25. Merlin
The sense of relief that fills me as I let us into my house is enormous.
There was a time, until very recently, that I thought I’d never have Leila back in my space. It took me years to remove every trace of her from these rooms. And still, I don’t think she’s completely gone. It’s as if her very essence is soaked into the walls.
I can’t deny that it feels amazing having her back here.
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, thank you. I just need a moment to catch my breath,” she replies, the haunted look that she had after the hijacking, back in her eyes.
“Sure, we can sit and watch something on the tube. Or, if you prefer, we can just sit quietly. Or talk. Whatever you want, sweetness.”
It’s a physical pain when Leila lifts her gaze to mine, and I see the sorrow at losing her boss.
“I’m sorry about Phillip,” I say, cupping her cheek in my hand. “Kansas tried everything to bring him back.”
Leila nods. “I know. And I’m grateful.”
Leading her over to the sofa, I get her seated before dropping down beside her and tugging her into my arms. We sit like that, neither saying a word. I soak in the joy of holding her in my arms, thankful I’m able to. That she’s the one who survived. It could so easily have been the other way around. A shudder rolls through me at the thought, and I try to block the memory of Leila lying on the floor back in the cabin of the ship.
After a long silence, she finally asks what’s obviously been on her mind. “So what’s going to happen to Edgar — Bruce — whatever the hell that bastard’s name is?”
“He’ll be prosecuted for his crimes once the office of the Attorney General’s settled on the charges. Phillip’s murder will definitely be one of those charges.” I haven’t got the heart to tell her that his murder is the least of the charges that are likely to be leveled against the man.
Besides, it’s all over now. Leila doesn’t need to know all the heinous things the man has committed, ending with Phillip Stanton’s murder. But considering Stanton was a senator’s son, the Attorney General will need to be seen to prioritize the case.
Tugging against the arm across her back, Leila sits up, her gaze coming up and clinging to mine. “Thank you. I knew you would come for me. I just knew you’d save me. Even when I had moments I thought I might die, I never lost faith you’d figure my message out and come for me.”
Leila’s faith in me is humbling, and I have no intention of telling her that there were times I doubted myself. If it weren’t for Ace, I’m not sure I would have figured her cryptic message out. But one thing’s for damn sure.
“I’ll always come for you, sweetness. My world is dull and colorless without you. It lacks meaning and purpose. And I wouldn’t want to live it without you in it, now that I’ve gotten my head out of my ass and realized it was my own fears and insecurities that caused me to break us up after Mav’s death.
“As long as I have breath in this body, I will always find my way back to you. Find a way to keep you safe, or save you if, God forbid, I fail to do so. You are the single most important thing in my life, and I would burn this world to the ground, if needed, to ensure your safety.”
My heart squeezes as tears gather, then fall from her beautiful eyes. Eyes that have held me captive since the first time I laid my own on her. Everything about this incredible woman has captivated me from that very first moment in The Tin Moose. As I watched her laugh with her friends, the light creating a halo in her hair.
I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I wanted Leila in my life, in a way I’d never experienced with anyone else before.
I cup her cheek, and with my thumb I wipe away the tears as they fall.
“I love you, Kyle. I never stopped loving you. Not even when I believed that you no longer loved me. Even when I thought I’d never get to see you again.”
“God, I’m so sorry, Lee. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how sorry I am. You are my whole world, and I promise to do everything possible to make it up to you for all the pain I caused. I’m just so damn grateful you’re giving me a second chance.”
“All I ask is, please don’t break my heart again. I won’t survive it a second time.”
“I love you so much, baby. I promise I will never willingly or knowingly hurt you again.”
Pulling her in, I lay my lips on hers, nibbling gently on her full lower lip. With the smallest sound in the back of her throat that’s sexy as hell, Leila opens up to me, and I don’t hesitate to take her mouth in a scorching kiss. I feel her tugging at my T-shirt where it’s tucked into my pants, and revel at the feel of her hands on my naked skin when she successfully tugs it loose.
I’m just about to lay her down on the sofa and take things up a notch when someone bangs on my front door. Leila’s body jerks hard against me, and instinctively, I move to put myself between her and the door.
When the banging comes again, I get to my feet and stride over to the door, checking the peephole to see who it is, fully intending to ignore it or send them on their way. Depending on who’s on my doorstep. When I spot a panicked looking Sheri, I sigh, knowing there’s no getting rid of her.
I know she’s here to reassure herself her best friend is safe, and she won’t be leaving here before she’s fully satisfied Leila’s all right.
“Hey, Sheri. Come on in,” I say, opening up to her.
Sheri throws a “hey” over her shoulder as she rushes past me, going straight to Leila.
“Can I get you something while you fuss over our girl?” I ask her.
“No thanks, I’m good,” she replies, dropping down into the seat I’ve just vacated and repeating my gesture of pulling Leila in for a hug.
Before I can say anything else, there’s a knock on my door — far less frantic than Sheri’s banging.
“What the hell? Have I moved to Grand Central Station that I’m unaware of?” I grouse as I head back to the door.
This time I groan as I find my entire team standing on the doorstep.
From the other side I hear Ace. “Open up, man. We know you’re in there.”
“Keep your shirt on, I’m coming,” I say, reaching to unlock the front door for the second time in as many minutes. Bowing at the waist, I indicate for them to enter with the sweep of my hand, “Please enter. Far be it for me to deny you entry to my kingdom.”
“Goofball.” Ace laughs, slapping me on the back as he walks past. “Hey, Sheri. Good to see you.”
I still at his words — well, not the words themselves, but more the way he says them. There’s something about his tone that has me paying attention. And what I see surprises me. There’s a tenderness to the look he gives her.
I don’t know if she’s aware of it, or I’m just seeing it because it’s how I’m feeling toward Leila at this moment that I recognize it. Either way, I’m taken aback. I’m not given time to ponder it though, as the rest of the guys follow Ace into the room.
Much as I crave time alone with Leila, to reassure myself that she’s okay, I can’t find it in me to deprive our friends of the opportunity to lay their own fears to rest and offer her their comfort and support.
Watching them, I feel the broken pieces of my soul knit back together and settle. For the moment, all is well in my world. Leila’s back in my life and will hopefully soon be back in my bed again.
Never again will I take the gift of her for granted. Thankful for another chance, I will treasure and honor her, loving my Leila forever.
For now, I’m content to sit back and watch her soak in their love and care.