33. Magnolia Steel

Chapter 33

Magnolia Steel

The deep crimson wine catches the soft light as I swirl it in my glass, the dim glow casting gentle shadows across the room. It’s the perfect setting—intimate, quiet, and full of unspoken longing. But beneath the calm, there’s an ache—a reminder that Alex and I are almost out of time.

Eleven weeks replay in my mind like a cherished melody—the laughter, the stolen moments, the nights that stretched into dawn with stories and confessions. Alex has a way of making the world fade. With him, I’ve felt seen, understood, and held in a way I never have before.

The ache sharpens, knowing there’s only one week left before this chapter ends. Every second feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. Tonight, I want to freeze time, to hold on to every smile, every glance, every way he makes me feel like I’m home. Just for tonight, I want to savor it all before it’s gone.

The soft hum of the elevator rising pulls me from my thoughts, each passing floor heightening my anticipation. By the time the doors slide open, my pulse is already quickening. I set the glass down, my focus shifting to the sound of his footsteps as they draw closer.

A smile tugs at my lips, unbidden, because he’s here. For tonight, he’s still mine.

When he steps into the bedroom doorway, the world narrows to just him. His gaze sweeps the room before settling on me. The warmth in his expression softens something deep in my chest, replacing the ache with a quiet certainty. In this moment, it feels like we have everything.

“Wow.” His voice dips low, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Stunning doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

The silky red baby-doll gown drapes over me, every curve visible through the sheer fabric, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the matching G-string beneath—a subtle promise wrapped in bold sensuality.

Before I can respond, he closes the distance between us, his arms wrapping around me with a warmth that steadies my racing heart. His lips find mine, slow and deliberate, a kiss that melts everything else away. The world outside fades, leaving us in the quiet cocoon of his embrace.

When he pulls back, his gaze remains locked on mine, a mix of tenderness and heat. His hands rest lightly at my waist, his eyes tracing over me, leaving no doubt about the effect I have on him. “You look stunning in this.”

I lean in enough to feel the warmth of his breath. “I wanted to look beautiful for you tonight.”

His expression softens, his gaze wrapping around me like a promise. “You’re always beautiful, Magnolia. Lingerie or not.”

The sincerity in his words settles over me, momentarily stealing my breath. But then his expression shifts—tender, serious, a quiet intensity replacing the lighthearted rhythm we usually share. His hand finds mine, and he guides me to sit beside him on the edge of the bed.

A prickle of worry surfaces, my thoughts leaping to Celeste and what she might have done.

“Alex.” My fingers tighten around his instinctively. “Is something wrong? Has Celeste––”

He lifts a hand to cradle my face, his thumb brushing softly over my cheek. “No. This is about us.”

The serious tone in his voice makes my pulse race. I hold my breath, waiting, caught up in his words before they even come.

His gaze locks on to mine, open and unguarded, a vulnerability that sends a pang straight to my heart. “I can’t stop thinking about you leaving. And the truth is… I don’t know how to let you go, Magnolia. I’m not ready. I don’t think I ever will be.”

His raw honesty leaves me breathless. His eyes hold a tenderness that narrows the world to the two of us, and I feel my defenses crumbling, the walls I’ve kept so carefully in place slipping away.

My voice trembles, barely louder than a whisper. “I’m not ready to say goodbye either.” The confession feels more profound than I anticipated. But when I meet his gaze, I see the same ache, the same struggle mirrored back at me.

He takes my hand in his, his steady touch reassuring me. “I love you, Magnolia Elizabeth Steel. I’m completely in love with you. Being with you has changed everything for me.”

His words fill every corner of my heart. Shock ripples through me, quickly giving way to a rush of joy so profound it nearly takes my breath. But at the edges, a quiet fear lingers. No one has ever loved me like this—completely, without hesitation. It’s as if he’s seen every part of me, even the ones I’ve kept hidden, and decided I’m exactly what he wants.

And that terrifies me.

He watches me, his gaze searching, his heart laid bare between us. He’s raw and vulnerable, offering me something rare and precious. My pulse races, and I know there’s no avoiding this moment. The truth has always been there, waiting for me to acknowledge it, to give it life.

I take a shaky breath. “I love you too.”

The words carry every unspoken feeling I’ve kept inside, every hope and every doubt.

For a moment, the silence between us feels almost sacred, heavy with the power of what we’ve shared. His eyes soften, his expression a blend of relief and something deeper—something unshakable.

“Don’t go. Stay with me. I want more with you. Let’s build something real, something lasting. We don’t have to say goodbye.”

His words surround me, warm and full of promise. For a fleeting moment, I let myself imagine it—staying here, being part of his world, making this love our reality. The vision feels so vivid, so right, that my heart swells with longing.

But the doubts creep in like shadows, pressing against the edges of my thoughts. My life back home—my friends, my independence, everything I’ve poured myself into—all of it tugs at me, demanding recognition. The thought of giving it up feels like losing a part of myself I’m not ready to let go of.

I draw a shaky breath, my chest tightening as I meet his gaze. The hopeful light in his eyes falters, replaced by a shadow of uncertainty as he senses my hesitation. I love him—deeply, fiercely—but the fear of surrendering everything I’ve fought so hard to protect refuses to release me.

Unable to bear the intensity of his stare, I glance away, knowing the pain my words will cause. My voice trembles, each word a battle to push out. “I’m not ready, Alex. Not for marriage, not for a future I can’t fully see. I love you—truly—but giving up everything I’ve built back home is terrifying.”

The rawness of my confession settles between us, and I see the hurt in his eyes. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away, even as my words begin to sink in.

My hand finds his, trembling as I try to explain. “You deserve someone who’s ready to build that life with you. Someone who can give you everything you want. I don’t want to hold you back.”

He shakes his head, his grip tightening. “You’re not holding me back. You’re everything I want. I don’t need a perfect plan or promises about the future. I just want you.”

I close my eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his words, my emotions spiraling out of control. “I don’t know when—or if—I’ll ever be ready for something like marriage. I can’t promise what I’m not certain I can give.”

He’s quiet for a moment, his expression a mixture of sadness and understanding. Then he gently squeezes my hand. “It’s okay, Magnolia. We don’t have to figure everything out tonight.”

There’s a warmth in his words that soothes the sharp edges of my fear, and for a fleeting moment, I almost let myself believe we could find a way. But reality presses down, heavy and unrelenting. Guilt twists in my chest, sharp and undeniable, as I summon the courage to say what I know I must.

“Alex.” My voice trembles. “I love you more than I can put into words. But I might never be able to give you the life you want and deserve. I can’t lead you on, hoping I’ll change and suddenly be ready for everything you want. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

Tears blur my vision, but I blink them away, forcing myself to press on. “It’s going to break my heart to leave you, but it’s what I have to do. You deserve someone who’s ready to build a life with you without hesitation. I love you too much to hold you back from that.”

His jaw tightens, his brow furrowing as my words settle over him. He releases a heavy sigh, his gaze falling to the floor. The pain in his eyes is unmistakable, but there’s also a quiet, reluctant acceptance in the way his shoulders drop.

For a long moment, we sit in silence, the unspoken truth hanging heavy between us: we love each other, but love alone isn’t always enough.

I sit in the quiet aftermath, aching but resolute. My heart feels impossibly heavy, knowing this week will be our last. Through quiet tears, I reach for his hand, my voice unsteady. “I don’t want this to ruin the rest of our time together.”

Alex’s gaze lifts, the sadness in his eyes tempered by something softer. His fingers curl firmly around mine, his voice steady with quiet resolve. “Then we won’t let it. We still have a week together. Let’s make every moment count.”

Alex’s hand rests on the small of my back, his touch firm yet achingly gentle as he draws me closer. Our bodies align naturally, the warmth of him steadying me in the moment. When our lips meet, the kiss is tender and slow, filled with the quiet intensity of everything we feel but can’t put into words.

We move with deliberate care, like a delicate dance meant only for us. Each caress feels like a silent vow, each kiss an expression of longing that speaks louder than any declaration. My fingertips trace the sharp lines of his jaw, savoring every familiar contour, while his hands explore me with a reverence that steals my breath.

Alex’s lips trail down my neck in a deliberate, tantalizing path, his warm breath sending a cascade of shivers over my skin. When he gently tugs at the strap of my gown, a spark ignites deep within me, growing into an undeniable flame.

Our eyes lock, an unspoken exchange passing between us—vulnerability, passion, and something even deeper.

Piece by piece, we shed the barriers between us, each article of clothing removed with deliberate slowness, savoring the anticipation of what comes next. The brush of bare skin against fingertips feels electric, each caress filled with tenderness.

Alex guides me gently onto the bed, his movements unhurried, his touch steady. His warmth surrounds me as he positions himself between my legs, bracing himself with his strong forearms on either side of my head. Our gazes never waver as our bodies unite in a passionate embrace, becoming one in both heart and soul.

Our bodies entwine, moving in a synchronized rhythm of pure bliss. Every touch ignites a fire within me. As he penetrates deeper, I wrap my legs around him, drawing him nearer. Our breaths become one as our motions intensify, lost in the overwhelming euphoria of lovemaking.

My throat constricts, and a hot flood of tears threatens to spill from my eyes. I tightly shut them, desperately trying to hold back the overwhelming emotions that threaten to engulf me. The heaviness of the moment presses on my chest, making it difficult to even breathe. Despite my efforts, tears escape from the corners of my closed eyes, streaming down and dampening my hair as they fall.

My heart swells with love for Alex. I reach out and cup his face, drawing him close to me. Our eyes connect in a powerful gaze. “I never knew love could be so painful... yet so breathtakingly beautiful,” I whisper, pouring my love into him with every word.

“I don’t know how to let you go,” Alex says, placing a kiss against my lips.

Our bodies intertwine, reveling in the deep connection as he moves in and out of me with an indulgent pace. We savor every touch, every movement, every kiss. Our bodies dance together in flawless harmony, my hips eagerly meeting his as waves of pleasure begin, guided by our all-encompassing love for each other.

A tidal wave of sensation builds, cresting higher and higher until it bursts, radiating through me in waves of tingling warmth. My breath catches, and the words spill out unbidden. “Oh God, I’m coming.”

My release unravels him. With a deep, guttural moan, Alex tightens his grip on my hips, his movements becoming more urgent, more raw. One, two, three more thrusts and he finds his release inside of me.

When the storm finally subsides, we collapse into each other, our bodies still tangled, our breaths mingling in the quiet intimacy of the moment. No words are needed; the depth of what we’ve shared speaks louder than anything we could say. For a moment, time feels frozen though the relentless pull of its march forward haunts the edges of my mind.

A wistful smile tugs at Alex’s lips as he pulls me closer, his arms wrapping around me in a way that feels both protective and soothing. The intimacy of this moment, the quiet connection between us, eases the ache of what we both know is coming.

We savor every fleeting second as though it might be our last. A silent understanding passes between us, a shared promise to treasure this love, to hold it close even as the world demands we let go.

As the quiet settles, melancholy remains, but it’s softened by something stronger.

Our love.

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