Page 57 of Worth the Risk

“I think what we just did was a good enough hello for me.” I giggle.

“I won’t argue with that.” He chuckles.

In his face is a tenderness I’ve not seen before. Reaching out, I place my hand on his cheek. “I’ve missed you, Leo.”

“I’ve missed you more,” he replies, his voice sincere as he cuddles me.

We lie in silence for a little while, and when I recall his lack of protection at the start of our exchange, I know we need to have a conversation.

“Leo, you didn’t wear a condom at first. I’m not on birth control, and I’m just over my cycle, so we should be fine as far as pregnancy goes, but are you clean?”

“I get tested every three months. I assure you I’m clean, and I always use condoms.” He pauses. “Except for today. That’s your fault, though. You shouldn’t tempt a man like that when he hasn’t seen you in almost a week and expect him to not lose his fucking mind. But if it will make you feel better, I’ll have another test before we do that again.”

“Yes, it would make me feel better.” I don’t touch on the fact that he needs to get tested every three months. I’m sure that will only ruin my post-sex glow. Instead, I steer us to the other concern. “Maybe birth control is a good idea as well.”

He becomes serious. “We’re in a committed relationship. I don’t plan to have sex with anyone else, and you sure as hell won’t be having sex with anyone. I lose my mind when I am with you, and I’m bound to mess up again now that I know how you feel bare.”

When he says to me he will be faithful, I trust him. It won’t be easy for me, but I’ll try hard not to carry over the leftover baggage I had from James.

“Get the test, and I’ll get on the pill.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your trust.” He kisses me once more and heads to the bathroom.

A ring sounds from the bottom of the bed, and when I head over to his pile of clothes, I find his phone, noticing the name Morgan popped up on his screen.

Who the hell is Morgan?I remind myself that I need to trust him. She could be anybody.

The phone stops ringing, and shortly after, a text comes through from Morgan. Leo has a lock on his phone, but I’m able to read part of the message on the banner.

Morgan:Had a great time catching up Tuesday night…

He was with her on Tuesday? Is she a past fuck buddy of his?As I’m telling myself I need to trust him, I wonder why he was with another woman.

If I recall correctly, he said he was out with his cousin who plays in the NFL on Tuesday. Unless there’s now a woman playing in the league, he wasn’t with his cousin.

He lied.

The heartache of being hurt quickly rises in me, and my brain begins to fill with the anger of betrayal.

Leo comes back in, and when he sees me holding his phone, he notes the anger on my face. “Why are you holding my phone and looking angry, Kylie?”

“Who’s Morgan? And don’t you lie to me about who she is, Leo. Why were you catching up with her?” I accuse with a biting tone.

His surprised expression instantly changes to anger. “Are you accusing me of being with another woman?”

“You told me you were with your cousin Tuesday night. A woman with the name Morgan just called, and when her call wasn’t answered, she left a message about being with you Tuesday.”

He sneers at me. “Youareaccusing me. Have I ever given you a reason to believe I’d step out on you?”

Like he has a right to be angry. Who the hell does he think he is? I’m not the one spending time with other guys and getting calls and texts from them, then lying about it.

“How dare you lie to me? You promised you’d tell me if you didn’t want us anymore.”

His face goes red as he storms to his closet. I follow him. He pulls on running shorts and his trainers, but he won’t make eye contact with me.

Is he feeling so guilty he can’t handle the sight of me?

“Why won’t you answer my question, Leo? And why won’t you look at me?” I yell.

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