Page 160 of When We Were Us
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
wrenley
The forcewith which his body hits mine knocks me back a step, his dark cowboy hat falling to the ground. His chest is a solid wall as his arms crush me to him in an embrace so full of emotion it takes my breath away as he nearly pulls me off my feet. He buries his face in my hair and breathes me in. A low groan from his chest comes out more like tortured sob. He holds me just like that, neither of us speaking for a long time. I can feel his heartbeat against my cheek, strong and wildly steady.
He sniffs and pulls me back, searching my face as if he can’t believe I’m really there. “How are you here?” he breathes out, combing my hair back from my face before his hands drop to bracket either side of my neck. “Holy shit, you’re really here.”
It’s overwhelming—his emotions from seeing me and mine from finally seeing him. Tears stream unchecked down my cheeks and my voice sounds strained when I speak, “I’m really here.”
My dark eyes search his stormy gray ones, and I take in every single feature, memorizing every inch of this man’s face as if I’ll never see it again. My eyes drop to his mouth as his eyes slide closed and he breathes out, shaky and unsteady.
I reach up and take his face in my palms. His jaw isn’t covered in his usual scratchy scruff but grown out into a full-on beard. It’s still incredibly sexy, but it’s physical evidence of the fact that he hasn’t been ok the last few weeks and hasn't been taking care of himself. I’ve never seen him so undone, so overcome with emotion. It’s written on every inch of his face. It's truly startling.
“Hey,” I say softly. “Hank, look at me, baby.” His eyes flutter open, and I see every bit of his love, respect, desire, and tenderness reflected back at me. “I’m home,” I whisper, my voice a raw husk.
He blinks twice and his eyes crinkle at the corners, the lids rimmed with red. Relief quickly floods his face and his chest hitches with another agonized groan as he hauls me against him. He buries his face in my neck and then pulls back, crushing his mouth against mine. One, two more crushing kisses and a watery laugh, and then another kiss that has me bowed backward, grasping around his neck for balance. He devours my mouth, grips my scalp, and tangles a fist in my hair.
“Wrennie Girl,” he rasps against my mouth. “Jesus. I was so scared I was going to lose you all over again, baby.” He kisses me hard again, then pulls back and searches my face. “You said home… Are you… You’re here for good?”
I nod.
“You gotta be really fucking sure, Wren, because I can’t take it if you?—”
“I’m sure, Hank. I want this. I wantus.”
He crushes his mouth back to mine and then takes my face in his hands.
“How did you even get here?” he stammers. “When?”
“I got in last night. Finn picked me up and I had her take me to the cabin.”
“Last night?” His brows pull down and he shakes his head, pressing his lips to my hair while laughter shakes his chest.
Tipping my head back to look up at him with a smile, I ask, “What?”
“Last night, I was laying in that uncomfortable ass bedroll, with nothing but rocks and dirt underneath me, and longing to be back in the cabin. But I knew it would feel so empty without you.” He chuckles, sounding a little maniacal. “And the whole time, you were there.”
That makes me laugh and I run my fingers over his beard. “I couldn’t wait to get back.”
He shakes his head, his expression questioning. “But what about your business, the condo? I thought you said you hadn’t heard anything?”
“It’s all being wrapped up. We finally agreed to terms. Anything my attorney needs from now on can be handled from here.”
Just then, Jack comes riding up and stops next to us. A younger cowboy I don’t recognize is with him. Hank doesn’t even look up, just keeps his gaze on mine.
Jack touches the brim of his hat when I look up at him atop his horse. “I’ll take Blackjack. Why don’t you head on back? We’ve got it from here, boss.”
I study Hank’s face for a moment. When Hank doesn’t say anything, I glance at Jack and nod. “Thanks, Jack.” I chuckle lightly because Hank still hasn’t acknowledged either man.
Jack nods and his companion walks his horse over so he can grab Blackjack’s reins. It's not long before they ride away, leaving us alone. There's a distant whistle and then I hear the steady sound of panting. I throw a glance over my shoulder to see Tucker running straight for us. He skids to a stop and then jumps up.
“Hey, Tucker. How are you, buddy?” I lean over and rub his sides and scratch his belly when he drops to the ground and rolls around.
I straighten up and Hank pulls me back against him, wrapping me in his arms. “You feel so fucking good, babe.”
“So do you,” I murmur against his shirt. “But you also stink,” I say with a smile and nudge his body with mine. He’s covered in dust from head to toe, his boots are caked with mud, and his hair is plastered to his forehead. He’s still the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
He grins down at me and hitches his chin in the direction of the truck before giving my hand a little tug. “Let’s go home and you can wash me.”
