CHAPTER 11
Gentry
Did last night really happen?
I asked myself this question over and over as I held the still sleeping Ainsleigh in my arms.
Scrubbing my free hand up and down my face, I worried of her reaction when she woke.
Would she hate me?
Would she regret making love to me again?
Would she remember telling me she loved me?
Turning over onto my side as gently as I could, I looked down at the love of my life.
Her hair was fanned out onto the pillow beneath her. She looked so peaceful. She smiled in her sleep at something within her dreams, and I selfishly hoped they were filled with thoughts of me.
Her right arm was across her stomach. She still wore my flannel that she’d put on last night. The top three buttons were the only ones fastened. Her flat stomach peeked out from under her shirt and arm. I couldn’t allow my eyes to go down further. I knew she was still naked underneath the thin material of my shirt, and seeing her bared before me would cause me to want what I shouldn’t right now.
Lifting my hand, I ran my fingers across the skin of her stomach.
She stirred and grumbled in protest, but I didn’t stop. Ever so softly, I ran the tips of my fingers across her warm flesh.
“Wake up, beautiful,” I whispered as I continued my caress.
“I’m not ready,” she groaned as she stretched and blinked her eyes open.
“Tough. I’m sure your parents are up by now and your mom is making enough breakfast to feed an army,” I told her as I looked down at her with a smile.
The smile that used to affect her in the simplest of ways.
“You’re not funny. I was having the best dream, and you ruined it,” she replied as she sat up in the bed and stretched once more.
“I’m sorry about that, but if I didn’t wake you, your mother could’ve sent one of your brothers, or worse, your father looking for us. I didn’t think you’d want them to find you half naked in my bed.”
“Ugh. I hadn’t thought about that. I don’t even have any clothes up here except for the ones I wore out last night,” she replied as she scrambled to get off the bed.
Turning around so I could watch her make a fast dash to the bathroom, I noticed her fluffing out her hair before she closed to door, restricting my view.
She came out with a panicked look on her face, causing me to laugh.
“It’s not funny, Gentry. What the hell am I going to do?” she asked as she picked up her clothes from the night before.
“You’re going to calm down, for one. Just wear a pair of my sweats and a t-shirt. See, problem solved.”
“No. The problem isn’t solved. That’ll make them talk even more than seeing me come inside with last night’s attire. I can’t believe I’m having to do the damn walk of shame at the age of twenty-two.”
I stood from the bed and walked over to the dresser, pulling out the clothes I promised her and some of my own.
“There was no shame in what we did last night. Not one bit. And who the hell cares what they say? Let them razz you for a bit and then they’ll get over it.”
Pulling on a pair of basketball shorts and a random shirt I’d found, I walked over to where she stood, her hands full of her clothes and boots.
Taking the items from her grasp, I exchanged them for my clothes. I pretended to give her the answer to solve all her current problems, but I just wanted to see her in my clothes longer.
“Fine. We’ll do this your way. Turn around please,” she asked, and I let out another laugh.
“I’ve already seen you, beautiful. There’s no reason to hide from me now,” I replied as I sat on the bed to take in the view.
“You’re incorrigible,” she huffed as she unbuttoned my flannel. She grabbed her bra and panties from my hands and got dressed in a hurry.
“Why are you still sitting there? We have to go,” she replied as she looked over at the clock to see the time.
“Are you shitting me, Gentry. It’s only fucking seven in the morning. There’s no way my parents are up yet. They sleep in on the weekends ever since they hired help to take over on those days.”
I actually hadn’t even looked at the time.
I just wanted to see her. Hold her in my arms for a little longer before we returned to reality. Behind these four walls we could be whoever we wanted to be without the watchful eyes of her family. Here, she’d let her guard down and let me in.
She tried to stalk off toward the door, but she wasn’t fast enough. I caught her just before she reached her goal and dragged her toward the bed I’d just left.
“We need to talk before we go out there,” I told her as I situated her in my lap. Her arms went around my neck as she looked at me with frustration.
“There’s nothing to say. We had sex. End of story,” she said as she pinched her eyebrows together.
“There’s plenty we need to discuss. You’re just being your old stubborn self,” I told her as she turned her head to the side.
“Let me talk first. Last night wasn’t planned. I don’t want you to think that. I had this plan all laid out in my mind when I found out you were returning, and it got shot to shit in an instant when I saw you dancing with Dylan last night. Seeing his hands on you caused me to react in a way I never thought possible. I just need to know what you’re thinking in that beautiful head of yours,” I said as I brushed the strands of hair out of her face that had fallen.
“I don’t know what to think. I made a promise to myself before I returned home. I wasn’t going to lead you on or let you get close again. But you shot my plan to shit. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be as simple as I thought it was,” she confessed.
“Do you regret what we did?” Asking that question hurt as I let the words flow from my lips. I needed to know the answer. But I was afraid also to know what her response would be.
She ran her fingers over the back of my hand and worried her lip with her teeth, something she’d always done when she was deep in thought.
Lifting her head, she looked into my eyes and gave me her answer.
“No, I don’t regret anything we did sexually. I do regret my outburst, though. You didn’t need to see or hear any of that.”
I wanted to fist bump the air at hearing those words. That meant I had a fighting chance.
“But we can’t do that again, Gentry. However passionate we may be about each other, we were careless last night. You didn’t use protection. There’s STDs and pregnancy to worry about.”
Wait, what?
“You have nothing to worry about there from me, sweetheart. I know I’m clean. As for protection, I wasn’t thinking last night, and for that I’m sorry. Is there something you need to tell me, though?”
Please say no.
Please say no.
“Not at all. I was just saying that because I’m sure you’ve done stuff since I left,” she said as she looked away from me.
“Hey, look at me,” I said softly.
She wouldn’t budge.
I moved her around so that her legs were on either side of my body and framed her face with my hands, lifting her head up so she had no other choice but to look me in the eyes as I made my next confession.
“There’s been no one but you, beautiful.”
I couldn’t do it no matter how much I wanted to. I wasn’t the type of guy to fuck out my frustrations. Yeah, I’d had offers, but I shot them down time and time again. They weren’t the one I desperately wanted. They weren’t her.
“But...”
“No buts. Only you,” I said as I kissed her softly on her lips.
“Am I going to have a fight on my hands when Dylan sees us entering that house together?”
“No. It’s not like that between us.”
Thank fucking God.
I wanted to know if I was the last person she’d been with. Hoped that I had been. Even though she had every right to move on, selfishly, I wanted to be the only man to have her. To know the way she looked when she had an orgasm.
“I’m not saying this to give you false hope. Because I do firmly believe you could do better, but seeing that you said what you did, you should know that it’s the same for me.”
I loved it when she got so nervous she rambled on and on without making a point.
I knew what she meant to say, but I needed to hear the words.
“What do you mean, Ainsleigh?” I asked, wrapping my hands around her back to hold onto her for dear life as she said the words.
“It’s only ever been you, Gentry.”
I knew what she was going to say, but hearing it made me feel ten feet tall and bulletproof.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to feel her lips on mine. Had to get lost in her before she walked out of this room and pretended last night hadn’t happened.
My lips crashed onto hers with a mind all their own. Her arms wrapped tighter around my neck as she held me close. Like I could ever let go of her now that I knew what I did. Knowing that I’d been her one and only made me more determined to keep her that way.
We got lost in each other. Breakfast long forgotten. The possibility of someone catching us a distant thought as our mouths did all the talking we’d ever need.
The feel of her hips grinding into my now hardened shaft broke me out of the haze that I’d let myself fall into. As much as I wanted to keep her locked in my room and have her in my arms, we couldn’t start this. Not now. Especially when I wouldn’t let her leave for the rest of the day.
I slowed the kiss and pulled away. Both of our chests rapidly moved up and down as we fought to gain air into our lungs.
“I’d love nothing more than to continue, but we’re pressing our luck as it is. We should probably head down before inquiring minds come snooping for information.”
Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment as she climbed off my lap. I loved her innocence. How she grew bashful at the mere mention of getting caught.
She grabbed her clothes and boots off the bed as I slid on a pair of sandals to walk down to her parents’ house.
“You shouldn’t walk barefoot down there,” I told her as we left my room.
“It’s bad enough I’m wearing your clothes. I’m not looking even more ridiculous by wearing boots with sweatpants.”
“But you look good wearing my clothes,” I replied as I grabbed her free hand and linked my fingers within hers. She tried to fight me. Tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t allow it. The quicker her brain got with the same program as her heart the better. If something as simple as holding her hand got her there faster, I was going to do it. Whether she liked it or not.
“You’re trying to cause gossip now aren’t you.”
“Not at all. I’m just holding my girl’s hand while we walk to go get some breakfast.”
“I’m not your girl, Gentry,” she whispered. So low I almost didn’t hear her.
“Yet. You’re not my girl yet, beautiful.” And I meant every single word. She’d be mine again. Sooner rather than later.
She tried to pull away as she opened the back door, but I gripped her hand even tighter. I’d be damned, after having her last night, if I was going to hide my affection for her. I may have screwed up the timeline for my plan, but I thought quick on my feet and came up with a new plan.
Once we entered the vast kitchen, heads turned our way. Everyone was seated at the table awaiting our arrival. Ainsleigh’s stride paused once she crossed the threshold. I could only imagine what her face looked like as she took in everyone staring at us.
The kitchen smelled of maple syrup and butter as her mother, the only one not seated, walked over to the table with a platter of pancakes, enough to feed an army.
“Oh, good. You’re both here. I was wondering if we’d have to send out a search party,” her mother joked as she sat down the glass dish, and her father took his serving.
“What are you two up to this morning?” Brooks asked with a smirk. He knew damn good and well where we both walked over from, and he didn’t waste an opportunity to joke on us about it. Just like I thought they’d do.
Ainsleigh tried, and failed, to pull her hand free from my grasp. I wasn’t letting her go. Not yet. Not ever. She just didn’t know that yet.
“And which floozy did you bring home last night, Brooks? Care to share the details?” Ainsleigh bit back as she took her seat. I took the last seat and sat beside her just as her mother brought over cups of steaming hot coffee for us and sat down herself.
“Touché, little sis. Touché,” Brooks replied with a laugh.
We all took turns getting pancakes and chatting around the breakfast table. I couldn’t help but look over at Dylan and notice the way that he looked at Ainsleigh. I couldn’t put my finger on the expression he was giving her, but I knew one thing for sure. I didn’t like it. Not one bit. I knew what she had said before, but I couldn’t help but have this feeling in my gut that there could’ve possibly been something she might not be telling me. Especially when I looked over at her sitting beside me diverting her gaze. I knew she could probably feel his eyes on her, but she didn’t risk a glance his way.
“How long are you and Aspen here for, Dylan?” Lillian asked between bites.
“We’ll be here for the next week until the party. Maybe longer. We haven’t quite figured that out yet. We won’t overstay our welcome, though,” Dylan replied.
“Nonsense. Stay for as long as you wish. I’m used to the traffic in this house with four children. Well, not so much anymore, but you get the idea. This house was always full of their friends, and I kinda miss the noise,” she said with a gentle laugh. That was Lillian. So inviting and welcoming. The same way she was with me all those years ago. Even when she didn’t have to be. She was.
“Thank you for that offer, Mrs. Courtright. We’ll be sure to let you know when we have everything figured out,” Aspen said as she picked up her empty plate and walked over to the sink, placing the dirty dish inside.
“You didn’t have to do that, dear. I’ll clean everything up once this crew is done devouring what’s left. What do y’all have planned for the day?” Lillian asked, looking at Ainsleigh.
“I thought we could just relax out by the pool. I’m glad you opened it already. It’s supposed to be nice outside today, and I need some sun,” she replied to her mom.
A day by the pool sounded like what we both needed. I’d get more time to be around her and get to know her again. Possibly get on her good graces by getting to know her friends too. It was a win-win situation for us both. Or so I thought.
“Sounds relaxing and fun. What are you boys up to today?”
They filled their mother in on their plans, all lies and bullshit I was sure, since they rarely ever told their mother what they were really up to on the weekends. While her parents and siblings were distracted with conversation, I took the moment to put my hand under the table and place it on her thigh. She swatted my hand away, trying to divert my touch elsewhere. Wasn’t happening. I tried again and succeeded with keeping my hand placed exactly where I wanted it.
“I was meant to touch you, beautiful girl. You can try to stop me, but I’ll just keep trying until you see I’m right,” I said, leaning over to make sure no one heard my comment but her.
“Not here, Gentry. They’ll get the wrong idea and assume things they shouldn’t,” she whispered in return.
“Let them. It won’t be an assumption much longer,” I replied, meaning every damn word.
A phone ringing broke my train of thought as I looked around to see whose phone it was. Lillian had a strong rule against any type of technology at the table. My gaze stopped on Dylan, who reached into his pocket and pulled out the device.
“I’m sorry for the interruption. I need to take this,” he said as he stood and walked in the direction of the front of the house.
“You want to go upstairs with me and get on our swimsuits?” Ainsleigh asked Aspen as she stood, causing my hand to fall from where it rested.
Hell yes.
I was ready to see her in a bathing suit and hold her dripping body within my grasp.
“Thank you for the pancakes, Mrs. Courtright. They were delicious,” Aspen said as she stood.
Everyone took turns thanking her for breakfast, not wanting to appear rude in front of the guests. Especially since she said it before them.
I remained seated and waited for everyone to leave. I would offer to help her clean the kitchen even though she’d refuse my help. I just had to make sure she knew I didn’t take her or Sawyer for granted. Their hospitality had known no bounds since they took me in.
“Don’t even try it, Gentry. Go have fun with my daughter. I’ll clean up this mess in no time. I know that’s why you’re sitting there,” she said as she collected the dishes from the now empty table.
“You know me too well, Lillian. But I couldn’t not try to help. It’s in my nature.”
“I know it is. Which is why I let you try each and every time. Now shoo,” she replied as she tried to swat me with the dish towel when she walked over to the table.
Instead of going to the barn like I should’ve, I walked in the direction of where Dylan walked. I wanted to thank him for getting the Jeep and Aspen home safely last night and apologize for leaving the way I had.
I heard him talking outside and went in search of his voice.
With the screen door cracked, I listened in on the conversation he was having.
“You have no idea how torturous this is for me. Every time I look at her, I want her. It’s been years, and she doesn’t even notice I exist.”
“It’s not like that, man. Of course, I’d love to have sex with her, but,” he said as he paused for the other person to continue.
I could feel my blood boil.
I knew it.
I fucking knew his look in the kitchen was that of longing and not concern.
He just confirmed my damn suspicion.
Before I could even rationalize what I was doing, I was out the door, the wooden frame slammed against the house as I made my exit with my target in sight. Dylan.
His back was to me as I marched down the steps and grabbed his shoulder.
My fist collided with the side of his face before I even knew what I was doing. His phone fell to the ground as I brought my fist back again, connecting with his cheek once more.
“How dare you fucking talk about her that way? She’s not just some damn piece of ass, shithead. She’s fucking mine, and you never stood a damn chance,” I screamed as I still held his shirt within my other hand.
“What the fuck, man?” he yelled at me as he jerked away from my grasp.
He was lucky I didn’t continue pounding his face in.
I felt her approach before I heard her.
This would be bad, so very fucking bad. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. I’d gladly defend her honor over and over again.
“What the fuck, Gentry?” she yelled as she rushed over to him. Not me. Him.
She didn’t have a damn clue, but that was about to change.
Looking to the porch, I noticed Aspen stayed by the door waiting to see what all the commotion was about.
“You have no idea what you just walked in on. He was talking about wanting you for himself. About fucking you, Ainsleigh, and I wasn’t about to hear him continue talking about you that way.”
“Are you serious right now, Gentry? He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t want me,” she turned and started yelling my way.
“Ainsleigh, don’t,” Dylan said, pulling her back by her shoulder.
Hell no. He wasn’t touching her. Not now. Not fucking ever.
I stepped toward him, but her hand on my chest stopped me.
“He’s in love with you. Don’t you see it. I did in the kitchen. I’m not fucking blind,” I told her. She needed to know his intentions, even if he wasn’t the one to confess them.
“You’re a damn idiot. He’s not in love with me. He’s in love with Aspen,” she screamed at me before she stormed away shaking her long blonde hair with every step.
Aspen gasped from her spot at the door, her hand coming up to her mouth in disbelief.
Apparently, I had it all wrong and now the cat was really out of the bag.
I may have just ruined any chance I had with her.
Hell, who was I kidding. My chance with her now was slim to fucking none.
“You just blew it, man. Way to go,” Dylan replied, stating the obvious as he rubbed the cheek I’d just punched.
“Aspen, huh?” I replied trying to change the subject.
“Ainsleigh, huh?” he repeated.
“It’s always been her. Always will be her,” I truthfully replied.
“You’ve got some making up to do then. She won’t forgive you that easily. Especially, since she spilled the secret she’s been keeping from Aspen for years because of you.”
“I’m sorry about that. About everything. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“Yeah, you shouldn’t have. You made an ass out of yourself that’s for sure. But it’s all good. I’d have done the same thing If I’d heard someone talking about Aspen that way. And the secret needed to come out. I was too chicken shit to do it myself. That’s what this trip was for. Now maybe I’ll have my chance with her,” he replied as he took a seat on the step of the front porch.
I followed suit, sitting beside him like we were long lost friends.
“Make the most of it. You never know what tomorrow will bring or if you’ll even get one. Don’t waste any more time with what could be the best love of your life.”
“That’s wise. Speaking from experience?”
“I lost four years with her because I let her go just like she needed to. I’m not losing any more time. Even if she’s too stubborn for her own good, I’ll make her see we’re meant for each other. One way or another.”
“Good luck. You’re going to need it,” he said with a laugh.
He was right. I’d need all the luck in the world to get her to look my way let alone speak to me.
“Yeah, man. You too. Just speak from your heart. That’s all you can do.”
And I’d pour mine out if that meant having her in my life once and for all.