Chapter 7 Tori
seven
Tori
Iwas about to melt into a puddle if I sat next to Mace any longer.
The memories of our night together kept looping in my mind.
I tried taking a deep breath, even gazing out at the wintry skyline, but nothing seemed to help.
Maybe it was the wine I drank or the way Mace's big, warm hand rested on my thigh under the table.
Either way, I found myself biting my lip, wishing his fingers would inch just a little higher to touch me where I needed to feel him the most.
But no, this is all make believe. I was just the easiest option for him. After tonight, this delicious dream will be over, and the two of us will go back to boss and employee, which is for the best.
His warm, familiar body rushes up beside me as he takes a seat next to me on the porch swing, draping a coat over my shoulders. “Is something wrong?”
I look into his deep brown eyes and suddenly see my own feelings and concerns etched on his handsome face as he lifts a hand to wipe away my tears with his thumb. “None of this is real,” I whisper, afraid to break the spell.
He leans closer, his lips brushing mine. “Do you want it to be real?”
He was too close, and I'd had too much to drink.
Surrounded by snow, I felt like we were inside a snow globe.
I knew my answer wasn't wise, but when I opened my mouth, all I could say was yes.
“Yes.” His mouth pressed to mine, and I didn't need to worry about saying anything more. Maybe tomorrow I would wake up and be back in the real world, where he was my employer and I was his employee. But tonight, I would enjoy the dream, just a little bit longer. “Let’s stop by a convenience store and pick up some condoms before we go back to your place.” I break the kiss, not looking into his eyes.
He tilts my head up so I’m looking into his eyes and says, “The next time we make love, two things are going to happen. First, you’re going to know that I love you.
I’ve loved you for a while, but I was just too afraid to act on my feelings.
I’m not asking you to say it back to me yet; I just wanted you to know. ”
I don’t even have to think as I blurt out my feelings to him, “I love you, too, Mace. I have since the first day I met you. Which makes me sound like a crazy, stalker woman. I’m not sure I would have called it love that first day, but I knew I had strong feelings for you.”
“Oh, Tori, hearing you say you love me is more than I could have ever dreamed of.” His lips meet mine in a heated exchange. When we finally come up for air, I ask him about the second thing on his list of things that are going to happen before we have sex again.
“And the second thing on your list?”
“No condoms. I don’t want anything between us when we make love.”
“But I’m not on birth control. I could get pregnant right away.”
“Good,” he says, as he picks me up and carries me to his car. “I’m ready to start a family with you.”