Page 45 of Falling in Love on Route 66

Chapter 15

Weston

Shewassotired she fell asleep as soon as she finished eating. Probably for the best, because I had planned to bring her to my place so I could take care of her. After the night she’s had, she needs some pampering.

I carefully pick her up and carry her into my house, and lay her in my bed. Then I go get our bags. Walking into my room and seeing her lying in my bed, my soul settles for the first time since we watched the sunset on the beach the night before we got to the wedding.

This is right. So, I waste no time unpacking my stuff and hers. Then I place her bathroom items in with mine and take a photo. I don't know why, but seeing her stuff mixed with mine is just as sexy as seeing her lying in my bed.

Then going to my office, I pull out a spare house key and look for her keys in her purse. After placing my house key on her key ring, I crawl into bed with her. Carefully though, so I don't wake her up, I pull her against me and simply hold her.

I don't know how long I hold her, but the hours pass from midmorning, and I drift off and wake every time she moves. When the sun starts to set, she rolls over again and wakes me this time. A minute later, she wakes, and her eyes lock on mine.

She doesn't ask where we are, just trusts me, and neither of us says a word. Staring into her eyes is intense, and the need to kiss her is so strong. I slowly lean down toward her, giving her time to stop me, which I'm sure she will.

When she doesn't stop me and my lips land on hers, I can’t stop the moan that comes from me. She kisses me back. The kiss is heated and passionate, and I want nothing more than to take it further. Instead, I pull back because I need her to know.

"It's always been you. The first time I saw you was on the playground at school, and you were following Nate around. Your hair was in pigtails, and you wore jeans and the Disney Princess shirt you loved."

"You remember that?" she asks in awe.

"Every detail. That Christmas of my senior year when we spent it together at the cabin with your parents and Nate's girlfriend? I can't remember a better Christmas. You always seemed to smell of sugar cookies and peppermint and would wear those oversized sweaters and leggings. At night we'd watch a movie, and you would fall asleep on my shoulder before we even got halfway through. I’d stay up and hold you and watch the movie, then carry you to bed like I did today."

I gently kiss her forehead.

"I'm not going to be with anyone else. Only you."

Her eyes mist over, and I lean in to give her a chaste kiss.

"You hungry?" She nods.

"Where are we?"

"My place. Why don't you take a shower, and I’ll make us dinner?"

Going into the kitchen, I check what food I have in the freezer since I’ve been gone for two weeks. When I dig through it, I find some pizzas, so I go to my bedroom to see if that’s ok with her.

I find Rory standing in the bathroom, just staring at her stuff mixed in with mine.

"Why?" She wants to know, and I could play dumb and pretend I won't know what she means, but I have the answer, so I tell her truthfully.

"When I realized there was nothing I could say to fix this, I knew I had to prove to you I'm in this and that I pick this, us, you. I pick you, and I'm going to show you. I've never lived with anyone, but I want you here. Even if we’re fighting and I'm sleeping on the couch, I want you here."

Taking a deep breath, I decide to go all in. This wasn't how I planned it, but I can't seem to stop it.

"I love you, Rory, and I'm going to show you every day. Move in with me and let me make it up to you."

She starts shaking her head, but I stop her.

"If I don’t make this work, and if I don't prove to you, I'm all in, then I’ll move you anywhere you want to go and pay a year's rent."

Her eyes go wide, and I can't blame her because this is a huge deal but one I’m more than ready for.

"Okay," she says.

She agreed.

She’s going to move in, and I’ll see her every day. But more than that, it means she’s willing to give me a second chance. I'm not going to waste it, and I’ll prove to her and others that there will not be any regrets.

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