AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I swallowed hard. “I’m on birth control.”
He groaned as he moved back into position, and the tip of his cock slipped inside. I bit my lip against the sensation of him being inside me without a barrier for the first time. Tingles erupted over my skin as he pushed inside, filling me in a way he hadn’t before.
He lowered himself so that he braced himself on his forearms on either side of my head. His weight rested on my body, his chest pressed against mine, as he lifted his hips in slow movements to make long, measured thrusts.
With every movement, his pelvis ground against my clit, creating delicious friction. The pressure built until I was moaning into his mouth. I was surrounded by him, his scent, his touch. I couldn’t get enough.
We went over together. Then he rested his forehead against mine. “That was transcendent.”
I couldn’t think of a better word than that, and no one had ever described sex or making love quite like that. Leo set himself apart from the other guys who were only with me for sex or a good time.
He wanted me and my daughter. He was falling for me. That had to be enough for now. I’d be patient and bide my time. I had to trust that he would eventually tell his parents and Gia about me.
He moved to my side for a few seconds before pulling on his briefs and going to the bathroom in the hallway. He returned with a washcloth.
Then he gathered me to him and asked, “Can I stay a while?” He kissed my temple. “I’ll leave before she wakes up.”
I nodded because my throat was too tight with emotion. I’d already fallen for him. I just hoped he’d get to the same place I was.
In the middle of the night, I reached for him, needing that connection, the reassurance that he was in this with me. This time, I rode him while he caressed my breasts.
Going without a condom was a show of trust for me. Manny hadn’t been there for me when I’d gotten pregnant, but then there were signs he wasn’t responsible before that happened. Leo was the opposite of Manny. I fell back asleep, hoping I wasn’t making a huge mistake.
When I woke in the morning, he was gone. The sheets were cold. He’d told me he was leaving early, and I knew it was necessary. I wasn’t ready to tell Evie our relationship was serious, not without Leo’s family and my best friend knowing. But I felt bereft.
I hated this duplicity, loving a man who couldn’t be honest with everyone in our life about what we meant to each other. He had a good reason. I just wasn’t sure how much longer I wanted to keep going on like this.
I wanted all of Leo, not just stolen moments or a few hours when everyone was sleeping. I needed to be part of his life in every way. Even if his parents never accepted me, it was better than pretending he was only a friend.
* * *
The days leading up to Mr. and Mrs. G.’s trip were busy. I didn’t see much of Leo. He wanted to secure the new property before his parents left and show them that he had everything handled.
I didn’t go to the next Sunday dinner. I needed space, and I couldn’t bring myself to sit across the room from Leo and pretend we didn’t mean anything to each other. Frankly, I was a little surprised that he could. That it was so easy for him.
He’d come to my house last Sunday night because he was happy about the developments in his work, not because of anything to do with us.
I was starting to wonder if I’d romanticized our relationship in my head. If I thought there was more to it than there was. Sure, he told me I was important to him, and he said he was falling for me, but what if he was just stringing me along and had no intentions of ever telling his parents?
When Mrs. G. called and asked me to see them off because she wanted to say good-bye to Evie, I couldn’t refuse. Evie was going to miss them too. They were her de facto grandparents.
The send-off was at their house, and when I arrived, everyone was already standing outside. Evie was passed around, hugged, and kissed until she was finally in Mr. G.’s arms. “I’m going to miss you. Don’t give your mother any trouble while we’re gone.”
“I’m not trouble,” Evie said, and everyone laughed.
He kissed her cheek with a smacking sound before handing her off to Mrs. G., who hugged her tightly. Then Mr. G. hugged both of them, and Evie giggled. When Mr. G. kissed Mrs. G., Evie squirmed. “Ew. You’re kissing like Leo and Mommy.”
It was like time came to a stop. I felt everyone’s stares as she ran to me. “Did you see? They kiss like you and Leo.”
I couldn’t respond because the words were stuck in my throat.
“What is she talking about?” Gia asked.
I slowly shook my head as I silently pleaded with Leo to fix it over her head.
“Why would Leo be kissing Harper?” Mrs. G. asked with a disbelieving smile. It slowly slid off her face when she saw my face. “Is it true?”
“Um. Yes?” I wasn’t sure how to handle this. We hadn’t discussed what to say or do if everyone found out, and I never anticipated that it would be like this, with everyone surrounding us. There was nowhere to hide.
