Chapter 27: Chapter 27

The carriage ride back to the apartment seems to be the worst part of the date.

I dont want to go.

I want to stay with Kyle.

Who says 'I love you' and walks away?

Unfortunately, the ride comes to an end in front of the building and I stare at it like its the enemy.

"You know you have to go." Kyle says and I turn to him.

"But why? I dont want to go, I... I want to stay with you." I say and he touches my cheek.

"I want to stay with you too. "

"So, why do I have to go. Whats stopping us?" I tell him stubbornly but he leaves the carriage anyway and helps me out.

"Its common curtsy, Marcy. Its our first official date, you can't just follow me home." He says but I'm not the least bit convinced.

"Kyle--"

"I respect you, and I want you to know that."

"I do know that."

"But this is different. That last time we had dinner at Holly's, remember what you told me? You said I did all that just to screw you on the back of my door." He says and a whisper of hurt crosses his eyes.

Quicker than a flash.

As soon as it came, it was gone.

"I didnt mean it, Kyle. I was angry and--"

"I dont blame you for what you said. I made it look like that. So now, I'm trying to change my approach." He says sincerely and I know I cant change his mind.

When he wants to do something, nothing can stop him.

"Now, come on. You have to go inside. I don't like the looks youre getting in this dress." He says, scanning the area in an overprotective manner and I can't help but laugh.

"I wont be getting all this looks if you had just let me follow you home." I say and he rolls his eyes as he leads me inside.

"Let it go, Marcy."

"Who knew right?" I say when the elevator gets to the 3rd floor and we get off.

Kyle turns to me.

"Who knew what?" He asks as we get to my door and i turn to him.

"Who knew that you could be like this. No ties,..."

I touch his bare collar.

"No rules..."

I look up at his disheveled hair and blue eyes.

"No sex." I say with a lot more emphasis and he chuckles.

Then he holds my hand in his and looks straight at me.

"Marcella Anne Jensen, you made me realize there is a lot more to appearance than ties. A lot more to life than rules..."

Then he tucks my hair behind my ear.

"And a lot more to you than sex. Im not going to forget that, ever." He says then plants a kiss on my cheek.

Before I can even react, Kyle moves in closer, so that I'm forced to move backwards.

"Goodnight Marcy." He says then holds the doorknob and shuts the door as he leaves.

For a few seconds, I'm left staring at the door....

Recalling his words...

Recalling everything.

'And a lot more to you than sex...'

How did he come up with that.

Him.

Kyle Lucas Robinson.

He said those words to me....

All of a sudden, the entrancing spell of his words make way for reality.

Im still standing here and the one person that has ever made me feel this way is leaving.

Probably gone by now.

In a quick move, I take off my heels and toss my purse to the couch.

I have to spend the night with him. I just want to be with him.

Tonight.

For as long as the sun stays hidden.

I'll show up at his door and tell him I'm not moving an inch unless he lets me inside.

Yes.

Yes, thats what ill do.

After slipping on my loafers, which look hilarious in combination with my gown, I grab my purse and pull the door open.

Then I rush out, heading for the elevator.

But not before I stop dead in my tracks.

Just outside my door, leaning against the wall.

Is that--

"Kyle?" I say and turn to him. He had already spotted me first and he is giving me a you're-so-stubborn look.

"Where do you think youre going?" He says and I can feel my face flush.

"I... I wanted to come see you, but..." I trail off now and observe him.

He was right outside my door all this time?

"What are you doing here?" I ask him and he shrugs slightly, like its normal.

"You had me reminiscing the entire night in my head, Marcella. Now I cant even muster the strength to leave you." He says as he draws closer.

"Youre a fucking boomerang, arent you? You just keep coming back and finding your place in my life." He says, now towering above me and I try to control my breath as I look up at him.

"What's....whats going to happen now?" I ask and he shrugs.

"I guess I have to spend the night at your place. I missed my ride and I'm here, arent I?" Kyle says and I can read the mischeif in his eyes.

He never wanted to leave....

Excitement floods me with the realisation.

"Are you going to let me inside or we're just going to keep standing here and staring at each other." He asks and I bite my lip.

"Whats so wrong in standing here and staring at each other?" I ask and he nods to the couple passing by.

"We'll creep out your neighbours." He says and I laugh.

"Is this your way of asking to stay at my place?"

"I already asked, didn't I?"

"Nope. You implied." I say and he rolls his eyes.

"Fine. Can I spend the night at your place?"

"Depends. Can you cuddle?" I ask and he gives me a hilarious look, like I asked him if he can drive.

"Haven't you heard?"

"What?"

"Im the best."

"Thats not the way I heard it." I say and he chuckles.

"Really?"

"I heard you're up before the sun is out."

"We'll just have to find out, wont we?" He says and before i can reply, he scoops me up in one swift move, getting a yell of surprise out of me.

Kyle doesnt stop however and carries me into the apartment, then shuts it with his foot.

"Where's your room?"

"Third door to the left." I say, hypnotized by the close contact and the ease he is using to carry me.

Kyle takes me into the room but still doesn't drop me and I give him a look.

"Are you going to keep carrying me?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Yes. I have to change." I say, feeling my face heat up a bit and he maintains eye contact.

"So?" He asks and my jaw drops.

"You cant be--."

"Why not?" He interrupts, maintaining the most intense, eye contact ever.

"I....well,...."

"If you want to change, go ahead." He says and immediately unbuttons the single strap holding my gown behind my neck.

Quickly, I hold the dress against my chest to keep it from falling and he laughs.

"This is going to be fun." He remarks and I bite back a smile.

"Put me down." I say and he shrugs.

"Sure ."

Then he moves forward a bit and drops me on the bed.

I stare at him, shocked that he actually complied when he suddenly moves to the door and locks it.

"Wait, you can't--" I scurry out of the bed but he stays put at the door.

"What? You cant change in front of me?" He asks and I try to think of a reason to say yes.

"What have you got to hide from me?" Comes his next question and I blink at his words.

"Exactly." He says with a smirk.

"Kyle, come on..." I plea, feeling like a prey under his gaze and he just moves closer, with his eyes on mine.

I watch him, waiting and anticipating his next move when he suddenly says,

"What? You dont want to use the bathroom anymore?" He says and I suddenly realise that he wasnt moving closer to me.

Well, not exactly.

He was moving away from the door.

To avoid anymore of his suggestive mind games, I grab my nightwear and leave the room.

By the time im done wiping off my make up and changing, I slowly walk into the room but the sight that greets me makes me stop dead in my tracks.

Kyle had the blankets covering him up to his waist, with his bare chest exposed and his eyes closed.

He had his hands tucked behind his head and was snoring softly.

Oh for God's sake.

Really?

Now he wants to be good?

Sighing defeatedly, I fold my clothes and quietly join him in bed.

Staring straight above me, I consider my options.

Do I wake him up?

Why is he asleep so early anyway?

I turn to look at him again, hoping this is one of his games but when he doesnt move, I simply turn off the bedside lamp.

"Of all the fucking times..." I mutter into the darkness, when suddenly, his strong arm goes round my waist and he pulls me close to him from behind.

"Youre cute when you swear." He whispers in low, husky voice and my breath catches.

"You're--"

"Shhh. We're going to sleep now. But I intend to hold you close till Im addicted to the rhythm of your heartbeat and the pace of your breathing. And the harmony of your body next to mine." He says and plants a kiss on the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"I love you." Comes his whisper and I relish in his words and the way they make me feel.

"I love you too."

****

Kyle's P.O.V

Kelsey Mayer.

The ID stares at me for the fifth time this morning as I button my shirt and again, I end the call.

What the hell does she want?

Sighing, I slip on my jacket and take one more look at Marcella. She has my pillow held close to her like her favourite possession and I can't help admiring how sweet she looks lying there, hair all over the pillows, sleeping soundly.

Again my phone buzzes and this time, I yank it out of my pocket, intent on knowing what the hell Kelsey wants, but a text message greets me.

•Kelsey• Pick up. Its important.

I stare at the message, thinking back to the last time I even saw her....which has been months ago.

•Kelsey• Or I guess I'll just speak to Marcella.

I dont have to finish reading the message before I redial her number.

"I knew that would get you on your toes." She says coyly and I'm nearly gritting my teeth.

"What do you want?" I say sharply, and almost too loud because Marcy moans softly and adjusts her sleeping position.

"Careful now. We dont want to get things more complicated, do we?" Kelsey says as I drop my letter where Marcy cant miss it before I slip out.

"What the fuck are you talking about? It was never complicated."

"I'd advice you not to jump into conclusions Kyle. Its not healthy." She says, and I can tell she is enjoying it.

This bloody suspense.

This fucking game she is playing.

"What do you want, Kelsey?" I repeat now, fighting the urge to lose my temper.

Her voice suddenly becomes serious.

"Starbucks. Now." She says and hangs up.

I stare at the phone, completely befuddled.

What the fuck is going on?

****

"Took you long enough." Kelsey says when I sit at her table and she casually sips her coffee.

"How was your night?" She asks coyly and I'm one second away from grabbing her by the neck.

"Get to the point. What do you want?" I  say and she smiles.

"Its not just what I want.... it's what you must give me." She says and I frown.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

She doesnt reply. She just reaches into her bag and pulls out a brown envelop, then tosses it to me across the table.

"Dont hold your breath while you open it." She says, maintaining eye contact and I glare at her for good measure before opening the envelope.

"Consider this my way of easing the breaking news to you." She says while I stare continuously at the contents of the envelope.

"What the hell is this?"

"Oh you dont recognise your fingerprints all over it?" She says and I look at her, my mind spiralling.

What the hell?

"I swear to God, Kelsey--"

"What? What are you going to say? You make one threat..."

She holds up her phone,

"And I'll make sure Marcella knows--"

"You stay the fuck away from her!" I yell, drawing stares and Kelsey smilea contentedly.

"Oh I will, Kyle. Believe me. I  wont go near her, but its up to you. Its just like I said, its what you must give me."

I stare at her, trying to find a way around this.

A solution to this madness she was conjuring.

But one move and she would tell Marcy.

And if Marcy found out.....

Oh God...

"Speechless. I like that." Kelsey says and gathers her things. Then she gets up.

"I'll email you when I'm ready to request. And you can keep it, I've got copies lying in my house." She says and leaves.

For the first time in a while, I know real fear.

The fear of breaking the news to Marcy...

The fear of her hearing it from Kelsey...

The fear of Marcy finding out...

The fear of her leaving me again...

The fear of being heartbroken....

And it scares the shit out of me.