Meant to Be (The Saving Angels 1)

“I’m sorry you got so sick. I never imagined it would be like that if we were separated,” he said in my ear, making shivers of delight race up my spine as his breath tickled my ear.

He chuckled at my response. “Ahh, so you like that?” He said in a husky voice that could only be described as the sexiest thing ever.

I nuzzled my face into his neck; it felt so good to be in his arms again. I felt bad that we had hurt my mom by telling her the truth, but it was worth it for this. I could stay in his arms forever.

I sat up suddenly, just remembering something that I had been meaning to ask him. “What did you mean the other night when you said that the separation was also affecting you?”

He chuckled slightly, a little embarrassed. “Once our plane landed, and we were so far away from you, we would get these small bursts of rage. They weren’t directed at anyone, they would just come out of nowhere.”

“Shawn broke the door of our hotel room when it wouldn’t close right. He slammed it so hard that it split the wood down the door frame. I got mad for no reason and hit the rental car just before we left. It was hard to explain the dent to the rental company, but luckily I had bought the insurance for it. The rage didn’t fully leave me until I kissed you in your room. The separations are getting harder and harder. Shawn and I talked about it, and we don’t know why we could be separated all those years and not be affected. Yet now, we can’t seem to make it more than twenty-four hours without each other.”

I finally brought up what had been gnawing a hole through me over the past few days.

“The dreams have stopped,” I said quietly

“I know. I didn’t want to bring it up because I didn’t want to upset you, but I’ve had it on my mind also. For the first time in my life, I’m not dreaming about the Boardwalk at all.”

“Me either,” I said sadly as tears flooded my eyes, “I miss it already.”

Mark took my hand and lifted my chin so I could look in his eyes. He used his thumb to brush away a stray tear. “We may not have the dreams, but we have this,” he said as he leaned down and pressed the sweetest kiss on my lips. I felt a rush of heat flow through me and I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. For a moment, we were one. Our hearts took on the same rhythm and beat as one.

We broke apart when we heard a throat being cleared behind us. Flushing slightly, I turned to see my mom standing in the doorway.

“Oops! Sorry mom,” I said.

“I was wondering if you could help me in the kitchen,” she asked.

“Sure,” I said, exchanging a look with Mark, she obviously wanted to talk to me alone. I sure hoped that she hadn’t changed her mind about letting me see Mark.

I followed her though the swinging kitchen door. We stood there for a minute, awkwardly.

“Why don’t we sit at the table for minute?” She eventually said.

The silence stretched in front of us.

“Mom, just say it,” I said, getting antsy from the silence as I patted her hand.

She finally plunged in. “I know you have these strong feelings for him and he seems to share those feelings, but I hope you decide to take it slow before you go too…” she trailed off.

Oh no, she was giving me the sex talk. I didn’t know whether to laugh or bury my head in embarrassment.

“I know you know about sex, but I don’t know if you know how personal it is. How sacred it is the first time….”

“Mom, I know it’s special, we’re not going to rush into anything. We have been so busy trying to figure out our past, we haven’t even made it to second base yet.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Yet?” she asked.

I laughed. “Mom, I love him. Eventually, we’re going to make it to second base, or I hope we do,” I said, laughing again at the look on her face.

“I promise we will take it slow. Truthfully, I always imagined myself waiting for my wedding night. I know that sounds old fashioned, but I’ve always wanted to save it for that special day.”

Relieved, she reached over and hugged me. “That sounds like a great idea.”

“I’m sure it does,” I said wryly.

She chuckled. “I’m your mom. You can’t blame me for wanting you to wait.”

I laughed with her, more out of relief that she was finally accepting Mark. I suddenly felt lighthearted. I hugged her for good measure and headed back to the living room. I found Mark lounging on the couch reading one of my favorite books. He set the book aside when I came back in the room.