Page 92 of Where We Fall

“I love you, too.”

He starts to slide out of me, and it feels like a sudden loss, just to feel complete again when he pushes back in. That’s the rhythm I feel like he creates, loss filled by fulfillment…over and over again.

He takes me all the way to the edge, then slows down.

"Wait for me. I want to come with you," he tells me.

He leans down and kisses me. His tongue feels like it’s working in sync with his thrusts. It’s enough to drive me wild and send me right over the edge. I moan into his mouth as the spasms begin to clench around him. His release follows, and we come together, just like he wanted.

He lifts his head and looks down at me while he works to catch his breath. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I can tell he has a lot of thoughts swirling around his head.

This has been a big day for both of us.

I can’t think about what would happen if I lost him. The ache would be too much to bear. If I keep thinking about it, I won't be able to sleep.

So, for now, I’m just going to put everything aside and pretend it's not happening, and maybe I'll luck out and fall asleep.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Marcus

Iwalkintomyapartment, but nothing feels the same. Everything feels dull and lifeless.

This past week has been draining and confusing as fuck.

Elaine is doing well and will be released from the hospital in a couple of days. Lexi is working on finding a new facility to accommodate the new level of care that her mother now needs.

Meanwhile, I have to get back to work. I have deadlines that I’m running the risk of not hitting, which is unlike me, but I just couldn’t leave Lexi.

I throw my keys on the counter and grab a beer. It’s nine on Thursday evening, but I can’t think about doing anything until I just chill with a cold beer for a minute.

It’s been three days since she told me she’s considering moving back to Chicago. Every day since I’ve wanted to ask her what her plans are, but I know it’s wrong.

I need to be there for her through this time, not worry about myself.

I’ve been thinking about what would happen if she did move. A long-distance relationship isn’t ideal when you haven’t been together for very long, but it’s doable. We’re not talking about living across the country from each other. We'd be two states away, five-hour drive, one-hour plane ride. Plus, we have a private jet we can use.

Although, it won’t be available all the time. Business trips will always take priority over my personal life. It also feels wrong to ask the company to rack up so much of that cost when it’s not business-related.

I want to figure out a way to make it work for her to still live here, but in the end, something tells me she will move, and I need to be ready for that.

***

“Hey, man,” Gabe walks into my office. “Good to have you back.”

I drop my pen and lean back in my chair. My head falls back as I open my eyes wide to ease them from straining at the computer for so long.

“Thanks.”

“How’s Lexi holdin’ up?” He takes a seat across from me.

"She’s hanging in there. Today’s a bit rough. Her mom has slipped back into her dementia. She’s a bit irritable and confused.”

“Shit, I feel for her. I was a wreck when Ma fell a couple of years ago and needed surgery. To think of adding dementia on top of that.”

“Ya,” I laugh sarcastically. “It’s a lot for her to deal with on her own. We all at least had each other.”

The four of us were able to take turns helping Ma out, plus she had Pa. Lexi has nobody but me. The thought makes me irrationally angry at the world.

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