Page 31 of Fierce Secrets

His grunts and deep strokes finally broke me, and I shuddered, a cry spilling from my lips as I came hard. His free hand latched over my mouth instantly, muffling my cries as he buried himself inside me. I dug my nails into him, riding theblissful waves as he groaned and shuddered, his cock pulsing inside me as he filled me with his hot release. His grip on my throat gentled, and he rested his forehead against mine once his hand fell from my mouth, both of us struggling to catch our breath.

"That's right, baby. Next time, I want you screaming my name," he rasped, and I swallowed at the thought.

Next time.

I blinked, my head still spinning as I came down from my blissful high, my body tingling all over.

Holy fuck. I'd just fucked my brother's best friend.

He withdrew from me slowly, and I couldn't help letting out a soft whimper at the loss of him.

"Mer…" His voice was low, and a faint, genuine smile touched his lips as he stared at me. My heart tightened, and I wondered if he was going to say something. Instead, he reached for a washcloth, wetting it before gently cleaning me up, then wiping himself down.

After he'd cleaned us both up, he guided me to the shower, his hands gentle as he helped me under the warm spray. He washed my hair with careful attention, his strong fingers massaging my scalp in a way that made me melt against him. The intimacy of the moment was different from our passionate encounter – softer, more tender.

It was just like how he'd helped me through my panic attack the previous night, a whole other side of him I doubted many saw or even knew existed.

This was a Leo I didn't recognize, but one I certainly enjoyed.

Not a word was spoken.

His lips brushed my shoulders as he ran the washcloth over my skin, washing away the evidence of our lovemaking. Every touch felt like a blissful sin, every kiss like a confession neither of us was ready to voice.

We'd done something, something I couldn't have seen coming, and it was going to change everything.

What did this mean?

When he finally turned off the water, he wrapped me in a plush robe from under the sink. "I'll make sure you have fresh clothes by morning," he murmured, finally breaking the silence between us, his fingers trailing down my arm.

He watched me now, staring down at me with a strange look, something both tender yet torn. I knew that there was no going back for either of us. I'd wanted him, and he'd wanted me, and now we'd have to face whatever became of this.

But what was going to happen now?

I pursed my lips, contemplating what to say, but no sentences formed in my mind.

What could I even say? It wasn't like we could be together, like this could mean anything. We'd both have to just write it off, maybe even never speak of it again, but that thought made my chest tighten as well.

For some reason, I didn't want that, even though it made the most sense.

He sighed and shook his head, looking weary and drained for a moment before he gave me a faint smile. It was so sweet, so real, that it made all my thoughts falter.

This was the most genuine smile I’d seen from him ever, and my heart jumped at the sight. Then he was turning and guiding me from the bathroom without another word shared between us.

He led me to the empty bedroom, his hand warm against the small of my back.

My mind was a mess, thoughts colliding as he led me to the bed. Exhaustion was creeping in, all the emotions, confusions, and worry finally catching up to me. He pulled the blanket back for me, as if he was going to tuck me in, and I smiled softly.

"Goodnight, Meredith," he said quietly as I sat down and slid my legs under the blanket. I caught his arm as he turned to leave, my chest fluttering.

"Stay with me?" The words were soft, vulnerable in the darkness.

I didn't want to be alone, not tonight. Not after everything.

Leo studied me for a long moment, his face shadowed, only the glow of the city outside the window illuminating the room. He sighed before he climbed into bed beside me, pulling me against his chest. His fingers found their way into my damp hair, stroking gently as I curled into his warmth.

I had no idea why he was acting like this, why everything had suddenly changed. But I liked it.

I fell asleep to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, his soft breaths against my hair, and the knowledge that everything had changed between us. For better or worse, there was no going back now.

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