Page 53 of Mending Our Chance

30 Marcus

“You’re leaving!” I reached out and grabbed for her bare shoulder. “You didn’t take his offer? Your fucking brothers said you might run, but I didn’t believe them!”

“It wasn’t a handout, so how could I take it?” Felicity darted out of my grip and put her hands on her hips as she spun around to face me. “I was the one who made the decisions and set the terms, not him.”

We were standing in the lobby of the grand hotel. She wasn’t wearing her coat, only a scowl.

“Don’t—” my voice stopped short. Then in a hoarse whisper I choked out, “Don’t go, Felicity.”

“Why?” Her lips were pursed and her brows raised. “Give me a damned good reason to stay.”

My eyes had never left her from the moment she was photographed on the red carpet when entering this event. I had lurked among the paparazzi and reporters and thought how I would like to be next to her. But I knew I had to earn that right, and in this moment, I was facing the critical—and I hoped the final—battle of wills. However, when I saw Felicity leaving after a short stint with her father, I had feared that this queen, this goddess, was going to retreat in her chariot of fire and leave my mortal domain. So here I was, having chased after her, and the only thing I could think to blurt out was, “I love you.”

It was my final plea. If her ears wouldn’t heed anything else, I prayed these words reached her soul. Dropping my eyes to the floor, I considered falling in supplication at her feet.

“It’s about fucking time you said that, Marcus.” Felicity took two steps toward me and gripped the lapels of my tux. I could feel her lithe frame next to my body—the sensation was riveting. Those bold eyes drilled into my own as she added, “Now let’s finish what you threatened in the apartment the other night.”

Unable to comprehend what I was hearing, my body was left there unresponsive to the decadent being throwing herself in front of me. “You’re not leaving?” I asked in shock. She was angling up for a kiss, but I was too tall. In my amazement, I stood frozen, towering above her. “I didn’t scare you away by admitting this is it for me? That you are the one—the only one—I ever want? That if you take me back, this chance of ours will never end?”

“Marcus.” She tugged on my jacket. “I’m not leaving you. I’m not letting you leave me.”

Her words thawed me, but I still had to ask, “You aren’t staying with our company?” My fingers slid up the back of her neck, tangling into her dark curls.

“What? Seriously?” She stopped reaching for the kiss.

“You were leaving—”

“No, stupid, I wasn’t leaving. I was going to powder my nose and freshen my lipstick before my father’s speech. If all their eyes weren’t on you and me before, they sure as hell will be in fifteen minutes.”

I licked my dry lips. Felicity wasn’t bailing on me. Too stunned to speak, I just nodded along with what she continued to say about implementing a clause in our bylaws. It was a logical measure. Basically, if either Felicity or I tried to make a huge business decision without the other, we would lose all control in the company. Here she was, my little hellion, fighting for the company and ensuring that what she or I did going forward was always for the best of the business. It was brilliant. I thanked the Good Lord then and there that she had been brought back into my life.

As my breath returned to my lungs, I took the plunge. Dipping my head to hers, I cut off her spiel about work. That could wait for Monday’s morning huddle.

Her protests were lost as my lips pressed into hers. Those pretty little hands were back on my jacket, slipping up the material, appreciating its fine craftsmanship. When her fingers gripped the lapels, I felt her give a purposeful tug. That was all the encouragement I needed. She’s mine and I’m not letting her go this time.

Deepening the kiss, I growled as she opened her mouth, her tongue meeting mine in a bold onslaught. I could taste her eagerness and the sweetness of the lingering champagne. The arm that wasn’t busy in her hair, dropped to her waist and pulled up against me so there was no space between us. Her entire body, intoxicating and perfectly built, was pressed into mine. She clung to me, moaning in approval at our closeness.

Breaking the contact, I tipped my head to her neck and raked my teeth over her sensitive skin. No matter how good that kiss had been, I just had to tell her, “You’re mine, city slicker. Now and forever.”

In response, she careened her head back to my lips. She was all over me, her whimpers not soft or hidden. Riding up alongside me, she pulled herself up so that I could feel the suggestive press of her core on my thigh. That was all it took. My resolve snapped. I was all over her, my hands grabbing, fondling. My tongue had just thrust into her mouth when I heard a delicate cough.

We froze, coming back to earth from our bubble of bliss to realize we had an audience of random spectators.

“Fifteen minutes, you say?” I murmured, melting into her insistent pull. She wasn’t done, despite the rather public location. “Is there a coat closet somewhere?”

Business could wait.

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