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His hand slides down to rest on the back of my neck. “Let me prove myself to you, Carlee. Please.”
His imploring stare pierces my soul. There’s no other answer for me to give but, “Okay.”
“Thank you.” His forehead rests against mine in relief. His eyes close. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
My hands move up to rest on his chest, and I feel the rapid beat of his heart thumping against my fingertips. “You’re welcome.” I close my eyes and breathe in deep. The tight vice-like grip around my heart releases.
We don’t speak for several minutes. Corey needs the time to process his relief, and I need the time to align my never-ending hope with a realistic expectation for how this relationship could play out.
I want more than anything for me and Corey to be together for the long run, but his personal demons aren’t the only obstacle in that path. I need to figure out what’s going on with my job, and while I want to confess my fears to Corey, I hold back. He has enough on his plate. I can handle this on my own.
I’m not sure how much time passes before Corey asks, “So… will you let me take you home now?”
I laugh softly and open my eyes. “Fine, but only because you’ll be faster than the Uber I ordered.”
He leans back and gazes down at me. Amusement twinkles in his eye. “That’s the only reason?”
“Hm.” I tilt my head to the side. “You’re probably better looking than him, too.”
“There’s no probably about it.”
“So humble,” I chuckle.
“Hey, I never claimed to be humble.” His arm slides down to my waist, bringing me into his chest. Mine wrap around his neck on instinct. “But I’ll take whatever excuse you have for coming back to the apartment with me.” He leans down and presses a gentle kiss on the top of my head.
I can’t help but smile, happy to have the tension that’s lingered between us clear away like it never existed. But my happiness dims when I remember, “I missed your birthday.”
His hand runs over my back soothingly. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” My voice wavers. “I had a whole thing planned. Dirty thirty themed and everything.”
“Dirty as in sexually dirty?” He waggles his eyebrows.
My lips twist as I try to hold back my smile. “Maybe...”
“Well, all right then.” His arm bands around my back and he picks me up with one arm like I’m a wayward toddler.
I grip his shoulders with a squeal. “What are you doing!?”
“Taking you home so you can give me my Dirty Thirty celebration.”
My cheeks heat even as I laugh. “Aren’t you tired? It’s almost three in the morning.”
“Not one bit.” His stride is sure and steady, but I tap his arm incessantly until he relents and puts me down, but not until we reach his Range Rover.
The moment I’m back on my feet, I take a step towards the passenger door. Corey grabs my wrist and spins me around. Before I can speak, he presses me against the door and bends down to capture my lips with his.
I rise on my toes and meet the kiss with enthusiasm, loving how I can feel his affection for me in the press of his lips.
Our future is uncertain. We still have issues to work through, but I trust Corey. If he says he’s going to try and overcome his demons, he will. And I’ll do the same.
I’m so crazy in love with this man, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. And based on what he just told me, I think he feels the same.
32
COREY
Five days later…
