Page 50 of Sins of Leo

“Leo, we talked about this.”

“You talked. I pretended to listen.”

“It’s not appropriate.”

“You argue too much.” He silenced her with a kiss. A quick one that she felt all the way to her toes.

“I’m just?—”

He kissed her again.

“Leo,” she moaned against his mouth.

“Yes, Buttercup?” he murmured as he nibbled her lips.

“I don’t know if you’re ready for?—”

“Oh, I am more than ready to make love to you, Buttercup. Although it’s been so long I’ll probably be really, really quick the first few times. But don’t worry, I will still make it worth your while.”

She blinked. Who was this confident teasing man? “Are you okay? You seem different.”

“What you’re seeing is the me of before. A man who was lost for a while but is now finding his way back.”

“This change in character seems abrupt.”

“Sudden, yes, but long overdue. I’ve wallowed long enough.”

“I thought you didn’t wallow,” she teased.

“I was, even I can admit that now. But it’s a hard cycle to break because, as you probably know, misery begets misery. The more I blamed myself, the more shit I felt. The more shit I felt, the more I wanted to suffer. Enough is enough. I deserve a chance to be happy, and you know what makes me happy?”

“What?” she asked faintly, finding it hard to think with her body tucked snugly against his.

“Seeing your cheeks turn pink.”

“They do not,” she huffed, blushing.

“There’s the color I love to see.” He winked, but she frowned.

She didn’t know what to make of this new Leo. The change in him was startling. Usually, it would take months of therapy to see results because, as he’d accurately pegged, angst tended to feed upon itself. Breaking that cycle could be difficult.

“I hope you’re not faking this good mood for my benefit.”

“Do I seem like the type to do that?”

“No, but I find it hard to believe you suddenly just snapped out of it.” She clicked her fingers.

“Why not? After all, I fell into depression suddenly. Why can’t it end as abruptly? Don’t forget, I am a Zodiac Warrior. We’re a different breed. Our strength isn’t just in our body but our minds.” He tapped his temple.

She snorted. “If you say so.”

“You’ll see. Depressed Leo is a thing of the past. It’s time I looked to the future.”

For a second, she thought of asking him about what his daughter said in the dream about them soon meeting. Was his sudden good humor meant to throw her off? Was he planning to join his daughter in death?

He’d better not, or she might just find the magic needed to chastise him beyond the grave.

“Where are we?” she asked.

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