Page 15 of Guarding Fable

“Leo, I just told you I’m on the run from my mob bossfather, who tried to sell me off to another mob boss. To escape, my sister and I created fake identities and ran, which is illegal, and then I showed up in your district, and now you’re stuck with me.”

His lips quirk. “I heard it all. And I thank the sweet baby Jesus that he brought you here to me. First, because I can keep you safe.”

“Yeah?”

He nods, never taking his gaze from mine. “Second reason I’m happy is because I’m falling for you, Angel. I hate to think that I would never meet you. Because I would think the other half of me was missing the rest of my life.”

I blink, tears falling down my cheeks once again. “You don’t know me.”

“I do. I know the heart of you. You have a good soul, and you make me feel good when I’m around you.”

“Leo,” I whisper his name in reverence because I can’t believe that he sees me that way.

“It’s true.”

“How can you know that? How can you tell that I am a good person? Maybe I’ve got bad blood from my father.”

“What about your mother?”

Sorrow hits me again, and I can’t seem to stop crying. “She died before we moved upstate. Cancer.” It’s like losing her all over again as if it were just yesterday. Pain prickles my skin as I fight the sob that fights to escape.

He cups my face with his massive hands and smiles down at me. Love shines in his eyes, or maybe I’m imagining it. I’m so desperate, I will cling to him and think he cares for me.

“You’ve had a lot of loss in your short life. But I’ll make sure you have your happily ever after.”

He dips his head and brushes his mouth over mine. Just like every other time he’s kissed me, I feel it all the way down deep in my soul.

“I know you, Fable. Deep down, your soul speaks to mine. That’s all that matters in this world. Your soul. My soul.”

Adoration shines in his eyes, but I shake my head. “But—”

He stops me with his mouth. It’s as if he couldn’t wait to kiss me, to touch me. I’m unable to resist the pull. He makes me want to believe that everything will be all right and that I can walk away from that over life. His words, his actions, all it overwhelms me. I pull back as I blink, trying to control the tears. It’s no use. No other person other than my twin has ever shown me unconditional acceptance.

“Leo…” I say nothing else. I can’t. He seems to understand like he always does. He rises off the couch, keeping me snug in his arms. Another hard kiss, then he’s walking me back into the bedroom. He lays me on the bed and steps back. I grab him by the waistband of his jeans.

“Don’t leave me.”

Oh, god, I sound pathetic, but he doesn’t hesitate to answer.

“Never.” His gaze pierces into mine, telling me that this is more than just a line. This is a promise he will keep.

He tugs off his shirt and tosses it aside, and I can’t bite back a moan. The man is amazing, with sculpted pecs, a six-pack, and one of those vee’s that point down to his groin. I notice the scars—small indentations, which must have come from his time in the military. I slip my hands over his flesh. He’s always so warm.

“You will have to let me sculpt you. And draw you. And paint you.”

“Anything you want, Angel.”

“In the nude.”

He chuckles. “I said anything. Just, those naked things will not make the light of day.”

I look up at him, and he’s smiling at me.

“Sure.”

I go about exploring his body again, letting my fingers trail down his stomach. I still my hands the moment I notice the bulge behind his zipper. I lick my lips, and he groans. My gaze shoots up to his.

“You have no idea how close I am to coming right now.”

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