Those Three Words

by Alexis Winter

“You’re staring,” she says just above a whisper without looking at me. “Does it bother you?” “No,” she replies, then turns to look at me. “Why are you staring?” I’m surprised at her confidence; I think she is too. I smirk and turn my attention to fidget with my cuff link, something I do when I’m nervous. “It’s our first date, Miss Silver, and I’d like to remain a gentleman this evening so if you don’t mind, I’ll keep that answer to myself.”

“I’ve tried to talk myself out of wanting you. All those reasons I just mentioned play on a loop in my head but no matter how hard I try”—I lean in and place a soft kiss on her neck—“I can’t stop myself.” Her head lulls to one side, her fingers curling against my shirt. “I don’t want to stop myself anymore.” I run my tongue up the length of her neck, stopping only to kiss the same trail. I nip her earlobe. “I know you deserve better.” I suck her earlobe into my mouth, eliciting a small moan from her. “But I can’t stop and now that I’ve had you, Margot, now that I’ve tasted you, felt your body against mine, filled you so completely—there’s nothing that will stop me. Nothing will stop me from making you mine.”

I think about how we both lost a lot in life, and then it was like we were these two perfect puzzle pieces that came together and filled those empty spots for each other.”