Page 57 of My Promise To Keep

‘She’s so fuckin’ cute.’ He laughs lightly.

‘Is she asleep?’

‘Almost. She said I could leave.’

‘She’s so independent now.’ I swallow the lump in my throat. Why am I nervous to be around someone I’ve known forever?

‘You okay, Zo?’ He walks a little further into the kitchen, and I back up against the counter. ‘Am I scaring you or something?’ He freezes, and I meet his gaze.

‘No, of course not.’

‘You look like you’re trying to get away from me. Do you want me to leave?’

‘No.’ The word surprises me, and I see in his eyes that it surprises him, too.

‘If you want me to stay, why do you look so nervous to be around me?’ He takes another step closer, then another, and I inhale deeply. ‘Zoe, what’s going on right now?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Talk to me.’

‘Leo.’

‘Munch, talk.’

‘You walked out of my place after asking me out and disappeared, and now you’re here, in town, around my family, in my house, and it’s like a ticking bomb. I feel like I’m just waiting for you to make a move.’

‘You want me to make a move? ‘

‘Yes.’ I gasp. ‘No. I mean, I don’t know, I…’

‘Zoe, we have nothing but time.’ He steps closer, then closer still. Closing the distance between us to barely a foot and making my skin heat. My chest rises and falls, and my heart races, and I struggle to steady my breath. All I can focus on are the soft pink lips within kissing distance. He inhales slowly, then breathes out, inching closer again. ‘I’ll make a move,’ god, his voice is so low, ‘when I’m sure you’re ready for that. Right now, I’m just spending some time with my friend.’

I exhale the breath that had frozen in my lungs, and he reaches up to push my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on thestrands between them, causing me to shiver at the sensation tickling my scalp.

‘I love your hair this color.’

‘Jesus, Leo. You’re going to drive me insane. You never say what I think you’re going to say.’

I hear the frustration in my tone. I feel the need in my body. Having him this close, his heat, his scent, and the feel of his breath on my skin is making me desperate enough that I could easily forget my reservations and drag him upstairs.

‘You’re not ready yet, Zo. You’re horny, there’s a difference.’ He steps back just a fraction. ‘Have you been dating?’

‘I told you I would.’

‘Not what I asked.’

‘Have you?’ I push out my chin a little defiantly, and he smiles as he grips it between his thumb and finger, then leans in, hovering his mouth above mine.

‘No. Not interested in anyone but you.’

‘I haven’t.’ I exhale the words in a rush of desire, and he steps forward, his body pushing out any air between us as he presses me back against the countertop, and I feel that he’s as affected as me.

‘Good.’ Leo leans in, pressing a soft kiss just below my ear before speaking softly. ‘I’m going back to the city, munch. When you’re ready, you come to me.’

Then, without warning — without giving me a chance to test that my legs, that feel like jelly, can bear the weight of my body without him pressed up against me — he steps back, then back again.

‘I want this, munch, but I can’t push you into it. You have to get there on your own. When you’re ready, I’ll be there waiting for you.’

---