“For loving me unconditionally,” he says, looking shyer than I have ever seen him.
“I might have some conditions.”
His nostrils flare, and his shoulders stiffen, almost bracing himself for my terms.
Tenderly, I run my hands through his dampened locks and softly say, “In addition to asking you to look after my heart, I want us to make a promise that from this moment on, we start being honest with each other. No more hiding how we feel.”
The corners of his mouth slowly lift as he exhales a sigh of relief.
“I promise, and in return, I will love you so hard you’ll finally understand the meaning of true, everlasting, unforgettable, and irreplaceable love.”
“I like the sound of that.” Warm and fuzzy has never felt so good.
Leon cradles my face with both of his hands. “Your heart is safe with me.” A worry line etches across his brow. “I know I’m not good enough for you. You’re this super awesome doctor, saving lives every day, and I’m just a retired hockey player turned sports agent with a shitty reputation that I can’t seem to shake.”
Is that how he really sees himself?
I open my mouth to reassure him that his words couldn’t be further from the truth, but he stops me, pressing his finger against my lips.
“But I promise I will make you happy. Every day. You have my word,” he says with his whole chest.
Any doubts I have disappear into non-existence.
This moment, right now, is unforgettable.
This isn’t just a fling for him; he’s serious, and I need to reassure Leon that he’s everything I could ever wish for and need in my life.
“You may not be perfect, Leon, but neither am I. Regardless, you’re perfect for me.” I lay my hand over his. “You’re the whole package, and you fill my heart up so full, it makes me feel unstoppable.” I can’t believe he would think he wasn’t good enough for me. It’s the furthest thing from the truth.
Our foreheads kiss when he wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me close. “I’ve loved you for so long, Erika. I don’t know what it feels like not to be in love with you.”
Those butterflies that only happen when he’s around take flight in my stomach again.
“Kiss me,” I say cheekily, my voice full of cheer, the sun feeling warmer and looking brighter than before.
Granting my wish, he presses his mouth to mine and stays still, suspended in time, connected, touching but unmoving. It’s softer, gentler, and more tender than I could have ever imagined, sharply contrasting with his hard, muscular frame.
As if gravity forgets its place and the balance of my universe shifts a little to the right or something, I know he will make good on his promises.
I pull back slightly, disconnecting us. “I might want to move things faster, Leon.” I put forward daringly and seductively, causing him to groan loudly as if in pain and struggling with the decision to either follow me or stand by his one step at a time decision.
“Fucking tease,” he mutters under his breath.
“Oh, I know I am.”
How long can we resist?
By the looks of how hard his cock is and how wet I am, not long.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Erika
Following our poolside heart-to-heart, Leon made us lunch, and for the last two hours, I’ve sat in his living room writing apology letters. I stick the postage stamp on the last envelope.
“Finished?” Leon asks, walking into his living room holding two glasses of red wine.
I push myself off the floor and let out a sigh of relief. My legs feel dead from sitting on my knees around the low coffee table. “Yeah.”
