Page 50 of Love Delayed
“The wedding is off. Eliana and I are done,” he said and sipped.
“Oh, Marcus, I’m so sorry,” I said sincerely.
Yes, I wanted this man for myself, but at the same time, I did not want him to hurt.
“It’s cool, you know. I found out she has been fucking around with her ex, and she’s pregnant.”
My heart stopped momentarily. I know it was selfish to insert myself in his situation, but having to deal with a baby momma is not what I wanted for us if we got back together.
“Well, that’s a good thing, right? At least you’re going to be a dad,” I said as gently as I could.
“The baby isn’t my fuckin’ baby, Zee!” he roared.
Startled by his outburst, I jumped, and he reached for my hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing my fingers lightly. Then he began to sob. I had seen Marcus mad, upset, and hurt, but never had I seen him cry before. Wanting to comfort him, I pulled away and stood to wrap my arms around him.
“She played me, Zee,” he cried into my stomach. “She kept lying to my muthafuckin’ face, and I fucking let her. I’m so angry because I allowed it to happen. Before I saw you at the airport in Vegas, I had a feeling shit was off, but I ignored all the signs, Zee. And for the life of me, I can’t tell you why,” he said, pulling me closer.
His face was pressed so deep into my stomach that it pained me a bit, but I stayed strong for him.
He pulled me down onto his lap and sat back on the sofa. My body was across his, and he silently played with my fingers.
“You’re going to be okay, Marcus. I’m so sorry she hurt and disappointed you, but you will get over her,” I told him.
Looking me square in the eyes, he said, “I never loved her, Zee. I feel angry, disappointed, humiliated, betrayed, and embarrassed, but I’m not heartbroken. I love you. You are the only woman I’ve ever loved, Zamora, and the love I have for you is something I’ll never get over.”
If I were butter, I would have melted completely.
“I…I…I,” I stuttered, and he caught my words with his mouth.
I allowed the kiss. I enjoyed the kiss. I relished his kiss and did not want him to pull away. It was like riding a damn bike because kissing him was all coming back to me. I missed the sensations he imploded on me and never wanted to let this man out of my sight again. When we broke our kiss, he stared into my eyes.
“I still love you, too, Marcus. I want this moment with you. Even if you never come back to me, I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life. I’ve dreamt of kissing you so many nights and never thought I would have this chance again. So, kiss me again, and let me have this moment.”
He kissed me deeply, and my entire body tingled. I felt sensations no other man had ever been able to give me. My core was soaked, and my nipples were hard. When he stopped this time, he pressed his forehead against mine.
“I don’t want just a moment with you, Zamora. This is finally our chance to get it right, and I want to stay with you forever. I don’t love, Eli, and I’m not speaking out of pain or regret. I’ve never stopped wanting you, Zee. Please, can we give it one more try?”
“Baby, you will never have to beg me for anything. I’m yours. I’ve always been yours,” I expressed and put my lips on his. “Make love to me,” I softly whispered.
“I want to, baby, I do. But I can’t trust it. I was with a cheating…”
He paused. I knew a nasty name for her was on the tip of his tongue, but Marcus wasn’t a disrespectful type of man. So, he didn’t dare say what he was thinking.
“Before I make love to you, I want to see my doctor first and make sure she didn’t give me any parting gifts.”
I nodded my understanding. After all, I was married to Evan’s two-timing ass, so I knew exactly how he felt.
“Are you going to at least spend the night with me?”
“Of course,” he said, pulling me into a tight squeeze. “I missed you so much, woman.”
“Not as much as I missed you, man,” I returned as we got cozier on the sofa, where we drank, talked, and caught up until the sun came up.
The next morning, we went downstairs to have breakfast together, and the staff was far from stupid as they greeted us with broad smiles. Marcus took the day off to spend with me since I had no events to cater, and I couldn’t have been happier. As we were eating, he expressed wanting me to move in with him at his house, stating he didn’t want us to be apart other than to work. Although I loved staying in the penthouse, the thought of waking up every morning and sleeping next to Marcus every night was more appealing. However, I wasn’t too thrilled about staying in a place where he and Eliana once shared. Thinking it wouldn’t hurt for me to see his spot before deciding, we went there after finishing our meal.
As soon as we entered the door to his home, I stopped in my tracks.
“This place smells like her,” I said, not wanting to go inside further.