Page 78 of Time To Live Again

“I wish. I told my uncle Bruce how my trip went and about you. He wants to meet you, so I asked him to come for dinner with Mom. I really want you to meet him. He helped me escape on my birthday.”

“That’s fine. Sounds good, actually. You’ve already met my family. Now it’s my turn. Bring on the interrogations.” I shake out my arms.

“I wish I could say there won’t be any.”

I notice her tense profile. “I don’t have anything to hide, and nothing they say or do will scare me away.”

“Good. I’m counting on that.”

She asks about my family and little Smokey. I confess it was a hard goodbye. I hugged Mom the longest, thanking her for everything and for being supportive through my toughest times. It’s not like I won’t be going back. However, I think life will be very different when I return home.

The thought of living out of my suitcase for the next six weeks fills me with dread. I know I shouldn’t complain—I’ll be staying in five-star hotels, living like a king, surrounded by luxurious rooms, spas, and starred restaurants. But I’d rather be taking this trip with Olive. Exploring cities with her, showing her new places, and spoiling her with luxury would be amazing.The time will come. Patience.

The clicking of her turn signal grabs my attention.

“Here we are. It’s not as beautiful as the hotel, but it’s my home for now.”

For now.That thrills me, knowing she doesn’t plan to be here forever.

“Wherever you are is where I want to be. You’re gonna have to pull me off you like a banana peel.Eww.” I cringe. “That was really bad.”

She crinkles her nose. “Kind of. But I know what you mean. I guess we have to do everything together, down to taking showers.”

“I like the sound of that. Can we please go inside before I devour you in the parking lot?” That has her jumping out of the car like her ass is on fire.

Her apartment building is pretty standard. It could use a fresh coat of paint, but the grounds are well maintained. Reality hits me. I’m going to see how she lives. What if she’s a messy person or a hoarder? What if she only has Twinkies in her refrigerator or stashes of canned kidney beans in the kitchen cabinets? Or has a collection of freaky porcelain dolls?

Chill the fuck out, Leo.

She’s standing next to me, looking puzzled. “Does it look that bad?”

I dangle my arm over her shoulders. “Not at all. I’m trying to picture you living here. We aren’t at the hotel anymore. This is real life now. I can’t wait to see what makes you tick.” I kiss her temple.

She pops the trunk, and we grab my stuff. Before I know it, we’re in her living room. I scan the layout to see if anything looks different from the virtual tour she gave me the other day. With the sun shining through the windows, it feels warmer and more welcoming. Other than that, it looks the same. It’s a spacious open-concept apartment. The kitchen, on the right, has a table and four chairs. A vase full of flowers on the counter adds color to the room. There’s minimal clutter and not a doll in sight. The hallway on the left leads to the most important room. Her bedroom.

I put my things to the side and we take off our coats. Olive turns, and the atmosphere shifts. The need to touch her overwhelms me. I pull her into my arms.

“Show me your bedroom,” I growl.

Her eyes glaze over with need. “Follow me.”

Then she runs away, shaking her ass seductively, and I chase her like I always will.

34

LEO

Ihold up a hand mirror, trying to see my reflection in the bathroom mirror behind me. The scratch marks on my back are blazing red. “Look at those babies,” I say proudly.

Olive extends her hand to touch them, then hesitates. “Do they hurt?”

I check them out again. “A little bit. Don’t worry about it.”

She urges me to the side, then opens the cabinet under the sink and pulls out a plastic container overflowing with bandages, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls… You name it, it’s in there. She sifts through and takes out a tube of Neosporin. “Let me put this on you.”

I lay the mirror on the bathroom counter and talk to her reflection. “Olive, I’m fine. And why are you sorry? I loved it. You staking your claim on me, woman?”

“It’s just… I’ve never done that before.” She nibbles on the inside of her cheek, her face flushed. Her bashfulness is endearing. “I’ve only read about stuff like that in romance books. I didn’t think it really happens.”

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