Page 16 of Falling Fast
“Oh, beautiful. Don’t wallow, please. Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Marcus,” I breathe, and my heart speeds up again. I take the phone out onto the porch and climb back under my blanket.
“I miss you.”
I hear his sigh of regret through the phone.
“Ella, I miss you, too. So much. Which is insane, since I just saw you a couple of hours ago. But I do, baby. I’m so sorry I had to leave like that, but shit hit the fan over here with one of my other investments and I need to fix things.”
I settle into my chair and cup my hot tea in my hands. Hearing his voice is calming me already, but also making me miss him fiercely.
“I understand. I hate it, but I understand. I just wish we had more time together.”
“Me too. Trust me, heads are gonna roll for this. I was meant to be on the island until at least tomorrow night. There’s so much I want to say to you…” his voice trails off, but I can read between the lines.
“I know. Me too.”
“Ella, I lo…”
“No,” I interrupt. “Don’t say it on the phone, please. If you’re going to say what I hope you’re going to say, I need you in front of me when you do. Wait until you come back to me. Because if I can’t kiss you, I’ll go crazy.”
He lets out a huff, but doesn’t finish those three words.
“Okay. But just because I’m not saying it doesn’t mean I don’t feel it. Trust me on that.”
I smile, even though he can’t see me. Already I can feel my sadness leaving. This man is crazy about me and I’ll be darned if we let a little distance tear apart what we’ve started to build.
Chapter nine
Marcus
It’s been two days since I stole away from Ella in the early morning. Two days of jacking off to memories of her in the shower, texting her all day, and video calls whenever possible. Two days of mounting stress at work as I bust my ass to help one of the companies I’m invested in to figure out a massive security breach. Thank fuck for my connections, because we’re able to stem the leak before they obtain anything too sensitive, but now we’re dealing with scared shareholders and plummeting stock. Not ideal conditions for my return on investment.
All I want is to finish shit up here and get back to the island. I need to see Ella, to feel her in my arms, and to tell her how much I love her. Two days with her was not enough; forever will not be enough. I need an eternity with that woman, worshiping and loving her.
What really surprises me after being back on the mainland is how much I miss the peace and quiet of the island. The noise and fast pace never used to bother me, but Ella has opened my eyes to more than just love. I see how slowing down and enjoying life can make it worth living to the fullest. I miss the friendliness of Wharf Street; fuck, I even miss that damn salmon burger. But most of all, I miss her.
So, when I’m not working, or talking to Ella, I’m putting plans in place that will change everything about the way I live my life and conduct my business. I just hope Ella is open to it all, because without her, life means nothing. I meet with Robert and tell him my honest opinion – that what he wants to create will not work on the island. He surprises me by accepting my opinion, and even confides in me that he had his doubts about Westmount being the right location for his community. We agree to stay in touch as he goes back on the hunt for a different property. Meanwhile, I’ve got my own ideas brewing. Ideas that could revitalize Westmount Island in the best possible way. But I’ll need an expert, a local islander who is passionate about their home to help me. Good thing I’ve fallen in love with someone who fits that description perfectly.
On our next video call, Ella is full of excitement about the upcoming school year. She really loves her job and it shows.
“It’s just going to be such a small class, only fifteen this year. Every year my class gets smaller and smaller, but that means I can do some different projects with them, I suppose.”
She’s been telling me about her plans for her class the last few minutes, and I’m just enjoying the melodic sound of her voice.
“…back before school starts?” There’s a hesitancy in her voice and I realize I’ve missed the first part of what she said. It doesn’t take a genius to guess what she’s asking, however, and I wince at the fact that I don’t have an answer for her. She must see that on my face, because her pretty face falls.
“I wish I knew, beautiful. Things are still pretty shaky over here. I’ve got meetings the next couple of days, then after that we’ll see. I hope I can get back to you soon. It’s killing me not being able to touch you.”
Ella sighs, and the look on her face kills me.
“Me too. Do you ever…” She stops and fidgets with her hands. Suddenly I’m really fucking nervous.
“Do I ever what, baby?”
Her eyes drop down to her lap, then back to me, and even through the screen I can see tears shining in them. Damn it, I wish I was there.
“Ella, talk to me. Please don’t cry,” I beg.
