Page 86 of My Promise To Keep

‘Leo,’ I say his name softly, and he turns his head a little, but not enough to make eye contact. I want this. I want him. I’ve never been more certain. ‘Baby.’ He turns his head fully now, and I see the surprise in his eyes. I haven’t called him that before. ‘I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,’ I hold out my hand, and he takes it, pulling me close to him. I step in front of him, my back to the railing, and let him pen me in with his arms. ‘I’m already too deep, Leo. Saying his name doesn’t change that. I’m here with you because you’re the person I want to be with.’ He dropshis forehead to rest against mine, and I reach my hand up to his cheek, pulling my head back to meet his gaze once more.

‘I’m sorry too, I’m tired and this…’

‘Baby steps.’

He smiles and nods. ‘Yeah, that’s one way to put it. I’ve never done any of this before. I feel like I’m blindfolded and holding out my hands to feel my way through it. I’m trying.’

‘I know.’

‘You still want to be with me?’

I nod, yes. ‘Of course I do.’

‘Okay,’ he leans in to kiss me, ‘let’s just give each other a little grace, okay? This is so new, and a lot of change for us both.’

Smiling, I push up on my toes to press my lips briefly to his.

I bring my hands to his forearms, tracing my fingers up over the tattooed skin there as his eyes flare, but I see the air of caution still there; he doesn’t trust me. That realization is sobering. I thought it was me who needed to trust that he wanted me, but he’s shown me that time and time again. He’s the one competing with a ghost.

My plan was to drop to my knees right here to say sorry to him, but this changes things. Taking his hand in mine, I dip under his arm and tug him back inside the apartment.

Once we reach the bedroom, I turn to him, pulling off my shirt and stepping close as I reach for the button on his jeans.

‘I need you to make love to me.’

‘Zo,’ he groans my name, reluctant to give in, and his vulnerability at this moment squeezes my heart.

‘I don’t know how to show you that you can trust me.’ I push up his shirt, and he takes over, pulling it off as I push my shorts over my hips and let them fall.

‘I do trust you.’

‘You don’t.’ I unclasp my bra. ‘I didn’t see that before. You don’t trust me to put you ahead of him, but I do. I will, always.’

I drop my bra, then reach out to unzip his jeans and push them down as I step forward, bringing our bare chests together and feeling the clench of desire that his skin on mine brings.

‘You loved him. I get that.’

‘I did.’ I admit, bringing my hands up to his neck. ‘But now I need to let him go.’ Leo closes his eyes for a moment, then pushes my panties down over my ass and lets them slide down my legs. I step out of them as I take a step back from him, still holding his hands but letting him decide what’s next. ‘You said you were giving me forever, and I want that, Leo. I want you.’

He swallows hard before gently pulling me close again, running his hands over my bare skin, stroking my hips, palming my ass as I feel him harden under his boxers and bring my fingers to the waistband.

‘Fresh start tomorrow.’ I nod, yes, gazing up at him as he looks down. ‘Making love right now.’ I nod again, hoping he sees everything in my eyes that I can’t say to him yet — you’re the one, Leo. You’re my forever. ‘You got it, munch.’

I’m yours

Zoe

My eyes flutter openreluctantly. I slept like the dead last night, and my body is stiff.

I run my fingers over the strong arm draped across my waist and feel it tighten, pulling me closer. He’s not fully awake. I know that because his breath is still slow and soft against my shoulder.

I have to pee, so I gently lift his arm to extract myself from his embrace, pulling on his t-shirt from the floor before heading tothe bathroom. It smells like him: his deodorant, his shower gel, his laundry detergent, and justhissmell. I lift the fabric to my nose, inhaling and feeling that twist low in my belly. He affects me, and now that I’ve let him in, I can’t understand how it took me so long to realize.

I go to the bathroom, wash my hands, brush my teeth, and fluff up my hair, then head back to the bedroom to see him pulling on his jeans.

‘Oh, hey.’

He glances at me, then at his shirt covering my body, before pulling on a clean one from his drawer and heading over toward me.

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