Page 114 of I Love My Mistake

Laughing, I reach back and grab a pillow to toss at him. “I have to get ready for my show!” I throw it with all my might, but he catches it easily, and tosses it aside.

“You’ll have to do better than that.” He climbs onto the bed on all fours like he’s a naked lion.

My eyebrows fly up, watching him, impressed. “Oh I do, do I?”

He nods, smiling devilishly. “You really do.”

My eyes flash quick innocence. “I don’t know how. You’ve melted my brain. No ideas here.”

He grins and pulls me on top of him, my hair falling around the sides of his face. “Nicole?”

Kissing him, I murmur, “Mmm?”

There’s happiness behind his eyes. “I like you.”

I bring my finger up and trace his face from the top of his hairline, down his forehead, over his regal nose, down the middle of his soft, kissable lips to the tip of his chin. “I like you, too. A lot.”

“I like you a lot, too,” he laughs, pulling me down and rolling us over so he’s on top of me. We don’t say love yet, and its feels natural to wait. We’ve been through so much and I’m sure he feels the same as me; I need time to heal. “I just flew in. I’m a little tired. Be okay if I sleep here?”

I kiss him and smile. “I’d love that.”

His brow furrows and he looks off, thinking. “I should probably cancel the hotel reservation.”

“You got a hotel room?”

He looks at me from the corner of his eyes. “Nope.”

My jaw drops and I pretend to try to push him off me. “You presumptuous jerk!!” Laughing, we wrestle around and he pins my arms, and gnaws on any part of me he can reach while I squeal, helpless under his strength, and loving every minute of it.

“My bag is in the hallway. I’ll be right back.”

“You left it in the hallway – in NEW YORK? Are you nuts? Go get it!”

He laughs and runs out naked. I tuck myself under the covers and wait for him to return, listening. Walking back into the bedroom, he holds up a medium sized, black rolling suitcase in front of his middle. “Should I wear this to the reception?”

Laughing, I say, “Yes, Please! I would love that!”

Soon we’re cuddled up and cozy. When I feel the soft rise and fall of his chest, I know he’s sleeping soundly, so I lift myself up and watch him. Mark’s here sleeping in my bed! Kissing his shoulder softly, I thank my momma in my heart for being here for me tonight. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I have to believe she was here. So much nicer to believe I haven’t been without her all these years.

And Jess… I can’t believe it, that little sneak. Leave it to her to organize this reunion and surprise me with her awesomeness. She always has a way of making me feel better. This time she just had to work a little harder to do it.

Mark… don’t wake up. I’m going to kiss your cheek so softly you will never know. I told you I like you, but it’s so much more than that. I love you. I truly love you.

---