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“No.” My chin was slightly tucked as I smiled bashfully.
“What’s on your mind?”
Nibbling my bottom lip, I shook my head, not ready to ask him if he remembered his declaration of love. We continued to sip our drinks and allowed the toast to settle our hungover stomachs. Then, we laid back down. With about two hours before we needed to get ready for work, I planned to take full advantage of his bed.
“About last night…”
His fingers slipped through my hair, lips hovering over mine. “I meant every word.” Jeremy kissed me. “I also meant it when I told you I wasn’t expecting anything in return.”
The more he stroked my hair and stared lovingly into my eyes, the fewer reservations I had about accepting what he’d said as truth.
“You love me?” I asked quietly, making him smile.
“I love you.”
“I-I think…”
Jeremy’s head shook as he lowered me from the headboard. “Not until you’re sure.”
Our lips connected. My mind raced. In my heart, I was sure. I knew I loved him. My mind and mouth wouldn’t allow me to say the words. Jeremy had been exactly what I’d needed. From the way he coddled the romantic in me with sentimental gestures, to the way he gave me my love languages, protected me, and handled me with gentleness and grace. He wasn’t intimidated by my drive, intelligence, and ambition—he fed them with his own. I didn’t just feel safe and secure with him but seen and heard… even the parts of me and my past that I wanted to hide.
The moment he began to kiss my bullet wounds reverently, tears fell from my eyes. He kissed those away too before returning his lips to mine.
The gasps and moans we released as he pressed his way inside of me broke our kiss. Our eyes were locked. As he slowly rocked against me, I met him stroke for stroke. It was the most intense thing I’d ever felt. I may not have been able to say those words, but he felt them.
He felt them.
Twenty-Five
Jeremy
Wife: I’m sure.
I’d been staring at Maritza’s text for so long my eyes dried. I didn’t want her to tell me she loved me last night or this morning because I feared it would trigger her guilt. It was better if she kept her feelings to herself. I wanted her to know how I felt because, regardless of her feelings, mine wouldn’t change.
I knew in my heart she loved me, and I was at peace with that. It would have been nice to hear the words, but I was content with the ways she showed me. If this text was an indication that she was ready for them to flow out of her mouth, that would be the best thing I’d ever heard.
Not wanting to give her time to change her mind, I stood and made my way to her office. I found her there, laughing at whatever Violet was saying. At the sight of me, her laugh turned into a comfortable smile.
“Hi, baby,” she greeted, causing Violet to look back at me.
“I’ll… give you two some privacy,” Violet said, attempting to stand.
“Stay. I have an appointment soon and won’t be here long.” Maritza stood and walked around her desk in my direction. We stepped outside of her office, closing the door behind us. “You’re sure?” I repeated.
Her smile was small as she nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Of?”
“The way I feel about you.” Maritza took my hands into hers. “Jeremy Dante Phoenix, I love you.”
“Mr. Phoenix, your eleven a.m. appointment is here.”
I nodded at Gloria’s statement but couldn’t take my eyes off Maritza as she smiled sweetly at me. Cupping her cheeks, I tilted her head and kissed her tenderly.
“I love you too,” I replied. “I have to go.”
Maritza giggled, gently removing my hands from her face. “Go, babe. We have the rest of our lives.”
