Chapter 35 #2
“Sorry,” I say, turning briefly. “I’m trying to stop my girlfriend from leaving. I need to tell her I love her.”
The man’s expression shifts as recognition dawns. “Go ahead, Mr. Darling.”
The woman behind the counter stares at me, wide-eyed. “Oh my God, you’re Zach Darling.”
“I am.” I glance at her name tag. “Donna. Hi. I need your help. My girlfriend is on Flight 1567 to Orlando. I need to stop her before she leaves.”
Donna’s enthusiasm dims as she checks her computer. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Darling, but Flight 1567 just left.”
“What?” My heart sinks. “But it’s not 6 PM yet.”
“They departed early. I’m so sorry.”
I press my hands to my face, the weight of it all hitting me at once. “I’m too late,” I mutter.
“I can find you a flight to Orlando,” Donna offers.
The man from the line places a hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, man.”
“No. It’s fine.” I force a tight smile, stepping away from the counter. “Thanks, Donna.”
I park in the private garage of my penthouse, dragging my feet toward the elevator. Every step feels like lead, and by the time I reach my floor, the weight of my failure is crushing.
When the elevator doors slide open, I freeze.
Lainey is there, leaning against my door, her suitcase beside her.
“Lainey?” My voice cracks, disbelief flooding me. “What are you doing here? I thought you were on a plane.”
She straightens, her eyes locking with mine. “I forgot something.”
I swallow hard, the lump in my throat making it impossible to speak.
Without thinking, I walk over, unlocking the door.
I push it open, stepping aside and motioning for her to enter.
She hesitates for a moment before walking inside, her steps tentative, almost uncertain.
I follow, shutting the door softly behind us.
The soft click echoes in the quiet space. She turns to face me, her expression unreadable, but her eyes—they hold something I haven’t dared to hope for.
“What… what did you forget?” I ask.
She takes a step forward, her lips curve into a small, soft smile. “You.”
The word knocks the air out of me. I blink, stunned. “Me?”
She nods, her eyes shining with emotion.
I don’t give myself time to think. I cross the space between us in two strides, my hands cupping her face as I kiss her.
It’s soft at first, but the moment she responds, it deepens, all my fear and regret pouring into the kiss.
Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels right.
When we finally break apart, my forehead rests against hers. “Lainey, I’m so sorry,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I was an idiot. I was scared, and I pushed you away because of it.”
Her hand presses gently against my chest. “Zach—”
“No, let me say this.” I pull back just enough to meet her gaze, my heart pounding. “I’ve spent my whole life believing in this stupid Darling curse. That no one in my family gets a happy ending. I thought I was protecting us—protecting you—from becoming another casualty.”
Her eyes soften, tears brimming as she listens.
“But it was all fear, Lainey. That curse? It’s just me being too afraid to believe I could have something good.
Something perfect. You showed me that I was wrong.
” My voice trembles. “I love you, Lainey. I love you so much it terrifies me. But I’m done letting fear control me. I’m done pushing you away.”
Tears spill down her cheeks as she steps closer. “I love you too, Zach,” she whispers, her voice breaking.
Relief crashes over me like a wave, and I pull her into another kiss. This one is slower, filled with everything I’ve wanted to tell her but couldn’t put into words.
When we pull apart, she smiles through her tears, her voice trembling but strong. “Just so you know, Chloe and Wyatt called me and told me not to get on the plane.”
“They did?”
She nods. “Blair also texted me, and your dad… he left me a voicemail.”
Of course, they did. I can’t help the soft laugh that escapes me, a mix of relief and disbelief. “What did they say?”
Her hand lingers on my chest, right over my heart. “Wyatt and Chloe said you couldn’t imagine a future without me. Without the baby. Is it true?”
I cover her hand with mine, pressing it against my chest as if to make sure she feels every beat of my heart. “Yes,” I say, my voice steady and firm. “It’s true. I can’t imagine my life without either of you. And I don’t ever want to.”
Her breath hitches, and her smile widens, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “You really love me?”
“With everything I have,” I say softly, my voice carrying all the weight of my feelings. “What did Blair and my dad say?”
Her lips twitch into a small, fond smile. “Blair said I’d be an idiot to get on that plane and let you ruin everything. And your dad… he apologized.”
My brows shoot up. “He apologized?”
She nods, her voice softening. “He said he was wrong about me, about us. He told me he never meant to hurt you or make you feel like you had to push me away. He said you’re happiest when you’re with me and that I should give you another chance.
And…” She hesitates, her eyes glistening as she searches my face.
“He said he’d love to have me over for dinner so he could apologize to me in person. And that I’m family now.”
Emotion swells in my chest, leaving me momentarily speechless. My dad—apologizing, inviting her to dinner, calling her family—it’s more than I ever expected. For a moment, I can’t find the words, so I tighten my hold on her hand, letting my gaze say what I can’t.
“There’s something else I need to tell you,” she says softly, her eyes searching mine.
I tense, my heart pounding. “What is it?”
“I went to my appointment… the one we were supposed to go to together,” she says, her voice soft but steady.
Guilt twists in my chest, but I nod for her to continue.
“They told me the baby’s gender,” she whispers. Her eyes meet mine, nervous but hopeful. “Zach, we’re having a boy.”
The words hit me like a lightning bolt, and my heart races. “A boy,” I murmur, the awe in my voice surprising even me. “We’re having a son?”
She nods, her smile small and uncertain. “Yeah. A son.”
I exhale sharply, pulling her into my arms. “A son,” I repeat, letting the joy flood through me. “Lainey, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I should’ve been.”
She presses her hand against my chest, looking up at me with love in her eyes. “You’ll be there for the next one. That’s what matters.”
“Deal,” I say, my voice cracking as I lean in to kiss her, sealing the promise between us.
“Don’t ever get jealous over nothing again,” she says softly, though there’s a teasing lilt in her tone.
I grin, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I can’t promise that. You’re so fucking amazing—everyone wants a piece of you. But I promise to show you every day how much I love you.”
Her laugh is soft and full of warmth, her eyes shining with love. “I’ll take that.”
I pull her into my arms, holding her tight like I might lose her again if I let go.
My heart races, my pulse pounding in my ears as I lower my lips to hers.
The kiss isn’t gentle—it’s desperate and consuming.
I pour every word I didn’t say, every regret, every ounce of love into it, hoping she can feel just how much she means to me.
She kisses me back with equal intensity, her hands tangling in my hair as if she’s anchoring herself to me. When I feel her soften in my arms, I grip her hips and lift her effortlessly. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, and her arms tighten around my neck.
“Lainey,” I murmur against her lips, my voice low and rough. “I need you to hold on to me. I’m never letting go.”
“I’m not letting go either,” she whispers back, her voice trembling with emotion.
I kiss her again, walking us slowly toward my bedroom. Each step feels significant, deliberate. Her body presses against mine, her warmth seeping into me, and I realize how much I’ve missed this—missed her.
When we reach the room, I gently lower her onto the bed but stay close, her legs still around my waist. I cup her face in my hands, brushing my thumb over her cheek as I look into her eyes.
“Can I show you how much I love you?” I ask, my voice barely audible.
Her breath catches, and she nods. “Yes.”
I press a kiss to her forehead before trailing my lips down her face, to the corner of her mouth, and finally back to her lips. As I kiss her, my hands move to the hem of her shirt, slowly pulling it up and over her head.
I pause, taking her in. Her beauty floors me every time, but tonight, knowing I almost lost her, it hits differently. “You’re fucking beautiful,” I whisper, my voice filled with awe.
She smiles, her hands sliding up my chest, and it ignites something in me. I strip off my shirt, and her hands explore my bare skin, her touch branding me.
I lower her onto the bed, kissing her deeply as I work to remove the rest of her clothes. I take my time, savoring every inch of her, every curve, every soft gasp she makes when my lips brush against her skin.
When she’s finally bare beneath me, I stand to rid myself of my jeans and boxers, my gaze never leaving hers. Her eyes darken as she watches me, her breath hitching when I climb back over her, pressing my body to hers.
Our skin meets, warm and electrified, and I kiss her again, slower this time. My hard cock presses against her, but I don’t rush. Instead, I let my lips trail down her neck, over her collarbone, and lower still.
I pause at her belly, pressing a soft kiss there. “I love you, and I love our baby,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
Her hand brushes through my hair, her touch gentle and full of love. “We love you too,” she murmurs, her voice trembling.
I move lower, settling between her thighs. I spread her legs, kissing the inside of each one before letting my tongue glide over her. Her gasp is sharp, her hands gripping the sheets as I taste her, savoring her.
Her hips lift, seeking more, and I give it to her, my tongue moving in slow, deliberate strokes. Her moans fill the room, and I grip her hips tighter, holding her in place as I take her higher.
When her release crashes over her, she cries out my name, her body trembling as I coax every last shudder from her. I kiss my way back up her body, her taste still on my lips as I capture her mouth again.
“Lainey,” I murmur against her lips, positioning myself at her entrance. “I want to make love to you.”
Her eyes meet mine, and she nods, her voice soft but certain. “I’m yours, Zach.”
I push into her slowly, the heat of her wrapping around me like a vice. We both groan at the connection, and I take a moment to just feel her—to memorize the way we fit together.
“I love you,” I whisper, my forehead pressing against hers as I begin to move.
“I love you too,” she breathes, her arms wrapping around my neck to pull me closer.
Our rhythm builds, slow and deliberate at first, each thrust a promise. I hold her as close as I can, our bodies moving as one, our breaths mingling.
“You’re my everything,” I say, my voice breaking.
She kisses me, her hands tangling in my hair as she whispers, “You’re mine too.”
The pace quickens, the intensity building as we chase the edge together. Her moans grow louder, her nails digging into my back, and I grip her hips, driving into her deeper.
When we fall together, it’s like the world stops. Her name tumbles from my lips as I spill into her, her release triggering mine. We cling to each other, trembling, our hearts pounding in sync.
I don’t pull away. Instead, I hold her close, our bodies still connected as I press soft kisses to her face, her neck, her lips.
“I’m never letting you go,” I say, my voice raw but full of conviction.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she replies, her voice soft but certain.
We stay like that, wrapped in each other, the world outside fading away. For the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels right.