Page 41 of All for You

She pulls away and cups my face. “You’re my son, Travis. I just want to see you happy.”

Her touch, so gentle and maternal, reminds me of simpler times.

“Moving you back to the old place won’t change that,” I say, breaking the news.

Her brows knit together. “That tiny little thing?”

That tiny thing is where I grew up in. My father built it not long after he and Mother married. It had plenty of room for me and my siblings until we all started our own lives. Mom stayed in the house after Dad died and only moved into the one I built when Amelia split.

“It’s hardly tiny, Mother. It worked just fine for all of us when I was a kid. And I know you love it. Besides, it’s time we both have our own space again.” My voice is firm but gentle. “A space I soon hope to share with Rachel.”

The prospect of living with Rachel stirs a profound sense of anticipation in me. It’s more than just sharing a space—it’s about creating a life rooted in our dreams and realities.

“Ah.” A blush stains her cheeks as understanding dawns. “A newlywed’s home needs its privacy, I suppose.”

“Exactly.” I can’t help the smirk that creeps onto my face, imagining Rachel with me, turning the house into a home full of love and passion.

“All right then.” She laughs, and the sound is light is surprisingly free given the mood she’d been in lately. “I supposethis old lady can downsize. Do take care of that girl, Travis. She seems to be exactly what you need.”

“Trust me, I will.”

Once a decision has been made, nobody stands in Mother’s way. She quickly rounds up hands to help pack her things and move her back to the old homestead. Only a couple of hours later, she stands beside me on the porch with a box in her arms.

“Travis, I wish you every happiness with Rachel,” she says, setting the box down with finality on a chair. “Truly. And I will behave from now on. I promise.”

“Thanks, Mom.” My voice is gruff with emotion as I pull her into a hug. “That means a lot.”

As we part for the evening, she pats my cheek, another rare affectionate gesture. “Go on then,” she urges. “Go get the girl.”

I don’t have to be told twice. With one last look at the bustling scene, I hop into my truck, the engine roaring to life the moment I turn the key, and I drive out of there like a storm is on my tail, gravel spitting up behind me.

Farms flash past in a blur until I reach town and Rachel’s apartment building. Slamming the brakes, I park haphazardly outside, not giving a damn about how it looks. I bolt for the door, urgency pounding through my veins as fear swells with thoughts that she’s disappeared for good. I rap on Rachel’s door, hard and fast, desperate to see her.

The door swings open, and there she is, tears streaking her beautiful face, red nose and eyes and a trembling lip.

My heart aches at the sight, a physical pain that resonates deep in my chest, especially since I know I probably caused them by not acting quick enough when I overhead the hurtful things Mom said to her, but shock rooted me to the floor. Laura Kincaid has always been a force to be reckoned with, still the mama bear even though her children have been adults for years, but I’ve never heard her speak to anybody that way.

“Hey,” I murmur. I open my arms and Rachel runs into them, her body immediately melting against mine, fitting perfectly. It’s almost as if she were made for me.

I kiss her forehead and cheeks, tasting the salt of her tears. “I’m sorry for what my mother said.”

“I hope you know I’m not interested in your money.”

I brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers gentle against her skin. “I never thought you were. I’m so sorry I didn’t step in sooner. For what it’s worth my mother realizes now she was wrong. She apologized and told me to follow my heart.” I take a deep breath. “And my heart led me straight to you. Rachel Anderson, I love you.”

The depth of emotion in her eyes makes my pulse quicken, a heady mix of love, desire, and raw need courses through my veins as images of our future play out in my mind. I can’t wait to show her just how much she means to me, to worship every inch of her soft curves, and to make her forget every hurt she’s ever experienced. I want to bask in her warmth, to kindle that flame until it consumes us both. One day, hopefully years from now, I’ll die a happy man as long as she’s by my side.

Rachel’s lips part in surprise, her gaze searching my face. “You love me?” she whispers, her voice trembling. “And your mother apologized?”

“Yup, and gave us her blessing.”

She stiffens before she tilts her head back to peer up at me. Those hazel eyes, red-rimmed and shining, meet mine. She presses her lips to mine in a kiss that blazes a path straight to my soul.

As always, the kiss quickly escalates, and Rachel’s fingers tangle in my hair as she presses her body tight to mine. Chest to chest, thigh to thigh. I taste the salt of her tears, feel the heat of her body, and breathe in her familiar floral scent. I slide myhands down her back to cup her ass, and the world falls away, leaving two souls finding their home in each other’s arms.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against hers.

Rachel trails a finger along my jawline; her touch is whisper gentle. “I love you too, Travis. God, I love you so much. I’m not here for your money or anything else. I don’t want any of that. I’m here for you—the stubborn, infuriating, wonderful man who’s stolen my heart in an amazingly short amount of time. I only need you.”

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