“Sandwiches okay?”
“Perfect.”
She disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes before returning with two plates of leftover turkey sandwiches and sparkling water. I smiled, reaching to grab one. She seemed tense for a moment, but relaxed after I started eating.
As we ate on the couch, I glanced over to find her going through a photo album of pictures from past Christmases.
“My mom put this together after Miranda went away to college. There was a brief time when all three of us were out of the house. It’s just print-outs of her favorites from holidays over the years.” Marley turned the page to reveal some sepia-toned photos of her mother, yellowed further with age. “God, look at that hair. Teased to the sky.”
I put my plate on the coffee table and leaned against the side of the couch, head resting against my fist. Marley sat with her feet tucked under her, laughing and pointing at the images, occasionally explaining something to me. I felt content in a way I never had been before. Not just because I knew how much she cared about me, and not because I’d finally admitted to myself how attracted I was to her. But because I’d never felt this comfortable in my own skin.
In that moment, I felt thankful she’d be coming with me to my reunion—still scared about what could happen, but thankful. Because everything else aside, I wanted Marley to know me.
The plastic sheeting covering the pictures stuck together and creaked as she turned the pages. Her glassy eyes roamed over the ancient prints, and I knew these glimpses of the past, especially her mom, were bittersweet. I couldn’t help but admire her ability to find peace within the storm. That, along with my earlier realization of how she made me feel, might have made me slightly stupid.
“Marley, you are amazing.”
Had I said that out loud? Shit. The air between us charged instantly.
Freezing in her perusal of the album, she turned toward me, cheeks red. “Thanks, James. Was it the sandwiches that made you realize?”
Even though she was deflecting, giving me an out, I didn’t want to take it. “Seriously, Marley. I’m in awe of the way you care about the people in your life. I feel really lucky to be one of them.”
Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally said, “I’m not so special, but thank you for saying that. I…do care about you.”
She did not know. The way Marley put herself out there for the people in her life was beyondspecial. That’s why Coach Hurley had shown up yesterday. And Mrs. Allen. It was why the students lobbied for her to be their advisor for every club and why even senior teachers came to her for advice on tough kids. Everyone wanted to return at least some of the love she projected so fearlessly into the world.
Had I ever been that fearless? Been so open with the people who loved me? Not by a long shot.
I wanted her to teach me. I wanted… her.
Marley untucked her legs as I scooted in closer on the couch. She hadn’t tried to move away, and the certainty of my affection made me bold. I reached my palm out to place it on her knee, using my thumb to trace small circles. Feeling the slight trembling in her thigh, I murmured slowly, “When I’m with you, it’s like I can breathe properly for the first time in forever.”
She shuddered and peered down at my hand, raising her leg a fraction to meet my touch. “What are we doing, James?”
I leaned in closer, registering the flecks of gray in her brown eyes, the tiny beauty mark on the left side of her jawline, the pulse point beating rapidly in the hollow of her neck. “What we probably should have done months ago. What I’ve been dreaming about doing for days.”
The weight of the physical desire I’d been keeping in check rolled over me like a wave. I itched to pull her close. To kiss her so soundly, there would be no doubt how special she was. Now that I’d finally allowed my mind to go there, I couldn’t stop my head from spinning with…images. Marley on her back with me above her. Marley with her hands on my belt buckle. Marley biting her bottom lip while I gripped her hip. All the blood rushed south as I felt my cock growing thick.
She looked up with open eyes, unspeaking, letting me lead. But the rough swallow that moved down her throat and her widened pupils gave her away. Marley wanted me too.
I knew I had baggage, knew there were things about me she probably ought to know. Things she’d most likely find out at my reunion. But selfishly, in that moment, I didn’t care. If I let myself come up for air, examine it too hard, I knew I’d find a million reasons to hold back.
Reaching my other hand out, I dragged my fingers along Marley’s arm, from her wrist to the top of her non-elf shoulder. She closed her eyes as I cupped her cheek.
Releasing a contented exhale, she nuzzled into my palm, turning her head to place a soft kiss in the center. “Is this really happening?” she breathed out shallowly. “I never thought you would—”
“Marley…how can you not know? I can’t get enough of you.”
Her breath on my skin felt like a brand. I grabbed the stupid elf and tugged her closer, feeling the hammering of our hearts. She flinched, just barely, like she was still deciding if this was a good idea. But she didn’t turn away. I began lowering my mouth to hers.
Both dogs jumped up and started barking explosively, nosing their faces through the curtains to give the delivery truck in the neighbor’s driveway a piece of their minds. Oscar placed his paws on the window, banging on the glass, while Bambi complemented the move with a full chorus of growls and snarls.
I released Marley and turned my face toward the window. “Bambi! Quiet! No bark!”
The noise died quickly as the dogs offered sheepish expressions. But the damage had been done, the moment lost as effectively as if it had been bathed in ice water. My cock-blocking canine gave the truck one last pitiful “woof” before going back to the fireplace.
“Oscar! Heel!” Marley commanded. The excited lab took another second to observe outside the glass but finally laid down with his buddy.
