When we get inside, there’s a pause. I walk over to my front window to close the drapes.
“Are you sure about this?” Leo asks, coming to stand behind me, his strong arms wrapping around my waist. “We don’t have to do anything. I’m happy just being here with you.”
I melt back against his chest, turning my head slightly so I can nuzzle under his chin. “Leo, I’ve never been more sure. This doesn’t feel like rushing anything. It feels absolutely perfect.”
His lips find my neck, and he sucks gently before running his tongue over the spot. “Good. Raise your arms.”
I comply and he lifts my sweater off, baring my breasts to the cool evening air. I’m grateful I closed my drapes first; skinny-dipping was enough public nudity for one night. His hands cup my breasts, finding my nipples and teasing them into stiff peaks.
“God, your body only got sexier. You drive me crazy, Serena.”
“Mmm,” I moan as he continues to kiss my shoulders, my neck, anywhere his lips can reach. I slide my hands back around his neck, arching my spine, pressing my breasts into his hands. “Leo…more… ”
“I’ll give you more. Be patient.”
His gruff voice is new, as is the dominating way he’s handling me and speaking to me. And holy guacamole, do I love it. I know my sweet and caring Leo is still here, and I’m completely safe. But the darker, sexier, grittier side of this older version of him? Yes, please.
“Stay just like this, Tippy,” he growls into my ear before catching my earlobe in his teeth. His hands disappear for a moment, but then he’s back and his naked torso is pressed against my back, a wall of heat behind me.
I bite back another moan.
“Let me hear you.”
Leo’s hands are back, sliding to the front of my underwear, the last thing I’m wearing. He pushes them down, and I use my legs to help get them to the floor and kick them away. His fingers immediately zero in on the center of me, stroking gently, up and down, tantalizing and torturing me.
“Touch me, Leo. Please,” I pant.
“Shh. I’m in charge right now. Just trust me. Can you do that?”
For a split second, I freeze at his question. And I know Leo feels it.
“Hey, babe. Serena, what happened?” He withdraws his hands and goes to spin me around, but I hold him in place.
“Nothing. I’m sorry.” Tilting my head up so he can see the truth on my face, I continue, “Trusting you. That was never a question. I’ve always trustedyou, it’s me I don’t trust. Or I guess, it’s love. But never you.”
There’s a second or two of silence before Leo’s head drops down to my shoulder, and his arms tighten around me even more. “Serena, if you trust me, then trustmylove. It’s never stopped, even after twenty years, and it never will. And no matter how long it takes to help you believe in our love and in yourself, I’m here. Every step of the way. Because I won’t go through losing you again.”
I draw in a shaky breath, blowing it out slowly. Then I say the only thing that’s right in this moment.
“I love you.”
I turn around in his arms and pull his head down to meet mine. Our lips collide, and it’s a new beginning. A layer of my pain and confusion has fallen away, and I feel lighter.
Leo lifts me up into his arms, turning us away from the window.
When we reach my bedroom, Leo lowers me to the bed, then steps back and looks around. “I see you still haven’t caught the housekeeping bug.”
My head whips around to see where he’s looking, and mortification floods my cheeks. I jump up, swipe the dirty bra and socks off the ground, and dump them in my hamper.
“I didn’t exactly know we’d come back here, okay?”
He laughs as he walks up behind me and once again captures me in a tight squeeze. “It’s fine, Tippy. Not the first time I’ve seen your bra on the floor of a bedroom, and it won’t be the last if I have anything to say about it. I’m just teasing you, babe.”
I roll my eyes, thankful he can’t see me.
“I know you’re rolling your eyes at me. You forget, I know you better than you know yourself.”
“Seriously?” I cry in outrage, smacking at his hand that is splayed across my naked stomach. “Enough about my laundry. Why are you still wearing clothes?”