“Yes. I felt it from the moment I first laid eyes on you.”
“The moment you first laid eyes on me, I was a married woman.”
“And I was respectful,” he said. “I waited. And when we did start dating, I knew you weren’t in a good place. I sensed you were skittish, hurt, and not ready for anything too deep or too fast. I kept my distance, and let you find your way to me. And then, you did. And I was so happy.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to. We both knew what had happened next.
And, for the first time, I let his mistake go...and I forgave him. Maybe not completely, but enough to move on.
“So, what do we do now?” I asked.
And for an answer, the front door swung open, and Kingsley stared down at me from high above, his shaggy hair almost covering his face entirely. He was still holding his phone to his ear.
“Stay with me,” he said. “Tonight. One night is all I ask.”
He reached down, and I looked long and hard at his thick paw...then took his hand. He lifted me to my feet effortlessly...and pulled me into his arms. I went willingly enough.
“One night,” I said, lifting my face.
“One night is all I need,” he said, lowering his face to mine, and he kissed me harder than he’d ever kissed me before.
And he kissed me like that all night long...and well into morning.
The End