I'm Still Here

Takin This Leap of Faith

Susanna's POV

Even though it was late, the sidewalk of the street heading to my hotel was still busy. Looking down at the fingers laced with mine I was tempted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. Had tonight really happened? Had Brantley really pulled me on stage in front of thousands of people while singing to me? This wasn't part of my small-town life. Not by a long shot. My hand lifted making my heart race as lips brushed gently along my knuckles feeling a chuckle as I blushed. But the words spoken earlier, those, those were now very much a part of my real life. I heard boots scrape on the sidewalk before I was turned my back hitting the wall of the building behind us. Fingers cupped my chin tipping my head up to make me look at him.

"What's going through that pretty little head of yours baby?" he asked his green eyes brimming with concern. Slight traces of worry there too. "Not having second...."

"Nooooo..."I said shaking my head giving him a bright smile. "No second thoughts at all. Guess the entirety of the situation is hitting me maybe. Things are a little different now."

"Ummm...I don't follow," Brantley said puzzled. "Other than telling you how I feel and not keeping my guard up what has changed?"

"We never defined what was between us last time either," I reminded him with a wince. This probably wasn't the best time to bring up past doubts between us. He shrugged knowing I was right before wrapping his arms around me pressing closer. I swallowed down a whimper at the devilment in his seductive eyes. Lips twisting up in a smirk that he knew damn well would make the panties I was wearing drop.

"Mine," he murmured leaning down biting my bottom lip with a dark chuckle. "Think I reminded about five teenage girls that were glaring at you tonight that I was very much off the market. Guess I should have kissed you onstage tonight like I really wanted to. I understand being with me comes with a very public side to things at times. But that's only part of the time. The rest of the time it will be dealing with being infamous in our small town. That right there gives me more worry than what fan girls or gossip columnists will say. I don't care truthfully as long as it doesn't start to effect you baby. I love you and that is all that matters."

"That still gets me," I admitted feeling my cheeks heat up while I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I don't ever want to stop hearing it."

"Well," Brantley murmured brushing his lips against mine while squeezing my hips. "Why don't we get your stuff because I am confident I have a few moves to back up the words baby girl."

"Mmm..."I teased pushing him back sliding my arm around his waist as we started walking again. The hotel within our sights. "Keep talking outlaw. I may be in desperate need of those moves."

"Tease," he hissed sliding a big hand into my back short pocket squeezing. "Think Sadie will be pissed if you took the bus back to Georgia with me Sunday? I was staying until then to do a song writing session, but Rhett cancelled on me. Maybe take you out to dinner somewhere tomorrow night?''

"I'm sure she will be fine," I snickered as we walked across the lobby. We stepped into the open elevator as I pushed the button for the floor. "She cooked up this whole scheme with Stephanie. Had some help from Luke as well. Think this was her plan was to drive home alone all along."

"I owe that woman a bottle of her favorite wine and a night babysitting Ryleigh," Brantley laughed as I pulled out my key card pointing down the hall. I couldn't help but laugh too. He was right. We both did. "She gave us both the push we needed."

"She did," I giggled trying to unlock the door as my hair was brushed away from my neck. Lips and teeth teasing along the sensitive curve made me shiver and moan. I leaned back pressing my body into his craving that connection I had been missing. Warm hands teasing at the hem of my shirt. With shaking hands, I finally got the door open sending us both tumbling into the room laughing like a pair of teenagers. I paused looking around not finding Sadie's bag or anything here. I gasped. "Where the hell is she?"