Page 69 of Our Broken Pieces
I can’t fight the urge to speak any longer, so during a commercial break, I turn toward him to break the silence. We’ve already exhausted the topic of sports, so I blurted out a random question. “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?”
His head tilts back and forth as he thinks. “I’d probably go to Mexico City. My mom’s side of the family is from there. You?”
“Mine is silly.”
“I’d still like to hear it.”
“I’d go to Disney World.” He smiles as I shrug. “I know, it’s not some big adult trip, but growing up, I loved all the princess movies and pretty much anything with a mouse on it. One time, a girl in my class said she went over summer break and they even got to do the princess dinner. I was like ten years old and discovered what jealousy really was for the first time.” I shake my head. “So, yeah, I would go to Disney and do all the things, especially the fireworks. I just think it would be magical.”
“I don’t think that’s silly. I hope you get to go someday.”
I take a sip of my drink. “Thanks. I hope so, too.”
“Marcus, I told you that the first time we hung out. That was like two years ago.”
His cheeks flush. “I know.”
I stand there, dumbfounded. He remembered that conversation from so long ago. It takes me a moment to settle the feeling in my chest, then I grab his cheeks, pulling his lips to mine. The kiss starts out airport-appropriate, but that doesn’t last long. My head tilts, and he slides his tongue in. I get lost in the feeling of him, the taste of his mouth, the feel of his stubble under my fingertips. We keep at it until we hear a loud cough behind me. I freeze and open my eyes to a devilish grin on Marcus’ face.
“Do you need help checking your bags?” the attendant asks.
I twist to look at him. “I think we got it. But thank you.” I wipe my lips and hear Marcus laugh behind me. The attendant nods and walks away.
“You’re going to get us kicked out of the airport, princess.”
I pinch his ass. “I didn’t notice you trying to stop me, prince.”
He grabs our luggage tags and boarding passes as they print out of the kiosk. “Come on, let’s go before they won’t let us through security.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Marcus
Our flight from Boston to Orlando took a little over three hours. I was thankful for the time my phone was on airplane mode. Audrey and Melonie kept sending me text messages, giving me encouragement and telling me to keep them updated. The big stuff isn’t even until tomorrow, so I just agreed to text them and shut my phone off when we boarded the plane.
Gigi watched back-to-back princess movies on the flight, saying she needed to “get in the princess mindset” for the weekend. She fell asleep with her head on my shoulder a few minutes into the second one, so I took advantage of the quiet and closed my eyes, too.
We were both jolted from our sleep when the plane touched down. She stretches. “I never sleep on planes. I must have been exhausted.”
“Same. I feel a little better after that nap, though.”
“Me, too.” Her legs bounce up and down as we taxi to our gate. “I’m so excited! We’re really here!”
She stares out the window next to me and I can’t help watching her eyes. They’re bright green and vibrant. I take her hand in mine. “I’m glad you’re excited.”
She loops her arm around my bicep, squeezing. “You’re literally making my dreams come true.”
Something rises in me. I’m not sure if it’s pride, satisfaction, lust, or something else, but I like how it feels. I like how her body feels against me, and I like making her happy. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but this weekend, I’m going to allow myself to feel and experience everything with her. Even if we go back to our separate rooms on Tuesday, if we put our shields back up when we go back home, during our time here, I want to know what it might be like if she were actually mine.
We check in to the resort, get to our room, and unpack. I made sure Audrey booked a suite with two bedrooms. I didn’t want Gigi to think I assumed we would be sleeping in the same bed. And I certainly didn’t want Audrey or Melonie to question my morals, but I hope the bed in the other room doesn’t see any use in our time here.
Gigi stops in my doorway. “What time is the reservation for dinner?”
I look at my phone for the time. “We’ll head out in about an hour.”
“An hour? Damn, I need to start getting ready.” She’s in her room, door shut, before I can turn around.
After showering and getting ready, I decided not to shave. When Gigi kissed me at the airport, her fingers lingered on my jawline, so I figured she might like the stubble. I steam my light blue dress shirt and dark gray pants, then get dressed, leaving my tie behind in the closet. Slipping on my loafers and fastening my watch, I grab the box I packed for Gigi and head out of my room.
