Page 100 of The Killer Card

“NO!” He shouts a little too loudly before clearing his throat and calling back. “I’ve got it under control!”

His voice comes more quietly through the door as I set Naomi on her feet, allowing her to fix her dress while I tuck my still sensitive dick back into my pants. “Are you two assholes decent yet?”

“Yes,” Naomi rolls her eyes, ripping the door open. He’s still holding onto the handle. “Grow the fuck up, Crissy.”

“Grow—” He blinks at her. “You two are fucking with my family just up the hall!”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” I mutter.

“Just,” he groans. “Save it for your own wedding rehearsal, yeah?”

Naomi immediately goes rigid, the same way she did when I mentioned eloping at the church this afternoon. Grabbing the bottles of Reserve and Chardonnay I know they’re already out of at the bar, I shove them into his hands to get him out of here.

“Stall. We’ll be back in a moment.”

Cristian wrinkles his nose, looking between us one last time before letting the door close. I give it a moment, hoping maybe her shoulders will settle but they never do. Reaching out I squeeze her arms gently, running my hands along her smooth skin.

“Hey,” I kiss the back of her neck. “Talk to me.”

She shrugs. “What’s there to talk about. We’re apparently incapable of having sex discreetly in public places despite getting away with it a dozen other times—”

“You know that’s not what I mean.” She glances at me over her shoulder. “You know I’m not asking you to marry me tomorrow, right? Or even next month, or next year—”

“I know.” Her shoulders fold inward.

“So why are you so tense?” A rock settles in my gut. “Are you… Opposed to marrying me?”

“Yes- No!” She corrects quickly, turning to face me. “No, it’s not that I’m opposed to marrying you. I love you, I don’t want to keep lying to myself about that, it’s just…”

Her voice trails off and I cock my head. “It’s just…?”

She takes a breath. “I’m just opposed to the idea of marriage. You know, as a general concept. For me,” she emphasizes. “I’m very happy for Clara and for Nelly. I just… Don’t ever see myself doing it…”

Her hands are fidgeting in a way I’ve noticed is new for her in her sobriety. Naomi never used to be nervous or fidgety. As if she’s scared that I’m going to judge her or chastise her or worse, throw away four years of being in love with her over this declaration. She forgets that I have taken the time to learn her better than I know any other person in my life.

“This is about your mom.” It’s not a question, but the aversion of her eyes is still an answer. “Look at me, mi reina,” I squeeze her arms until she does. “You’re not your mother. You wouldn’t just run out on your family. You’re not nearly that selfish—”

“But I am—”

“You’re not,” I assure her. “You’re more loyal to your friends than anyone I’ve ever met. But,” I lean in when she tries to look away again. “I would never force you to do something you’re not comfortable with either.”

She blinks teary eyes up at me. “You don’t want to marry me?”

I laugh, brushing her hair back from where it clings to her makeup. “Naomi, I would marry you a thousand times, but never if it’s not what you want. I’m more than content to stay the way we are so long as I never have to leave your side ever again.”

“And that… That would be enough for you?”

Taking her face in my hands, I press a long kiss to her lips, before gently wiping the smear of her lipstick with my thumb. “You are enough for me, mi reina. So long as you’re mine, that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Swallowing back her tears, Naomi nods and I kiss her temple. “Come on. Let’s make our excuses and go back to the cabin, yeah?”

More nods, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders, leading her out of the liquor closet. I kiss her head again as she walk back to the dining room and can’t help thinking how this could have been our lives all this time.

If I hadn’t fucked everything up for two entire years.

2 Years Ago

Chapter Thirty-Three