CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
MARCUS
When Marcus slunk back his hotel room, he didn’t bother to turn on the light.
What had he done?
He had driven Katy away. It was exactly what he’d wanted to do from the very start. She also said they needed to keep their distance. Yet…
He owed Katy an apology.
He needed to make this right.
Lord, I don’t know how.
In the darkness, he moved to the bed, sat, burying his face in his hands.
Two words. Two stupid words, and he couldn’t be man enough to own up to his mistake. He had been an imbecile.
Tomorrow. He would go to her tomorrow. Before their 2:30 a.m. departure for the ruins of Tikal.
Go to her now, came His answer from above.
Marcus glanced at the clock and grimaced. He must have been sitting there for a long time. It was almost midnight.
She would be asleep and wouldn’t even want to talk to him.
Go to her now.
He walked out of his room and pulled the door shut quietly after him. With steady steps, he walked the length of the hall to her door and then faltered.
He said a silent prayer. What should I say?
I’m sorry would be a good start.
Taking a deep breath, he crossed the hall and knocked on her door. When Katy didn’t answer, he stepped back and prepared to leave.
The door cracked open. Her face, swollen with tears, looked out at him.
Sweet, sweet Katy.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
She closed her eyes and hid her face partially behind the door.
“You hurt me,” she whispered. “Deeply.”
“I know.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry too…because I don’t have it in me right now to forgive you.”
He leaned his cheek against the door frame. “I understand.”
“I’m a fairly patient person, Marcus, but I realized tonight that I am no saint.”
He nodded, afraid to interrupt.
But that was all she said.
He murmured, “I just wanted you to know how very, very sorry I am and how I wish I could take back what happened.”
She hid her face further.
“I wanted to drive you back with my kiss. To scare you. And then the kiss…changed. I wanted you with every fiber of my being. I scared someone all right. Myself. And then I lashed out.”
Seconds ticked past. A minute. More.
Then she spoke. “I understand, because I…I felt it too. But you can’t keep running away, Marcus. Sometime soon, you’ll have to face your demons. Stay to fight. With me, or someone else.”
“I know.” His voice came out hoarse.
“Thanks for apologizing.”
“You are welcome.”
“Good night, Marcus.”
After she shut the door, he touched the surface and closed his eyes, pain twisting his gut.
He whispered, “Good night, Katy.”