Page 67 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

I’m not sure of the time or how long we’ve locked lips, but she falls to the side of me, lying in the spray light from the lamp we never bothered to turn off.

I revel in this juxtaposition of the situation—the rush to do everything with her,to her, and the contentment of kissing her all night long.Emotions. Feelings.I admit to having them all, especially the hot and heavy ones I’m having right now.

I’ve let the cat out of the bag, and there’s no turning back now.

I’m not just sexually turned on, but it’s as if she’s flipped a switch inside me. I’m seeing her in a whole new way, yet the same woman I’ve always known is right here next to me, looking at me like she sees me the same way.

Rolling closer, I kiss her head, wanting to memorize every detail of this moment,of her, of the way her lips take possession of mine and claim me as much as I want to claim hers.

So delectably enticing, I don’t want this night to end. I press my hand to her cheek and run my thumb over her bottom lip. She looks wanton and wild, so incredibly sexy.Is this really happening?

But I catch a glimpse of my watch and know time is our enemy. “It’s almost midnight . . .” I don’t want to go, but I need her to want me to stay.

I slide my hand to the curve of her neck, feeling her racing pulse. She runs her fingers into my hair, and whispers, “Stay.”

“We might get caught.”Why do I always have to be so fucking rational?

“We can lock the door.”

Works for me. I bounce out of bed, not needing to be told twice. Just as I touch the doorknob, it spins and opens. Sucking in a breath, I hold it, securing myself to the wall with my palmsglued to the sheetrock and heels pressed to the baseboard. The door stops just before reaching the tips of my shoes.

Tealey flies up onto her knees. “Marlow? What are you doing here?”

“Saw your light still on and wanted to talk.” She starts closing the door. “Is that okay?”

“Leave it open!” Tealey blurts and then cringes. “Sorry,” she whispers, “but we can leave it open unless you think it would be better closed.” She winces again, her gaze avoiding mine. Probably because she knows I’m silently shouting “what the fuck” in my head.

“Sure.” Tealey gets off the bed and grabs Marlow’s hand. “Let’s look at my view first.” She drags her to the window and opens the blinds.

Marlow says, “There’s nothing to see but the driveway and cars.”

I rush into the bathroom, leaving the door open just enough to have a crack to spy on them through. I should have escaped, but I’m not ready for my night with Tealey to end, so I’m willing to wait Marlow out.

“I know. That’s my point,” Tealey replies enthusiastically. “There are no trash bags piled at the curb or broken bottles smashed in the street. Look, there’s no twenty-four-hour laundromat sign shining into my room or people lined up down the street to get into the after-hours club. There are only two cars and a front lawn.”

Marlow turns to her. “How much did you have to drink tonight?”

“Not much.”

Sitting on the bed, Marlow says, “My dad is getting a divorce.Again.”

I’m surprised she hasn’t told Tealey. And maybe I should feel bad for eavesdropping, but I’m stuck regardless.

Tealey says, “I’m sorry. I know you’ve struggled with his patterns for a long time.”

“My whole life.” She pulls a pillow to her chest, and I’ve never seen Marlow look more vulnerable than she is now. “I think he’s the reason I have no desire to settle down. What’s the point if we’re just being set up for a messy divorce?”

“Not all marriages end in divorce, Marlow.”

Yeah. That’s my girl. Keeping the faith.

Wait a second.I stop myself from banging my head against the door.Barely.How can I support that side of the defense when my whole career is built on the opposite argument? More importantly, when did I become an optimist? All the kissing we did must have shorted my oxygen supply.

Tealey says, “My parents have been married for almost thirty years.”

“They’re the exception.” Marlow sighs, lying down. “But I have a feeling that I’m going to follow in my parents’ footsteps. “One day, my looks might fade, and then my husband will be looking for my replacement. I’m going to be old and alone?—”

“When you love someone, you see their beauty is deeper than the surface. My mom always told me it’s a blessing to age.”

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