Page 21 of Loving Leila
“I can’t help it. I’m so sick of these stupid damn tears and still I can’t help it.” Another tear slips over, followed quickly by another one. “You broke me the day you left, Kyle, and I’m terrified of what will happen if you do it again.”
“I won’t. I promise. Please just give me a chance to make it up to you.” My life is on the line here, and I’m willing to beg if that’s what it takes.
Chapter 17
Kyle
Through her tears, Leila stares into my eyes as if she’s trying to see into my soul. As if she’s searching for something – what I don’t know. But whatever it is, she seems to come to a decision after long, long minutes of scrutiny.
“I never thought I’d see you again after you left. I had to learn to exist without you, because there was no living without you in my life. I will give you another chance, but Kyle, know this. If you ever hurt me like that again, I will kill your sorry ass. I’m willing to risk the jail time for murder.”
Relief at her words pours through me – I thought she was going to listen to what I had to say and then boot me out of her apartment and life forever. Giddy with it, I can’t help but laugh at her words. A dangerous move, but I simply can’t help it.
Catching her up in my arms, I swing her around, peppering her face with kisses. “I love you, sweetness. You will never know how much.”
“Kyle, stop. You need to put me down. I’m going to be ill.”
“Oh shit, baby. I totally forgot,” I say, dashing down the hall with her in my arms.
We make it to the bathroom in time, and I hold her hair out of the way as she empties her stomach. I feel like such an ass. Here I’ve just been promising not to hurt her again, and the first thing I do is make her sick. Not my brightest moment.
When she’s done, Leila slumps against the wall and rests her head there. I jump up and rinse a washcloth, wring it out, and lay it over her forehead.
“Sorry, sweetness. I’m already messing up. I was so excited you’re willing to give me another chance I completely forgot about your concussion.”
“It’s okay, I get it. Do you think you could give me a hand to my bed? I need to lie down a second.”
I pick her up and carry her to her bedroom as if lifting a fragile treasure. Laying her down gently, I go down to my haunches beside the bed. “Rest. I’m going to dash down to the market for dinner ingredients. I won’t be long. If you need me, call. I’ll put my number in your phone.”
She nods. As I go to stand, she grabs my hand to stop me. “Kyle?”
“Right here, sweetness.”
“I love you. I’m really glad you’re back. Please don’t break my heart again, okay?”
For the first time since Maverick died, I feel tears prick at my eyes. I don’t know what I did to ever deserve the first chance with this woman, let alone this second chance. But, as God is my witness, I am going to let her know every single damn day how grateful I am and how much she means to me.
“I love you, more than I will ever be able to express in words. But I intend showing every day for the rest of our lives together. Rest now. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay.” She closes her eyes, curling into a tight ball.
Hunkered down beside her, I wait a couple minutes as she drifts off. When her breathing evens out in sleep, I quietly get to my feet and head out to the grocery store after programming my number into her phone.
When I get back from the grocery run, Leila’s still sleeping, so I get a start on dinner. Nothing fancy, just some grilled steak I know she loves and some steamed veggies. I’ve just put the lid back on her small kettle barbecued after packing it with charcoal and am looking for the torch lighter to ignite it when I hear a noise inside the apartment. I look up to find her standing in her living room, watching me through the open sliding door to her patio.
“Hey, sweetness. You feeling a bit better?”
She shuffles my way, tiredness still heavy on her face. “I thought I’d dreamed you.”
I go to her and wrap her in my arms, holding her close to my heart. “Nope. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Leila sighs deeply and snuggles into my embrace. It makes me want to bang on my chest and shout from the rooftops. I feel ten feet tall. This show of trust means everything to me.Everything.
Tilting her head, she looks up at me. “Kiss me.”
I grin down at her — “Yes, ma’am.” — and do as I’m told.
The kiss burns hot from the start, Leila giving as good as she gets. Eventually we have to break apart to catch our breath. As we stand there, my forehead resting against hers, she sighs. “It sucks we don’t have any protection.”
