“Life-altering sex?”
“Definitely.” I kiss her again. “Let me just clean up.”
Leaving her, I go to the bathroom, get rid of the condom, and wash up. I wet a cloth in warm water and take it back to the bedroom with me. She is still exactly where I left her.
I press the cloth between her legs, cleaning her, as I watch her watch me with what looks like fascination and surprise.
Has no one cared for her in this way before?
It both angers and pleases me.
I toss the cloth back in the direction of the bathroom and climb back onto the bed with her. I wrap my body around hers.
“Stay the night,” I whisper into her ear.
She turns her face to mine, and I see something in her eyes.
I already know what she is going to say before she says it.
“I can’t stay.”
I SEE HIS EXPRESSION DROP as soon as the words have left my mouth, so I’m quick to explain myself, “It’s not what you think. It’s Jett. I never stay out overnight. And I want to speak to him first about you and me before we start doing sleepovers.”
“So, there will be sleepovers?” He runs his finger down my arm, a salacious look in his eyes.
“If you’re lucky.” I grin.
“I’m feeling pretty damn lucky right now.”
A soft smile claims my grin. “Me, too.”
“But?”
“Why do you think there’s a but?” I frown.
He moves onto his back, his hand going behind his head. I’m momentarily distracted by the flex of his muscles in his bicep. He has great arms.
“Because I have gotten pretty good at reading you.”
Exhaling a breath, I place my hand flat on his chest and rest my chin on it. “I’m just worried.”
“About?” His brow lifts.
“A few things…” I stare into his eyes. “I’m worried about Jett getting attached to you.” I bite my lower lip with my teeth.
“And that is a bad thing? Why?” His eyebrows pull together.
“Because if we don’t work out for whatever reason, I don’t want him getting hurt. That’s why I’ve never introduced him to any men I’ve dated before—not that there’s been many and not that we’ve exactly dated yet—”
“Which we need to rectify very soon.”
That pulls my thoughts in a different direction. “You want to take me out on a date?” A smile edges my lips.
“Yes, and soon.” Leaning his head down, he kisses the tip of my nose before resting his head back on the pillow. “You have nothing to fear, India. I won’t hurt Jett or you. I promise. I think Jett is a great kid, and I can’t wait to get to know him better.” His chest rises, lifting me with it, as he takes a deep breath. “I have never been in love before, India, so believe me, I am not taking our relationship lightly.”
“You’ve never been in love?” I eye him skeptically. “Ever?”
“No.”
“How is that possible?”
I know I’ve never been in love before him, but Leandro has been around a lot more women than I have men. I just can’t believe he’s never fallen in love with one of them before.
He shrugs. “I waited for it to happen. It never did. Now, I know why.”
My mouth dries. Licking my lips, I ask, “Why?”
His eyes darken with emotions. He traces his index finger over my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Because I was waiting for you.”
Can your heart dance in your chest? Because mine currently feels like it is.
“I was waiting for you, too.” Resting up on my elbow, I touch my hand to his face.
“You have been in love before…with Jett’s father?”
“No.” I strongly shake my head. “I was young and naive. I thought I was in love, but I had no clue what that truly felt like.” I fix my eyes on him. “Now, I know. The way I feel about you…I’ve never felt anything like it before. That’s why I’m willing to risk everything on us.”
His fingers slide into my hair. Pulling my mouth down to his, he gently kisses me. “I love that we are each other’s firsts.”
I smile against his lips. “Me, too,” I whisper. “But…”
“There’s that damn but again,” he growls over my lips.
Moving my head back so I can look in his eyes, I say, “I’m sorry, but while we’re on the subject of Jett’s father, I think you need to know something about him.”
A dark shadow passes over his features. “I’m listening.”
I swallow down past my nervous. “Jett’s father is in prison.”
That gets his attention. “Okay. What is he in prison for?”
I feel like I need to give Leandro all my focus when I say this, so I sit up beside him. Tucking my legs around my bum, I pull the cover around me in modesty. Leandro immediately pulls the cover down.
“I feel naked.”
“You are. Naked or not, there is nothing you need to hide from me or can’t tell me.”
I feel wide open. Like he can see through to the very soul of me.
I nervously lick my lips. “Jett’s father, Paul, is in prison for statutory rape, rape, and sexual assault.”
His eyes widen, and anger envelops his features. He sits up, putting his back against the headboard. His eyes close together tightly. His jaw clenching, he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Did he…rape you?”