Page 47 of The Love Ambush
I cup her face in my hands. “You aren’t your mother, Gentry. I’ve seen you go to bat for those kids repeatedly. You draggedEmily out of that party when it wasn’t easy or convenient, because it was the right thing to do.”
“She told you that? I don’t think she’s ever going to forgive me, and I’m so scared of what she’s going to sneak around and do next, because she can’t seem to trust that she can talk to me.”
“She’s a teenager. It’s part of the programming for her to sneak around.”
Gentry stares past my shoulder. “I can’t stop wondering if Mom could have been a good mother if my father had left earlier. Like, maybe if she didn’t have her heart tied up in a man, she could have been the mother we deserved.”
“And you think if you go out with me, you’ll become your mother? You’ll stop caring about what’s best for your sisters and focus all your attention on me?”
Her gaze flashes to mine, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “I’m hanging on by the tips of my fingernails, Levi. The water is over my mouth, and I’m seconds away from letting go and drowning. I became a sobbing mess because of a massage. I cannot handle a broken heart. I can’t do this with you. Not now.”
I slide my hands down to her shoulders. “We can take it as slow as you need, but I promise, I wouldn’t be holding you right now if I thought there was a chance in hell of me breaking your heart.” I don’t know how to make it clearer that I’m all in with her.
“Maybe we could just try it out while we’re on vacation,” she says. “Nothing that happens in this room counts, right?”
“If you kiss me, Gentry, that’s definitely counting.”
She pulls back a little, a tear slipping down her cheek. “And what if I can’t handle it counting?”
“I would never ask you to prioritize me over the kids. I’m willing to take whatever you have to give, but I can’t promise to forget kissing you, and I can’t promise not to want more after weleave this room. I want more with you, Gentry, even if I have to wait until the kids move out.”
She shakes her head. “You’re being ridiculous, Levi. I’m not worth waiting for.”
“Bullshit.” I lift her hand back up to my mouth and kiss each finger. “Although who knows, maybe this kiss will be terrible and we’ll realize we’re better as friends.” I don’t believe that for a second, but I definitely want the chance to find out.
“I guess that’s true,” she says, leaning toward me. “We should at least test the waters.”
I wait for her to come to me, but as soon as her lips touch mine, I don’t hold back. She tastes so sweet, and I want to make sure this is a kiss she never forgets.
She wraps her arms around my neck and threads her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer against her, like she needs this kiss as much as I do. Like she wants me as much as I want her.
Her hair is up in a loose bun, but I pull it free, needing to feel it on the backs of my hands as I pull her closer.
She moans into my mouth and twists, straddling my lap. I’m hard as a fucking rock, and she must feel it, because she freezes for a moment, as though she’s surprised. I don’t know how she can be surprised. I’ve made no secret of how I feel about her.
Her robe is open over her thighs, which means there’s very little other than my jeans separating her heat from my cock, and that thought only makes me harder.
She pulls away from my mouth and tilts her chin up, giving me access to kiss my way down her neck, shoving her robe aside just enough that I can press kisses along her sharp collarbone.
“That feels so good,” she moans.
I cheer inside. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything better in my life than knowing how turned on Gentry Lendew is by me.
A phone beeps from somewhere, but I pull her head back down so I can keep kissing her luscious lips.
The phone beeps again. And then again.
“I’m sorry.” Gentry pulls away, but when she tries to climb off my lap, I hold her close. She doesn’t argue, but reaches into her robe pocket and pulls out her phone.
“It’s Sophie. She wants more money.” She chews on her bottom lip, considering the text. “This is our first vacation in years. It’s okay to splurge a little, right?” She’s talking mostly to herself.
“It’s okay to splurge a little.” I know Gentry will refuse if I offer her money, but I’m damn sure going to figure out a way to help her more than I have been, no matter what happens between us.
She taps out a text and glances once more at my lips before climbing off my lap. This time, I let her go. “I should get back to the spa. Daphne’s probably worried.”
“Okay. I’ll catch up in a bit. I have something I need to take care of.”
She nods, looking unsure of herself. “I’m sorry I cried all over you.”
