Page 117 of Wildflower
She opens her mouth, but closes it again. There’s a hint of a smirk on her lips now, though. I’m getting somewhere.
“Fourth, I dominated you in the restroom when you clearly wanted to talk. I stuck my tongue in your pussy and distracted you instead of listening to you.”
“Yes, that was terrible,” she says, but she’s actively holding back a smile now.
“Rey, I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll do better, I promise. I’m sorry I ruined your evening by lurking around like an angry, possessive arsehole.”
“My boyfriend, the possessive arsehole?” She grins now, and the relief in me is immense. I can finally breathe properly. “As far as apologies go, that was a decent one.”
“Thanks, I had some time to think it through. And Neil helped put my thoughts in order. He’s been married twentyyears, so I should probably add ‘advisor’ to his position description now.”
“Jesus, Mark, did you tell him about the restroom?” Rey clasps a hand to her mouth.
“Not all the details,” I say.
“Sorry, I can still hear you, though,” Neil says from the front, and Rey hides in her hood.
“This is my favourite place outside home,” I say, showing Rey into the Diamond Lounge of The Orion the next day. We’ve been through the building. Examining every room in daylight, which is a different experience from a busy night. One I knew she’d enjoy.
I’ve mostly looked at Rey, but am also starting to appreciate the effort Aiden and his team have put in to make this place look truly spectacular. It’s another thing I’ve taken for granted until I met Rey.
“What is it you love about it?” She brushes her hand across the red velvet chair. The last time I sat here was when Aiden reminded us of the masquerade coming up. The one I didn’t want to go to. Imagine if I hadn’t. I’d only know Rey as the intern who broke my rules.
Maybe I would’ve fired her as I wanted to.
The thought of any other outcome than this makes my stomach ache as I watch Rey walk around, studying every piece of art on the walls, inspecting sculptures up close, and looking back at me, grinning in between.
“I must admit,” I say. “I’ve never stopped to admire the details here, but I just loved that it was private. Quiet. No phones. Often just me and my closest friends here. You should meet them, by the way.”
It’s time I told them all about this big change in my life. I’ve been absent lately.
“I’d love to,” Rey says from the other side of the turquoise Chesterfield sofa. “Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for you, I don’t have many people for you to meet.”
“What do you mean?” I move towards her, feeling the need to be closer if she’s going to tell me something personal.
“I pushed my uni friends away after I stopped painting, and it’s been kind of difficult starting over,” she says, talking to an old globe lamp in the corner. “I’ve got Nia, and kind of Kaia and that group, but…” She shrugs.
Of course, she can’t tell them.
“You have no one to talk to about us?”
She shakes her head, continuing her walk around the room, but slower now, allowing me to catch up to her.
“If you wanted to tell someone, what would you tell them?” I ask, brushing my nose behind her ear.
She turns to face me and puts a hand on my chest. “That I’ve met someone unlike any other, who’s intense and deep, intelligent, caring, and kind. Very generous,” she lifts her eyebrows and smirks at me. “And who accepts me for me. You’re the one I’m the most free with. Do you know that feeling?” I’m about to answer, but she continues. “There’s no energy spent trying to be anything else. Do you know you make me feel that way?” She meets my gaze again, her eyes intense with the weight of the words. “I don’t think you realise how much that means to me.”
I take the hand she’s been brushing over my pecs and collarbone while talking, and kiss it.
“I know what you mean, and I’m glad you feel that way. Despite last night.”
“I think after your apology, and multiple other types of apologies you gave me,” she says, blushing, “I get that you’re trying. And I believe you.”
“My life is so different now that you’re in it. And I’m scared.”
As I say the words, it hits me how true it is. I’m scared I’m going to fail her, but I’m more scared of life without her now that I know what it’s like to have her. To laugh with her. Hold her warm hand in mine and twirl her into my arms.
“I’m scared of the change to my routines, my priorities, but I want to make it,” I say. “It might not sound like a big deal to you, but I’ve been going at my own pace, doing my own thing my entire life. I didn’t make space for Jody, but I sure as hell will for you, Rey. I’m all in.”
