Page 29 of Caught Stealing Your Heart
“Can I at least get a hug and kiss?”
I held my breath as I waited for Banks. Time seemed to slow when Banks got out and walked around the back of the truck. With his arms around my waist and mine around his neck, I relished in his embrace. I squeezed him tighter as if it would be our last hug, never wanting to let him go.
His emotions were transferring to me like the howling wind blowing against us. I moved my head back to stare at him, but Banks quickly kissed me and walked away. He got back in the truck, waiting for me to safely get inside.
My chest swelled as I tried to shake off my feelings. I refused to shed tears over something that was temporary, so that was what I had to keep reminding myself.
What Banks and I had was temporary.
Or was it?
My head was gone.
Leilani had come in and stolen a special place in my heart. My intentions when I first met her were simply for gain. Now I had to admit to myself that everything I felt for her was raw and real. Everything I did for her came from my heart because I genuinely cared for her. I saw something happening between us, and I worried it was about to be taken away.
I didn’t think I had the right to question her on her relationship with her ex. She didn’t question me on the many women who were constantly throwing themselves at me, some who made it known we’d been intimate before. I simply hoped she had the decency to abide by everything until our six months.
I lay in bed, watching Leilani on live. She was in her zone, swaying to the music while dipping her brush into a shade of blue then white. The long stroke across her canvas made me wonder if she was still drawing me or something different. Midway, she stopped and closed her eyes, singing along to Leela James.
“Before I take another step, would you catch me if I fall for you? ’Cause I’m falling,” Leilani sang before lowering her head and releasing a heavy sigh.
Comments were coming back-to-back, questioning what was going on with her. A few people tagged me as well, trying to put the pieces together. I didn’t want to respond or anything, but I couldn’t allow the questions to go unanswered.
My thumb hovered over the button to join her live when a comment from her ex caught my attention. It read,“Chin up. Call me if you need me.”with a bunch of heart emojis. I exited off the live and tossed my phone to the side.
My doorbell ringing dragged me off my couch to the front door. I didn’t need to open the door to know it was Paisley. She had been texting me all morning, checking on me. With the way I replied, I knew it was bound for her to pop up.
Paisley held up a bag from Joe’s in one hand with two coffees in the other. I stepped to the side so she could come in. She stopped in front of me with her head slightly tilted down. I kissed her forehead and shut the door behind her. We went to my kitchen where we washed our hands for Paisley to pass out our food.
“Beef bacon with egg and cheese on a bagel and seasoned rounds with a half sweet white chocolate cold brew for you, and my usual for me,” Paisley announced with a pleased smile.
“Thanks, Pai.”
“Banks?”
“I’m good.”
She came around and sat next to me, placing her hand on my shoulder. “No, you’re not. I usually give you time to process everything, but it’s been days, Banks. You gotta let me know something.”
I scrubbed my hand down my face. “I wasn’t supposed to fall for her.”
“But?”
“I did. Fast as hell too. It’s been only two months, and I was all in. I was doing shit I’d always wanted to do but never did because… well, you know how the women I used to mess with were. I didn’t feel any of them were worthy of what my heart had to offer except for sex. With Leilani, everything felt different.”
“You’re using past tense, Banks. Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“I think she’s still in love with her ex.”
Paisley sat back in her seat with her arms folded, running her tongue along the inside of her cheek. “Why do you think that?”
“They’ve been texting. I saw his name on her phone, and she’s been keeping her phone closer than normal. Usually, when we’re together, it’s only us. No distractions. Plus, I heard her talking to her cousin about meeting up with him.”
“Oh, wow. Have you talked to her about it?”
“I don’t feel it’s my place to.”
“And why not?”
