And I don’t know how to bridge the gap between us.
I don’t know how to apologize. I don’t know how to express my feelings to her—that I’ve liked her for so goddamn long that I lost my shit when I saw her with Perry and couldn’t stomach the idea of her giving him a second glance.
The elevator comes to a stop, and with my hand on her back, I move her down the hall to our apartment.
Yes . . . our apartment.
That’s how I’ve come to think of it now. Just me and her . . . and Sherman, sharing this living space. Sharing dinners together.
Jokes.
Stories.
And now it feels like it was all for nothing. I had one chance for her to see me differently—to want me—and I blew it.
I shut the door once Blakely is inside and set my wallet and keys on the side table. Blakely remains next to the door, her hands clutching her purse in front of her.
I slowly raise my eyes to hers and when hers meet mine, indescribable need for this woman hits me so fucking hard that the air is sucked right out of my lungs, leaving me breathless . . . needy . . . erratic.
Just from one look, from those eyes, the eyes that captivated me from day fucking one.
And they haven’t stopped. They’ve held my attention. They’ve gripped me by the heart and have held me close. They’ve made me realize that there truly isn’t anyone else on this earth that I want in my arms.
It’s Blakely.
It’s always been Blakely.
It will always be Blakely.
And as I stare back at her, I wonder,why isn’t she moving?Why isn’t she attempting to get ready for bed? Why is she just standing there, looking slightly nervous but also hopeful at the same time?
Her gaze dips to my mouth and then quickly back to my eyes.
Did I imagine that?
Surely not.
She looked at my mouth.
The universal signal that she’s interested.
I return the gaze, checking out her mouth as her little pink tongue peeks out and wets her delicious lips.
My heart beats erratically as hope springs in my chest.
Please . . . please let her want this as much as I want it.
I take a step forward, and I watch her chest rise and fall more rapidly.
Nerves rip through me, making my stomach tumble and slip with each breath.
I close the space between us, and when she doesn’t move or say anything, I realize this is it. This is the fucking moment I’ve been waiting for. If I want to make something happen, this is the time.
I take a deep breath and scan her beautiful face. Those lips wet and ready, those eyes looking hungry and willing.
I’m going to take what I want and face the consequences after because if I don’t, I’ll regret it forever.
Before I can stop myself, I close the last of the space, grip her face with both hands, and crash my mouth down on hers.
