Love All The Way

30| Belle of the ball

I open my eyes, and his own stare back, bright and electric. Somehow, I find the courage to be brave. "I want to be with you," I say, "and I don't mean occasional hook-ups in the elevator." I hold my breath. "I mean officially."

He swiftly moves closer, placing his hands on either side of my face until I'm staring right at him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I say, and I've never been so sure in my life.

From the look on his face, he won't let himself believe it. Resting his forehead on mine, he says, "Say it again for good measure."

I laugh and tighten my grip around his neck. "I, Kennedy James, would like you to be my boyfriend. I want to wake up to you every morning and race you to the coffee machine. I want to go to Disney World. Is that confirmation enough for you?"

He pulls back a little, just enough to look me in the eyes as his own burn like smoldering embers. "You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that."

In one quick move, he takes my waist and lifts me up before spinning me around. My arms drop to his shoulders, my heart exploding with a million butterflies the second his lips curve. And just as I smile, overwhelmed by the fullness residing in my chest, he kisses me. It's different this time, not like our first kiss or even like any other kiss in between. As his mouth finds mine, his fingers tightening in the material of my dress, he kisses me like it's our last.

I laugh as he sets me back on my feet, fighting and failing to keep the grin off my face. "Come on," I say, grabbing his hand, "let's see how good you are at dancing."

"Not very."

I lead him into the ballroom, which feels more like a fairytale now that I'm here with Milo. We swiftly take our position among other dancing couples. Across the room, Jess looks over from where she's dancing with her boyfriend and beams from ear to ear. I smile back, then turn to Milo as he takes me by the waist and draws me into his chest.

"Are you going to miss working with me?" I ask.

His eyebrow arches as he turns us around. "Who says we can't work together?"

"I quit, remember?"

"True," he says and holds me closer, "but you're going to need help setting up your own agency."

A rapid tingling spreads through my body. I lean my head on his chest and breathe him in, reveling in the familiar smell of vanilla and pinecone, a scent I will remember for the rest of my life. If I weren't certain I'm awake, I'd think this were all but a dream. "I'm a little scared," I admit. "Are you?"

He tenses slightly under my grip. "Kennedy, I'm terrified."

For some reason, I smile. Knowing I'm not alone in my feelings only makes this more real. It's not the love-at-first-sight, no-doubts kind of love, but that's never been our style. We started off as strangers, gunning for the same promotion; I wouldn't want it any other way.

We dance for a while, my head on his shoulder and his hands on my waist, the music bringing us closer. I'd gone so long without the feel of his touch that it's like I've been deprived. I hold him closer than humanly possible, able to feel every muscle and ridge through the crisp material of his shirt. As magical as it is to be here at a ball, I'm desperate to get him alone.

Brushing a thumb across his collar, I say, "Let's get out of here."

He presses his lips to my jaw. "Where are we going?"

I pause, and then, "We're going home."

He doesn't need convincing. Taking my hand, he leads me back into the foyer before pressing the button. When the doors slide open, I step forward, placing both hands on his chest, and push him back into the elevator.

"Back to where we started," I tease.

"Who would have thought?" He tugs me closer by my waist, eyes heavy as he takes in my face. A pause, and then, "I love you, Kennedy."

"Good," I say, "because I love you," and as the doors close, I realize my mother was right. I can't predict what's going to happen, whether Milo and I will make it in the long run or if we'll crash in a blaze of glory, but what I do know is if there's one thing in life that's worth risking it all for, it's love.

The rest, we'll figure out together.

A/N

Hey guys,

Love All The Way is officially complete! 🎉🎉🎉

Don't forget to comment a heart if you enjoyed reading, and please go back and vote if you haven't already. I might write an epilogue at some point, as I know some of you have already asked for one, but it probably won't be for a while. ❤️

P.S If you're looking for your next completed story, don't forget to check out: 

* Gaslight (Grab your physical copy online or in stores!)

*Right Hook

*The Coffee Pact

* Girl on Track

* Bottom Dollar

Thank you for reading, I love you all! 💕💕💕