The Harbour...Chapter 24: Perfect Match
Nina sailed out of the door her head high.
Marco closed it quickly, and stood in front of it, afraid that Carolyn would try to bolt. They had a history of running away from each other when things got overwhelming.
She stood one hand around her waist, the other to her chin. Her face was flushed and her eyes were shining.
“Carolyn...” he croaked, taking a step toward her.
“Don’t leave.”
Her eyes met his. She cleared her throat. “You just walked away from a million dollar investment,” she said softly.
“I’d...I’d give away...everything I have to prove to you that you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with,” he said, his voice cracking.
She caught her breath and her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m torn between running away and kissing you,” she said, the colour rising in her cheeks.
His stomach flipped over. He swallowed deeply.
“I...I...think we should go with the latter,” he said, a flood of relief and passion coursing through his body.
She moved toward him and he slid his hands around her waist, lowering his mouth to hers.
Her warm lips parted against his. The kiss so intense, Marco felt light-headed.
But then she pulled away gently. They were both breathless.
She looked at him searchingly.
“The Others?” She asked.
He released her gently, but held her hands in his.
“Carolyn...I have...I had...friends...um...special friends.”
“Like Beverly Chu?” She asked with a crooked smile, letting her hands fall from his.
He knew their photos had been in the tabloids. He nodded. “And there were a couple of others. You know...friends...who...you know...I ‘got together’ with sometimes.”
“Friends with benefits?” She asked.
“Yes. Yes,” he said, relieved that she knew what he was trying to say.
She seemed to be waiting for him to continue.
“I called them. I called them this evening. I drove around town for a while and I called them.”
“All of them?” She said, a smile playing with the corners of her mouth.
“It wasn’t that many,” he said, feeling his own face flush.
Carolyn pressed her lips together.
“Carolyn. I called them, and I told them that I was in love with my soul mate and she loved me back, and I was going to marry her.”
She inhaled sharply.
“Y...you...had me so scared. Nina...the others...” she whispered
“Carolyn,” he said, his voice cracking. I’ve been captivated by you from the time you slid into the seat next to me on my first day at St. Teresa’s. I was from the other side of town and I didn’t know anyone, and Vinnie was in another homeroom...and then this girl with big, beautiful dark eyes and wild ebony hair, sat down next to me, and with the brightest, warmest smile said, “Hi. Garcia. Carolyn.”
Her eyes flooded with tears, but she was smiling.
“I was so in awe, I don’t even remember what I said.” His voice shook.
He reached to brush away a tear that was making its way down her cheek.
“I’m torn between apologizing to you and kissing you,” he said huskily.
“I think we should go with the latter,” she whispered, and before he could respond, she pressed herself against him, and wrapped her arms tightly around his back.
Their lips met urgently. She was trembling, her breathing heavy and Marco ached for her.
This time, she did not pull away.
He guided her to the sofa, where they fell, cushions getting tossed aside.
...And from there to the floor, coffee table pushed to one side, pieces of clothing strewn on the carpet.
Some time later they lay, legs entwined her fingers caressing his chest.
“We match,” she whispered.
He broke into a slow smile. “Mmmmmm...yes we do,” he murmured.
She looked up at him and laughed softly.
“Yes, we do. But what I meant, was...” she said, tracing her finger along his chin.
“...That’s what you said to me. In school that day after I introduced myself. You pointed at the beauty mark on my chin, and then touched yours, which is almost in the exact same spot...and that’s what you said. “We match.”