Page 66 of Loving Leo

I don’t know if I want to tell him to stop immediately or to just let him do it. I don’t really want that.

“Anything else I can do while I’m here?” Heath asks and my mom turns her gaze to the kitchen and sighs.

“You didn’t need to do this. I was planning on doing it later.”

“I’m happy to have helped.”

“Well, thank you. That is so kind.”

“Anytime, Ms. James.”

“Oh please, call me Charlotte.”

“Okay.”

“Well, you two. I’m pooped. I’m going to head to bed. Work tomorrow.”

“Mom…”

But she cuts me off, looking slightly embarrassed. “Please, not now love.”

I sigh and lean back in the chair as she squeezes Heath’s hand inthanks and then disappears into her bedroom. I stare after her and so does Heath.

“I could offer her a job.”

“Stop it right now,” I murmur and he winces.

“Was that overstepping?”

“No, it would have been if you’d offered my mom a job. I honestly don’t know if she’s qualified for anything at your office. And she hates charity.”

“I know, but she needs health insurance and a decent wage.”

“It’s too late. She already took an ambulance ride, plus all the other hospital bills. We’ll figure it out. I’ve navigated the health care billing system before. I can get it down to a mostly manageable amount. I think.”

Heath’s hand falls on the back of my neck and squeezes gently. I can tell he wants to argue with me, but thankfully he only asks, “Want me to take you home?”

“Yeah, I think I’d like that. Plus, then I can leave my car here for my mom to use.” I’m suddenly exhausted and want nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms.

He drives me back to my apartment and I want to ask him to come inside. I probably shouldn’t, I’m not even really in the mood for anything sexual—which I mean, that may be the first time ever in my life that’s happened. But I’m overwhelmed with everything and life is just kicking my ass constantly.

I was starting to get ahead. I was so excited to have an extra hundred dollars this month to try to slip into my mom’s purse. And then boom! Some asshole had to run a red light.

She’s hurt and she’s still going into work tomorrow and I can’t stop her.

“Hey.” His voice is a deep, soft rumble and I jump slightly because I forgot he was there for a moment. “I’ll come in.” He answers the question I didn’t even have to ask, and I offer him a sad little depressing smile that I know he isn’t buying.

We go inside and my entire body just feels numb. He follows meinto my bedroom where I don’t even bother flicking on the light. I should probably blow him. He came all this way and he was so kind. And it’s not like it would be a hardship. I love his body.

I love sending him over the edge, such a big, powerful man going weak in the knees for little ole me.

He walks over to my bed and I’m certain he’s going to command me to strip or kiss me or do something, leading towards sex, but instead he just peels back the covers on my bed and motions for me to come to him.

He removes his shoes and suit jacket, leaving that on the edge of the bed, but he doesn’t kiss me when I walk over to him or say anything. He just sits down on my bed and pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me, his hand resting against my belly.

I take the moment, letting the weight of the world fall from my shoulders, running my fingers through his soft hair.

“Lay down with me.” His voice is so soothing, comforting. I nod even though he’s not looking at me and I kick off my shoes before we crawl under the covers together, my head resting on his chest.

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