Tennessee Whiskey AU

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

"Sorry I never told you, all the things I wanted to say. Now it's too late to hold you, 'cause you've flown away."

Scarlett's POV

I wake up and instantly want to cry or go back in time. Hard to say which one. I'm not asking for much. Just a touch of Groundhog Day maybe. Except instead of having to re-do the day until you get it right, ours would be until it goes wrong. I mean yesterday was pretty much perfect so it already went right, plus I don't think a day spent with the green-eyed sex beast next to me could ever be bad.

"Mornin' darlin'. You look like you're thinking pretty hard over there." He says as his arm slides over me and he buries his head into my neck.

"Yeah, backward Groundhog Day." He looks at me slightly confused for a minute. Then he smiles.

"I kinda like you're thinking. I would do anything for the chance to have you in my bed for another day. What time do you have to leave?"

"In about two hours. That will give me an hour to get back to the hotel, make sure everything is packed, and meet the others."

"You think if I drive you back it could buy me another half an hour?"

"As much as I would love that I think I would rather do our bug goodbye somewhere private." I snuggle into his chest, and it finally dawns on me how hard today is going to be. I might not be ready to admit what I'm feeling at the moment, but this is a beautiful sight to wake up to. That's all this is. No feelings involved. Simply, I sleep better when he's next to me and he's nice to look at. Simple. Nothing more.

"So, what do you fancy doing?" he asks me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing that involves moving. I'm far too comfy. Maybe just lie here and hold me a little longer please?"

"Anything you want is fine by me." He just holds me. One arm under me and the other over my stomach. I bury my face even further into his chest and wrap my arm around him. I honestly don't intend for what to happen next to happen, but I feel the tears start to roll down my face, I try so hard to hide it but this man sees me, all of me.

"Sweetheart? You crying?"

"I'm trying not to. I don't even know why I'm crying."

We lie in bed. Kiss, cuddle, and talk for what feels like forever. Neither of us talks about today, neither of us wants to admit what's about to happen or how we feel about it. Then he bursts our perfect little bubble.

"You, we." He corrected. "Have about an hour left. I think we need to start thinking about moving, as much as I don't want to."

We spend the next hour, firstly in the shower. We didn't do anything this time. He just took care of me. He washed every inch of my body, including my hair. He was loving and gentle, it felt amazing. I don't think I've ever felt so cherished in all my life.

After the shower, we spent the rest of our time cuddled up on the sofa. Neither of us really talking but not wanting to let go either. The more our time ran out the more the sinking feeling in my stomach made itself known. I don't want to leave. I want to stay just here. I feel the panic rising as we both get up and I grab my bag.

"Can I please take you back to the hotel? I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. Even if it just gives us another five minutes, I will take it." All I can do is nod and take his hand in mine as he takes my bag off me.