Page 109 of Worth the Risk

His anger dissipates, and understanding shows on his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was still messed up in the head from everything, and when I saw you and you said the things you said to me, I struck back. It was hurtful, and it was fucking wrong.”

“Okay,” is all I say, still crestfallen even after his apology.

“No, it’s not okay. You, Kylie, have satisfied me more than anyone ever has. I told you that years ago. What happened in the pool just now…” he points to the pool, “… is the best sex I’ve had in the past five fucking years. Anyone who was after you, they were nothing but a poor substitute. So I need you to trust me…” he points to his chest, “… when I tell you that you’re more than satisfying to me. It’s not just sex when it comes to you and me. Believe that.”

He has himself worked up into a tizzy. Sex with Leo was amazing, and sex was never like that with James or Dean, the guy I briefly dated a couple of years ago. There’s a connection when it comes to sex with us that I’ve never found with anyone else, and from what he says, neither has he.

“I get it, Leo. What you said popped into my head at the wrong time. I understand exactly what you mean. It’s different with us, always has been.”

That calms him down. “Are we good?” he asks tentatively.

“We are better than good,” I say with a wink.

He laughs before wrapping his arms around me tightly. “That we are.”

After a few moments, I pull away, and my eyes go to his tattoo. I place my hand on it. “You have a tribal sun that wasn’t here before.”

Nodding, he says, “I got it five years ago.”

Is it wishful thinking on my part that he got it because he missed me as much as I missed him?

“Why the sun on your heart?”

He takes in a deep breath and exhales. “As angry as I was with you, you still had my heart. I got it about a month after I came home. I wanted to forget you, but at the same time, I couldn’t. I got drunk one night thinking about you and headed to the tattoo parlor. This is your sun, Kylie.”

Tears spring to my eyes, and he wipes them away.

“We have so much to figure out.”

He knows I’m not just talking about Riley. I mean everything, from Amber to emails to bank deposits and how we can move forward.

“We will. I won’t pretend I’m not still hurt from not knowing what happened, and you can’t tell me you know with one hundred percent clarity that nothing happened. Not to mention that I still see you and Nash from that morning in my mind. When I think about it, it makes me sick. But each day that passes, I believe you may be right. I need more than one week to wrap my head around everything I’m being asked to believe. Plus, the fact that if I was fooled, I lost so much time. It’s a lot to reconcile, and not just for me, but you too. Let’s just take it one day at a time and see where it leads?”

I get it. There’s still that night and morning hanging between us. Will we ever have answers? Did I or didn’t I sleep with Nash? He constantly has that question in his head. One I believe didn’t happen. He’d have to believe Amber was obsessed enough to drug us. It sounds too crazy, and I see how it might seem like I am using it as an excuse.

Leo gave me his trust, and I acknowledge it wasn’t easy for him to give the first time around. Trust is also not easy to give back to the person you believed betrayed you. I’ve had five years to come to terms with what happened. Leo will need more than one week for him to do the same.

“Okay, we’ll take this day by day.”

Leo lets out a breath he must have been holding, forcing my attention to his lips. It has not escaped my notice that not once did he kiss me in the pool. I don’t think he intended to, either.

ChapterThirty-Four

Leo

Kylie took Riley to bed as soon as we got back from Dad’s house. She fell asleep in the car, and I carried her into the apartment, her head on my shoulder. Spending this week with them has been amazing. Riley has me wrapped around her little finger—just like her mom once did. Maybe still does. I don’t know if I’m being gullible and letting my emotions for her guide me, but it feels right.

Laying Riley down on the bed, she stirs, opening her eyes, and says to Kylie, “Mommy, sing me my song.” Kylie looks a little embarrassed, but she sits on bed with our daughter and sings “You Are My Sunshine.”

Horribly.

Kylie has many great qualities, but singing… she can’t hold a tune to save her life. I’m having trouble holding in my laugh, and she must see it on my face because she sticks her tongue out at me.

After the song, I kiss Riley on the forehead. “Goodnight, Princess.”

She smiles up at me. “Goodnight, Daddy.”

Heading into the kitchen, I wonder if Kylie sings her that song because of us.Is it wrong to hope that was another way to keep me in Riley’s life?

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