Page 97 of Choosing a Forever
So happy, the tears of anxiety have morphed into tears of happiness, and the salty droplets flavor our kiss.
Tal pulls back and presses his forehead against mine. “I missed you so much, Firefly. Everything feels right now with you back in my life.”
“I missed you, too, Bear.”
Chapter 34
Talmage
18 years old…
Graduation day doesn’t feel as monumental as I thought it would. Maybe leaving for Canada on my mission will feel more significant.
I can’t stop my eyes from veering to Mack as we sit in the choir seats. She looks beautiful, and for once, her smile looks like it reaches her eyes, even if there’s a lingering sadness in them.
I still don’t know what happened to her earlier this year, but when she came back to school, she seemed… despondent. Instead of laughing and smiling with her friends like usual, she just nodded along, offering smiles every so often. It was like her body was there, going through the motions, but her mind was somewhere else.
I never did end up asking her if she was okay. I didn’t feel like it was my place, especially since she flinched whenever I touched her for our number in the musical. I thought I’d hurt her at first, but she assured me she was fine.
So it must have just been me. I made her flinch.
It’s been almost three years since we broke up, and I thought maybe she had gotten over it, but I guess not. She still hates me.
It’s okay. Now that we don’t have to see each other every day for hours on end, we can both move on and be happy.
The sentiment still stings but not as much as before. I know what I need to do, and I’m excited to get out there, serve people, and bring them to the church. When I get home, I can think about dating again.
She loves me.
Maybe she never stopped, just like I never stopped loving her.
Her hands wrap around my neck as she brings my mouth back to hers, and I grin as our lips mold together. I can’t help it, I feel more…alivethan I have in years.
The kiss turns heated as my hands grip her hips, and she pulls me closer. Our tongues caress and tangle, a little messy, but so perfect. My heart pounds against my ribcage, and a sense of peace washes over me.
I’m finally where I’m supposed to be, with the person I was always meant to be with.
Mackenzie Thorpe—Monson, if she wants to change her name—is it for me. This is forever.Sheis my forever.
My contentment intertwines with lust as she rolls her hips, giving friction to my erection, and I groan against her mouth.
“I want you, Tal,” she whispers.
“I didn’t do all this to get in your pants, Mack.”
“I know, and it makes me want you even more.”
“Go change into something more comfortable. Let’s watch the movie and snuggle. See where the night leads us.” I give her one final peck, then use all of my willpower to step away.
She pouts but nods her head and takes her shopping bag to our room.
I let out a long breath and reposition my dick so it’s not tenting my sweatpants. As much as I want Mack, I want to take it slow with her. I’ve waited this long to have sex, I can wait a little bit longer.
Mack comes back out in an outfit I’ve never seen before. Lace barely covers her breasts, and the skirt hem reaches mid-thigh. The black material looks enticingly soft, and I want to rub my hands up her sides and test the texture.
Maybe I can’t wait.
I shake my head to hopefully free it of the lustful thoughts of my wife—my wife—and settle on the mattress, propped up against some pillows. I open my arms for her, and she nestles into my side as I press play on the movie.
