We kissed and I can tell that that's the beginning of the better things to come.
When we pull away, her eyes flutter open and her mouth twitches interestingly before she licks her lips, "What was that for again?" she asks with a raised brow.
I use my thumb to lightly brush off the strand of hair that falls on her face. "You know what," I reply, a knowing smirk coming onto my face and staying there.
She nods and begins to wiggle against my hold making me loosen it and back up a little. "Were you trying to prove something?" she demands, crossing her arms over her chest. "You have a reputation of bedding every female you've worked with over the last couple of years and you seriously think I'm getting into that category ever??!"
I sigh deeply, if there was anything I hated, it was people close to me following the rumour wagon because everyone is doing it. "I told you more times than once, not all rumours about me are true. Yes, I've slept with a few-"
"The nerve," she angrily hisses, cutting into my sentence.
Ignoring her, I continue. "Others are just rumours."
A part of me felt like I had to explain things to her because I don't want her seeing the way the rest of the world is, I want her to see me differently.
"What do you want, Rory?" she asks, cutting straight to the point.
"You," I reply with the most obvious truth.
She laughs and goodness it's would have been the best I've heard in ages if she wasn't mocking me with it.
"Seriously?! Me?" all of the emotions in her face vanishes and now she's wearing one of those her unreadable face. God, I hate when she does that. "'Cause I still remember you telling me you wanted nothing to do with what was in your words 'a shameless whore like me', or have you forgotten?"
I sigh in defeat and regret, she was right and my words four years ago and my actions have been my nightmare ever since. I regretted everything I did and no day went by these past years that I didn't wish I could take it all back, but the words had said and deed had been done and I had to live with it.
"I was jealous, foolish and insensitive." I admit, rubbing my head as my usual headache sets in, "I wasn't ready to see the truth even though it was right there in my face -"
"And now you think that kissing me would change a thing?" she demands, a challenge presented in her voice, "I'm not hungry for you as it is, I spent the last four years without you, what makes you so sure I can't do that for forever?"
She's right and damn she's tougher than the Taylor I use to know and drives a hard bargain. I remember back then I wouldn't even argue with her, I'd just kiss her into submission and I'd win the argument, but now that will not work. I'm so scared that if I try to do that she kicks me in the nuts and I'll lose my chances with her for good.
I know her break-up from Keenan just happened about a week ago and this may look too sudden, but I think there is a reason that after four years they still aren't able to make it work and as selfish as it sounds, I think it's a good reason.
I need to make her see sense in believing in us once again because that's the only way around this. Sex isn't going to do it, neither will silencing her protest do but talking and showing her the truth I know will.
"Because no one wants to be alone, Taylor." I pull closer and my hand lightly stroke the side of her face again and I lower my head. "I don't and I know that you don't either and it might be five years ago since we met, but I know the girl I fell for and I still believe she's in here somewhere." I place my hand on her chest again, where her heart is beating unsteadily.
She throws her face away in disgust and moves away from my touch, "You left that girl sad and sorrowful four years ago and when she needed you the most, you were not there. If she once loved you, she no longer does." she begins to walk away.
I watch her walk away, but I don't stop her physically, "Then let me prove to her that this is worth a second try," I walk up to her, "go out on a date with me."
She turns around, "I don't date anymore." she shakes her head and bites her lips.
I can't help smirking 'cause I don't either, "You don't have to," I say, tilting up her chin so I can stare into her eyes. "just let me be the one to date you." I kiss her again, taking her soft lips between mine and slowly I take her arms, and places them around my neck while I possessive wrap mine around her small waist. "Let me love you, Taylor Snowfall, let me bring back those four years we lost," I murmur against the crook of her neck, "let me kiss you all night, make love to you, and spend the rest of my days with you. Let me show you there is more to life than pain and heartbreaks. Let me make up for everything I have done."
Her lashes lift and she stares into my eyes with so much want and desire, "What is stopping you?"
Honestly, nothing is stopping me.
I smile widely and it's the first time in years that I'm smiling genuinely, I feel so much happiness that I do not know where to begin from, "I want to make this right," I take her hand in mine and we walk into the office together. "Is dinner okay with you?"
She nods, a little smile appearing on her face and my day seems to brighten up even more. "I can't leave Reign though."
"Bring her along," I suggest, not wanting to put the little girl in a corner because I'm now dating her mother; if anything, I'd like to get to know her better.
"No, no you come over for dinner at my place," she suggests instead. "Keenan hasn't visited since he officially moved out a week ago. Reign misses him and I can't take her out and slam her to a new environment and a new man. I'll introduce you as a friend."
If there's any moment I want to tell her I love her, this is it, but I just stop myself, there'll be plenty of time to tell her that in the future.
She walks to my desk and picks up the files she'd walk in with earlier, "I brought these document from the branch in China they need to have your signature to ascertain that you're going along with the new business plan." she brings it to me. "You can take it home for review, but I'll need it by tomorrow morning."
"Have you reviewed it?" I ask with a raise of my brow.
She nods, "Yes, I have."
"Do you think that this will work?"
Again she nods, "Yes I do."
I pick up my pen from the desk and collect the document from her. "Then I trust you. Show me where to sign."
Her eyes narrow at me, but I just smile, she's smart and business-minded and so if she's okay with this plan and finds it a good deal who am I to have second doubt?