Bailey's POV:
I was so mad I could spit flames. Mad at the dumbass that I had been dating for not having the balls to break up with me in person and mad at the caveman sitting beside, driving us back to Georgia. I knew Brantley had some caveman tendencies but never did I think that he would lift me up and sling me over his shoulder just because I had refused a ride from him. I'll admit, he had a point since we were literally going within an hour of each other and it made sense for him to offer me a ride. That wasn't what worried me. What bothered me was that I would be in close quarters with him for nearly four hours as we drove back to Dawsonville from Columbia, SC.
We had already been on the road for forty-five minutes and he hadn't even said a damn word. Then again, neither had I. I had no urge to either. His ass had pissed me off by manhandling me. So as far as I was concerned, we could make this drive in silence. Resting my head against the window of the truck, I watched the cars going by in the night. Before long, I caught myself dozing. Instead of fighting it like I knew I should considering the dreams that I had been having lately that involved a certain leather and chain wearing bad boy, I closed my eyes and drifted off hoping that I didn't dream anything about him.
A gentle shake to my arm pulled me from my sleep. Sometime during my nap, I laid down across the seat of Brantley's truck, and my head had been lying in his lap. Once I realized how close I was to something that had been filling my dreams as of late, I sat up like I had just been struck by lightning. Looking around, I didn't notice the scenery.

"Where are we?" I asked, avoiding looking at him. God I really hoped that I hadn't said anything in my sleep.

"Maysville. Look Bailey, I'll be honest. I'm beat. I don't know if I can make it to Dawsonville tonight. I have a spare room that is yours if you want it or I can call my brother to drive us there and then bring me back. It's up to you." said Brantley. Looking over at him, I could see that he wasn't lying. He looked exhausted, his green eyes hooded from lack of sleep.

"Brantley-" I started but was cut off.

"Bailey, I promise to be a perfect gentleman." he said, taking my left hand and holding it loosely. "Right now, I just need some sleep."

"Okay" I whispered, unsure if I was making the right decision. All I knew is that I didn't want him to call his brother and wake him up just to drive me home. And he was promising to be a gentleman about all of this. Plus, I'd be lying if I said I wasnt dying to see the inside of his house. Would be nice to see how the other half lives.

"Okay." said Brantley smiling at me as he pulled to the gate of what I assumed was his house. I watched as he hit the button over the vision causing the gates to swing open , revealing a winding concrete drive. In the moonlight, I watched as she neared the house. When it finally came into view, I gasped. This place was truly beautiful!

"Wow" I said softly as he pulled his truck in front of the garage and switched off the engine. "This place is nice."

"It's home" he replied softly, shrugging his shoulders as if he wanted to say more but didn't.

I watched as he grabbed his keys out of the ignition and climbed out of the truck. Following suit, I met him at the back of the truck. Since the truck was so high and I was so short, there was no way in hell I was reaching my things. I watched as Brantley stretched over the bed, grabbing my bag and his and began walking towards the house.

"Brantley, I can carry my own bag." I said sullenly. I don't know why it bothered me so bad that he was being a gentleman. Maybe it was because all my life I had been dependent upon myself because I'd never had anyone in my corner. With my parents dying when I was young, my grandparents had raised me but they were older and did things the old school way. I'd had to learn quickly that if I wanted something, I had to do it myself. Not because they weren't capable, but because they wanted me to be self sufficient.

"I know babydoll." he said as he dropped the bags at the door and fumbled with his keys.

Once he had it unlocked, he stepped inside. I followed behind him, curious to see how a bachelor like him decorated his home. I had half expected it to be empty except for the necessities but the sight before me was something like out of a show place. I gigled to myself wondering if he was secretly gay since the house was decorated quite well. Maybe that's why his 2 prior engagements hadn't worked I thought to myself.

"Something funny?" asked Brantley. Looking up, I met his eyes and knew immediately that I had let a giggle slip past my lips.

"Nope." I said smiling.

"You sure? Because you look like you are about to die to ask me something. So spit it out." he said, walking over to me, stopping in front of me and using that index finger to tilt my head back, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

"Well, umm, I just thought this place would be bare considering you're a bachelor and all." I said not really wanting to get into my thoughts of him being gay. Based on the way he had manhandled me earlier to tell him no, I knew that there would be hell to pay if he ever found out that little thought I had.

"This is my escape from the road. I wanted it to feel like a home and not just a building that I stay in when I'm not on the road." said Brantley.

"Well, it's beautiful. I can see how this place could make you forget the stresses of the road. I knew that my place was that for me even though it wasn't on his level. Going home was where I recharged and cleared my mind.

"Yeah. it does." said Brantley, dropping his hand from my chin. The two of us stood there looking at one another, almost like we were lost in a trance. I didn't know if I was the only one that felt it but it was almost like the air between us became charged. I had felt it a few days ago when he had tipped my head back in a similar fashion. Just like last time, my skin burned when his finger touched me. Looking up into those beautiful green eyes of his, I saw what I thought was a quick flash of desire before he locked it down, shaking his head as if he had been under some sort of spell. "Come on, I'll show you to your room."

The moment lost, I followed him up the stairs. When we reached the top, he turned left and opened the door to the guest room. In the middle of the room was a dark colored wooden queen size bed with a deep red comforter. It was manly and comforting all at the same time.

"Bathroom's down the hall and my room is just over there. If you need anything, just let me know." said Brantley as she turned to leave. "Good night babydoll."

"Goodnight B" I replied. Once he was gone, I walked into the room, carrying my bag and shut the door. I quickly slipped out of my leggings and removed my bra, leaving on my panties and the oversized t-shirt I had been wearing before climbing into bed.

As I laid there, I thought about Wade, my ex. Sure, I'd been pissed that he broke up with me via a damn text message but what hurt the most is that we had talked about marriage. I finally let the tears that I had been holding back fall over the loss of what I had wanted more than anything. I wasn't getting any younger. At 26, most of my friends from school were either engaged, married, or were out partying hard in search of that one guy that would sweep me off their feet.
A soft knock at my door caused me to pull the pillow over my head to hide the fact that I was crying like a damn baby over a dumbass man. But when I didn't answer, I heard the door open and footsteps on the hardwood. I felt the bed dip and a hand land on my back.

"You okay babydoll?" Brantley asked.

"Yeah." I said, my voice muffled by the pillow. "I will be."

"Scooth over, I'll lay with you until you fall asleep. Take it from me. When one gets their heart broken, this is the best medicine."

Not having the energy to fight, I slipped over and let him crawl in behind me. When he pulled me close so that my back was tightly pressed against his front and draped an arm over me, I lost it. The last thing I remember from that night was Brantley whispering to me how everything was going to be okay and that he was there.