Chapter 11 | Katia
Katia
Iled Leo inside, my body buzzing from his proximity and the excitement of the morning. I was terrible at exercising patience, but he had experience with situations like this, and I trusted him.
Grinning, I acknowledged the importance of the sentiment. Trust was the first step toward something more with Leo, and I was proud of myself for being open to the possibility.
“You seem really excited about mimosas,” Leo muttered, noticing my smile as we entered the foyer. “Are you usually a day drinker?”
“Good one!” I said, patting his chest. “You’re getting much better at teasing.”
Leo scoffed as I locked the door and urged him to follow me into the living room.
“I’m terrible at it, but I like it when you tease me.”
We stopped in front of the couch, facing each other as I arched a brow. “I like it too.”
His eyes darted around the room, and I inwardly kicked myself for making him uncomfortable.
“Have a seat and I’ll make the mimosas. It will only take me a minute. Be right back.”
I popped a bottle of nice prosecco and washed the champagne flutes before making the drinks. Carrying them to the living room, I sat beside him on the couch.
“Cheers to you for being amazing,” I said, grateful for all he’d done for me over the past week. “I’m not sure I deserve it, but I appreciate you, Leo.”
We clinked our glasses and took a sip, gazing into each other’s eyes. Latent desire swam in his light-blue orbs, and my body pulsed in tandem with the sizzling energy that flowed between us.
We chatted about random things, getting to know each other better as we drank. I playfully goaded him into having one more drink, and he reluctantly agreed.
After two mimosas, I felt a slight, warm buzz, and rested my temple against the back of the couch as I sat with my legs curled under me.
“Well, this has been my most exciting Saturday in a while,” I said softly. “I’m glad I spent it with you.”
“Me too.” Glancing at his watch, he pursed his lips. “I should head out. Thanks for the drinks. You make a mean mimosa.”
He rose and pointed toward the hallway. “Can I use your restroom before I go?”
“Sure. Down the hallway to the right.”
He sauntered out, and I gazed at his broad shoulders, knowing it was now or never. Standing, I waited for him to come back into the room, steeling myself to ensure he didn’t run away this time.
He returned, stopping short when he saw me standing just inside the entryway.
“You don’t have to walk me out, but I do want you to lock the doors behind me.”
I gazed up at him, loving that he was several inches taller than me. It made me feel protected somehow, like he could wrap his arms around me and block out the whole world.
“What if you didn’t go...quite yet?” I asked softly.
His eyes widened. “I don’t think I can have another drink and drive.”
Reaching for his hand, I slid my palm against his. “I’m not asking you to stay for a drink, Leo.”
His nostrils flared slightly as his gaze intensified, causing the tiny hairs on my arms to prickle with arousal.
Releasing my hand, he took a step back. “I’m not interested in being a placeholder for someone else, Katia. I don’t do casual sex.”
My features contorted. “A placeholder? What the hell does that mean?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “We’re very different people. I want to help you, but other than that, we don’t fit.”
“Don’t talk in circles to me,” I said, shaking my head. “If you don’t want to be with me because I used to strip, that’s fine, but be a man and say it.”
Sighing, he planted his hands on his hips. “I don’t care about that.”
Lifting my chin, I crossed my arms. “I think you do.”
“Do I love it?” he asked, lifting his arms. “No. But I understand that people do what’s necessary. I admire you for working your way out of that situation and becoming an accountant.”
“I know you’re not trying to be a judgmental prick, so I’m going to let that slide. I actually liked dancing and never felt any shame in that profession.”
His shoulders deflated. “Good for you. Look, I’m obviously fucking up whatever you were trying to do here, so I think I should go.”
My arm snaked out, grabbing his wrist. Inching toward the wall, I pressed my back against it and drew him closer.
“We’re both botching this pretty badly,” I said, forming a conciliatory grin.
“So maybe we should stop talking and just try feeling for a second.” Lifting his hand, I pressed it to my heart, forcing him to feel the strained beating.
“Do you feel that?” I whispered. “I don’t think it’s ever beat that fast for anyone. ”
Doubt entered his gaze, and anger welled deep within.
“Don’t do that,” I said, shaking my head. “Strippers aren’t prostitutes. I know you think less of me for stripping, but I’ve barely had any sexual partners. I don’t trust men, and I resent you for looking down on me—”
“I don’t,” he interjected.
“Yes, you do. You assume a lot of things about me, Leo, and it needs to stop.” I pressed his hand into my chest. “For once, instead of assuming, can’t you just feel?”
His fingers curled into my chest, and a slow, yearning breath left his lips.
“I know you don’t like that I was with Michael,” I continued, “but I can’t change the past.”
His eyes narrowed. “Honestly, Katia, I fucking hate it. I hate that he pays for this place, and I hate that you work for his organization. Most of all, I hate that you chose him and never even looked my way. Like I said, I don’t want to be a placeholder, and I don’t like being chosen last.”
Compassion swamped me at the hurt that simmered in his eyes. I’d never meant to hurt him, and he was such a good man. I just hadn’t seen him all those years ago when we first met, and it was a huge oversight on my part.
“I get that,” I said, my voice raspy. “And I’m sorry. I truly am.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he remained silent.
“I don’t want to make this about Michael, but I need you to know that our relationship wasn’t about love. It was about comfort. He always loved Bianca, and I accepted that.”
Leo’s eyebrows drew together. “You deserve more than that.”
“That’s all I wanted at that point in my life,” I said, willing him to understand. “And I think I never looked at you that way because you represented something I wasn’t ready for.” I cupped his face, my heart aching when he closed his eyes, his expression filled with indecision and anguish.
“Look at me, Leo,” I whispered, my breath fluttering when he opened his eyes and stared into my soul.
“You represent something important, and I feel things for you that are...overwhelming... In a good way.” I clarified, wondering if I was making any sense.
“You can believe me or not, but it’s true.
I honestly don’t understand it, because it’s so new for me, but I also don’t want to toss it away because we’re both too stubborn to act on it. ”
His warm breath washed over me as his palm absorbed my rampant heartbeat.
“I don’t want you to hold my past against me,” I continued softly. “I hope you can forgive me and realize I was doing the best I could. I haven’t had the easiest life, in case you’re not aware.”
Contrition filled his expression as his features softened. “I know. You’ve lost so much, and I can understand why you don’t trust men. I’m sorry I assumed. I just...fuck, Katia. I’ve wanted you for so long, and I convinced myself it couldn’t happen.”
Grinning, I tenderly caressed his cheek.
“Let’s both stop lying to ourselves, then.
You want me, and lord knows, I want you.
Regardless of what happened in the past, it’s just you and me here in this moment.
Let’s stop convincing ourselves we can never have what we want and just allow ourselves to enjoy it. ”
His gaze dropped to my lips; his expression laced with desire as he contemplated.
“I can’t just kiss you,” he said, shaking his head. Lifting his hand from my chest, he ran his finger over my lower lip in a feather-soft caress, causing my knees to buckle. “If I kiss you, I won’t be able to stop there.”
Gliding my arms around his neck, I palmed the back of his head and pulled him closer. “Then don’t stop.”
Those ice-blue eyes bore into mine. “Are you sure? Because once we start this, I’m not going to stop until I’ve claimed every goddamn inch of you.”
Arousal slammed into my body at the possessive words, and the need to feel his skin against mine sizzled in every nerve-ending.
“I’m sur—”
The words barely left my mouth before he devoured them, swallowing them as his lips consumed mine.
His low groan echoed in my throat, and my arms tightened, drawing him closer so I could press against his hard frame.
His muscles were taut as my hands roved over them, and I tugged at his shirt, dying to shed the layers of clothing.
He broke the kiss just long enough to drag off his shirt. After tossing it on the floor, his fingers snaked to my waistband, tugging my shirt from my pants and all but tearing it from my body.
My hands reached for his fly, unbuttoning his jeans and lowering the zipper. His hands tore at my pants, and we both kicked the garments away. Cold air rushed against my legs, causing goosebumps to prickle as I reached for him again.
Leo thrust his hands into my hair, gripping it as he tugged my head back. His body pressed against mine, and I undulated my hips against his, feeling his hard length underneath his boxer briefs.
“Off,” I rasped, hooking my fingers in the waistband of his underwear. “God, Leo...I need you...”
He moaned into my mouth, his lips working magic against mine as he hastily yanked his underwear off. My eyes lowered to his cock; my breaths coming in short pants as I gazed at the thick length. It stood proud atop his lower abdomen as he reached behind me and unclasped my bra.
The garment fell to the hardwood floor, landing silently before he slid his arms behind me and cupped my ass. Lifting me, he pressed my back into the wall and devoured my mouth once more.