“I wasn’t bluffing, and the temptation to find out if you would leave it open was all too much. I needed to know.”
“My brother would kill you if he knew you were here.” He’s a Rottweiler. A bear is more accurate. It’s the nickname the fans give him because he’s a wall of solid muscle. Grumpy like a grizzly, too.
“He never needs to know we kissed, baby.”
“I won’t tell him.” I agree to keep quiet because I like Leon’s face, and my brother might rearrange it if he ever found out he snuck into my dorm in the middle of the night.
“Neither will I.”
“It’ll be our secret, Leon.” He will always be my secret.
“It kills me to tell you, but this can never happen again. When that’s all I want.”
Disappointment courses through my body, but I agree. “I know.”
What I really want to ask him is to stay here with me overnight and wrap his arms around me. I want to hold him, memorize every inch of him, all his freckles, scars, and hockey injuries.
But we can’t.
Years ago, he made a promise to my brother, one I thought he’d never break, that is, until tonight.
It’s just a kiss.
“Dream of me like I dream of you.” He drops his lips to mine one final time, and as quickly as it all happened, in a flash, he’s gone.
I catapult upward when my door clicks shut and run my fingertips across my lips, the faint hint of his aftershave lingering in the air, my mouth coated in his distinct flavor. I never want to wash it off.
Flinging myself back against the mattress, my moment of happiness is replaced with sadness, rushing over me like a tidal wave, leaving nothing but a memory.
That kiss was full of promises and things I want more of. The same kiss that isn’t the start of us, but symbolizes what could never be.
CHAPTER ONE
Leon– Present Day
“For fuck’s sake.” I slam my palm on the horn and hold it down longer than needed, making it blare through the air as a truck stops suddenly in front of me, and I have to slam on the brakes. “Fucking idiot,” I yell, even though the driver of the truck can’t hear me.
I’m in a crappy mood. “Dickhead,” I mutter to myself, feeling even more on edge. My heart is pounding erratically, as if it has a mind of its own today. Either that or I’m about to have a heart attack.
It sure feels like I’m having one.
As I get closer to my destination, my blood pressure rises another level.
I rub my chest as a cold sweat breaks out on my skin, wishing I could turn around and drive home for another long shower. It would help wash away the anxiety and dread looming over me like a storm cloud on a summer day.
However, I can’t go back because I’m committed to today.
Foolishly, I agreed to be part of this farce when I really should have just said no to the whole thing.
Not that I would. Because I can never say no to the woman who haunts my every thought.
I roll my shoulders, trying to release the tension building, though it doesn’t work. Then, I tug on the back of my neck and press my fingers into the tight knots to see if that helps, but again, it doesn’t. My muscles feel like stone, and no matter what I do, nothing offers relief. I’m wound tighter than a spring.
What’s adding to my stress is the lack of sleep I got last night, along with the night before that and the one before that. My body feels like I’m running on fumes when I should be bringing my A-game for my friend, Erika.
Because today is her wedding day.
It’s also the day I’ve been dreading.
