Passion's Crossfire

Chapter 34

Adam

The roar of my motorcycle engine echoes through the quiet streets as I pull into the parking lot. The night air is cool, and my anticipation grows with every step toward the apartment. I've got something special for Mallory, a surprise that I hope will bring a smile to her face.

"Hey, Mallory!" I call out as I step inside, expecting her cheerful reply. But there's only silence. Mallory is not home. Maybe she's still out with Kylie, I think to myself, trying to shake off the slight disappointment.

I head towards the bedroom to change into something more comfortable. As I walk in, my eyes catch on Mallory's duffle bag sitting on the bed. It's full, and a sinking feeling grips my chest. A wave of confusion washes over me as I look around, realizing that she has gathered her things. Is she leaving? My mind races with questions, and a knot tightens in my stomach.

I choose some comfy clothes—a worn-in T-shirt and a pair of shorts—and quickly change, my mind still preoccupied with the unexpected sight of Mallory's packed bag. Despite my attempts to stay calm, the uncertainty lingers as I leave the bedroom. I glance back at the duffle bag, silently praying it's a false alarm.

I move to the living room, when I hear the door open, and there she is — Mallory, her radiant smile lighting up the room. Any worries dissipate as I'm drawn to her, like a magnet seeking its counterpart. I wrap her in my arms, inhaling her familiar scent — a mixture of her favorite perfume and the warmth that is uniquely her.

"Missed you," she says, her voice a sweet melody.

"Missed you too," I reply, my words a whisper against her hair.

Her cerulean-blue eyes meet mine, and I find myself captivated by the beauty in her gaze. Blonde waves frame her face, and in this moment, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have her in my life. The worries that had gripped me earlier vanish as I lean in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Time seems to stand still, and in that moment, there is only Mallory and me, lost in the blissful embrace.

When we finally break the kiss, we're left breathless, and Mallory looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Is everything okay?" she asks.

The words linger on my tongue as I glance towards the bedroom, where her duffle bag remains. I take a deep breath, steadying myself before explaining. "I noticed your bag in the bedroom. Are you leaving?"

Mallory's posture stiffens slightly, "I just thought, now that exams are over, I should probably head back to my place. I didn't want to overstay my welcome."

Relief washes over me, and I quickly assure her, "You don't have to leave, Mallory. In fact, I want you to stay. I really do. You're not overstaying anything."

A genuine smile lights up her face, and the tension in the room dissipates. "Really?"

I nod, my sincerity mirrored in my gaze. "Absolutely. I love having you here, Mallory."

Her eyes soften, gratitude evident in her expression. "I love being here with you, Adam."

"You really freaked me out there for a moment," I admit, chuckling along with her.

She leans back, looking up at me with a playful glint in her blue eyes. "Oops, my bad. I didn't mean to give you a scare. Maybe I should've talked to you before gathering all my things and leaving the bag on the bed."

I smile, finding her apology endearing. "Yeah, a little heads-up would've been nice." I lean down ad press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Now, guess what?"

She eyes me suspiciously, playing along. "Hmm, you found a stray puppy and brought it home?"

I chuckle. "Nice try, but no. Give it another shot."

I pull away, a grin stretching across my face, enjoying the suspense. However, before she can respond, her phone rings, disrupting the playful banter. She retrieves it from her purse, glancing at the screen. "It's my dad," she says, signaling that she needs to take the call.

"Go ahead, answer it," I encourage with a reassuring smile.

I remain in the living room, eavesdropping on her side of the conversation. Her voice is animated as she shares the news of her successful exams, and my smile widens with each positive word. When she mentions that I'm taking good care of her, a warm satisfaction blooms within me.

Suddenly, her expression shifts, and she gestures toward the bedroom. I watch as she retreats, curiosity gnawing at me. I patiently wait in the living room, wondering what could be happening behind the closed door.

After a few minutes, Mallory emerges, a smile playing on her lips. The intrigue lingers in my eyes as she rejoins me in the living room.

"So," she says, her gaze filled with playful anticipation, "What was it you wanted me to guess?"

"Is there something wrong?" I ask, my voice gentle and concerned.

Mallory looks up at me, her eyes briefly flickering with a mix of emotions. "No, everything's okay," she reassures me.

"You seemed upset earlier," I note, my concern deepening.

She lets out a scoff, dismissing it with a wave of her hand. "Just some family drama. Don't worry about it. So, what is it you wanted me to guess?"

I raise an eyebrow, sensing there's more to it, but I decide not to press further. If she wants to share, she will. Instead, I shift the focus, eager to unveil the surprise I've been holding onto. I smile and reach into the pocket of my jacket, retrieving a small envelope.

"Well, I hope you don't mind, but I've planned a trip for us."

Her eyes widen in surprise, and I present the envelope to her. "Here, open it."

Mallory takes the envelope, curiosity gleaming in her cerulean eyes. As she unfolds the contents, her eyes scan over the details of the trip—a destination, dates, and an itinerary.

"You planned a trip?" she asks, her voice a mix of excitement and disbelief.

I nod, a grin spreading across my face. "Yeah, I thought it would be a nice way for us to kick off the summer. What do you think?"