Page 78 of Penalty Zone

“Happy New Year,” I whisper against his lips. The fireworks begin, and I drag him over to the window to watch. But the best show is the color changes of Leo’s aura to passion and love.

Leo stands behind me with his head on my shoulder and his arms wrapped around me. “Happy New Year, Baby Doll.”

“Quick, make a wish.” I close my eyes and wish for Leo to always be mine. “Did you do it?”

“I did. Now will you tell me what the theatrics were about pretending to be passed out drunk?” He presses a kiss below my ear and I shiver.

I turn and loop my arms around his neck. “Mama Benz believes you should start the year the way you want to end it, including being with the people who mean the most.” I shrug. “Being the man of the hour is soooo hard,” I joke and he rewardsme with a full grin. “They weren’t going to let me sneak away and I could hardly say my new thang was in town because they would harass and possibly follow me for details. And my ruse got me exactly where I want to be at midnight—in your arms.” We kiss with the fireworks as our backdrop and my heart fills with the stars.

“I’m your thang, eh?” Leo growls and I burst out laughing when I hear Leo say “thang” in his Canadian accent.

“So much more, but if I tell the guys I found myself a Daddy, they might guess.” I tug the hair at the nape of his neck. He hasn’t been using product in it and I love he’s doing it for me.

Leo pulls me flush with his hands on my ass. “Your achievement tonight was legendary. I googled it. You’re the first in the franchise’s history to do it. Something I’ve never done, and it was spectacular. It was so hard not to storm the ice and grab and tell you…”

“Tell me what?” I ask when Leo seems uncharacteristically unsure.

“I talked to Mr. Dimon and told him about us.” He pulls back to gauge my reaction before he continues. “He asked me if telling him was necessary, and I said our relationship will outlast your time with the Enforcers so he needed to be in the loop.”

“Leo. Lovie,” I say breathlessly. “I want that too.” He’s the wish I won’t ruin.

The fireworks have ended and the strip burns brightly below us. We kiss for hours and days and not nearly long enough before he leads me to the bed.

Leo unbuttons my shirt with unsteady hands and runs them along my sides before systematically removing all my clothes. He folds them on top of his suitcase and undresses in a hurry, throwing his clothes on the floor. Pulling back the comforter so I can get in bed, he follows behind me so we share a pillow.

“You know,” I say coyly. “After the game I had tonight, I’m going to need to suck you off before all of them from now on.” I trace his pecs and lose my fingers in his chest hair.

“Demanding devil, aren’t you.” He kisses my nose.

“Definitely need punishment,” I say, and ruin it with a yawn.

“You’re exhausted. Sleep, and I’ll have my way with you in the morning.” He brings my head under his chin, but a whiny squeak escapes me. “What’s wrong?” Leo holds me tighter.

“Don’t you want…” I sound petulant and cut myself off.

“My need for you is infinite, but sex is secondary. Your overall health is more important, and tonight’s game was exhausting.” He grips my chin. “Tell me you understand.”

My eyes water. He’s not lying, but it’s hard to wrap my head around Leo telling Ari about us and wanting me for more than sex. Logically, he’s not the type of guy to string me along and risk his relationship with Mason. But…but my heart loves him so much, and I never expected this from him. It’s so much more than I imagined for us.

“Baby Doll, you don’t have to say anything, and I don’t have any expectations.” He inhales, cradling my face. “Caleb Benz, I love you.”

My ears ring, and my vision gets blurry.

This is it.

The final life I have to give Leo.

I’m dead…dying and going to a spiritual place in the sky.

“Don’t cry, my love.” He swipes my tears away.

“Leo.” I can’t say anything else, but I bury my face in his chest.

“I’m here. Go to sleep, and we can talk in the morning.”

“Okay, Lovie.”

Leo spoons me from behind so we’re tangled together, and I’m certain he won’t leave me.

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