Ch. 37 Deadly Traps and Fiery Kisses
We exit the airport in silence. The ambient noise fills the shocked awkwardness between all of us.
I don't miss the betrayed looks everyone is casting me. The wheels of my suitcase swish on the floor as we move forward.
Kyle seems to have lost his ability to speak. He walks beside me, gaze fixed forward.
I try Celeste's cell once more, but it goes straight to voicemail. Is she angry with me? Hurt?
I run my fingers through my hair.
My back aches from how tense my shoulders have been since this afternoon.
Night has fallen, but there's work to be done.
I turn to Kyle. "We've got to head to the office. It'll likely be an all nighter."
Kyle simply nods while we wait for our ride.
All the pending texts have finally gotten through, and as I'm scrolling, I spot one from Christopher.
I call Chris, who picks up in a single ring. He explains what he found and what he thinks we need to dig into further and I agree.
By the time I'm done with the call, we're already halfway to work.
I sigh. Maybe I should've napped on the plane.
—----------------------
It's the mention of Marcus's name that finally pulls me back.
I overhear someone mention Marcus is back at Ingram Tech, and I'm on my feet and heading to the elevators before I know it.
The reporters' questions ring in my ears.
"Ms Shaw, Ingram Tech has publicly denounced HC Studios after an hours long meeting today. Can you share your statement?"
"No comment." That's all I can say.
"We know you have bad blood with Harry Coleman. Is that why you blocked this deal from happening?"
I open my mouth to defend myself but nothing comes out except—"No comment."
"We've just found out from internal sources that Ingram Tech refused a $20 billion deal with HC Studios. Because of you. Can you confirm this news?"
"No comment."
Eventually, someone comes and disconnects my line.
I have no answers, so I wait. I shut my mind down, and wait—because I cannot be the reason for a $20 billion loss for my company. I cannot be the reason Harry Coleman guns after my friends and colleagues. After Marcus.
Surely, Marcus would never do something so foolish.
I shut out everything. Nolan's anger. My team's disbelief. Harper's shock.
I push open the door to Marcus's cabin on autopilot. Heads turn towards me—he's not alone—but I have eyes only for him.
"Tell me it's not true." My voice is hoarse. I clear my throat and try again.
"Tell me. Tell me, Marcus! Tell me!" By the end, my voice sounds hysterical.
I stand there, fists tight, staring at Marcus, waiting for him to say something.
"Everybody except Kyle, get out." He turns to look at the others, expression brooking no arguments, and slowly they file out.
The three of us stand in silence until the door shuts after the last person leaves.
"Celeste—" Marcus hurries towards me.
"Why would you do something like that! $20 billion dollars! I would've swallowed my pride if I had to! I didn't even really have to cross paths with him! What the hell were you thinking!"
I shove Marcus—hard. I shove him again. I don't even realize I have tears streaming down my face.
He pulls me into his arms, and hugs me tightly. He shushes me gently and kisses the top of my head.
"It's okay. It's all okay. You're fine, love. You're safe."
Finally, I push him away. "How could you do something like that?" I ask, voice tight.
A few seconds pass as I wait for him to reply. It's Kyle who finally answers me—face expressionless.
"It was either this, or to fire you."
I stare at him blankly, until his words register. "What?"
Marcus looks angry as Kyle starts explaining. I stare at them in disbelief.
Marcus looks sharply at Kyle. "That's enough, Kyle. I've got it from here. You can wait outside."
Kyle hesitates for a second, but a look from Marcus quells any rebellion.
Marcus gently takes my hand in his and seats me on the sofa before sitting next to me.
"So the reporters were right..." I finally turn to look at him properly. "I'm sorry. So sorry. I screwed up everything."
Marcus looks furious—rightly so. I can't meet his eyes anymore.
"There's something you should know, Celeste." His voice vibrates as he speaks, "I would never have accepted those terms. Not for anyone who contributed to ADAI. Especially you."
I bite my lip before turning to look at him again. "I hate bullies. I hate people who turn to power tripping simply to make others suffer. And I would never ask someone who worked so honestly, so diligently to help us come this far to give up the credit that is rightfully theirs.
"Not for $20 billion. Not for $100 billion even.
"ADAI isn't just mine, or Ingram Tech's. It's also yours. Am I clear?"
"You denounced Coleman. And anyone who ever works with him."
"Yes, about that. I might have let it slide if it was someone else he asked me to fire. But he crossed a line when he went after you.
"It's war now. And I'll be damned if I let him control the narrative."
I gape at him. "You don't know how good he is at this kind of thing."
"Are you doubting me?"
I purse my lips together. Marcus is being arrogant. He doesn't know Coleman like I do.
"You shouldn't underestimate me."
I grit my teeth to stop myself from yelling at him. The stress of what Coleman can do has me breaking out in a sweat.
Marcus seems to misunderstand my silence.
"Did I turn you off?" His voice is bitter now. And he leans back on the sofa, refusing to look at me.
What?
"This is who I am beneath the veneer of polish and kindness. Arrogant, petty, vengeful and possessive. Are you disappointed?"
Disappointed?
This is a side of Marcus I've never seen before. And if I'm being honest—it's scary. I like it.
"Disappointed? Not even remotely."
Marcus finally looks at me again. I'm not sure what he sees, but he's closing the distance between us before I can begin to compute what's happening.
And then his lips meet mine, and I forget anything else exists.
His lips are firm against mine. Firm and demanding.
He kisses me like a man drowning, like I am his only bit of air.
He pulls me against him and the intensity shifts. His evening shadow brushes against my face, sending a thrill down my spine.
He gives as much as he's taking, and I kiss him back with all the fervor I've kept locked away.
—-----------------------
My heart hammers my chest so hard my ribs are starting to ache.
I wait for disgust to cross her face. I wait for her to voice her disappointment.
It's so tempting and easy to hide my true feelings behind the mask of logic and benevolence.
And yet, isn't this exactly the Marcus Celeste wanted to see? The real Marcus—who isn't afraid to show her his true self?
Well, here we are.
"Disappointed? Not even remotely." Her words have my head snapping to hers, waiting to receive judgement that doesn't come.
Instead, all I see is acceptance. And even—attraction.
Every wall, every fear, all hesitation crumbles under the wave of emotion that engulfs me.
The stress of everything that has happened, the fatigue of the past few weeks, and the relief that floods me batters down all sense and inhibition.
When I looked back at this moment, I knew I couldn't have stopped myself even if I had wanted to.
I lean into her, and every suppressed desire I've had for her takes over.
I am kissing her with a passion I have never allowed myself to feel. I cup the nape of her neck and pull her closer, my other hand already on her hip.
Her arms wind around my shoulders as she kisses me back, and I'm already pulling her into my lap.
Her lips are soft and sweet. She doesn't hold back as she leans in too, her arms tightening.
Her bangs brush my face, and I catch the hint of vanilla that is so uniquely hers.
She straddles my hips as we continue to kiss—before someone has to come up for air.
We're both breathing hard, and her face colors as reality crashes into both of us.
"I—" Celeste begins, but I refuse to let her push me away again.
"No, I'm not going to let you go. I'm not giving up on us, Celeste."
She gapes at me, eyes wide.
"You were right. I was so busy collecting debts that I stopped looking at the gift life had given me. But now that I am, I won't lose you.
"Take as long as you need. I'm already changing, Celeste. And for the better. I will drop the masks I've been hiding behind.
"I will strive to earn your trust. But please... Will you be honest with yourself and allow for what grows naturally?"
I exhale slowly.
"If I ever run in any direction again, I promise it'll always be towards you."
She trembles in my arms and I hug her gently.
"Think you can do that? I'm not asking for your forgiveness. Please, allow me to earn it."
—----------------------
When I try to back away, his hands tighten on me. He folds me into a hug, his heartbeat loud in my ear.
I straighten and stare at Marcus, pulse pounding so hard I can barely hear what he's saying.
His eyes have never been clearer. This is it.
This is the real Marcus—absolutely true to himself, world be damned.
This is the man I've always sensed, simmering just under the surface. The Marcus that peeked out when he thought no one was looking.
And here he is, baring himself to me, even when he's scared I'll reject him.
How can I say no to him when he's baring his soul to me?
Sure, I'm afraid... But this honest, clear-eyed Marcus—
Him, I just might be able to trust again.