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A sense of contentment washes over me as we lay there, tangled in each other’s arms. I feel truly at peace for the first time in a long while. His touch, his presence, fills me with a warmth that I never knew I needed. Leonardo kisses my forehead, his breath warm against my skin.
“That was incredible,” I whisper, my eyes drifting shut.
Chapter 9
Leonardo
When I open my eyes, the first thing I see is Kaitlin lying next to me, her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. Her hair is spread out over the pillow, and she looks so serene, so beautiful, it takes my breath away.
A strange feeling washes over me as I watch her sleep. I realize that I like her—really like her. It’s a foreign sensation, one I haven’t felt in years. I’ve always kept my emotions in check, never allowing myself to get attached. But with Kaitlin, something’s different.
Last night, I broke all my rules—kissing, oral sex, cuddling. I’ve never done those things with anyone. And yet, I want to do it again. With her, I feel human again for the first time in forever.
I want her around. I want her for myself.
The thought scares me. I’ve never felt this possessive about someone. I need coffee; maybe I’ll think better with some caffeine in my system.
Quietly, I slip out of bed, careful not to wake her. I head to the kitchen, my mind still racing with thoughts of her. With Kaitlin, I broke every rule I made after just one night of meeting her. I even told her my real name; only business associates know my real name. What is happening to me?
As I make coffee, the aroma fills the kitchen, and just as I pour the first cup, I hear soft footsteps behind me. I turn around to see Kaitlin standing in the doorway, wearing nothing but my shirt. She looks so sexy and effortlessly beautiful that it makes my heart skip a beat.
“Good morning,” she says with a shy smile, her voice still a little husky from sleep.
“Good morning,” I reply, handing her a cup of coffee. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, very well,” she says, taking a sip of coffee. Her eyes light up with pleasure. “This is good. I helped myself to one of your shirts. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You should wear my shirt more often; you look sexy in it.” I watch as her cheeks turn red. I like that I have that effect on her.
We sit at the kitchen island, and for a moment, there’s a comfortable silence between us. I watch her as she enjoys her coffee, the way her lips curl around the rim of the cup, the way she looks at me with those big, expressive eyes. I know I need to say something, to tell her what I’m feeling.
“Kaitlin,” I begin, my voice serious. “I want you to stop working at Passion Palace.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, and she sets her cup down. “Why?”
“Because I want you,” I say, not bothering to sugarcoat my words. “I want you for myself.”
She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “You want me? I’m not a toy you can just want and acquire, Leonardo.”
“I’m not trying to acquire you,” I insist. “I’ll double whatever it is you’re being paid. Just stop working there.”
Her expression changes, becoming more guarded. “You don’t understand, I need that job.”
I understand why she needs it, but I don’t tell her. I know her brother is sick and in need of a bone marrow transplant. I also know they have yet to find a donor. I’m already working on making sure that he gets a donor and that the treatment is paid for.
I also know her dad and elder brother are in prison for drug charges. I know everything about her. I did my digging the moment I knew her name. “I’ll help you with whatever it is that you need the money for…”
She stands up, her eyes flashing with anger. “This is my life. You can’t just waltz in and dictate what I should do.”
I reach out to her, trying to calm her down, but she pulls away. “Kaitlin, sit. Let’s talk about this.”
“No. You’re trying to control my life,” she snaps, her voice shaking. “And I won’t let you. I’m not some damsel in distress that needs saving.”
I watch as she storms out of the kitchen. I want to go after her, but I decide to let her cool off. Maybe I came on too strong, but I’m still going to make her see the reasons she should stop working there. The thought of her being with another man makes me see red.
“Where are you going?” I ask, surprised to see her come out of the other room, now dressed in the dress she wore last night.
“I’m leaving.”
