Page 31 of Feel It in the Air

Margeaux stops on the front steps, one eyebrow quirked up in confusion. “It’s the original house?”

“It is, sorta,” I explain. “The very original home of the Hayes family is where the barn that we turned into the bunkhouse sits. This monstrosity was actually built after the war. Augustus and Llewellyn were the town blacksmiths, and made their fortune selling guns to the Confederates. Llewellyn was actually killed in the Battle of Atlanta, so all of us that are left are all descendants of Augustus. He built this place. We didn’t have an actual plantation, at least not in the traditional sense, but that didn’t stop them from building a plantation-style home with their newfound money. After my parents got married, Auggie built Miss Belle her dream home, that she named Magnolia Manor, which is where my siblings and I grew up.”

I ramble, word vomiting the whole family history in a single breath. It’s more information than anyone has probably ever wanted—or needed—about the Hayes family and this building, but here we are.

“Is that where you still live?” she asks, stepping in closer.

I lick my lips, a zing of confidence hitting me. “No. I share a small house with Hux and Jace. It’s all the same property though. That first turn we took off the main road? If we’d veered right instead of staying straight, we’d have ended up at Magnolia Manor. Gone left, we’d have ended up at my place.”

Margeaux nods, one side of her mouth softly turning into a smile, her gorgeous eyes staring into mine. I feel like she can see into my soul, and in this moment, I want to bare the whole thing to her.

“Good to know.” Rocking back on her heels, she gives me a wink, then turns to go. “Night, Gus.”

“Margeaux, wait…” I reach out, trying to grab her arm, but she steps away. My heart sinks, feeling the same gutting feeling as seeing that smudged number on my hand.

“Gus…” Her voice is breathy, full of something I can’t name, but feel so deep that I can’t help but want to let her know she’s not alone in it. “Please. I’m trying really hard here. We agreed to be friends. And I really want that. I do. You have no idea. Because the more time I spend with you, the more I wish that you weren’t Gus Hayes. But you are. And it’s a shame, but we’ve both worked too hard to get to where we are in our careers to be those people. So friends it is. Please.”

She’s right. I know she is. And fuck if I don’t respect every ounce of her for everything she’s accomplished and everything she wants to accomplish. But there’s also something I know that she doesn’t know.

“Margeaux!”

I reach out again, grabbing her hand. This time I don’t let go.

I swing her in to me, our bodies colliding with a soft thud. A barely audible gasp escapes, followed immediately by her sucking in a long breath. I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her tight against me. Her body fits so perfectly against mine, like it was made for this. The whole world stops, a hush falling over the night, nothing existing but us.

“Turns out, might not be as against the rules as we thought,” I whisper. “So here’s to Tom Petty-ing it.”

I don’t waste another second. I press my lips to hers, hard and fast. And I see stars. Margeaux kisses me back, her sweet taste taking over as she wraps her arms around my neck. I deepen the kiss, wanting more. More of her, more of this moment, more of everything. Because nothing has ever been this good. Nothing will ever be this good again.

Pulling me in closer, Margeaux whimpers, deepening the kiss. Her teeth graze my bottom lip, the tinge of pain adding some spice to the sweetness that is still lingering on my tongue. Fuck, this woman is magical. Worth every potential broken rule.

A car door slams in the distance, and it’s enough to break my concentration. Which means it’s also a sign to stop. This might not be as against the rules as we initially thought, but we also don’t need to be caught making out on her doorstep. So I inch away, hating every millimeter I put between us.

Cool air rushes around me, a stark reminder of the moment we lost. The moment I’ll spend the rest of the night thinking of. Still, I can’t help but stare at the redheaded beauty before me as she traces her fingers along her now swollen lips.

Backing down the steps, I wink, trying to give us the space we need.

“Night, Margeaux.”