Page 67 of Burning Obsession

I’m up on my feet and moving toward the door. He’s already stepped out of it so I need to move fast. My pace increases, my hands landing on the door, pushing it open without a second thought.

Stepping out on the sidewalk, my head swivels from left to right scanning the area to see which way he went. I see him just about to turn the corner, heading in the opposite direction I’d be going.

“Victor!” I scream. “Victor!”

On the second shout he stops and turns around to face me. I feel like everything is moving in slow motion. I quicken my speed, rushing toward him at the same time he starts heading back toward me.

“What is it, Jake?” His voice sounds defeated and I hate that I added to making him feel that way.

“What you did hurt. And I’m not going to lie that it’s going to take me some time to move past it. But I love you and the last few days have been a living nightmare. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and regret not seeing if we can make it for the long haul. An us is what I want.” I clear my throat. Fuck, the pain in his eyes makes me want to smack myself. “I might make a mistake and bring up what you did for spite. I’m like that sometimes, and it’s something I know I need to work on. Just tell me to stop, or Penguin. That can be my codeword not to keep rehashing the subject.”

“Penguin?”

I just shrug my shoulders. “It’s the first thing that popped into my head. But I don’t really say the word a lot so there won't be any confusion.”

“I can do that. Are you saying that you want to start over? To get back together? You want me back as your boyfriend?”

“Yes, and you were never not my boyfriend in my heart. My head, well, it needed to get on board. But you need to know that honesty is very important to me. I don’t want any secrets between us. We need to be truthful with each other about everything.”

“Absolutely. And I have been about everything except the gifts and knowing who you were.” He drops his gaze to the ground, and shifts his weight back and forth on his feet. “Can I hug you?”

“I’d rather you kiss me,” I say. He doesn’t wait for me to do it, though and he steps into me, his hand cupping my head as he presses his lips against mine and kisses me like a starving man. I’m all too eager to give him what he wants. My arms slip around his waist, holding him tightly.

The kiss is primal, controlling, life altering and I’m loving every minute of it. His hold on my head is firm, keeping me from pulling away from him as his other hand slips around my waist, connecting us even more.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. That’s for the bedroom, not out in the open for all to see. There’s children around, for God’s sake,” an old cantankerous voice chastises us. We pull apart to see an older woman, gray hair pulled tightly into a bun, dress, stockings up to her knees, hands gripping her walker. But what has me trying to hold back my laughter is the scowl on her face aimed right at Victor and me.

“You are correct, ma’am. We’re so sorry for our very public display. But when you get good news you just have to celebrate.” I use my best I’m sorry voice on her. She just waves her hand at me and continues walking past us, mumbling under her breath.

Victor shakes his head, placing his hand on my chest. “Are you the elderly whisperer?”

I just shrug my shoulders. “Maybe.”

“Thank you for forgiving me. Being apart from you gave me a long time to think and truly understand your side of the situation. What I did was odd, creepy and could've been seen as scary. Especially with how long I did it.”

“It was.” I lift my hand and run it through his hair. “I may not want any gifts for a while. Surprise ones anyway.”

Victor lifts his arm, bending it at the elbow, holding up three fingers. “Any gift given to you will come directly from my hands. That’s a promise.”

“Did you just give me the Scouts honor?”

He just nods.

“Want to go meet my niece and sister?”

“I’d love to, but first I want to take you back to our room and make up properly.”

Victor smiles, and that’s all the confirmation I need. Grasping his hand, I start walking in the other direction back to the hotel. It doesn’t take us long to get to the room, both of us wanting, no craving, the other. Thank God there were people in the elevator to keep us from having some very public sex.

When the hotel room door clicks shut behind us, all obstacles keeping us from each other are out of the way. Us together now feels right, like the wrongs of the past have been corrected. We’re starting out fresh, all secrets bared, and this time nothing will keep us apart.

I still can’t believe that we’re here. Together. It’s something I wasn’t sure was going to happen, and it’s mostly due to me. My inability to listen. Thank God for friends who help me to see the light.

“I missed you so much it hurt,” Victor’s rough, breathy voice tells me.

I’m moving, crossing the room in three strides to where he stands by the bed. My hands lift to cup his cheeks, my lips pressing against his, begging for more. I only pull away from him to speak. “I was such a fool to walk away from you. To not listen to you sooner.”

Our mouths crash against each other again. He parts his lips, welcoming the entrance of my tongue. I can still taste the small amount of coffee he consumed at the café. Victor’s hands fumble with the bottom of my shirt, lifting it upward.