Page 89 of Break My Heart

“You’re impossible.” Her mouth twitches before she settles back down against my chest.

For a minute, neither of us speaks. I listen to the soft rhythm of her breathing and try not to think about how close I came to losing this. Losing her.

“My family made love feel transactional.” I swallow hard before finishing, “There was always a condition attached to anything that involved attention.”

She rubs her hand over my chest in comfort but doesn’t interrupt.

“Now, I wake up with you sleeping on top of me for no reason other than that you want to be here. It still feels a little too good to be true.”

Her expression shifts immediately, something soft and aching across her features. “Leo…”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just…”

“Just what?”

“Trying to figure out how someone like you happened to me.”

She props herself up on one elbow fully now. “That’s the problem.”

“What is?”

“You still talk about love like it’s something destined to be taken from you.”

My lips part in shock.

“You act like people caring about you is some kind of statistical anomaly instead of…” Christin gestures between us. “A direct result of who you are.”

I blink rapidly to hold back tears. I look away because I don’t know how to respond to her words. Her fingers catch my jaw gently, guiding my attention back. “Listen to me. You are not hard to love.”

“You really believe that?” I ask before I can stop myself.

Her brows snap together even as her voice gentles, “Leo.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just…” I shake my head once. “No one’s ever loved me the way you do.”

“That sounds like their failure. Not yours.” Christin leans up and kisses me softly. Tenderly. Not passionate enough to divert me from our conversation, but enough to make sure I feel every ounce of love she’s pouring into it.

I eagerly reciprocate. Any time, any possible way I can tell this woman I love her, I’ll take it.

When she pulls back, her forehead rests against mine. “You got a second chance because you earned one. Remember that. If your heart had been different, I wouldn’t be here.”

I close my eyes briefly at her honesty. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Eventually Christin glances toward the clock before groaning softly. “We have to leave this bed soon, don’t we?”

“Only if we really want to.”

She shoots me an admonishing glance. “Leo, you have a race.”

“I’m aware.” My hands slide along her back lazily. “I’m reevaluating my priorities.”

A quiet laugh escapes her. “And?”

“You continue to rank alarmingly high.”

“That sounds dangerous for your career.”