20. Chapter 20

Chapter twenty

Felix

I ’d been dying to talk to Cor all day.

Only a few days had passed since we’d made things official, but my parents were chomping at the bit to meet him. Marco and the entire Brannon family already thought we were dating, so we didn’t have a whole lot of big announcing to do, though maybe down the line, we’d confess how it had been fake at first.

However, I’d been buzzing with my news since this morning, and the end of the work day meant I could escape to sword fighting practice and see my boyfriend. Some news was more fun to share in person, and being apart from him for lengths of time was agonizing. I didn’t think he realized how needy I could be, but so far, he hadn’t complained about the way I pretty much octopus-wrapped around him.

I’d walked over to Clark Park from my apartment, barely even enough of a distance to break a sweat. Which was good because I’d be doing plenty of sweating at practice, hopefully, followed by some celebratory sweating at my place afterward. The first few folks from our sword fighting class were already at the clearing, helping Ezra set up. My heart thumped a little harder.

It was hard to believe it all had started here. Meeting Cor, getting to know him, and eventually falling for him.

However, my relationship with him was more fulfilling than I could’ve hoped for. From the way he made me feel strong even in my weakest moments to how he hadn’t treated me any differently with my seizures, he was the partner I’d secretly dreamed of all along. The one I never believed I’d find.

And I wanted to be around him all the damn time, to the point I even considered moving out of the city. Most of my friends and family lived in the suburbs, and now my boyfriend too. The only real reason I’d moved out here was for space to breathe—to feel like I could stand on my own two feet.

Yet just being with Cor gave me that. The way he leaned on me and followed my lead lifted me higher than I could’ve imagined.

I slowed my stride, not sure if I wanted to join the rest of the crew yet, since it was clear Cor wasn’t among them.

“Hey.” The familiar deep voice behind me sent a shiver down my spine. I spun around, my heart thumping hard.

The sunlight cast his chestnut hair and beard in richer hues, and his blue eyes sparkled. He closed the distance between us, his thick thighs flexing. He radiated pure happiness, and I wanted to bottle it up and hold that incandescence close.

I met him midway and pushed up on my toes to plant a kiss on his lips. He wrapped his hands around my waist and drew my body flush to his. The firm muscles, the heat turned the kiss even hotter, and I lost myself in the velvet feel of his mouth, the tickle of his beard against my chin, the thrill rising in my body from the contact.

Some of our sword fighting crew whistled, and I lifted a middle finger in their general direction.

I savored the taste of him, maybe a little reveling in the onlookers. The rest of our class might not have known we were together, but they sure as fuck would now. And I was so damn proud to call Cor mine.

When I pulled back for breath, he did too, and I stared up at him. He beamed at me, full out beamed, and it was more radiant than the sunlight glowing around us.

“They’re going to have questions,” he murmured, tipping his head in the direction of our sword fighting crew.

“Let them,” I said. “I’m not ready to head over there yet. I’ve got some good news.”

“Oh?”

I stepped back, and the smile ripped across my face. “I got the promotion at work.”

Cor’s eyes widened, and his grin grew so bright I wanted to dive back in and kiss him all over again. Instead, he stepped forward and brushed his lips against mine, this time the kiss as soft and sweet as powdered sugar. A shiver rolled through me.

“Shit, sweetheart. I’m so damn proud of you.” He cupped my cheek, and my heart melted into a puddle. I normally was a lot more sarcastic around my partners, but something about Cor broke down my defenses every single time.

“They said my work for the last client elevated my chances. Carly sang my praises, which didn’t hurt.” I reached down and threaded my fingers through his.

“So what you’re saying is our fake boyfriend outing is what did the trick.” Cor winked at me, and we meandered to the others. Regina gaped at our joined hands. Yeah, we’d have a ton of explaining to do. I couldn’t wait.

“It might’ve done the trick, but I prefer having a real boyfriend much better.” I squeezed his hand. He stared at me with that softness that always struck my core like lighting a match. The sun soaked in past my skin, infusing my whole body with that effervescent joy, and I just drank it in. God, I loved this man with my whole heart.

The sounds of the city whirred around us beyond here, the honks from cars mingling with the chirps of the birds. The crispness of the decaying leaves swept through, heightening my senses. In the distance, the skyscrapers of the city skyline loomed, cutting their marks against an achingly blue sky. But the height and breadth of them couldn’t compare to these feelings expanding in my chest. For how much Cor lifted me up.

“Good luck getting rid of me now that it’s real,” he said, though his blue eyes twinkled.

“That’s my line,” I said, my heart lighter than the swollen white clouds overhead. “Hope you’re ready for how incredibly needy you make me.” We joined our friends, who were politely waiting instead of descending on us, but it was clear they all brimmed with questions to bombard us with.

Cor leaned in close enough his lips almost brushed the shell of my ear. “I can’t fucking wait.”

Truth was? Neither could I.