20. Leo
CHAPTER 20
Leo
You were right. I am good at having fun with myself.
I’ve read this message from Veronica more than once, and I’ve watched the video more times than I care to admit.
It was a little after midnight when the text notification went off. I was lying in bed with my eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling. The events of the night wouldn’t stop flashing through my mind.
Veronica on her knees for me.
The look on her face when I didn’t step out of the car to follow her to her apartment. I knew tonight wouldn’t be a night that I would actually sleep, and the message that rolled through made it impossible to find that rest.
When I clicked on the video, I had to race to turn the volume down when I opened it. Veronica’s moans filled my dark room, blessing my ears that shouldn’t want to hear those sweet sounds she makes.
The first time I watched it, I was in awe. The second time I watched it, I paid closer attention to her face and to the way her body moved on her bed.
I’ve watched it multiple times because my eyes never knew where they wanted to focus. That beautiful face and the way her mouth opens up, moaning and screaming my name. Or the space between her legs where she thrusts the dildo in and out of her.
The toy isn’t as thick as I am, and I know that even though her orgasm ripped through her like a tidal wave, that silicone wasn’t enough for her. Veronica needs the real thing to satisfy her needs.
At that thought, all the memories of me inside her played like a movie in my head. Then, all the new fantasies that I would play out with her take over.
It was all too much.
My cock was straining against my boxers, but I refused to touch myself to this video. I threw the covers off of me and snuck into the hall, making sure that my father was asleep before I stalked into the bathroom. I had felt like a teenager sneaking around.
An ice-cold shower didn’t help with my problem.
I stayed awake all night with my phone on the other side of the room, hoping my willpower would stay strong enough not to grab it and watch the video for the rest of the night.
My willpower was indeed strong, but I still hadn't gotten any sleep because every time I shut my eyes, I saw her pleasuring herself.
This morning, I chug down my scorching hot coffee. It sears my throat since I didn’t wait for it to cool down, and then I pour myself another cup as my father enters the kitchen.
“Did you save me any?” he asks with amusement laced in his voice.
I look at the pot in my hand as the black coffee flows from the glass to my mug. “Sorry. Didn’t sleep well. I can make some more.”
He walks over, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “It looks like you didn’t sleep well.”
No one loves hearing that because that means they look half-dead.
“Thanks, Dad.” I shake my head with a light laugh, lifting the full mug to my lips. Taking a generous sip, I turn around to face him. “I’ve been thinking. As much as I appreciate you letting me stay here and helping me get back on my feet with work, I think I am going to look for an apartment.”
“Oh.” His smile falls a little. The slight change in his expression squeezes my heart. “That’s understandable. You’re a grown man, Leo. You need to have your own space.”
Nodding slowly, I tighten my grip on the cup's handle. “That’s if I can get a place, and it doesn’t go the same way as it did when I was searching for a job. I’m sure they will do background checks.”
“You’ll be fine!” he reassures me. “I can look into some places, too, if you’d like.”
“You don’t have to do that. Plus, I have a place in mind already.” While unable to sleep last night, I got my laptop out and researched apartments for rent in the area. One stood out in particular. It was in a safe location and was a decent monthly price.
“That’s great, Leo.” His mouth pulls back into that smile I love so much. “Just promise you’ll still come over all the time. It gets lonely being here by myself.”
There goes that imaginary hand that has a vice grip on my heart, twisting it until I have to mask the pain. “I’ll be here all the time, Dad.”
“Good,” he says, then nudges me. “Now move so I can make more coffee.”
I laugh, stepping out of his way with my coffee in hand. Pulling out my phone, I open the email app to find a response from the apartment complex. I sent it late last night, hoping to hear back right in the morning.
The space has been listed for a while now, which means they are probably desperate for someone to move in. The woman, Rachel, answered with a very eager response. Telling me that if I am free, I can come to see the apartment this morning.
I emailed a quick response to her, letting her know I’d love to take a look. “It seems like I am going to view an apartment this morning.”
“See? Things are going to be fine,” Dad says, pouring his own cup of coffee for the morning. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do,” I say my goodbyes and grab my car keys from the table in the hall.
Let’s hope Dad is right and everything will go fine because this one is at the top of my list out of all the apartments I looked at.
“As you saw, the unit comes with its own washer and dryer, which is always a bonus in apartments,” Rachel tells me as we stand at the kitchen island. Her hands are flat against the marble, her right pointer finger tapping anxiously on the granite. The woman’s eyes attempt to focus on my face, but they fall every so often to check me out. “The neighbors are much older, meaning it will be quiet.”
I nod, tearing my eyes away from her wandering ones. It’s an open layout. The kitchen overlooks the living room, with large windows overlooking the lake in the back. There is a guest bathroom off the kitchen, and to the right of the living room is the master bedroom.
“It’s nice.”
“All of our tenants love this place. I’m sure you will, too.” Her comment brings my attention back to her. Rachel’s eyes fly back to my face now that I’m staring directly at her.
“Is there anything you need from me?”
“E-excuse me?” she stutters, her cheeks glowing a light shade of pink.
“For the apartment,” I reiterate.
“Oh.” Her embarrassed laugh fills the quiet space. “Just the deposit, and then it’s all yours!”
“You don’t do background checks?” I should have kept my mouth shut because this question could ruin everything.
“I already ran one.” She waves her hand to dismiss my worry. “What you did wasn’t violent in any way. I don’t see an issue with you living here.”
My brows raise at her comment. This is good to know. What is also fascinating is that she knows what I did, and she still looks at me like she wants to jump my bones.
“Do you need the deposit in the form of a check?”
“That would be ideal.”
“I’ll get it to you by the end of the day.”
“Great!” She claps at her job well done. “Once I have it, you can start moving your stuff in.”
Rachel grabs her things off the counter, and we head for the door. I open it, allowing her to go through it first. She thanks me while a blush grows on her cheeks, and when we step out, she sticks the key in the doorknob to lock it.
The sound of another door opening catches our attention. When we turn toward the noise, a woman stands across the hall with her door wide open.
Her feet are glued to the transition piece that separates the hallway and the hardwood floor in her apartment. She stares at me with large, brown eyes and brows dipping into confusion.
She looks from me to Rachel, who is standing beside me. Her mouth opens, then clamps shut, and she is unsure what to say.
“Hi, neighbor,” I smirk as Veronica’s skin grows pale at the knowledge I’ll live across from her.
“Hi, Camille!” Rachel beams and looks up at me. “I lied. Not all of our tenants are old! Camille is around the same age as us, but she keeps to herself.”
I offer her a kind smile and gaze back at the woman across the hall. “Yes, Camille is good at being by herself. Prefers it, actually.”
“Oh… you two know each other?” Rachel’s voice holds a hint of jealousy and what seems like worry.
“We go way back.” Veronica finally finds her voice.
“I see.” I can feel Rachel’s eyes dancing between us, but I keep my gaze on Veronica. “Well, I’ll let you two catch up! Leo, I’ll be waiting for that deposit.”
“I’ll have it to you by tonight,” I tell her while staring at Veronica and listening to Rachel walk away. I tilt my head to the side as I inspect Veronica’s eyes. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the color of your real eyes.”
She looks at me with puzzlement, then lifts a hand to her face. She must have forgotten to put her contacts in this morning.
“What are you doing here, Leo?” She drops her hand, bringing both hands up to cross over her body.
“Thought it was obvious.” I gesture to the door behind me with my thumb. “I’m moving in.”
“Why?”
“Seeing as you inserted yourself into my life, unwanted, I thought I might do the same.”
“Who said I didn’t want you in my life?” Her arms tighten around herself.
“You’re gonna wish you didn’t.” I flash her a dark smirk, turn on my heels, and walk down the hallway, leaving her alone.