My eyes hit the floor as a pause of silence came over us.
“Matt?”
“Yes,” I answered with my eyes to the floor. I was twirling my hands in my lap unsure of what to say. So, I went with the normal reply. “I have your private number if I need you.”
He sighed and I instantly felt my heart skip a beat.
Could anyone blame me for not being excited for my boyfriend’s constant trips away from home? He had just come back from New York only three days ago. I was promised a week together where we could go to my favorite restaurant.
“I’m sorry about this, but I have to discuss something with my team in Europe before the next gala.”
Another event I wouldn’t be attending.
“Matt, please…” He spoke with the hint of a grin. He wasn’t taking my emotions seriously, so I kept my eyes to the floor. Leandro knelt in front of me, but I looked away. He let out a slow sigh as his hand touched my knee. “I’m sorry that you can’t come.”
“Can’t? Or is that you don’t want me there?” I looked at him straight on.
Leandro rolled his eyes and stood. “Not this again.”
“Yes, this again,” I said, then quickly drew in a sharp breath. “You’re never here anymore.”
“I’ve always traveled. You knew that about me when we met.”
I shook my head. “And you know that we are well past first dates.”
For a split second, Leandro’s eyes met mine with a smile that I couldn’t help copying. Our early days truly were light and fun, and the possibilities of love were everywhere.
“We’re a serious couple now, Leandro. We’ve built a life together.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“Don’t be angry with me,” I got to my feet. Leandro had stepped back and put his hands on his hips. I hated this side of him, the one where he refused to see that he wasn’t perfect. “I just want to be at your side to support you. All the time.”
Leandro loosened up as he gave me a half-cocked smile. “We can’t be together all the time. You have your own hobbies and I have mine.”
“I don’t mean twenty-four-seven.” I waved my arms as I let out a heavy sigh. “And don’t tell me you have hobbies. You have a business that occupies ninety percent of your time.”
“Ninety?”
“Yes.” I crossed my arms as I waited for his reply. He just shrugged, then went back to packing. The silence of the room hit me full force. I realized then that I just couldn’t go on living like a shadow in his glittery world.
“I can’t do this anymore.” The words just sort of fell out of my mouth before I could think about what I was saying.
Again, the silence. This time, however, Leandro stopped messing with the suitcase and slowly came to me. His gorgeous dark eyes pinned mine as he looked like he might tear up. Neither of us wanted to end our relationship, but things had gotten too predictable. He knew I wasn’t happy; I never pretended like I was.
Leandro met me, then touched my neck and my face. “I love you, Matt. The last thing I want is to see you upset, or worse, to leave.”
“I don’t want that either. But I can’t stay here alone anymore.”
Leandro’s thumb caressed my lip, and then he leaned in close and kissed me. His commanding, yet tender kisses always silenced me. His hand gripped my neck a little tighter as he pulled my body to his.
I reached up and caressed his chest with one hand and ran my fingers through his hair with my other.
“You know I miss you,” he whispered as he stopped for a breath. He grabbed my hair and gently pulled my head back as he leaned down and began kissing my neck.
“I know.”
Leandro slid his hand down my ribs and to my pants where he squeezed me hard. The pulsing rush of blood was overwhelming right then, and I gasped in immediate pleasure. Leandro leaned up and took my mouth with his, his tongue rushing over mine as he squeezed my cock again.
“You aren’t alone,” he whispered in my ear after kissing my face. “I’m here whenever you want.”
Whenever I want?
I pushed Leandro back and rubbed my mouth. “I can’t believe you.”
“Me?” he said between heavy breaths. “Every time we get close, something bothers you, so we stop.”
“That’s not why we haven’t had sex lately.”
Leandro opened his mouth to say something, but then he closed his lips and sighed through his nose.
I shook my head and began to pace again.
“My flight is early in the morning. I need some sleep, and so do you.”
“Why?” I turned and faced him with a shrug. “I have nothing to do for the next week. Maybe longer.”
“Then make plans. My company has made this life possible, and you and I both enjoy it too much to give it up. I will always travel, you know that.”