Page 94 of Love Marks

I shake my head. I know I’m being dramatic. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but for some reason the thought of him in my tiny hole of an apartment makes me nervous. I know he won’t judge me or think lesser of me, but still…

“Quinn.” His flat voice interrupts my spiraling trail of thoughts. I glance back at him and my heart falls at the earnest expression of irritation etched into his features. It’s so perfectly him that my chest aches.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, rubbing my thumb across his knuckles as he does for me, hoping the gesture brings him a similar comfort. “I just got nervous about you coming over. My apartment…well, it’s not very nice.”

“Quinn,” he breathes out. “I wouldn’t care if you lived in a shoebox. I just want to see all the parts of you. I don’t want you to hide any of yourself from me.”

His words pierce me somewhere unexpected. Simple, beautiful words that make my heart swell in my chest. I press my forehead against his, our breaths mingling. “I know. I don’t want you to hide from me, either.”

He looks at me, his gaze drinking me in, and there’s such plain adoration on his features that I can’t help but bring my lips to his. Then we’re kissing. Really kissing this time. It’s like we’re both starved for each other. His hand fists into my hair, bringing me closer, impossibly close, and I can’t help but mimic his movements.

He groans against me as he deepens the kiss. Seconds or minutes or hours could have passed but all I can feel is this kiss. All I can feel is Wesley.

“How about this?” He pulls back. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

“Wesley! How scandalous.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I meant my apartment. If I can come over to your place, you can see mine.”

I furrow my brow, considering his words, how this feels like a trap somehow. After all, he is a businessman. “What’s so special about your place? I’ve already seen the penthouse.”

“Ah, but this isn’t the penthouse. This is my place. As for what’s special about it, well, I guess you’ll have to come over to find out.” His grin is teasing. “Or maybe you’ll never know…”

I roll my eyes. “Alright, fine. You have a deal, Mr. Marks.” I hold my hand out for a handshake. With a smile, he slips his hand into mind and shakes it firmly.

“You have a deal, Miss Taylor.”

* * *

Deep breaths. It’s just a party. Just a normal, friendly gathering. Not like I have anybody to impress, not really. Right?

“You still with me over there?” Wesley’s voice breaks me out of my spell. We’re standing in front of Joe’s house. It’s a lovely place with a lush garden out front, a winding stone path leading towards the red front door.

I turn towards Wesley. “I don’t know why I’m making such a big deal of this. Getting myself all worked up over nothing.”

He wraps his arms around me easily, tugging me towards him. “You’re allowed to feel however you feel. You’re not ‘getting yourself worked up’ just because you’re feeling nervous,” he says simply.

I reach up for him, pressing onto my tippy toes so that I can reach his lips with mine. “When did you get so wise? You’re supposed to be the stubborn and obstinate one, not me.”

He chuckles against my mouth. “I like you, Quinn Taylor. Stubborn and all.” He pulls back with a warm smile, our foreheads resting against each other.

My stomach drops at his words. Sweet, adoring words that I never imagined I’d hear from Wesley. This strong, brooding man is standing in some stranger’s driveway in Long Island for me. All for me.

A rush of fear crashes through me. What does this mean? We’ve only been on a couple of dates, but it feels like everything is moving so quickly. Like there’s an intensity pulsing between us.

“I really like you, too, Wesley Marks.”

We approach the front door, our hands intertwined. The feeling of Wesley’s warm hand in mine makes me feel stronger somehow. Like I can conquer anything with him by my side.

“Wait.” I pull up abruptly at the front door and turn to him, entirely serious. “What’s your middle name?”

He smirks, his eyes soft in the midday light. “Is this very important?”

“Of course! You’ve known mine since we met. It’s only fair.”

He considers my words and nods, leaning against the doorway. “Alright. Guess, then.”

I cross my arms. “Give me a hint at least.”