Page 18 of Puppy Love
“I may pay him a visit to tell him. If I can’t be with you, then Cecilia can’t be with you, either,” Kristin sneered.
“Go ahead and tell Michael. Why would he believe you, especially with how you treated me? You’re a liar and cheater. Now get out.” I shut the door as soon as her ass was out of my home, locked it, then went into the kitchen. I needed to check on my girl and make sure she’s okay.
I scanned around the room, but she wasn’t here.
“Cece?” I called out. “Baby, where are you?”
I checked the living room, dining area, and my office on the first floor, but she wasn’t around. I went into the backyard and noticed the side door was cracked open. I rushed to the door and her car was gone from the driveway. Cecilia left me.Fuck.
9
CECILIA
Iknew it was too good to be true, to have someone like Leo have feelings for me, to want to be in a relationship with me. Was he just using me for his pleasure and stringing me along? I thought that the connection we felt was deep, but I was a fool to think that way. I feel so stupid to fall for Leo. I’m sure he really just thinks of me as a kid.
I rushed home, tears streaming down my face. Oreo’s sitting on the passenger seat, whimpering.
“I’m sorry, girl. I know you wanted to stay there as much as I did, but it’s over now. We can’t go back there,” I tell her, gripping the steering wheel and focusing on the road.
I pulled into my driveway and got into the house hastily, not wanting my neighbors to see me upset and crying. It took me a few minutes to finally stop the tears from flowing. Looking in my bathroom mirror, my eyes were puffy, and my skin was red and splotchy. I sighed, feeling defeated and embarrassed.Was I that naïve to think Leo actually cared for me romantically?I changed into an oversized t-shirt and was ready to get into bed, hoping that when I wake up in the morning, this was just a nightmare.
The doorbell rang, startling me as Oreo barked, running toward the front door. I followed her and looked through the peephole, finding the big, brawny man that I fell in love with, standing on the porch with his dog.
I didn’t want to see him, but I knew that if I didn’t open the door, he’d wait there until I did, and I didn’t want my nosy neighbors seeing him. Opening the door, his gaze met mine, his blue orbs filled with sadness. His hair was ruffled, and a frown appeared across his face. I stepped to the side, letting him in. It hasn’t been even more than an hour since I left his home, and he looked like a mess.
“What are you doing here, Leo?” I asked, pursing my lips and keeping a good distance between us.
“I wanted to talk to you about what you saw earlier,” he started. “It’s not what it looks like.”
I scoffed, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “You can honestly tell me that your ex-wife’s lips weren’t locked with yours?”
“It was?—”
I shook my head in disappointment, my heart shattering at his confession. “Please leave.”
“I wasn’t done talking,” he said, matter of factly. “I was saying that it was,butI didn’t initiate it. Kristin did, she wanted to get back with me.”
I gazed into his blue eyes, searching for any dishonesty. He took a step forward, but I didn’t move.
“Please believe me, Cece. I would never hurt you,” he said, his eyes pleading for me to believe him.
I didn’t see any ounce of dishonesty about him. Why shouldn’t I believe him? I’ve known Leo all my life, and don’t think he’s ever lied to me or my parents. He’s been lied to by his ex-wife.
“I believe you,” I said, reaching out and cupping his cheek. “I’m sorry I just left. As soon as I saw you with another woman, I thought I lost you forever.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I pushed her away and told her to leave and never come back. She threatened to expose our relationship to your dad, but he has no reason to believe her. I called her bluff.” He snaked his arms around my waist, pulling me toward him until my body touched his. “I rushed after you, but you left already.”
“I didn’t think you wanted to be with me anymore?—"
“I’ve fallen deeply in love with you, and can’t stand the thought of you not being in my life,” he confessed.
We stared at one another, his eyes filled with concern as he waited for me to respond.
“I love you, too, Leo,” I professed, my lips tugged up in a smile.
His expression relaxed, and a wide smile curved on his lips before he leaned down and pressed his lips on mine in a scorching kiss. His tongue swept along the seam of my lips, urging me to part them. Once I did, he didn’t hesitate to tease my tongue with his, moving in a sensual dance, twisting and curling around one another. I couldn’t hold back and a moan escaped into the kiss, giving Leo the opportunity to deepen it, his tongue exploring my mouth. I was breathless, needing to come up for air, but I didn’t want to release our kiss. I needed to feel him close to me, a reassurance that he wanted me.
Leo pulled away slowly, smiling against my lips. Then he scooped me up in his arms, hooking one arm under my knees with the other holding my back. I circled my arms around his neck, holding onto his tightly as he made his way up to my bedroom.
