Jase
Sitting across the table from my parents, I tried to focus on what the conversation was. My mind kept going back to the smell of Taylor’s hair hanging in my face as she made love to me.
Her hand rested on my leg and I couldn’t help but notice how she had not stopped touching me since we left the hotel room. It was as if she was afraid I would disappear on her.
“Jase, are you tired, sweetheart?”
My eyes turned to my mother. “I’m ready to get home, to be honest.”
“First thing tomorrow morning you’ll be on a plane and headed back home.”
The thought of being on another plane had my stomach in knots. Taylor squeezed my hand and gave me the sweetest grin ever.
“Did Nate make it to Montana okay?” my father asked.
“Yeah, he sent me a text a few hours ago. He was glad to be home and planned on staying there for a few weeks. His family was relieved, as I’m sure you can relate.”
My mother picked up her glass of wine and said, “Well, I don’t blame him one bit for wanting to spend some time with his family. It had to have been terrifying for all of you.”
With a nod, I forced a grin. “William’s wife is expecting their first child in about a month.”
With a gasp, Mom said, “That poor girl. She must have been so scared. I can’t even imagine.”
Taylor’s eyes looked so sad. “Are they both okay? I would be so worried news like that would throw her into labor.”
“That’s all William worried about, but luckily they are both okay.”
Clearing his throat, my father stood and looked down at my mother. “I know I’m exhausted. How about we let Jase and Taylor finish the wine and you and I call it a night.”
His hand went out for hers as she stood and took it. Making her way over to me, she kissed me on the cheek and whispered, “I love you, Jase. I’m so glad you’re back with us.”
“Me too, Mom. More than you know.”
She kissed Taylor and gave us both a gentle smile. “Good night you two. Try to get some sleep, Jase.”
Taylor’s face blushed as she looked away. We had been late getting to dinner when our second shower took longer than expected. “I’m pretty sure once my head hits the pillow I’ll be fast asleep.”
My father nodded as he said, “We’ll all meet in the lobby at six then head to the airport.”
“Sounds good,” I said as I laced my fingers with Taylor’s.
“Night y’all.”
“Good night, Dad. Night, Mom.”
We watched as they both headed out of the restaurant. “They were so worried about you.”
Turning to look at her, I couldn’t believe how damn lucky I was to have someone like Taylor.
“It was really nice of you to let my parents see me first.”
She focused back on me and grinned. “Well, don’t think I’m that great of a person because the whole time I was wishing we didn’t have to have dinner with them.”
I chuckled and shook my head.
“Plus, I knew the moment we saw each other we would get lost in one another and that would mean they would be waiting even longer.”
This time I laughed harder. “That’s true. I didn’t think about it that way.”
“I did,” she said as she took a sip of wine and wiggled her eyebrows.
After splitting a piece of peach cobbler, we headed back up to the room.
“Want to watch a movie?” I asked as Taylor slipped one of my T-shirts she brought from home over her head.
I couldn’t help but grin at the sight before me. She slipped under the covers and snuggled up against my side.
“Sure. If you’re up for one.”
Searching the movies, I picked a chick flick thinking she would like that. When she relaxed more into me I finally felt like everything was going to be okay.
“God, this feels so good,” I said, kissing the top of her head.
She draped her arm over me and replied, “Mmm . . . it sure does.”
It didn’t take long for my eyes to grow heavy. The last thing I remembered was Taylor turning off the lights and climbing back into bed. Pulling her closer to me, I breathed in a deep breath then slowly blew it out.
The feel of Taylor up against my body was something I had always longed for . . . more over the last week. It was a feeling I would never again take for granted.
Slowly I drifted off to sleep and heard Taylor whisper, “Thank you for bringing him back to me.”
The second I walked into my parents’ house I was overcome with the amount of people there. Everyone came up and started hugging or slapping me on the back. Taylor never left my side.
“It’s damn good to have you back, dude,” Walker said pulling me in for a quick hug.
I let out a huff of air and replied, “It’s damn good to be back. Everything okay here on the home front?”
“A few cows might have missed your pretty-boy face but other than that all is well.”
“Ha. You’re funny.”
After my fair share of hugs and congratulations on being home, I pulled Taylor off to the side.