Tarnished Love by Bianca Borell
CHLOE
Weddings, they are something. It’s the love hanging in the air, the genuine happiness, the ambience, and whatever it is, it envelops you. Filip swings me around, and I laugh, happiness blooming inside of me. I love that he can’t seem to stop dancing with me while bragging about his dancing skills, forever my prick, but he’s good at it, and I love to be in his arms. When the song ends, Filip leaves me to dance with the girls.
“You forgave him?” Sarah asks.
“I love him.”
“He loves you too.”
I know he does and still, I ask, “Can you see it?”
“I have known them for years. I know what I am talking about.”
“It looks spectacular.” I say, gesturing around the pavilion.
“I thrive on giving my clients their best.” Her gaze slips to Alex and Soph, and she snaps her head away when she notices I’ve seen her.
“Bria and Damien, you and Filip, but them . . .”
“What about them?”
“Their hearts still belong to other people.” Then she steps away to chat with Bria. Damien approaches me, and I tip my head to the side, happiness blossoming inside me for my best friend.
“What’s the plan for the rest of your lives?”
Will this look ever disappear, the completely in love one?
“To make her happy, love her, cherish her.”
“I am sure she just needs you for that.”
“I have only ever been hers.”
“I know.”
“You and Filip, hmm?”
“I love him.”
“Good, but if he ever hurts you again . . .”
“You have zero trust in me,” Filip interlinks his hands around my waist, mumbling. I giggle, while Damien furrows his eyebrows at him.
“Think you can allow me to have my honeymoon without you two bickering?”
“We’ll see.” He smirks, while Damien shakes his head at him. But I love how their relationship changed into this, easy going with smiling faces whenever they see each other. Love, the world’s panacea.
***
Frenzy descends over us as we stumble through the doors and peel our clothes off. We land on the bed, his mouth never leaving mine. I want him with equal parts desperation, reckless abandon, unmatched desire, all enflamed by mutual need.
“I have to get inside of you, now, right now.” He thrusts himself inside of me, burying himself to the hilt, while my fingers burrow into his back, welcoming him.
When we descend from our peak, both panting, but grinning, serenity washes over me, a tiny voice whispering, you’re home. Something was amiss until now, this calmness, the comfort of not having to rush anything, trust in us, in the day that will come. He props on his elbow while his fingers trace down my belly, his touch electrifying me, and goose bumps erupt.
“I love you, Chloe.”
“I love you, Filip.”
In his arms I am at home, it’s indescribable to have someone to call my own.
