Bared Souls - Ellie Wade Page 0,81
been brave enough to admit that I need Leo as much as he needs me, I don’t want to be without him either.
“You promised to love me as is,” he teases, making quick work of undressing.
My mouth falls open because Leo has always been the hottest man I’ve ever seen, but now, he’s even more buff and muscled.
“Like what you see, babe?” He chuckles at my gawking expression.
“Hell yes,” I sigh, a rush of need hitting me.
“We are encouraged to work out, endorphins and shit. Since my only pastime was missing you, I’ve been working out like it’s my full-time job.”
“I approve.” I grin as Leo crawls up my body and slides on a condom.
“This first time is going to be hard and rough because I’ve been dreaming about this for too damn long. The rest will be slow and drawn out, and I promise to pay attention to every part of you because I’ve been craving every inch.” Leo’s words are husky and dripping with want.
Threading my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, I pull his lips to mine as he enters me. I moan into his mouth. Nothing has ever felt better.
I am exactly where I am meant to be.
Please don’t hurt me. Please don’t break my heart. Please don’t ruin me. I chant silent prayers in my head as he makes love to me.
I’ve made my decision. I am Leo’s, and he is mine. Being with him was never a choice; it was my destiny. Now, all I can do is pray that he doesn’t destroy me. All I can do is pray that our love is powerful enough to keep his demons at bay.
I will love him so hard and deeply that his broken soul will heal back together. Love can do amazing things, and just maybe, this time, it will be enough.
Please be enough.
THIRTY-NINE
Alma
Leo’s arm drapes over my waist, and he pulls me closer. His bare skin is warm and silky against mine.
“Don’t leave,” he grumbles into my hair, his voice still gravelly from slumber.
“I have to. I’m scheduled to work a double today.” I trace my pointer finger over the taut skin of his muscled forearm.
In fairness, I don’t have any desire to leave Leo’s bed either. The past five days have been nothing short of incredible. We’ve only left his bed to shower or to answer the door when our food is delivered. We’ve talked, laughed, and made love for hours. Existing here in this space is my utopia; he’s my heaven on earth. My soul feels whole again. My lungs rejoice as I can finally take a full breath after months of struggling to find air. I don’t ever want to be without Leo again.
“He’ll survive without you.” Leo kisses my shoulder, sending warm tingles throughout my body.
I sit up, refusing to let my desire for Leo take over. If I succumb to it, I’ll never make it to work.
“He needs servers, and I need a job.” I giggle as Leo attempts to pull me back down toward him.
“I need service, and I’ll gladly pay you for it,” he taunts, and I jump from the bed, needing distance between him.
I shake my head with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure we’ve established that’s illegal.”
“Seriously, I have money. You can have it all. I just want you,” he says evenly, propping his body up with his arm.
“I know, Leo. I don’t want to be away from you either, but we have to create some sort of normalcy. There are times when we have to be apart. I need to work and earn my own money. You should spend time on your online classes, work out, whatever. It will feel good to be productive, I promise.”
“I disagree,” he groans, sitting up against the headboard of his bed. “It will feel good to be in you.”
“Later,” I vow and shoot him a wink before heading to the bathroom and hopping in the shower.
“Do you want company?” he asks from outside the shower stall.
“No!” My response is instant, and it causes a deep chuckle to erupt from Leo.
“Why’s that?” he asks teasingly.
“You know damn well why. I’m not going to be late.”
“Fine.” Humor lines his voice.
The buzz of his electric toothbrush sounds.
“I work tomorrow, but then I’m off for a few days. I was thinking that we could drive back to my parents’ house on my day off. I don’t know if they’ll be there or not, but if so, you can meet