Chapter 65

CHAPTER 65

SPENCER

A t first, I wasn't sure if my confession was enough. If it wasn't, well, I wouldn't blame her. I had done exactly what she asked me not to do, and I deserved every bit of her anger. But I had to try. Love like this didn't come twice in a lifetime, and I wasn't about to let her go so easily. She looked torn. I got it. She didn't know what to make of my confession. It wasn't like I had given her any warning. But I knew this might be my one and only chance to tell her how I felt. I had to lay it all out on the table in case she completely cut me out of her life.

The longer the silence stretched on, the more worried I got. This was bad. My old insecurities roared to life. I had put myself out there and it was exactly what I had been afraid of. But I had no one to blame but myself. If I would have told her how I felt sooner, this wouldn't have happened.

To my immense relief, Marlow smiled. It was like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm. I rushed toward her and gathered her up in my arms. Holding her felt right. My mouth slammed against hers.

Our kiss was epic, heating up quickly. We reconnected with a fervor that I had been afraid I might never get to experience again. I lifted her onto Kyla's would-be desk, stepping between her legs. We made out ravenously, her hands sliding inside my shirt to trace my chest and abs.

She giggled against my lips.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"The worst part of the breakup was not being able to feel you like this anymore," she said. "I'm giddy. I've missed this. I know it's only been a short time, but it feels like forever."

I chuckled, kissing down the side of her neck and jaw. "Horn dog," I teased, feeling her shiver under my touch.

"I can't deny it," she replied breathlessly, her hands pulling my hair and arching her neck for better access. All the pent-up feelings since our breakup were unleashed in a wild melee of lips, teeth, and tongue. "I can't imagine not having this."

Pulling reluctantly away from her, I looked at her. Her eyes were smoky with desire, chest heaving. "Marlow," I started, unable to get out the rest. She silenced me with a finger to my lips.

"No more words, Spencer. We've said enough."

She grabbed my face and kissed me again. This time, I was certain we were about to christen her new office. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew we were going to have to have a talk about that. I didn't want her to leave the company. I wouldn't force her to stay but I was going to work hard to convince her to stick around. But that could wait. Right now, I needed her.

Just as things were about to escalate even more, the door opened. I looked up and saw a man walk in. Marlow squeaked, hopping off the desk like it was electrified. She grabbed my hand, cheeks flaming red as she stared at the intruder.

"I'm so sorry! I won't be renting the office space," she blurted out, then practically dragged me out of there.

Out in the hall, the elevator arrived with a bunch of groaning people getting off, talking about the kid who hit every button. Marlow pulled me onto the now-empty elevator with a laugh.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"The building manager."

She grabbed the front of my shirt and jerked me back down to her level. Her mouth covered mine in an angry kiss.

"What about Kyla?" I mumbled against her lips.

"I'll text her," Marlow replied, her breath hot against my ear. She pressed the stop button just as the elevator started to move.

In the confined space of the elevator, the intensity between us skyrocketed. Our kisses grew more passionate. Her hands roamed over my body with a hunger that matched my own. I pressed her against the wall, my hands exploring the curves I had missed so much. She moaned softly, a sound that drove me wild.

Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as our bodies pressed together. I trailed kisses down her neck, savoring the way she responded to my touch. Her hands slipped under my shirt again, nails lightly grazing my skin and sending shivers down my spine.

"Marlow," I whispered, my voice rough with desire.

She responded by pulling me even closer, her lips seeking mine with a fierce urgency. I could feel the heat radiating between us, the connection we had never really lost, despite everything. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and I wanted more. I ground my erection against her, pulling a groan of pleasure from her.

We were lost in each other, our kisses growing more heated and desperate. My hands slid under her blouse, caressing the smooth skin of her back. She gasped, arching into my touch. I could feel her heartbeat racing against mine. I had never felt so drawn to anyone in my life. She turned me inside out. She made me want to steal her away to a deserted island and live out our days doing this.

As much as I wanted to take things further, I knew this wasn't the place for it. We needed to talk, to sort things out, and an elevator wasn't exactly the ideal setting for a serious conversation. Or sex. Reluctantly, I pulled back, resting my forehead against hers, and we caught our breath.

"Marlow," I said softly, looking into her eyes. "We need to talk. Really talk."

She nodded, her eyes still filled with the same longing and love I felt. "I know. Let's go somewhere more private. My place is closest."

"Give me a second." I grinned. "You've got me just a little worked up."

She reached out and grabbed my cock. "You mean this?"

I grunted and stepped away. "Stop it. Not fair."

She just smiled that devilish smile that always made me weak in the knees. "All's fair in love and war, Spencer," she said as she pushed the stop button again, starting the elevator's descent toward the lobby.

We rode down in silence, holding hands and stealing glances at each other while I silently willed my body to relax. I quickly adjusted myself. When the doors opened, we stepped out into the lobby, greeted by people waiting to get on the elevator. I didn't miss the looks from a few people who likely knew why the elevator had been delayed.

"This is a nice building," I commented. "I like it."

"Me too," she replied.

"Are you going to take the space?" I asked.

"No. Do you want me to?"

"Definitely not," I said. "I want you at the company. That's where you belong."

We walked out onto the street, the cool air a stark contrast to the elevator that was just a little warm. I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. This was our chance to rebuild what we had, to make things right. And I wasn't going to waste it.

"Let's walk," she said. "Unless you need to get to the office."

"I don't need to be anywhere except for right here."

We walked across the street and into Central Park. I inhaled the fresh air. It was chilly, but not too cold. Soon, there would be snow on the ground. For now, people were taking advantage of the last days before boots would be required for a walk. Here and there, people walked their dogs or jogged down the paved paths. Her hand was warm in mine.

"Cold?" I asked her.

"Nope. Still a little warm."

I laughed. "Me too."

"Thank you," I said.

"For what?"

"For giving me a chance," I said. "I know I fucked up. It seems to be a trend with me."

"I need you to be able to trust me," she said. "I also need you to understand that no matter what success I achieve, I'm still me. I can't hold myself back and make myself smaller to keep you from being uncomfortable."

"I would never want that," I assured her. "I overreacted. I know that. I was so scared of losing you that I pushed you away. It's just me. I'm flawed. But I want to be better."

"You're more than good enough, Spencer," she said stopping to face me.

"You're everything I've ever wanted," I told her. "And I'm sorry I made you feel otherwise. It was never about you. It was my own issues, my own fears."

She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I love you, Spencer."

My heart skipped a beat. "You do?"

She laughed. "Of course, I do. You make me happy. I need you to understand I'm always looking to stay moving. I'm not trying to outdo you or be more successful than you. I love what I do. I love pushing myself. It makes me happy. I'm not going to be a good girlfriend if I'm unhappy. Part of the reason Dakota and I drifted apart was because I wasn't happy trying to hold myself back to make him happy. It was a recipe for disaster."

"I love you too," I replied, pulling her into my arms. "And I understand, Marlow. I really do. And I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy. And if that means standing by while you conquer the world, I'm okay with that."

"You're not just ‘standing by,' Spencer," she said softly. "You're there with me. You brought me into your company because you saw the change I could bring. You encouraged me."

"And I always will."

We continued walking, hand in hand, the weight starting to lift from my shoulders. There was still a lot to work through, but for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of peace. We were on the right path, and we had each other. That was all that mattered.

I turned the corner. I could see a bright future ahead. My old self was in my past. I didn't want to look back.

As we reached the edge of the park, Marlow turned to me with a soft smile. "Thank you for coming after me. For not giving up."

"I could never give up on you," I said, kissing her gently.

"So, should we go back to my place?" she asked with a coy smile.

"Fuck yeah."

We walked along with my arm slung lazily over her shoulder. The chill in the air made our breath visible. I tightened my grasp around her, pulling her closer. She smiled at me. I felt a surge of warmth shoot right through me.

We crossed the street, quickening our pace. We were both anxious to get to her place. I couldn't wait to rip her clothes off. As we walked through the door into her apartment, I pulled her closer against me, our bodies flush against each other in the dim lighting of the entryway. The door clicked shut behind us.

"God, I've missed you," I breathed in her ear, my hands sliding down the sides of her body. Her fingers splayed against my chest, clutching at my shirt as she looked up at me with love in her eyes.

"I missed you too," she whispered, tilting her head back to meet my gaze.

I leaned down, capturing her lips with mine in a kiss that was full of promises.