by Kimi Flores
“We're fine. Really.” Unsure if he could see my reassuring smile, I leaned up and kissed his lips. As I pulled away, he held my face with both hands.
“Leah, I'm serious. I would never hurt you, and I’d beat the shit out of anyone who tried.”
“I know.” I kissed him once more before turning and nestling my back on his chest. “I have to get some sleep since I’m working the McCormick wedding in the morning before we meet up with everyone for lunch.”
Stefen wrapped his arm around my stomach and nuzzled his chin into my neck. “You know, even though we aren’t actually having sex, there’s no shame in dreaming about it.” I didn’t need to look at his face to know that he was smiling. “I fantasize about you every night,” he growled. “Pleasant dreams, mi amor.”
⁂
Stefen
With all eyes on us, I pulled Leah’s chair away from the table before sitting beside her. I leaned in and whispered, “I think everyone is still trying to adjust to seeing us together, now that we explained that we aren’t engaged.” I kissed her temple. Although we seemed fine after her dream last night, Leah looked a little lost.
“Look, Mama and Daddy, I told you that Uncle Stefen was going to marry Auntie Leah,” Madison blurted out from the opposite side of the table.
Smiling up at my favorite little girl, I said, “Not yet, squirt. But you’ll be the first to know when that happens.” I winked at Madison, and she rewarded me with a gap-toothed grin.
I caught my girlfriend eyeing her sister at the other end of the table, and I silently questioned what was going on. Both Dani and Bri had come into town that morning and asked that the family get together for a late lunch.
After helping Leah with her wedding that morning, she and I rushed off to make it on time to the restaurant. We hoped our sisters were here to tell us what we’d wanted to hear for a while.
Caleb, Abby, Leah, Madison and I all sat and watched as Bri made an announcement. “So as you all know, Dani and I have talked about becoming roomies and finding a place here in town. Well, when we visited during Thanksgiving, we snuck out and looked at a few places and signed a lease not too far from Leah and Stefen’s. The movers came this morning, and,” both Dani and Bri stood up, looking at each other before squealing, “We are now officially Santa Barbarians.”
Excited energy filled the table as everyone responded simultaneously.
“Are you serious?”
“I can’t believe it!”
“Why did you keep this a secret?”
The girls sat back down and Bri said, “It seemed like a good move, and to be near all of you is a dream come true. But we wanted to have the wiggle room to back out last minute without any of you giving us shit.” Although Madison was sitting next to her, Bri had apparently forgotten there was an impressionable child at the table.
With her mouth gaped open, Madison pointed at Bri. “Ooooo, you said a bad word, Auntie Bri.”
Bri cringed, then kissed the tip of the finger pointing accusingly at her. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. That was a very adult word to say in front of you.”
Madison wiggled her shoulders and settled into her chair. “That’s okay. My daddy says that word, too.”
Caleb squeezed his giggly daughter. “Way to throw your old man under the bus, pumpkin.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Leah asked.
My Leah. Always the first to offer her help. Damn, I loved that woman and her generous heart.
Dani spoke up, using her thumb to point at Bri. “Apparently, girlfriend here doesn’t know anything about hiring some homeboys down at the local lumberyard to help out, so she paid for professional movers to bring our stuff up the stairs.”
Bri snickered and smacked Dani on the shoulder. Dani laughed before she continued, “We could use some help hanging pictures and that kind of stuff. Do you guys want to go see it after we eat?”
The entire group nodded, so we made plans to head to the new condo after we left the restaurant.
Dani and I had a lot of fun teasing each other, but I’d noticed that she seemed to carry a lot of stress. I was happy that both sisters were here getting the fresh start I’d just experienced.
I looked at my caller ID as my phone vibrated in my pocket. Steps In Time flashed across the screen. It was the dance studio where Leah taught.
That was odd. I’d call them back later.
Right now, I was going to enjoy the fact that my closest family members, as well as my girl were all sitting and enjoying our time together, chattering about the future we were all going to share, in the same town.
⁂
Leah
We’d just finished eating, and I had already given Dani a hard time about keeping me out of the loop. Having my favorite sister living so close was going to be great. And I looked forward to getting to know Bri even more.
Stefen excused himself to make a call, triggering my insecurities once more. I really wanted to believe that he would be faithful, but there was that lingering feeling that he could easily find another girl.
Bri and Dani left for the restroom with Madison when Abby placed her hand on top of mine, “You ok, sweetie?”
Caleb rubbed Abby’s back, seeming to wonder if he had a place in this conversation. I loved Caleb like a brother, and he was welcome in any conversation I had, but I wondered if his loyalty to Stefen would cloud his opinion.
I looked down somberly at Abby and her hands. “I’ve just been thinking. Stefen’s changed so much since he’s been here, but there’s a little voice nagging me, wondering if he could fall back into old habits. I don’t think he will, but I can’t help but wonder every time he walks away from me on a phone call.”
Caleb spoke up, giving me a reassuring smile. “Leah, you know how happy I’ve been about the changes he’s made, but to be honest, he didn’t change because of what happened. He seemed different when I dropped him off at the airport, after he’d spend all those weeks with you. This isn’t a new thing. He loves you. Trust me. I’ve never seen him like this before.”
Even if I thought Caleb was full of crap, the adoring look Abby gave him would have convinced me otherwise. I trusted Caleb. Now all I had to do was learn to trust the one who held my heart.
Chapter Twenty - Two
Trust is a Fragile Thing
Leah
I enjoyed spending my days off, relaxing with Stefen. We’d slept in again today and had a late lunch in bed. He sat with his back to me, yelling at the TV while slapping his palms down on the mattress.
His favorite hockey team was playing in the live telecast game. I didn’t get the whole love of sports thing, but was thankful that this was the only one he followed. He joked with me saying that one of the benefits of living in California was that he got to watch his games at an earlier hour than in Chicago.
Abby had to endure the same torture with Caleb this time of year. Then again, she’d learned to love it herself after going to a live game.
Sitting with my back against the headboard, I had to admit it was pretty hot watching a shirtless Stefen get all riled up over a bunch of padded-up guys, hitting a little disk around on the ice. I could see why girls liked hockey guys.
The timing was perfect for me to catch up on my bookkeeping. The last few months, I’d been so busy spending time with Stefen, helping our sisters settle into their new condo, teaching my weekly dance class, and planning Abby’s upcoming baby shower that my accounting had suffered.
Thankfully, Melissa was a wiz with numbers and helped with payroll, billing clients, and all the other financial matters I was too distracted to deal with. I relied so much on Melissa, I wanted to find a way to properly thank her. I’d even thought about letting her move into my apartment with her son, since I was at Stefen’s pretty permanently now.
Grumbling, I opened up my laptop and started working on the accounting program. I had just realized some of the papers I needed were at the shop. Dammit. Without that information, none of the other num
bers would make sense.
“Man, I have to go into the store to get some paperwork,” I whined, closing the laptop. Setting it on my nightstand, I scooted down to lay my head on the pillow.
Too sucked into the game, Stefen quickly glanced down at me. “What’d you say?”
Sticking my bottom lip out, I grumbled, “I don’t want to go to the shop, but these numbers aren’t working out. I can run there and back while you’re watching the game.” I said it but didn’t want to leave the comfort of my cozy jammies, or the bed that occupied my gorgeous boyfriend.
A commercial came on, freeing him to give me his full attention. Nestling his chest between my thighs, he laid his chin on my belly. “It’s the third quarter and my guys are winning. If you give me about another half hour, we can go for a walk, then bring the girls some dinner before they close the store. I can help you with your numbers later.”
Wow, he paid attention to what I said, even with his game on.
“It’s too cold to go for a walk,” I pouted.
He sighed, shaking his head. “Too cold? Leah, its sixty-two degrees. That’s not cold.”
Pursing my lips, I scrunched up my forehead. “That’s freezing.”
Taking his time, he gently touched every centimeter of my exposed skin with his fingertips, driving me mad with desire as he inched up my body. I trembled when he glanced up with a knowing look and a mischievous smirk.
“Games back on,” he said. He had the nerve to wink before giving me a peck on the lips and turning back to the TV.
I let out a cry of frustration. Damn sexy jerk! He knew exactly what he did to me.
Throwing the blankets off, I dragged myself into the bathroom. “I’ll get ready for our icy walk while you finish the game.”
True to his word, the game ended within thirty-minutes. He put on his running shorts while I bundled up in a hoody and thick cotton pants before we headed out.
I crossed my arms, hugging myself for warmth as we strolled along the shoreline. “It’s so cold. How can you walk around in shorts?”
“It’s not cold.” He bent down and scooped up a handful of water. “But this is.” Then he tossed it at me.
I momentarily lost my breath, shocked from the ice-cold ocean water smacking my head. Spinning around in his direction, I saw his expression change when he registered how much trouble he was in.
He started running backward, watching my every move.
Jogging after the escaping tide, I was able to capture just enough water in both hands. I flung it at him, but he moved out of the way without a drop hitting him.
“No fair, you caught me off guard,” I pouted again.
Pursing his lips, he lifted his shoulders. “What can I say? My timing is impeccable.”
Narrowing my eyes, I scooped up more water, then chased after him. But by the time I caught him, all the water had dripped through my fingers.
Out of breath, I admitted, “Okay. You got me. I’m no match for the Mighty Stefen.” I curtsied in front of him. When I looked back up, he had a wicked gleam in his eyes as he began to stalk toward me.
“What are you doing?” I backed away, but he was too fast. Stefen lifted me off my feet, throwing me over his shoulder. “Stefen, I’m going to hurt your shoulder. Put me down.”
He snorted, “No way. I’m fine and I don’t think your words were sincere at all. I want you to really mean it when you say you’re no match for me.” He walked us straight toward the surf.
Starting to panic, I screamed, “No way. Put me down.”
Ignoring me, he kept going until he was knee deep. Waves were crashing on his thighs.
I felt him start to pull me down, and I freaked out. “Stefen! I swear, if you put me down!” I left my warning at that. As he lowered me, I wrapped my legs around him and held on for dear life.
He laughed. “Fine. I won’t put you down. We’ll both go.”
“What? No!”
Stefen dove in, taking us both with him, and my voice was cut off when the bitter cold water stunned my system.
I was completely drenched. Jolting up, I gargled, “I hate you! I absolutely hate you!”
He popped up next to me, laughing out loud as he ran his hands through his sopping wet hair. “You don’t hate me. As a matter-of-fact, you love me very much.”
“Not right now, I don’t,” I gritted out. My teeth were chattering, thanks to him. I tried to make my getaway, but the heavy soaked hoodie weighed me down.
Smiling, he came after me. “No you don’t. You’re not leaving yet.” He picked me up and kissed my shivering lips. Pulling away, he seemed to realize his mistake. “Maybe that wasn’t the best idea. Let’s get you in the house.”
I shook in his arms as we made our way home.
Just inside the door, he set my feet on the floor. I couldn’t do anything but stand and tremble as I dripped all over the tile.
Tossing his keys on the side table, he furrowed his eyebrows at me. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry. I just thought it would be funny.” He looked apologetic as he ran his thumb across my mouth. “Your lips are turning blue. You really don’t have any tolerance for cold, do you?”
“No,” I snapped. “I don’t.” I would give him a dirty look if she wasn’t shivering head to toe.
He puckered his lips, scanning down at my sopping outfit. “Let’s get you out of these and into a warm shower.”
I nodded, my teeth chattering. It didn’t matter what his intentions were, I just wanted to defrost. He swiftly peeled both of our clothes off, excluding our underwear and my bra, then he carried my frigid body up the stairs as I trembled uncontrollably.
Walking us into the master bathroom, he put me down long enough to turn the water on. Once it was warm, he lightly pushed me inside. The luscious warmth hit my frozen skin, almost making it feel like I was on fire. I finally began to melt when I realized that Stefen had been stroking my arms to help me warm up quicker.
Kissing my shoulder, he apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you’d be so cold.”
A shiver went down my spine and, suddenly, I was no longer cold. My senses were on high alert as I enjoyed him running his hands up and down my body and his lips on my skin. Unable to stop it, I moaned my approval several times.
That definitely got his attention.
He growled, “Baby, you can’t make sounds like that when we’re half-naked in the shower.”
Tilting my head to the side, I sighed, “It just feels so good. I like that we’re in here together.”
His hands began to roam down my ribcage to my waist, thighs and back up. I whirled around to face him, chest heaving up and down. His eyes darkened as I wrapped my hands around the back of his neck.
Running my fingertips up and down, I closed my eyes. I whimpered when his hands landed on my ass and he squeezed.
Opening my eyes, I confessed, “I love you Stefen, and I want this. I’m just scared.”
Pulling me toward his body, he brushed both of his thumbs on my cheeks. “I don’t want to do anything you aren’t ready for. I’m not going to rush you, but I’m a guy. I can’t help that I want to make love to you right now.”
I bit the inside of my cheek like I did whenever I was nervous. “Do you have any protection?”
He shook his head. “No. I was waiting until you said you were ready. Aren’t you still on the pill?”
Surprised, I raised my eyebrows. “Yes, but I thought you said you didn’t believe when a girl said that.”
“Leah.” He leaned over to kiss my shoulder then pulled back to look into my eyes. “I trust you. The question is, do you trust me?”
I answered by reaching behind my back and unhooking my bra. Then I stepped out of my panties. His eyes widened, filled with surprise and desire when I said, “From the moment I met you, Stefen, everything sensible in me screamed not to, but I do trust you.” I placed my hand on the side of his face. “I don't understand it, but my heart does.”
He didn’t waste any time, br
inging my body flush with his. Passion took over as he pulled his underwear off and kissed me with everything he had.
“Stefen?” I whispered into his mouth.
“Yeah, baby.” He continued to cover me in kisses.
“Promise me something first.” We hadn’t talked about this yet, and it was an awkward time to do so, but I had to say my peace before we went forward.
“Anything.”
I pulled away and looked at his face. “Don’t leave me.”
Jerking his head back, he looked confused. “What do you mean? I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” He moved the wet strands away from my face, tenderly stroking my neck.
“No,” I clarified, my heart in my eyes. “I mean, stay with me the whole time. Here,” I pulled his head down and kissed his forehead, “and here.” I placed my palm over his heart. “Be present. Don’t shut me out.”
I saw the moment it clicked, and he lifted his head, acknowledging my fears. “Sweetheart, I’m yours one-hundred percent. Being with you emotionally is my favorite part.”
I eyed him, looking for any hint of untruth. He’s a guy. There’s no way that was his favorite part.
He flashed his devious smile at me. “Fine. It’s a close runner up.”
I smirked. Sounds more like it.
⁂
Stefen
That was not how I had planned on spending my day or night yesterday, but I was a happier man this morning. Waking up naked, tangled under the sheets with the love of my life was definitely on my list of favorite moments.
This time around, it was so different. I’d never experienced all-consuming ecstasy—emotional and physical—before. I would always want Leah by my side. Every moment we spent together solidified this for me.
