Page 15 of One More Chance
Eight
“Are you awake?”
Krista sat up in bed and turned on the light as Tony appeared behind the doorway. She heard him leave but didn’t think he was going to come back, especially after being so angry. Or maybe he wasn’t angry. Confused? Heartbroken? She wasn’t sure.
She was sure, however, he didn’t want to be around her anytime after her apology. She’d barely slept and spent much of the night tossing and turning. She was afraid to leave her bedroom in case she did run into Tony.
Now he was in her bedroom. “I couldn’t sleep very much,” she softly spoke.
Tony let himself in and sat at the foot of the bed. “Yeah, I can’t sleep at all. I wanted to start another movie but I needed to talk to you first.”
“You and your Netflix addiction,” she chuckled as he smiled, “I hope you own stock.”
“That I do,” he admitted. He took a deep exhaled and thought about what he wanted to say. He decided to just go for it. “Look, I know just taking off and disappearing like that wasn’t cool but you kinda caught me off-guard there. And I’m not blaming you at all. I do accept your apology and it was needed. I just wasn’t expecting it.”
“Why?” Krista gathered her legs to her chest. “You wanted me to apologize to you.”
“I did but…it’s weird to explain it. I thought it was never going to happen and I was okay with that. I was okay with you moving on and doing what you’re doing. I was fine with loving you from a distance. And now, I’m just like, oh man…what happened here?”
Krista’s eyes crinkled as her lips twisted. “Sooo…you wish I never apologized at all?”
“No, it’s not that,” Tony exhaled a deep breath. Everything sounded fine in his head but getting the words out made him sound like a jumbled idiot. “I guess I was so used to being mad at you that it gave me some sort of power. And I liked it. No matter what happened during the day, to me, or whatever, I could curse at you under the sun. I could relish in your misery. I could laugh at your expense.” He paused for a beat. “And then it got tired. Then it wasn’t fun anymore. Then I wondered, ‘What’s next?’
“And I was happy with everything. I was happy you went on with your life and dated whoever. And I was happy that things between us were just memories.”
“So what changed?” She asked. “This just didn’t come out of nowhere.”
“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “I’ve watched you for a while at the shop and my anger turned into regret. And when I saw you alone tonight, I wasn’t thinking anything other than you shouldn’t have been having dinner on the most romantic day of the year by yourself.” Another beat. “And I was fine with us being friendly again and maybe delve back into a friendship.”
“Then my apology made itworse?” Krista was more confused than ever.
“Your apology reminded me I’d never stopped loving you, not even for a second.” Tony swallowed. He felt his chest tightening in a painful lock. “And it was a fact I thought I had long buried, hidden somewhere deep with presidential tax returns and Jimmy Hoffa.”
Krista softly smiled. “I never stopped loving you, Tony. I know I made it hard for you to trust me again and I can’t take back the hurt and anguish I caused you and your family. But I want to try again if you think we can.”
Tony scooted closer to her and grabbed her hand. “I think we can.” Another beat. “What about your man?”
“I’ll handle him. I doubt he’ll be upset we’re breaking up.” She shrugged.
“Until then, let’s keep this non-sexual. I don’t feel comfortable sleeping with someone else’s woman.”
Krista hoped a reunion between the pair meant endless orgasms, curled toes, and arched backs. It would have to wait just a bit longer. “So, what now?”
“I said this should be non-sexual,” he climbed onto the bed and snuggled with her. He swept his lips over hers before he captured her lips with his. He felt her resolve broke against him and she went limp in his embrace. “I didn’t say we had to be chaste.”
Krista opened her eyes and felt her breath lodged deep into her throat. He was stunningly gorgeous with deep brown eyes, chiseled jawline, and full lips. She knew him as a little boy who never shied from his controversial opinions to grow into the man who had the same M.O.
He was the best friend she’s ever had, being the shoulder to cry on and encouraging her dreams.
He was the best lover she’s ever had, bringing her into endless orgasms and nothing was ever taboo for them. Every fantasy they wanted, each other fulfilled in many ways.
Now he was hers again.
“What now?” She asked.
“I want you to sleep in my bed tonight,” he caressed her face. “But first, Call of Duty.” He scooted off the bed.
“Oh, really?” Krista followed him to the gaming room. “You’re still talking shit, huh?”
