Chase POV
Jackie loved me. I kept thinking. I followed behind her while she sniffled "I uh paid off rent for that other place you were staying at and found a you a new place in the nicer part of town then where you were previously staying before and re-enrolled you in school. I had my father convince the principal to let you do most classes online and head back to the football team before he left."
I stuttered not really knowing what to say as we walked in the grass. "Is that where we are now?", I asked breaking my stuttering spell.
"Yeah", she spoke.
I stopped in my tracks, it was a beautiful condo. She looked at me with her red eyes "Are you okay?", she asked.
"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine, thank you."
I walked up to Jackie and grabbed her, holding her tightly. "Thank you".
I rubbed her arm and kissed her forehead, resting my chin on the top of her head. I looked into her sad eyes and kissed her forehead once more.
She looked at me slowly and narrowed her eyes. She pulled me close and kissed my lips . I pulled away and looked at her with concern. But then a thought crossed my head "He's moving on… maybe I should to…"
"I've played with your emotions enough, not intentionally … but I would feel like I was using you if I gave into…"
"How are you using me if I want you Chase?", she spoke quietly.
I sighed and walked ahead of her "Where am
I going?", I asked.
She sighed as well "244 Beaver Dam Circle"
—-
45 days later- Lior's POV
——
The sun dipped low on the horizon as Penelope waited in the car, her heart pounding with anticipation. Forty-five days had passed since Lior entered Rick's care, seeking clarity in the midst of their turbulent lives. As she spotted him walking towards her, a wave of relief and hope washed over her. The therapy had been taxing, yet she held onto the belief that it had brought them closer together."Lior!" Penelope greeted him with a bright smile as he slid into the passenger seat. His eyes met hers with a newfound intensity, a spark she hadn't seen in years."Hey," Lior murmured, his hand finding hers as if it belonged there. "I missed you."Penelope's heart skipped a beat at his touch. It had been a challenging journey, and seeing him like this, vulnerable and open, filled her with a mix of joy and uncertainty. "I missed you too," she replied softly, squeezing his hand gently.Driving through familiar streets, Lior couldn't contain his affection. Leaning over, he kissed Penelope passionately on the lips, igniting a rush of warmth between them. Flabbergasted by his sudden intensity, Penelope leaned back with wide eyes, her cheeks flushing with surprise."Lior," she breathed, her voice filled with astonishment and a hint of amusement. "What's gotten into you?"Lior chuckled softly, his gaze tender yet mischievous. "I just... missed you," he confessed, his voice tinged with sincerity. "And, well, I was thinking maybe we should get a hotel tonight."Penelope's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Oh?" she replied, her tone teasing yet genuinely touched. "And why's that?""I just want to be close to you," Lior said earnestly, his gaze locked onto hers. "And Rick suggested I stay a bit longer for additional sessions which obviously is why I was there for an extra 15 days ."Understanding washed over Penelope's features as she nodded thoughtfully. "It must have been tough," she murmured, reaching out to gently caress his cheek. "But you're home now.""Yeah," Lior agreed softly, his eyes reflecting gratitude and relief. "And having you there for some of those sessions... it meant everything to me."They shared a moment of quiet understanding as Penelope maneuvered the car towards their favorite hotel. Parking in front, Lior couldn't resist pulling her into another embrace, his kiss tender and filled with longing. Penelope melted into his arms, the weight of the past weeks lifting off her shoulders."You're so passionate today," Penelope teased gently, her eyes twinkling with affection as she pulled back slightly.Lior grinned, his hands still resting on her waist. "Can you blame me?" he replied softly, his voice laced with love. "You're my rock, Penelope."Penelope laughed softly, a sound of pure happiness that filled the evening air. "Come on," she said playfully, taking his hand. "Let's see if you can still carry me up two flights of stairs like you used to."Lior's eyes sparkled with amusement and determination as he effortlessly lifted her into his arms, their laughter mingling with the setting sun as they made their way into the hotel.
After checking in, Lior grabbed Penelope and lifted her over his shoulder, she giggled. He caused the hotel clerk to laugh. He ran up the stairs with Penelope "Sorry for the trouble!", she yelled to the hotel clerk. The hotel clerk laughed "A tip would cover it!", they yelled back at her.
He ran up two flights of stairs and used their swipe card to get in. He closed the door behind him with his leg and tossed the swop card on the counter. He threw her on the bed and took his shirt off "I still got it", he caught his breath.
Penelope laughed "Yeah… you still got it".
Lior gently climbed on top of her "I'll show you what else I still got", he put his finger in Penelope's mouth.
He aggressively pulled down her dress exposing her chest. She panted while he proceeded to lick her chest heading towards the middle of her left breast. Penelope's breath hitched as she felt Lior's warm tongue trace a path across her skin. Her hands instinctively reached for his hair, pulling him closer. "Lior..." she whispered, her voice a mix of anticipation and desire.Lior paused for a moment, looking up at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I love it when you say my name like that," he murmured, his lips brushing against her skin as he spoke.He continued his exploration, his hands sliding down her sides, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. Penelope's back arched, her body responding to his touch with an intensity that left her breathless.As Lior's kisses became more fervent. Lior's movements became more urgent, his hands and lips communicating a hunger that words could not. Penelope's breath quickened, each touch sending shivers down her spine.With a final, passionate kiss, Lior pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. "Are you ready?" he whispered, his voice thick with desire.Penelope nodded, her eyes gleaming with the same intensity. "Yes… yes I'm ready," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper and in haste.In a seamless motion, Lior lifted her slightly, positioning himself with practiced ease. Their bodies moved together, finding a rhythm that felt both new and achingly familiar. Every touch, every kiss, every shared breath built the tension between them until it reached a crescendo.As they finally let go, their surroundings blurred into insignificance, leaving only the raw, unfiltered connection between them. Their shared gasps and whispered names filled the room, echoing the passion that consumed them.In the aftermath, they lay entwined, their breathing gradually slowing. Lior brushed a strand of hair from Penelope's face, his touch now gentle and tender. "You're incredible," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.Penelope smiled, her eyes filled with contentment. "So are you," she replied, snuggling closer to him.They lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the afterglow of their reunion, knowing that this moment was just the beginning of their renewed connection. "I don't know how I survived when Rick made us sleep together for basically 8 days straight", she lay next to him rubbing his chest smiling. Lior looked dazed "Yeah, he wouldn't let me stop unless he saw I was genuine about you. I'm sorry if that was overkill".
She sat up partially "Nonsense, I agreed with it, and I do say the results are promising", she kissed Lior on the cheek.
"I'm going to check out the hot tub after my shower, would you like to join me?", Penelope asked.
"No, no, I think I'll try and rest, but enjoy yourself love".
"Okay, then, I love you"
"I love you too", he spoke .
He watched her close the door and head into the bathroom. In his dazed state he looked up at the ceiling without a thought and felt tears stream down his face without twitching a facial muscle. He kept wiping his face tear by tear but they wouldn't stop flowing "What is happening to me", he muttered distraught.