41. Chapter 40 #3
“Yeah, control.” My head falls back and I close my eyes, drifting back to last night.
“Oh my God. He did it.”
“Did what?” I peer up at her.
“Finally got you to switch off. Fuck me.” She lies back next to me, a wild grin spreading across her face. “This really is perfect.”
“What do you mean?”
“You are all about control. Your work, your fitness, your food intake, plus sex with every previous partner has been controlled. Literally everything down to the way you coordinate your closet is controlled, but for some reason you can give over your control in the bedroom to Chuckles and he doesn’t disappoint.
Looks like he dominates and allows your mind to function at its maximum capacity the next day because you’ve got someone to lean on.
And you’ve only had one night. Imagine what will happen if this is your new normal. ”
“I’ve not allowed myself to think that far ahead.”
“But why?”
“I’m scared that if I do, I’ll lose myself to him completely, and if I do that I’ll never be the same.”
“Change is needed to grow, and by sitting in the dark, you won’t reach the sky.”
Leo - Hey baby. Hunter needs me for some best man stuff tonight so I’ll be home late.
Ria - okay, I’ll see you in the morning. Getting an early night.
Leo - I’ve left you something to help with that.
Letting my bag fall to the ground, I slip out of my shoes at my front door and slump toward my kitchen.
I’ve gotten used to a little life in my house since Leo moved in.
I always thought I liked the peace and quiet of my home, but recently the noise has been more calming.
My eyes fall to the gift basket on my kitchen island, and I pluck the card out of the center.
The smells coming from the basket are heavenly, and I scoop it up, sighing as I take it up to my room to see what he has left for me.
I’ve never had someone think of me in this way.
Yes, my exes have spoiled me with gifts and treats, but they have always been expensive or flashy gifts—nothing ever about looking after me.
Balancing the basket in one hand, I swing my bedroom door open, wondering what else he has left for me.
Placing the basket down, I scan the room, but nothing out of the ordinary catches my attention.
Frowning, I move to my en suite and see the bottle of wine chilling next to the tub.
I assume he means that I should take the treats and relax.
Turning the taps on, I turn and grab the bubbles, pouring them under the stream. I sigh as my muscles unlock and the tension I was holding on to from the hectic day in the office rolls off me.
Even though he’s not here, he’s looking after me.
A crash from my dressing room has me jumping out of my skin and running in there.
“Fuck!” Placing my hands on my hips, I stare down at the many boxes that have tumbled off the shelves and the shoes all over the floor.
Crouching down, I begin to pick them up and place them back in their rightful spot.
A flash of something sparkles behind my prized Manolo Blahniks, and I crawl to investigate but gasp when something pounces at me, pushing me to sit up.
A tiny ball of gray fluff stares up at me with the biggest pair of blue eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Who are you?” I coo, scratching behind its ears, resulting in a loud purr to vibrate through me as this beautiful kitten settles in my lap.
“Where did you come from?” Searching for a collar, I come up empty and stand, clasping the precious kitten to my chest. Spying the carrier that Leo must have brought her in tipped over, the door wide open, I let out a soft laugh.
“So you’re an escape artist.” I continue to stroke her, totally mesmerized by the sounds she is creating and the way her tiny paws stretch and flex as she nuzzles in closer to my chest. Until the sound of the water filling up the tub snaps me out of my moment, and I run to turn the taps off and perch on the edge of the tub, staring down at what has to be the most beautiful cat I have ever seen.
Gray fur, almost silver when the light hits it just right, and sapphire blue eyes so similar to my own.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I tap out a text to Leo.
Ria - Is this what you meant by relaxing?
I smile into the camera and the kitten stretches out across my chest, closing her eyes in apparent contentment.
Leo - Isn’t she gorgeous?
Ria - Perfect. But where did she come from?
Leo - I went with Beck to the shelter today. He wants a dog to keep him company now that he’s living alone, and this lady kept tapping me on the shoulder from her cage. When I looked into her eyes, I couldn’t leave her there.
Ria - why?
Leo - could you?
At that exact moment, she opens one eye, and I’m sure she gives me a “yeah, could you?” look.
Ria - I guess not
Leo – You’re not mad that I didn’t ask?
Ria – Like you said, you couldn’t have left her. And she has made herself at home in my dressing room. She’s not going anywhere.
Leo - She looks happy
Ria - She’s pretty content
Leo - I meant you