Page 30 of Saved from Obsession

Almost as if Leo can read my mind, he cuts right into my line of thinking. “What about your art? Have you thought more about pursuing it as a career?”

I’ve mentioned it a few times, saying I wish I could make a living selling my crafts, but I honestly have no idea where to even start. “I’d like to. But I don’t know how to take the little things I make and turn it into something that would actually make money. Maybe if I had some business experience, took some classes…”

“You could.” Leo looks at me confidently. “You could take a few business and management classes, if you wanted.”

A sad little laugh bursts out. “I don’t have the money for college, Leo. I’m almost through my savings—soon I’m going to have to tell my mom I can’t send her money anymore. I’m not going to find a job that pays what I used to make, not without any skills or training or a college education.”

“Georgia…” His forehead creases, and his mouth presses into a small frown. “If you wanted to go to college, I’m sure we could figure something out.”

“It’s okay.” I force a smile onto my face. I’m not going to ruin our evening feeling sorry for myself. “I’ll keep doing my crafts for fun. And once this whole stalker thing is over, I’ll find a job in retail or something. It’ll all be fine.”

Leo gets up and comes over to me, pulling me out of my seat. He scoops me into his arms, one under my knees and the other behind my back, and carries me into the living room. It happens all in one fluid move, so quickly I don’t even realize what he’s doing until it’s already happened.

I gasp out, “What are you doing?” Being so tall, I’ve never had a man pick me up and carry me this way. It’s both shocking and comforting at the same time.

“Dinner is over. It’s time for the next part of the date.”

He walks over to the couch and sits down, settling me onto his lap. Sitting like this is another thing I’ve never done with a man—not that I’ve had loads of experience cuddling anyway—but Leo is the only man I’ve been with who was tall enough for me to sit on his lap without feeling like a giant.

It’s another thing I love about Leo, how big he is. I would still like him even if he was shorter than me, but there’s just something about being with him that makes me feel safe. I’ve never minded being tall—I couldn’t have made a living as a model otherwise—but there’s something to be said about being with someone who makes me feel almost… delicate. Small. Protected.

“I’ve been waiting to do this ever since I woke up this morning and had to leave your bed.” His face is only inches from mine, his gaze dark and heated and I find myself falling into it. “Waking up with you in my arms was the best feeling in the world.”

My eyes fall to his lips, full and waiting for me. “Waking up with your arms around me was more than I could have imagined.” I stretch forward to brush my mouth across his, then pull away to admit, “Last night was the first time I’ve felt safe in months.”

“Sweetheart.“ He cups my cheek, stroking the line of my jaw with his thumb. “I never want you to feel scared to sleep. I’ll always be there to protect you.”

“Leo.“ I can’t articulate how strongly I’m feeling. I’m overwhelmed by the warmth filling my chest and the sparks of electricity radiating through my body. It’s like every cell in my body is suddenly waking up after decades of sleeping.

In the absence of words, I close the last inches between us and kiss him. This time, I don’t pull away, and neither does Leo. I curl into his chest, draping my arms around him, putting everything I have into the connection between us. I’m tucked into his big body, fully wrapped up in his strong embrace.

We keep kissing for what feels like hours, tasting each other, our hearts so close they seem like they’re beating in rhythm. I know we can’t take things too far when we’re sitting in the living room of the duplex, not when Cole or Rylan could come over at any time. But I’m okay with it. Just being here with Leo is the best gift I’ve ever been given.

Gradually, the breaks between kisses get longer, and my eyes are beginning to droop. Even though I got a decent night’s sleep last night, I have months of interrupted sleep to catch up on. But I don’t want to miss a second of my time with Leo. So, I keep forcing my eyes back open, until he notices and lets out a low chuckle.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” His voice is gentle and soothing. He presses a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. “Just rest your eyes. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

My body decides to take Leo’s order, even if my mind doesn’t want to yet. Snuggling even closer to him, I notch my head under his chin and let my eyes close. His musky scent sinks into me, and I feel his hand stroke my hair as everything starts to fade.

And in a soft murmur, as I drift off to sleep, I hear, “Goodnight, beautiful.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

LEO

The first thing Georgia says as I walk into the living room is, “Leo! Come over here and put me in a headlock.”

What?

Glancing around the room, I notice that the couches have been pushed off to the side, leaving a wide open space in the center. Georgia is standing in the middle, stretching one arm with the other, and wearing some sort of athletic outfit that doesn’t leaveanythingto the imagination.

There are padded mats laid out all over the floor, so I can only assume she’s been practicing self-defense with Rylan. Which I knew she’s been doing, and I think it’s great, but usually she’s showered and changed by the time I come over. So, I had no idea she lookedthisgood when she did it.

She’s wearing black leggings with little seams that seem designed to set off her curves. The shimmery fabric molds to every inch of her peach-shaped ass and her toned thighs and calves. A sliver of creamy skin peeks out below her matching top as she stretches, so soft and satiny looking, I’m at once desperate to taste it.

As my eyes move upward, I almost swallow my tongue at the sight of her breasts in the same black fabric. Georgia is a slender woman, she isn’t big on the top or bottom, but everything she has is perfectly proportioned and just the right amount to fit in my hands.

Since I’ve been trying to take things slow with Georgia, this is the closest I’ve seen her to naked. And now Idefinitelywon’t be able to stop thinking about it.

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