and take her in my arms to make her blush some more. The taste of her cherry lips still lingers on my tongue.

But the thought of Preston, Colton, and Porter is like ice water.

“So that must mean my sisters are free today. I guess I should take your advice and talk to them.” She shrugs, clearly unsure if she’s ready to makethat choice.

“You should. I think you’ll feel better.” I admit even though I remember being in her position and how reluctant I was to open up.

“Singing with you this morning was unbelievable. I haven’t felt that connected to my music in a long time.” She flips the pancakes on the griddle.

“Your music has changed over the years.”

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