Bailey - June 20th
The most amazing thing happened and I can’t get my body to calm down. My heart rate is going a hundred mph, my stomach is doing backflips, and I’m definitely in need of a change of underwear (not from pee).
Let me start from the beginning.
I didn’t get much sleep last night… and I know exactly why.
I can’t stop thinking about Leon. Ever since the wing incident and our texting afterward, something’s shifted between us.
I keep replaying his messages, the way he joked around with me, and wondering if maybe I’m not just Jasper’s little sister to him anymore.
My room—which is normally my comfort, my sanctuary—felt too warm, too closed in.
So I figured I’d make some tea and chill in the living room with a book.
Well, my parents had other plans. They came in bickering and Mom started stress vacuuming while Dad put on some golf game on the TV at the highest possible volume.
Okay, I thought. I’ll go outside.
Killer bees.
That is all.
Maybe not killer bees, but these bees had it out for me. I ended up running inside screeching like a wild creature, grabbing my purse, and driving straight to the library. I needed some nice, air-conditioned, quiet time.
And I did get that… for a little while. Peace and quiet to help me out of the cranky, confusing mood I’d been in all morning. It was just me, my marriage of convenience smut, and a corner table near the mythology section.
Until I felt a warm breath against my ear and jumped out of my skin.
“What are you reading?” Leon asked. No, more like crooned. Or murmured. Or purred. How does he do that with his voice?
I’m getting off track. Let me make this easier and write this in a professional way… like my own romance novel because… Well, you’ll see.
“You scared the shit out of me!” I whisper-yelled.
He just stood back to his full height, hands crossed, and smirked. “Looks like a pretty racy scene?”
My face got red hot.
“No! It’s—it’s not racy. It’s tasteful.”
He leaned down again and read over my shoulder. “In all her years of fucking, she never knew a man could feel this good. His coc—”
“Oh my God, stop right now!”
He chuckled but listened. Thankfully, because I almost died. And not of embarrassment, but from hearing him say the word fucking.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone loves a good romance novel… especially ones with fu—”
“Okay,” I said as I closed my book with more force than necessary. “I’m going to leave now.”
I pushed up from my chair and slung my purse over my shoulder.
“No, don’t leave,” Leon said quickly. “I won’t bother you. I was just teasing, trying to get you to blush.”
I turned away from him, walking toward the exit.
“Right, because it’s so fun to tease the annoying little sister. The virgin who refused to settle for the assholes in this town. The one who’s too scared to open her mouth and ask for what she wants.”
His hand circled my wrist, gently but strong enough to stop me from moving. He pulled me into the dark mythology aisle, crowding me with his body until I was pressed against the shelves.
His lips an inch from mine, and his eyes blazing, he asked, “And what is it that you want?”
I was on fire. Every spot where our bodies connected sent sparks dancing toward my core. I licked my lips, and he watched with a hunger I’d never seen before.
“I don’t know—I haven’t…”
He tilted my chin up so the slightest movement would have our mouths touching. “I think you know.”
“Why are you following me?” My voice trembled.
“You know why,” he said. His lips quirked up at one corner with that smirk that always gives me butterflies.
“I don’t.”
“Because I like you. I want you.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “Do you have any idea how hard it’s been? Living in your house, seeing you every day, pretending I don’t notice every little thing you do?”
Honestly, I’ve never known someone to be that candid.
I think I whimpered. I can’t be sure. But the next thing I knew, he closed the space between us, wrapped his palm in my hair, and kissed me like I’d never been kissed before.
I dropped the book and my purse and fisted his T-shirt, pulling him closer. Oh God, his lips were everything. His tongue gently slid into my mouth, exploring, tasting. I didn’t know what to do so I let him lead.
My hand drifted lower like it was magnetized, pulled toward the straining bulge in his pants. “Bailey,” he breathed, grabbing my hands and raising them above my head. “You touch me and I might come in my pants, love.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, feeling that blush spread down my neck.
He slid his fingertips down my arms, over my collarbones, up my neck, until he cupped my cheek. “Never apologize for how you make me feel. You can touch me all you want… just not here.”
He brushed another soft kiss against my lips and brought my hands down, wrapping his palm around mine.
“Want to get out of here?” I asked.
Those eyes, so intense, yet so warm, studied me for a moment. Dragging across my face then down to take in my body.
“I’d love nothing more.”
Do you see why I’m going to combust? That was so hot, I can’t stop replaying every second. Shit, Dad’s calling me to help him get the burgers off the grill.