I called him. There’s no backing out now. I’m lost in my own thoughts, staring at my shoes, thinking I really need to wash my beat-up canvas shoes when the door swings open and I see Jake for the first time in months. My breath hitches in my throat. He’s still so damn handsome. His hair is dark brown in color. Cut short on the side, yet the top lays haphazardly. His eyes, that I remember looking into all night long so many months ago, are blue in color and I can see the fire blazing in them. He’s angry. No, not just angry. There’s hurt and pain in his eyes. Pain that I caused. Tears instantly gather at the corner of my eyes.
I missed him. He’s stopped ten feet away from me. My body has changed so much, yet I’m still the same me. It’s as if he’s waiting to see if I’m real or if I’ll actually come to him. I leave all of my apprehension and run towards him, as much as I can. I leap into his arms and he holds on tight. Something big and intruding is making me not able to wrap my legs around his waist. I want to be held by Jake. His hand goes to my now round stomach and the other cups my cheek.
I look into his eyes and whisper, “I’m so sorry, Jake.”
He hushes me and we look into each other’s eyes. My arms are wrapped around his neck, he’s stooped in his stature that is usually well above my height and we stay lost in the moment.
I know his forgiveness will take time. I can see the hurt and anger. I did this to him. I did this to us.
He picks me up as if I’m his bride and strides to the elevator. I bury my face in the crook of his neck and let the tears flow down freely. I wasn’t sure if he’d want anything to do with me. If he would have turned away from me, it would have destroyed me. Probably as much as it destroyed him when I walked away.
Once we’re inside the elevator, I wiggle out of his hold and stand on my own two feet. He doesn’t let me leave his side though. He brings me back into the warmth of his body, his arms wrapped around me as we wait to go up to his place.
“We have a lot to talk about, Rissa,” he murmurs into my ear. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. He’s absolutely right. There’s so much that needs to be said, yet I’m not sure how I can without breaking his heart all over again.
My sharp inhale has him searching my face, for what, I’m not sure. I try to tuck myself deeper into him, but he stops me.
“I’m not letting you leave again.” His voice comes out harsh, but I know everything about Jake and how he talks and the tones he uses. I can hear the strain in his voice trying to contain his emotions.
“I won’t leave. I promise,” I rasp out.
Jake
I’ve dreamed of having Larissa back in my arms. She’s here now and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her from leaving me. Even if I have to use handcuffs, I’m not letting her go.
We walk into my condo. Everything is exactly the same as it was when she left. I didn’t upgrade or move after she left. I should have, but on the rare chance that she would come back, I wanted her to know where she could find me. I’m thankful as ever that I didn’t move. Even when Declan said it’s time to call it quits, move closer to headquarters, and let Larissa go.
I couldn’t do it. No, not even that. I refused to give up on her. She’s mine. Even if she doesn’t know it right now. She will by the end of the night.
“Want anything to drink?” I ask, gruffly, as she meanders over to the windows that look over the city. She always loved the view. Anytime we would hang out at my place, Larissa would always be glued to the view.
“I’m okay. Thank you, though,” she mumbles. Her body may be facing the window, but I can see her gorgeous fucking face. Larissa never wore much makeup, she always said she didn’t like it caked on and it felt like her face was wearing a sweater with all of it on. I laughed at the time, but now looking at her, her natural beauty shines through. Her face is soft and wistful. Green eyes are shimmering in the light surrounding her, her hair. Goddamn, her hair. It’s long and wavy, chocolate with golden highlights, that I loved having wrapped in my hands when I was taking her all night long.