Page 35 of Where We Fall

Still reeling from the kiss, I climb into the limo and somehow end up on the far end with the girls.

The guys on the other end are laughing and joking about something.

"Nice work tonight guys," Alexis says as she looks to Marcus and me. "Not sure if he would've totally bought it if it weren't for Kathryn being there. She wouldn't stop saying how cute you two are together."

"Do you think it worked?" I ask the gang, hopeful.

Gabe shrugs his shoulders. "Time will tell. But I think as far as what we were going for tonight, it worked. He couldn't really complain about image when each of the men here had a beautiful woman they were in love with on their arm.

"What kind of shit is that?" Mia interrupts. "He doesn't care what I do? Why? Because I'm a woman? Frickin' double standards."

I giggle next to her. I completely agree with her. It's a double standard and an archaic way of doing business.

The ride to the hotel goes by in a flash. I'm the last one to climb out of the limo. I grab the hand that helps me out expecting it to be the driver instead I'm surprised to see Marcus.

"Thanks," I tell him.

"Not a problem."

He lets go of my hand this time as we walk side by side through the doors.

The other five must've already taken an elevator up because they are nowhere in sight. Marcus and I step onto the first elevator that arrives and ride it up in silence. I'm not sure how to act around him now that this is all over. I stare down at the dark tiles in the elevator, unsure where to look.

But as the silence grows in the elevator, so does the tension. I steal a glance at him and notice that he's looking at me like he was right before he kissed me.

His eyes rake over my body, and his appreciation for what he sees is evident. He pushes off the wall and starts towards me, but before he can take another step, the elevator doors open.

The moment seems to have passed and he turns away to walk toward our rooms.

We stop outside of our doors together, silence filling the air around us.

"Thanks again for everything, Lex."

"You're welcome."

He seems torn about something. I want to tell him to come into my room. To kiss me again. To keep making me feels these things that I've never felt before. The words are almost out of my mouth, and I feel like he's waiting for them, but at the last second, I chicken out.

"Goodnight," he whispers.

I don't know how to invite someone like him in without the fear of rejection stopping me.

"Goodnight," I reply and walk into my room.

Dammit! This is not what I want. Why can't I just tell him what it is that I want?

My phone begins to vibrate. For a second, I think he's calling me. I fumble through my purse until I pull it out to see Grace's name on the screen.

"Hello," I answer as I push off the door.

I kick off my heels and walk further into the room.

"You sound out of breath. What're you doing?"

I stop in front of the mirror and look at my flushed cheeks.

"Do I? I'm just getting in from the event."

A knot is sitting in my stomach at the missed opportunity.

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