She shakes her head.“I didn’t want you to be even madder.But yeah, he came onto me.I shut it down, though.”
“Do you really think I threw a tantrum?”I tilt up her chin so she has to look me in the eyes.
Her gaze slides away.“A little?”
“Be honest, Leah.”
“Yeah, then.I do.”
My heart thuds heavily in my chest.“Were you afraid to tell me the truth?”
A nod.“I’m sorry.I forget, sometimes.”
“Forget what?”
She closes her eyes.“That you aren’t like my stepdad, or Mick.I couldn’t tell them what I felt or thought—it always came back to bite me.”
“There will be conflicts in our relationship.”I keep my voice low and steady.More than ever, she needs to know I’m calm and in control of my emotions.“We won’t always agree on things.We need to be able to communicate even when we’re upset.I promise, I’ll still respect you even when I disagree with you.”
“Okay.”She takes a deep breath and opens her eyes.The little spots of amber mesmerize me, like sunlight hit the blue sky of her irises and decided to remain there.“Let’s start over.Seth was flirting with me.I did not entertain his advances.And when you came and hugged me, it felt like you were only doing it for his benefit, not mine.”
“Thank you for being honest.”I lean forward and give her a quick kiss.It isn’t enough, though, so I pick her up and set her on the back of the couch.Now her face is level with mine.“For my part, I was insanely jealous.I know Colton wants you, and to see him pursuing you in my own club felt like even more of a slap in the face.I overreacted, I admit it, and I did put on a show of hugging you.I admit that, too, and I’m sorry.”
She stares at me in wonder.“You wereinsanelyjealous?”
“Yes.”I kiss her again, because those plump pink lips are irresistible.“Insanely, maddeningly, over-the-top jealous.”
Leah giggles and wraps her legs around me.“It’s not the best look, but…a sick part of me is kind of happy?Maybe because you like me enough to be jealous?”
“I can pretend to be more jealous, if you want.”I nuzzle her nose with mine.
“Nah, this was enough.Too bad you dragged me out of there before I could collect new ideas for us, though.”
“You didn’t see anything before Colton came up to creep on you?”
She bats her eyelashes, looking innocent and sassy all at once.“No, it was too early.If you hadn’t dragged me away like a caveman, maybe things would’ve gotten interesting.”
“How interesting?”
“Mmm.”She rolls her hips suggestively.The move rubs her cunt against my cock.“Probably not as interesting as the things we can do here.”
I breathe in deeply.I’m completely under her spell.Everything about this woman—is everything I want.Why do I keep waiting, putting off what I really need?My heart is already hers.Why not the rest of me?
“Gage?You okay?”
I exhale away the tension and nerves.Peace.Leah fills me with peace.“Yes.Let’s go to my bedroom.Are the condoms still in the nightstand?”
“Wait.”She pulls back, her eyes searching my face.“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want to make love to you, baby girl.This time, with my cock.”
Her soft hands touch my face.Just as soft is her voice as she says, “Yeah.The condoms are still there.”
I pick her up.She keeps her legs wrapped around my waist.Every few steps, I stop to kiss her, using her lips to allay my panic.This is fine, this is good.It’s progress.When we reach my room, I’m breathing heavily.
Leah squeezes my shoulder to get my attention.“Gage, we don’t have to?—”
“I want to.”I kiss her again.No more thinking.Only feeling what I can feel with my heart, my skin.“Do you still want to?”
