Page 26 of Riding the Line (Willow Ridge #2)

I tense my hands to stop them from shaking, but I still relish the way her soft skin slides against my palm as her fingers mould around mine.

Carefully, I wrap my other hand around her waist, letting my fingers splay out, down across her hip, while pulling her closer to me.

Her free hand trails up my chest, climbing over my shoulder where it settles.

Sparkling brown eyes blink up at me, and I begin swaying us.

Right. This just feels so right .

Having Cherry in my hands. Feeling her slender curves beneath my palm, letting the shape of them imprint onto my mind.

It was the exact same when I woke up to find her tucked into me this morning.

I’m not sure how it even happened – I remember the first sound of her soft breaths once she fell asleep, my words trailing off, speechless at how beautiful she was even while sleeping.

I must have fallen asleep right there myself too, resting back against the wall watching her.

Is it a testament to how much she draws me in that I woke up with her in my arms, my body needing to be close to her even unconsciously?

All I knew was that waking up to the sweet smell of her, and the way her body slotted perfectly into every line of mine, might have been the best day of my life.

Because it felt so goddamn right. Like all this fighting to keep that line between us had been a dream.

Kane Brown wasn’t wrong when he said I don’t know how heaven could be better than this.

‘Don’t stop for me, just going to grab something for the pain.

’ Gram suddenly stands and hobbles off out towards the kitchen, leaving us alone.

So much for wanting to watch us because it brought back good memories.

It’s probably a good excuse to stop. Gram’s not watching anymore, and she’ll no doubt end up getting distracted by something in the kitchen and not returning for another ten minutes, knowing her memory.

‘Thank you,’ Cherry suddenly whispers, her pinky finger brushing up against my neck, grazing the tattoo there. Shivers rush down my spine even from the featherlight touch. ‘For bringing me here today, showing me this. I know it’s difficult for you to let people in.’

‘Oh …’ I tug her slightly more into me, trying to soak up every bit of her warmth before I inevitably have to let her go, and those walls return between us. She presses closer willingly, making me swallow. ‘I just don’t really know how – to let people in, that is.’

Her big brown eyes blink up at me, waiting.

For me to let her in again.

Maybe it was the quiet of the night that had me spilling my thoughts last night, thinking they’d just get lost in the darkness.

And dancing here with Cherry, holding her in my embrace, maybe that’s where anything I say today can stay.

My secrets trapped within the small gaps between our bodies, never to resurface again from this one unrepeatable moment.

I suck down a shaky breath before admitting quietly, ‘My grandparents were of that generation where you didn’t really talk about your feelings.

They did their best, and I love them, but they were also dealing with not just losing their daughter but having to suddenly raise a child again.

Sitting down to talk about our feelings wasn’t exactly a top priority. ’

My grandfather’s words ring loudly through my mind. ‘Us Bennetts are tough, Junior. We don’t let things like this knock us down. The best thing to do is to just keep moving.’

Cherry’s fingers pulse against my shoulder. ‘I’m sorry, Duke. That sounds hard.’

I shrug. ‘I guess I just never really learnt how to let people in. Therapy helped – still does – but it’s not the same.

In all honesty, Wyatt was my biggest saviour during that time – all of you Hensleys were.

Immediately making me and my grandparents part of your family traditions.

Letting me sleep over probably more than I should have.

Inviting me along to any of your family activities knowing my grandparents probably were too old to always be taking me out.

It helped remind me I wasn’t totally alone, even if I couldn’t say it. ’

Cherry’s eyes soften at me, along with her smile. ‘This works, though. Letting me see you in small slices – your art, your passions, your family. It’s like I get to slowly put the puzzle pieces of Duke Bennett together. It helps me to understand you better.’

My brows shoot up as my eyes search hers. ‘That’s something you want? To understand me?’

‘Mhm.’ She nods, mouth spreading out into a glorious smile that has my heart somersaulting.

‘I feel closer to you in the last twenty-four hours than ever and it’s been amazing.

’ Then she goes and rests her head against my shoulder, her warmth completely encompassing me.

‘Last night, with Levi, I’ve never felt more defeated than I did then.

But with you looking after me and bringing me here, I’ve never felt more alive. ’