Page 91 of Finding Kenna
Both Robert and Alfonso laughed.
“Here you go,” Alfonso said, handing over the groceries.
Kenna thanked him, took a deep breath, and headed for the elevators. She supposed she should’ve texted Marshall to let him know she was there, but it was too late now…and her hands were full.
She did her best not to throw up from nerves as the elevator rose to the top floor. She walked much quicker than usual down the hall toward his door. Before she could put down the bags in one hand to knock, the door opened.
She almost didn’t recognize Marshall. His face was covered with a fairly substantial beard and his hair had gotten longer.
“Get in here,” he growled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him before stepping back.
The second she got close, Kenna recognized his smell, the one that had finally dissipated from his pillows. She’d been so upset the night she realized she couldn’t smell him on his sheets anymore.
Kenna dropped the bags, not caring if she smooshed the chips, and clung to Marshall. She heard him shut the door behind them, then he had one hand around her back as the other snaked under her ponytail, where he gripped her nape.
Sighing in contentment, Kenna buried her nose in the side of his neck and held on to him as tightly as she could. His beard tickled her face, but it was much softer than she would’ve expected. His hold on her was just as tight and desperate. Being with him, seeing with her own two eyes that he was safe and unharmed, holding him…it was all too much.
Once more, to her chagrin, Kenna burst into tears.
Marshall didn’t let go. He held her even tighter and did his best to comfort her.
“I’m okay,” he said, knowing exactly why she was overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m here. It’s so good to see you, hold you. You smell just like I remembered. I never thought coconut could be so comforting. Damn, I missed you.”
How long they stood in his foyer holding onto each other, Kenna had no idea. All she knew was that she could finally relax. She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been for the last month and a half, until right this second.
Eventually, she took a deep breath and pulled back a fraction. He didn’t let go of her.
“Hi,” she said. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Same,” he replied. “You look so damn good…so beautiful. I can’t even begin to tell you.”
Kenna smiled. She hadn’t done anything special to her hair or even put on makeup, other than what she was already wearing to go to work. She loved how generous Marshall was with his compliments.
She reached up to touch his face, then hesitated. “Can I?”
He took her hand in his and pressed it to his cheek. “You can touch me anytime you want.”
Smiling, Kenna ran her hand over his face.
“What do you think? Should I keep it?” Marshall asked.
Kenna shrugged. “It’s different. I’m definitely not used to seeing you like this. But I don’t have enough information to decide if you should keep it or shave it off.”
He looked confused. “Information?”
Kenna did her best to keep a straight face. “Yeah, I mean, I guess I’ve have to see how it feels when you kiss me.”
“Yeah?” Marshall growled.
Kenna didn’t even have time to respond before his head lowered and his lips were on hers.
It was like coming home.
She’d needed this. Neither was hesitant, they kissed as if they hadn’t seen each other in years, rather than six weeks. By the time Marshall pulled back, they were both breathing as if they’d just run a mile.
“So?” he asked with a crooked grin.
Kenna reached up once more and ran her fingers through his beard. It was that long. “Are you gonna be upset if I tell you I like kissing you better when you’re clean-shaven?” she asked.
