Page 57 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“But what about the bar?” she asked.
Gunner’s fingers intertwined with hers, his touch warm and reassuring. “Charly and Willow have already agreed to cover for you,” he said. “They practically pushed me out the door to come get you. Said it was high time you took a break.”
Aubrey nibbled her lip. “They knew about this? And they’re okay with it?”
“More than okay,” Gunner chuckled. “Willow threatened to drag you to Nashville herself if I didn’t follow through.”
An easy comfort spread through Aubrey’s chest, a feeling so foreign yet comforting that it almost overwhelmed her. She’d spent so long taking care of others, shouldering responsibilities, that the idea of someone—multiple someones—conspiring to do something just for her was almost too much to process.
“I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Gunner’s thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand. “Say yes, darlin’. Let me whisk you away, just for a little while.”
Aubrey felt a smile tugging at her lips, even as her practical side tried to resist. “You’re impossible, you know that?” she said, shaking her head in wonder.
“Impossibly charming, you mean,” Gunner said with a wink, pulling her closer.
She laughed, shaking her head. “What started all this?”
“I know I threw you for a loop at the talent show,” he said, his voice gentle and coaxing. “I know you’re thinking that I’m going to leave you, but I want you to know that’s the furthest thing from my mind. This journey, this adventure, it wouldn’t be complete without you by my side.” He reached out and gently cupped her face, his touch both tender and reassuring. “We can make this work. I know it’s not the conventional path, but together, we can do this.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked into his sincere, loving gaze. She had always been a planner, a person who liked to have everything mapped out and under control. But with him, she had thrown caution to the wind and jumped headfirst into the unknown. And now, she couldn’t imagine going back to her old, predictable life.
“I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
“You won’t,” he promised. “Just as I refuse to lose you.”
He would eventually go back on tour, and she couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from him for so long. She finally gathered the courage to ask the question that had been weighing on her mind.
“But how will this all work?” she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “When you go on tour, how will I see you?”
He paused, his thumb brushing over her cheek in a gentle caress. “I don’t have all the answers,” he admitted. “But we’ll take it step by step and make time for each other when we can. I can’t give up music,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “It’s a part of my soul, but so are you. I need you just as much.”
She felt a wave of relief wash over her at his words, and she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. They would find a way to make it work, she knew. They’d come this far. And as long as they had each other, they could weather any storm.
“So come, see Nashville with me,” he said, taking her hand in his, “and see the other part of my life.” His smile was sweet and inviting. “What do you say?”
Her eyes locked with Gunner’s, searching for any hint of deception. Finding only sincerity and warmth, she felt something shift inside her. A grin slowly spread across her face as she made her decision.
“I say…” she purred, reaching out to grab the front of Gunner’s shirt, “that Nashville can wait just a little longer.”
With a swift tug, she pulled him back onto the bed, reveling in his surprised laugh. His strong arms encircled her, his warmth enveloping her as she pressed herself against him.
“Why, Miss Hale,” Gunner drawled, “I do believe you’re trying to make us miss our flight.”
“How long do we have?” she asked, a sly smile playing on her lips as she looked up at him.
“Two hours,” he murmured, his voice soft and low.
Her heart skipped a beat as she tilted her chin up, her lips dangerously close to his. She could feel the heat emanating from his body, and she couldn’t resist the temptation any longer.
“Then maybe I just want to make sure this trip is worth leaving Timber Falls behind for a little while,” she whispered.
Their lips met in a tender kiss that quickly deepened, sparking a passionate fire between them. She tangled her fingers in his hair as his hand gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her soft skin. The kiss was both familiar and exhilarating, growing more intense by the second.
Gunner eventually pulled away with a smile on his lips and whispered, “Guess I should show you what I’ve got then.”
She laughed and ran her hands over his back, eagerly anticipating his next move. “Probably wise.”
