Chapter 25
"Ma'am, you dropped your pen," a student called out from behind me.
I turned and gave her a small smile, taking the pen from her hand. “Thank you.”
Three days.
Three days since that night.
Three days since Lorenzo kissed me like the world had been starving him. And no matter how much I tried to shake it off, his touch still lingered on my skin like an echo refusing to fade.
I’d buried myself in work, in lesson plans, in anything that kept my mind busy but every quiet moment dragged me back to him.
To the apology in his eyes.
To the desperation in his voice.
To the way he held me like he was afraid I’d vanish.
But I told him I needed space.
And he said he’d wait.
So why did my heart ache like it didn’t believe me?
The last bell rang, loud and sharp, breaking me out of my thoughts. Students streamed out of the building in groups laughing, chatting, running toward their buses. I gathered my things slowly, letting the noise fade around me until only the dull hum of the empty corridor remained.
I stepped out of the school gate…
…and froze.
Lorenzo was leaning against his car, dressed in black, sleeves rolled to his elbows, tattoos peeking out. He looked like sin wrapped in expensive fabric, like trouble carved into a man.
His eyes lifted the second he sensed me. Of course he did he always did.
“You’re early,” I muttered, adjusting the strap of my bag.
“I missed you,” he said simply.
My heart stuttered. My legs refused to move for a second.
I took a slow breath and walked toward him.
We fell into step together, the silence between us not uncomfortable but charged, heavy, warm in a way I wasn’t ready to admit. Halfway down the road, we noticed an old woman struggling with two heavy grocery bags.
Without hesitating, both of us stepped forward.
“I’ve got this,” Lorenzo said, already reaching for the bags.
“No, I do,” I countered, gently taking the other one before he could.
The old lady blinked up at us with wide, grateful eyes.
“Ahh, such a lovely couple,” she blessed, lifting her hand to touch our heads. “May God keep your marriage happy forever.”
My eyes widened.
Lorenzo went still for a moment… then a slow, wicked smirk curved his lips.
Of course.
“We’re not—”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Lorenzo cut in smoothly, voice warm and far too satisfied. “My wife is a little shy.”
I whipped around, glaring at him. “Lorenzo.”
He grinned wider, eyes dark with mischief.
The old lady chuckled, patting my cheek. “Husbands should fear their wives a little. Keeps them loyal.”
“Oh, I do fear her,” Lorenzo said, leaning closer to me, voice dropping to a sinful whisper. “I like my woman dominating.”
My mouth fell open.
“Shut up,” I hissed under my breath, mortified, cheeks burning hot.
He tilted his head, stepping even closer so only I could hear, his breath brushing my ear.
“Make me.”
I nearly tripped.
He caught my elbow instantly, smirk deepening like he enjoyed every second of this torture.
We walked the old lady home, accepted her blessings again, and the moment we turned the corner, I punched Lorenzo lightly on the arm.
“You’re impossible.”
He chuckled, low and warm. “You should’ve seen your face, baby.”
“Lorenzo—”
“What?” He stopped, turning fully toward me. “I meant it.”
My heartbeat faltered. “Meant what?”
“That I don’t mind being overpowered,” he murmured, eyes softening in the way they only ever did for me. “Especially by the only woman I’ll ever love.”
The street was quiet. The wind is gentle.
His voice is too honest.
And suddenly… the world felt too small for everything I felt.
By the time we reached the apartment, my mind was a hurricane betrayal, relief, anger, longing… all crashing into each other like waves that refused to settle.
But the moment the door opened, everything paused.
A blur of golden fur sprinted toward us.
“Leo…” I breathed just as the now-grown pup no, huge dog jumped straight at Lorenzo.
Leo didn’t hesitate.
He pounced on Lorenzo with a loud bark, tail wagging so hard it looked like it might fall off. His paws pressed against Lorenzo’s chest, and his tongue attacked Lorenzo’s jaw in messy, desperate licks.
Lorenzo froze.
Then he laughed actually laughed that deep, rare sound that always felt like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
“Missed me, huh?” he murmured, rubbing Leo’s head with both hands.
Leo whined and shoved his nose into Lorenzo’s stomach, as if making sure he was real and not another dream.
I stood behind them… and something in my chest cracked at the sight.
It wasn’t just Leo that missed him.
Lorenzo lifted his head, eyes dragging slowly to me.
The teasing smirk came back the one that always pissed me off and pulled me closer at the same time.
“Someone else missed me too.”
I rolled my eyes. “Leo. Yes.”
He took two steps toward me, closing the distance as his voice dropped.
“Not Leo, Ruhi.”
My heartbeat stuttered.
His fingers brushed a strand of hair behind my ear gently, almost hesitantly.
“I thought you’d never let me inside again,” he said quietly.
“I shouldn’t have,” I whispered.
“But you did,” he replied, eyes darkening. “And I’m not leaving this time.”
The air between us tightened warm, magnetic, dangerous in the way only he could be.
I tried to step back.
He followed.
I tried to breathe.
He ruined that too.
“Ruhi…” he murmured, his forehead brushing mine. “You have no idea how much I thought about you. Every day. Every night. For three years.”
My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt without my permission.
Leo barked once loud, as if cheering for us.
Lorenzo chuckled and whispered, “Even he approves.”
I slapped his chest lightly. “Shut up.”
He caught my wrist gently and lowered his head, lips brushing my knuckles.
Heat shot straight through my stomach.
“Tell me to stop,” he said softly, watching my face.
I didn’t.
He stepped even closer, voice turning into velvet.
“I came back to you, Ruhi. I’m not losing you again.”
His hand slipped to my waist, slow, deliberate.
My breath faltered.
His touch was familiar and foreign all at once and my body reacted before my mind could catch up.
He leaned in.
My eyes fluttered shut.
His lips didn’t touch mine not yet just ghosted the corner of my mouth, sending sparks down my spine.
“Still mad at me?” he whispered against my skin.
“Yes,” I breathed.
He smiled — I felt it.
“Good. You look cute when you’re mad.”
Before I could snap back, he tilted my chin up gently, his thumb brushing my jaw.
The world shrank.
Just him.
Just us.
Leo curled up near our feet with a soft whine, tail thumping like he knew this moment was sacred.
Lorenzo finally closed the distance slow, tender, reverent. His lips captured mine with a hunger held back for three long years.
A kiss that wasn’t rushed, wasn’t wild it was grounding, claiming, full of everything we lost and everything he still felt.
I melted against him.
He lifted me slightly, like he couldn’t help it, like touching me wasn’t enough.
The kiss deepened not explicit, just warm, breathless, full of longing then he kissed the corner of my mouth, my cheek, my temple… soft, trailing touches that felt like whispered apologies.
He held me close, forehead pressed to mine.
“Ruhi… I’m here now,” he murmured. “And I’m not disappearing again.”
The night wrapped around us quiet, warm, and full of promises.
Leo nudged our legs and curled beside us protectively as if guarding the two broken hearts that finally found each other again.
And in that moment…
Everything felt right.
"Don't leave me ever again" i mumbled.
"Not even if you beg me sweetheart"
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