Page 49 of Time To Live Again

Olive cuddles up to my side and rests her head on my chest, clutching the front of my shirt.

“Want to get out of here?” I ask, rubbing my nose gently behind her ear.

She nods and whispers, “Yes.”

I turn to Tonya and Sully and mention leaving. We all came separately, but they’re ready to go too. Together, we weave through the tables toward the exit, and that’s when I see her.

Mom’s standing at the end of the bar with Thorsten’s arm around her, and her eyes are fixed on me. She came. Will Thorsten finally make a move on her? He’s been in love with her for years. Of course, that’s a whole other story.

I release Olive’s hand, then stride to Mom and embrace her. We don’t need words. I’ve finally achieved what she hoped I would—I’ve found my voice again. She was my greatest supporter when I sang and danced. It broke her heart when I stopped. Tonight, Mom caught a glimpse of the old me. I’m not that person anymore, though. I’m more, I think.

Hell, I’ll be honest. I have no clue who I am right now, but this is the best I’ve felt in a long, long time. I feel alive again.

As we part, her watery eyes shimmer with happiness. “I love you, Leo. Welcome back.”

I kiss her cheek. “Love you too, Ma. Thanks for being patient.”

She smiles at Olive, who’s waiting several feet away from us. Then she looks back at me and grins. “Take the rest of the week off,” she says.

I lean back, ready to say no, but she lifts her finger, then shakes her head. I salute her and acknowledge Thorsten. She giggles because it’s been a habit of mine to salute her when she wins a dispute. Tonight, she’s won in more ways than one.

I give Mom a last, quick hug and stride over to Olive. She looks confused. I can understand why. “I bet you’re wondering what’s going on, huh?”

“Ya think?”

I peck her lips. “Let’s go home. I’ll answer any questions you have.”

I’m ready to tell my story.

20

LEO

We take Tonya home, since we have to get Olive’s stuff from their girls’ day out anyway. I’m not sure what to expect from my sister right now. My entire family’s been urging me to move on since Corey’s death. Tonya’s got to have something to say, but so far she’s been holding it together. Sully affectionately smacked me on the back before heading to his car, but didn’t say anything. With him, actions speak louder than words.

While Olive gathers her things, Tonya gives me a big hug. “I’m really proud of you,” she whispers. “And fucking jealous too. I want a guy to kiss me like that again.”

I pull back. “Again?”

She shakes her head. “What? Did I say that? Ignore me.”Okay.

“Don’t worry. It’ll happen,” I assure her, not wanting to get into it. I love my sister, but my mind is somewhere else.

She releases a deep sigh of doubt. “Maybe. Someday.” Olive walks into the room then, and Tonya smacks my arm and pushes me toward the door. “Anyway…this was a great night. You two go have fun.”

We’re quiet on the drive to the hotel. The sexual tension and pulsing electricity between us is so thick not even a Katana sword could slice through it. My heartbeat pounds in my ears like an amplified drum. If we aren’t on the same page right now, my rock-hard dick will shrivel up and fall off.

Once we reach her door, she retrieves her card and waits for what feels like an eternity. Is it intentional?I will not pounce. I will not look desperate. Finally, she opens the door, enters, and switches on the light. She doesn’t glance back as I close and lock the door. The only movement is when she drops the bags and her purse to the floor beside her. She then removes her jacket and tosses it onto the bags. I follow suit.

My chest heaves as I await her next move, like a lion stalking his prey. Olive saunters to the bedroom, then turns around at the door, bracing her hands on the frame. Her glimmering eyes capture mine. She lures me with a smoldering grin, beckoning me with the curl of her index finger. She’s the most desirable woman I’ve ever met.

Without a word, I close the gap between us. As I approach, she steps back with a smirk. Such a tease, and I love it. Then the air shifts. We move simultaneously, barriers crumbling. Our mouths hunger for each other, ablaze with fire and passion.

Kissing her reignites me, erasing all my doubts and fears.

“Please tell me this isn’t a dream,” she says, gasping for air. I trail open-mouth kisses down her silken neck. “Do you feel it too?”

I don’t have to ask what she means. “Every cell in my body. I want you. All of you. Let me...”

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