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He strides toward me, his eye on his target; he’s homed in, and his look is stern with intent. He marches toward me without breaking eye contact, not stopping to look at the people beside him, trying to get his attention. Just me. He’s moving fast; he doesn’t hesitate. Two more strides, and he’s with me, his hands on my face, cupping my jaw, pulling me forward hard as his mouth molds to mine.
The power of his kiss makes me melt, and I grab onto his arms for support, so my legs don’t give out. The emotion behind the kiss opens me up to him, and I surrender, letting him capture me and drag me into him as I lose myself. His lips mold to mine, and our tongues caress in perfect unison. I’m free-falling, and time ceases to exist. Everyone disappears, and it’s only him, pulling me under into an untouchable wave of euphoria. It doesn’t matter that people surround us; it doesn’t matter how many see this. All there is in time and space is us. Locked this way, my heart soars, my stomach flutters with a million butterflies, and the noises fade away.
He pulls away from me after what seems like forever, yet not long enough, breathing hard, matching my breathlessness. His hands are on my face, gently holding me still like I’m precious glass, holding me close, his forehead against mine. My hands on his upper arms are gripping tightly to his jacket. We don’t speak, just breathe each other in, our eyes locked, pupils large and focused, passing a million messages.
The doubts I had about Jake in the past disperse with the strength of the look he’s giving me, which shows his pain and heartbreak mirrors mine, and that same longing to have me as I have wanted him.
I think Jake loves me!
My world spins; the realization that everything I’ve felt and been so afraid of is right here in the depths of his green eyes, staring back at me without hesitation.
“Come with me?” he whispers. Even though the room is noisy, I hear him loud and clear, and I nod. His gaze is focused so intently on me, flicking from my eyes to my mouth, his face twitching as he concentrates on my lips as though he’s experiencing internal pain. He lightly kisses me, sending flutters through me and tingles to every cell. A sweet kiss, not one of passion and misunderstanding, but a ‘You’re mine, and I can’t believe I get to touch you this way’ kiss.
He lets go of my face and grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers possessively as he pulls me toward the grand entrance. I can’t stop devouring him with my eyes; my heart is in a frenzy, and my blood rushes through my entire body. I can only hear the same words inside my head:
I love him so much that it hurts.
A pain of joy so severe rushes over me. I think I may fall right here, my heart giving out under pressure. His tall, strong body guides me, pulling me out of the room with my spiraling, crazy thoughts.
Is this really happening?
My heart is soaring; my chest is heavy with uncertainty yet beating fast with anticipation. Someone stops us; I vaguely remember them, business acquaintances, someone important. An irritated wave of impatience and disappointment hits me hard, and I stop abruptly as he does.
No, no, no. We have things to work out, things to say. Go away!
He pauses, throwing me an unreadable look, then shakes hands with the suit before him. He tightens his grip on me as though he’s afraid I’ll run away or leave him. He pulls me into his side, his muscles tense, and he tucks my arm under his possessively. He’s making it clear that he’s aware of me, wanting me to know I’m not far from his mind. Another man joins, and Jake gets impatient. He tugs me forward and slides an arm around my waist, pulling me against his body, so my head leans into his shoulder and chest. He turns and plants a kiss on my temple. The excitement rises inside, threatening to unravel me as I wait; I struggle to stay still and not scream in frustration. Finally, he makes an excuse and moves fast, jerking me with him; he glances down as I stumble and pauses to right me on my feet. I can barely function.
“I’m sorry, I just need to get you out of here quickly. I need us to be alone. To talk.” He rushes his words in a very un-Jake-like manner; his voice is so husky my insides almost explode. He scans the main hall and seems annoyed; hauling me with him, he heads for a door concealed behind the sweeping staircase. I can barely match his steps with my flowing dress and high heels. I lift the hem of my skirt to stop myself from tripping and catch his eyes on me, a look of sheer lust and longing which makes my stomach tighten.
This is happening!
Checking around, he opens the door into a dim, abandoned hall and pulls me inside, closing it behind us firmly. He turns me, so I’m pushed against the wall in front of him, sweeping back to me, capturing my mouth without hesitation, his palms splayed on the wall at each side of my head. This kiss outdoes the first. Every longing and insatiable ache is poured into this meeting of our lips, and I crumble under the force. His arms come around me, pinning me to him with my back against the wall, breathing heavily. He’s just as lost as I am as I slide my fingers around his neck, holding on for dear life. We’re crushing one another with intensity so powerful it’s terrifying. After a moment, he pulls away, leaning against me, our bodies heaving with desire, forehead to forehead, breathing each other in with eyes locked. A flutter of apprehension crosses his face, followed by a frown, and it causes my voice to stifle in my throat and mute the words I was about to utter.
Is he regretting this already? Maybe I was wrong about his feelings about what I saw in his eyes.
“I’m waiting on it, Emma.” His voice is low and pained; he seems upset, suddenly so different, and my stomach drops. Fear grips me that he’s about to abandon me again and kill what’s left of my heart
“On what?” I sound meek, scared, and confused by his expression and this quick change in him.
Not again, Jake. Don’t leave me again. Please.
“The door to hit me in the face again. Another reason you think we shouldn’t be together,” he says sardonically, and only now do I notice the flicker of fear in his eye.
How many times have I done that to him? How long was he waiting for me to let him in?
I shake my head, lifting my fingers to trace his lips softly, the chiseled curve of the perfect mouth. He makes me ache for his kiss again. He catches my hand with his, pressing my palm to his mouth, and kisses it lightly, closing his eyes at the touch as a smile tugs my lips.
“I’m not going to do that … Jake. I won’t push you away again,” I breathe softly. The agony of the time apart has chased my fears into the darkest recesses of my mind; nothing can hurt as much as not having Jake in my life. I lost all the things that mattered to me. In the end, I realized he was the only thing I had that was worth losing in the first place. His pupils dilate at my words, sending a power surge through me.
Jake’s here with me! We’re on the same page for once, and I know by looking at him that we want the same thing.
“I love you,” he murmurs. “I think I’ve been in love with you for a very long time.” He smiles shyly, unaware of the devastating effect those little words and that smile have on my soul. My heart constricts in joy, my tears fall with happiness, and I instantly become a mess of emotions melting in his arms.
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