“Yeah,” Kresley agreed. “Just tell him. The worst thing that happens is that it doesn’t work out. But just keeping things on the down low and not telling your dad about it isn’t going to work out, either. Something’s gotta give eventually.”
I sighed and pulled them in close for a quick group hug. “You’re both right,” I said. “He makes me feel so good, but I hate keeping secrets from my dad and you two.”
“You can tell us anything, Mars,” Frankie said, then grinned. “Friendship with both of us is a life sentence.”
I laughed. It did feel good to get things off my chest. But Frankie’s jokes couldn’t dislodge the pit in my stomach. Nothing would until I talked about everything with Denton and figured out what to do with my dad.
It was time to take a step forward. I just didn’t know where that step would lead me and that’s what scared me most of all.
Chapter Twelve
Denton
I wonder if Marcie would let me have a drawer,I mused as I shifted my duffle bag on my shoulder. She had a few toiletries, some spare underwear, an extra phone charger and a portable hair dryer at my place, but so far, I still brought everything with me when I stayed at her apartment.
Of course, I would gladly clear out half of my closet for her if she asked, but so far, we’d avoided any concrete discussions about where things were going and what both of us wanted.
I knew what I wanted. Marcie. All of her, for as long as I could keep her. Forever, if she wanted.
“Hey, you,” she said as she opened the door for me. Her sweet voice sounded a little strained, not like her usual bright, lively tone. “’I missed you.”
I tossed my bag to the couch and pulled her into my arms for a deep kiss. She smelled incredible, just like always, and my body warmed as her arms crept around me and she pressed in close. I loved how her short, curvy frame fit so well against my height and muscles. Natural and right, like she was meant to be there.
She broke the kiss and buried her head against my chest as I held her tight.
“I missed you too,” I said, and dropped another kiss to the top of her head. I sank down onto the couch and pulled her into my lap, but paused when I saw her expression.
She looked tired. Worried.
“What’s this?” I asked, smoothing a finger along the furrow in her brow. “Is something wrong?”
My heart lurched in my chest as tears shimmered in her eyes and overflowed to leave shining trails down her beautiful face. I leaned in and kissed her cheek, tasting the salt of her tears as I rubbed her arms with my hands.
“We can’t keep doing this,” she finally said.
My muscles went rigid and I opened my mouth to disagree, but she stopped me with gentle fingers on my lips.
“I don’t mean not seeing each other anymore,” she explained.
I relaxed slightly and grabbed her fingers in mine, kissing them gently as I pulled her in closer with my other arm. “You scared me,” I said. “I don’t want to stop seeing you, either.”
Marcie took a deep breath. “It’s not just sex for me anymore. When I think about maybe not being with you—ithurts, Denton. I don’t want to picture not having you in my life.”
I nuzzled her neck, planting gentle kisses along her soft skin. I felt so relieved that tears prickle at my own eyes. I hadn’t realized how afraid I was that she didn’t feel the same way.
“I wasn’t honest with you about my feelings,” she continued. “And I wasn’t honest with myself, either.”
I straightened and looked at her again as she placed her cool fingers against my cheek. She was so stunning that my heart ached with it, and I knew I would never forget the way she looked just then, anxious and hopeful as she placed her fragile heart in my hands.
I would never abuse that precious gift.
“I’m so glad you’re telling me now, Marcie,” I said, and took a leap of faith myself. “However long it took you. I’m so in love with you.”
She sniffled and smiled. “I’m in love with you, too. I didn’t plan it, but I’m glad it happened all the same. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me.”
She leaned forward and kissed me, soft and sweet as her arms wound around my neck to pull herself as close as possible. Like she wanted to climb into the shelter of my body.
I would gladly let her.