Dating Games(113)

The lighting in the room lowers, apart from a spotlight on the dance floor. When I look in its direction, my heart catches in my throat at the man I see standing there, a small smile forming on his mouth. His eyes locked on mine, he extends his hand toward me.

Sadie swipes the drink out of my hand and pushes me away from her. After passing her a look of appreciation, I slowly walk across the ballroom, the sea of people parting for me. With each step, my heart beats a little faster, my lungs struggle to capture a breath, my skin tingles with the memory of Julian’s touch.

Approaching him, I float my gaze to his outstretched hand, briefly hesitating. His expression falls, panic overcoming him at the idea of me walking away.

“Got ya,” I tease as I link my fingers with his.

Relief rolls off him in waves and, like so many times during our summer, he twirls me around to get a better look at the dress before yanking my body against his. He places his hand on my lower back and I drape my free arm over his shoulder. Then he leads me around the dance floor to the band leader singing “Moon River”, neither one of us saying a word. There’s no need. We share a connection, one that allows us to say everything we need with a simple look.

Months ago, it would have bothered me to share such a personal moment in the company of others. Now it doesn’t. All I see is Julian. He’s all that matters. This moment is all that matters. Not his past. Not my past. Just us. Just now. He taught me to embrace the moment, to stop living life according to a predetermined itinerary. Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Julian’s living proof of that. I’m living proof of that.

“You came back,” I finally say once our song ends and we stop moving.

“I’ll always come back for you, Guinevere. Always.”

I run my hands through his sandy hair, relishing in the sensation I’d deprived myself of these past few weeks. “And I’ll always come back for you, Julian.” I bring my lips to his. “Always.”

He cups my cheeks, his grip firm and demanding. Then he covers my mouth with his, his kiss soft, sweet, and delicious in all the ways I remember it to be. But he doesn’t stop at a simple exchange, despite our audience. He sweeps his tongue against my bottom lip, begging for entrance, which I can’t deny him. His hold on me tightens as he pulls me closer, exploring my mouth in a way that makes it feel like it’s the first time. And that’s what this is. I’m finally kissing every side of Julian Gage. And I’m willing to accept every piece of him.

Pulling back, he rests his forehead on mine. “A symphony,” he murmurs.

“What’s that?” I ask in a breathy voice.

“That’s what I hear when I kiss you. Have since the very first time. And I have a feeling I will until our very last kiss, which I hope is when we’re both old and gray.”

“Is that right?” I flirt.

He nods slowly, his eyes locked on mine, the fire sending a chill down my spine. “That’s a promise. No more lies. No more games. Only the truth. Only you. You’re all I want. All I need. And I hope I can be that for you, too.”

It takes every ounce of resolve I have not to melt into a puddle on the floor. The only reason I don’t is because he’s supporting me, just like he always has, both as August and Julian. Truth be told, I love both men. They’ve molded the man in front of me into the person he is. For that, I’ll always be grateful.

“You’re more than that.” I beam, then chew on my bottom lip, my expression falling. “There’s just one thing.”

“Anything. Whatever you want, it’s yours,” he promises in desperation.

“Can we still play a few games?” I waggle my brows, giving him a coy smile. “Because I’d really like to try some roleplay with you.”

His jaw clenches as his eyes widen. Then he brings his lips back to mine, his kiss ravenous and insatiable. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I have a few ideas.”

Before I have a chance to register what’s happening, he hoists me over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. The entire place erupts in cheers and applause. When I hear a familiar whistle, I crane my neck up, meeting Sadie’s infectious smile. I beam at her, grateful she encouraged me to stay. The moment fills me with so much joy, I don’t even care about the scene we’re making as he carries me out of the gala, through the hotel lobby, and down the busy Manhattan sidewalk, tourists staring. It’s not until we’re a few blocks away that he finally puts me down.

Always the gentleman, he shrugs out of his tuxedo jacket and places it over my shoulders. When I glance at the storefront to see where we are, I fall in love with him a little more.

Tiffany’s.

For someone who said he wasn’t cut out to be in a relationship, he sure knows how to make a woman happy.

Brushing my hair behind my ears, he brings his hands up to my face, admiring me as the tension between us shifts from one of playfulness to one of devotion. “I love you, Guinevere Fitzgerald.”

“And I love you, Julian Gage. And August Laurent. And any other personalities hiding in there. I love them all.”

He chuckles, the sound exactly what’s been missing. There’s nothing like hearing him laugh. I used to be desperate to make everyone around me laugh to mask the fact I wasn’t happy with the life I’d planned. Now I only care about making Julian laugh.