Page 72 of Catching Feeling

For a second, I focus on breathing through my nose, one steady breath at a time. He has no idea what my bracelet means to me, and that makes this even more… meaningful.

“Reese…” I start, but my voice breaks, and I reach out to brush my fingers along the delicate charm, trying to will the tears away.

“Fuck, did I fuck up, Viv? Shit, I’m sorry. I was ju—” My finger on his lips stops him.

“No, no,” I choke out. “I just need a second, please.”

He nods, reaching for me again, pressing me close to his front. The hard, unwavering planes of his body comfort me in a way that I never expected from him. And it’s not lost on me that I’ve found comfort in his arms twice in the last week.

Finally, after a moment soaking in his quiet strength, I’m able to speak. “It’s perfect, and I love it more than you know. I…I’ve had that bracelet for a really long time, and it’s very special to me. It was a present from my dad for my twelfth birthday.”

Reese’s eyes widen, and a panicked expression passes over his handsome features. When he tries to speak, I shake my head. “I love it. I’m emotional because I’m just so happy, that’s all. It’s a very special gift. Thank you, Reese. I want to wear it tonight. Will you put it on me?”

“Of course.” He opens the velvet box and pulls the necklace off its backing, then reaches for me, his hand gently sweeping my hair off my neck. I turn, and he places it along my collarbone, fastening it at my nape. His fingers linger to sweep lightly along the chain at my neck. “It’s perfect.”

His voice is a low, rough timbre that tugs at the heavy feeling in my stomach, and before I can even think about it, I’m whipping around to face him, my hands fisting in the lapels of his tux as I tug him to me, crushing my lips to his. He groans against my mouth as his fingers dig into the soft flesh of my hips. Right now, I don’t care about the lip gloss or the fact that my lips will probably be a swollen, flushed mess after his beard brushes against them. I want to show him how much this means to me. To thank him for unknowingly getting me such a thoughtful, special gift that I’ll cherish forever.

Our lips are frantic and messy, our teeth clashing together as our hands roam. It’s a kiss that says more than words can, and right now, that’s all I can give him. Because words feel like too much. And still not enough.

All I can give him is something physical in the only way that I know how.

I pull back, panting, my eyes holding his as the sound of our heavy breathing fills the living room. “Thank you. I’ll never forget this, Reese.”

I’m referring to the necklace, but the potential double meaning of my words hangs in the air between us. That it’s not just the necklace. That I’m thanking him for everything he’s done for me. For giving me a place to live, for keeping my secrets, for being a safe place for me to land for almost two months, for holding me while I cried, for making my mom smile, and for giving her a semblance of normal. For being there for me and not expecting anything in return.

For doing all the things that I never imagined he would. For being the person I refused to acknowledge that he was all along, yet he never stops trying to show me.

“Always.” Sincerity shines in his eyes, and I nod, leaning forward and softly pressing my lips to his.

A car horn sounds from outside, and he sighs raggedly against my mouth. “As much as I think I’d rather stay here and have you to myself in this dress all night, we have to go, or we’re going to be late.”

“Ah, can’t be late. I know how much you hate it.”

The corner of his lip curves into a grin as he nods. “Yep. Also, I guess now would be a good time to tell you that I got us something else for tonight.”

“Reese…” I warn, my gaze narrowing.

His hands lift in surrender. “I’ma need a pass for tonight. Look, this is how I show… that I care. It’s not a flex. I just like to spoil the people that matter to me, and I know you don’t like unnecessary, lavish things, so I’m keeping it to a minimum. But can I just take care of you for one night? One night of letting me do all the things you wouldn’t normally let me do?”

I glance down at the beautiful ball gown I’m wearing and lift my hand to twist the charm of my necklace between the pads of my fingers. He’s already gone above and beyond today; I can’t actually imagine what else he has planned. I’m already feeling a little… weird that he’s gone all out for tonight, but for whatever reason, this seems like it’s important to him.

“Tonight. Only tonight,” I finally say.

“Okay. I can work with that.” With a smirk, he turns and walks to the front door, swinging it open. “Your chariot awaits, m’lady.”

When I step over the threshold, past his outstretched arm, my jaw falls open at the shiny, black limousine that’s parked on the curb in front of our house.

“God, you are so ridiculous. You know that?” His laugh is low, and raspy, and so fucking sexy.

I love it and how it always has the ability to affect me the same way.

With his hand on my lower back, he guides me carefully down the path to the limo, opens the door, and helps me inside. I scoot all the way across so he can join me on the seat, and when he climbs in, he turns to face me, leaning in until his pillowy lips ghost against the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “I can think of several things I want to do to you in the back seat of this limo. You know, back seats seem to be our thing, Sweet Tart.”

His fingers trail up the exposed skin of my thigh through the slit of my dress, and I capture his hand, holding it in place. “If you actually want to make it to this ball, then behave. Besides, I don’t want to get this gorgeous new dress dirty… yet.”

“I can’t help it. You look good enough to fucking eat.” His eyes flick with desire, and I swallow roughly.

How does he have this much power over my body?

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