I am Leo (Book 3)

Chapter 3

Violet POV

His breath is hot on my shoulder, I turn my head to face him, his face mere inches from mine.

“It’s uh…” I trail off as his mesmerizing eyes make my mind blank, he leans in ever so slightly. His handsome face and crooked grin has me frozen in place

“It’s what?” he asks in a low husky voice. I try to remember words, any words but my brain has died apparently

“It’s uhm…just uh…” I can’t form a sentence. Stupid brain. He glances at my lips and I lick them instinctively, he makes a low groaning sound and all my nerve endings tingle. He then leans closer whispering

“Just what Violet?” his deep voice vibrating through me. The way he said my name make me gasp, he turns me so that I’m facing him, his chest touching mine as he places an arm on either side of me boxing me in. I swallow audibly and try my best to keep my composure

“It’s just… perfect Dean” I breathe out. I feel his body tremble as his name leaves my lips and he leans in again, lowering his mouth to my ear. The air crackles with electricity, as the anticipation builds in me, making my skin tingle all over

“Say it again Vi. Say my name” he says before planting light kisses in my neck, his hands slowly making their way up my arms. I want to say his name, s**t I want to scream it, but all I can think about is his lips on my neck and my skin burning wherever he touches me

“Oh Dean” I breathe out as he softly bites my neck. He pulls back, his eyes locking on mine igniting a fire in my core as he gently strokes my lower lip with the tip of his thumb

“Violet, may I kiss you?” he whispers his eyes searching mine. My mind races trying to think of a response. I can barely breathe now he wants to kiss me, how did this happen so fast? An hour ago I couldn’t stand the sight of him, but now in this moment I feel as if our souls are connected

“Yes Dean” I say in a breathless whisper, he grunts before fusing our lips together.  The world around us fades into light and I feel as if I’m floating. He wraps one arm around my waist, his other hand cupping my neck as he pulls me closer to him. I can’t resist him, I don’t want to, my lips part and his tongue snakes inside deepening the kiss. A soft moan escapes my throat and he responds by lifting me effortlessly onto the counter top, positioning himself between my thighs

“You’re amazingly gorgeous Vi” he says between kisses making me smile against his lips, those soft warm lips. I knew he would be a good kisser

“You’re not so bad yourself Dean” I whisper. He makes a low growling sound and runs his hand up my leg to my back, I shudder under his touch as his fingers trail up and down my back. He kisses my jaw then down my neck, my eyes flutter closed as I tilt my head giving him access to my sensitive neckline. I dig my nails into his strong shoulders when he nibbles on the most sensitive spot in my neck

“Vi I have to-“ I cut him off by placing my finger on his lips indicating he must shut it before I close the gap kissing him again passionately. He melts into the kiss, grabs my hips and jerks me forward so that I’m flush against him. His erection presses against my core making my hips buck as liquid heat pools in my lower belly

“Vi stop” he pleads before breaking the kiss looking at me apologetically. We’re both breathing hard

“Dean, what’s wrong?” I ask catching my breath making him chuckle. He steps back and runs his hand through his hair then over his face

“I’m not…” he trails off but his voice suddenly sounds tired and defeated. I cup his face looking at him curiously

“Not what Dean?” I ask in a soft voice

“Not good enough” he says looking away, I’m staring at him in shock

“Not good enough? What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask flabbergasted. I guide his face to mine

“Dean please, talk to me” I plead but he rubs his face again

“I just don’t want to hurt you” he says and I gasp

“Hurt me? I haven’t been kissed like that ever!” I whisper yell at him. I cup his face with both hands searching his eyes. The sadness is much more prominent now as he leans into my touch closing his eyes as if he fears I will see him, the real him

“I just… I just can’t do this Violet, I’m sorry” he says before turning and heading for the door. I’m stunned but I still call out to him

“Dean! Dean wait please!” I call out to him making him stop with his hand on the doorknob; he doesn’t turn around when he speaks

“Please Vi, I have to go. I’m so sorry” he says and with that he’s out the door leaving me standing alone in this massive house staring at the closed door

“But you are” I whisper to the empty house. Eventually I return to the kitchen to continue packing. By the time Killian gets there I’m halfway through the stuff in the dining room

“Hey sis! Geez you sure move fast. Here you go” he says handing me my lunch. I smile taking it and sit down

“Thanks” I say smiling

“Sorry it took so long” he says turning to the kitchen “I’m just going to put this away, be right back” he says and leaves. I bite into the wrap glancing at the living room. I walk over to the doorway scanning the room then I hear footsteps so I start talking to Killian

“Hey Killy, do you think we should move the cabinet over he-“ I stop abruptly as I glance up and realize I’m alone, so I call out to him

“Killian!” I call out but he answers from the kitchen

“Yeah Vi!” he answers making me frown. There were footsteps, I heard them walking up to me. I jump at my brother’s voice

“Hey you okay?” he asks sitting down looking at me

“Yeah… yes I’m fine” I say smiling but I guess he didn’t buy it

“Okaay” he says looking concerned and confused

“Hey were you just in here?” I ask taking another bite

“Nope, I was in the kitchen. Hey you sure you’re fine? You look a bit pale” he says but I nod giving him a smile

“Yup, just tired I guess. Packing and all” I say shrugging and he nods

“Hey wanna call it a day?” he asks but I shake my head looking back at the dining room

“No, no. I’m almost finished here. We can go when I’m done” I say smiling. He nods biting into his taco before bumping me with his shoulder

“Fine, but then we go. I don’t want to over exert my baby sister” he jokes making me scrunch my nose at him sticking out my tongue

“I’m 25 Killian. Hardly a ‘baby’ sister anymore” I say with a sarcastic smirk. He pats my head and laughs. His laughter fills the empty house, echoing off the walls and it makes me smile.

A few days later I’m sitting in my dad’s study sorting through the documents and files on the desk. It’s late afternoon, the warm sun streams in through the big bay window casting a golden glow into the room. The wall behind the desk is lined with books, a fireplace is against the opposite wall from the window and the big mahogany desk stands alone, it’s really too big for this space but dad liked it. As I sit there, enjoying the peaceful silence I hear the floor creak above me. I glance up, not sure why it’s not like I can see anything

“Killy?!” I call out but its silent. I look to the doorway but decide it’s nothing. I open the file I took from the drawer and then three distinct thumping sounds pull my attention back to the upper floor. I get up and walk to the doorway

“Killian?” I call out again. Nothing. I take a deep breath and slowly make my way up the stairs, I look around as I reach the top floor. THUMP, THUMP. I hear the noise coming from my old room. The air seems tense and thick as I walk quietly to the door, I take the doorknob glancing back making sure I’m alone before slowly turning the doorknob pushing the door open. My heart is racing making the blood rush in my ears. The smell of cleaning detergents makes my eyes burn when the door creaks open. I glance around the room, but it’s empty

“Killy?” I say in a low shaky voice glancing around again. I step inside, my steps slow and unsure. My lungs feel as if they can’t take in enough air, the smell of the cleaning detergents gets stronger as I move closer to the bathroom door. She was killed in here. I take another cautionary step toward the closed door but then he speaks

“Vi?” he says making me yelp spinning around clutching my chest, heaving

“For crying in a bucket Killian! You’ll give me a f*****g heart attack you douche!” I yell trying to calm down, he on the other hand is bent over laughing his stupid ass off

“Oh my god! Your face!” he squeals in fits of laughter. I narrow my eyes at him and before he can blink I slap him on the side of his head

“Hey!” he yells rubbing his head

“Don’t be an i***t, i***t!” I scream, my voice bouncing off the walls

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I heard you up here, what are you doing up here anyway?” he asks still chuckling

“I heard you up here and you didn’t answer me when I called so I came looking for you” I state but he straightens up shaking his head

“Vi, I was outside cleaning the pool filter” he says and my face pales

“No I heard you walking up here” I say sure of myself. I did hear him, it had to be him, right?

“Nope, outside the whole time. Got the tan to prove it” he says holding out his arms. Not that I’ll be able to tell if he did get a tan, he got the tan skin, I got the fair skin which turns into lobster red when I get in the sun.

“Oh, well yeah. It was probably nothing” I say but I shiver a bit. I know what I heard. I think as we make our way down stairs to get our stuff

“Okay we’ll come back on Monday, I don’t want to get home too late” he says walking out the door. I follow silently, throw my handbag in my car waiting for him

“See you Monday sis, be good” he says before kissing my cheek and I smile

“Drive safe. Give those two rascals a kiss for me and a hug for Lara okay?” I say and he nods smiling getting into his truck. I stand there watching his truck disappear around the corner, but suddenly the hair in the back of my neck rise as a chill runs down my spine. You know that feeling you get when someone is looking at you, yeah that eerie skin crawling feeling. I glance around the quiet street but see no one, then I glance back at the house and my breath hitches. Was that a shadow? I walk backward not taking my eyes off the main bedroom window. I stare at it for a long time before I shrug shaking my head

“Just your mind playing tricks Vi” I whisper to myself as I get in my car closing the door. I reverse out of the driveway and glance at the house again. Such a beautiful place, with such a terrible story. I think before I drive toward the lodge. Later that night I respond to the last email before I close my laptop sitting back looking out the window. Good thing I’m my own boss. I gulp down the last bit of wine looking at the empty glass then back at the massive room

“Maybe I should go out tonight. I might run into some old friends” I say to the empty glass making me chuckle

“As long as I don’t ask myself to repeat the question, because I wasn’t paying attention” I laugh “Then speaking to myself isn’t crazy at all” I say loudly as I start getting ready for my night out. I phone the front desk requesting a taxi. I take a quick shower, put on make-up and pin my hair up in a messy bun before getting dressed in my powder pink blouse, light grey pencil skirt and medium heels. I give myself a once over in the full length mirror nodding in approval

“Yup, looks good” I say grabbing my handbag leaving out the door. The bar is 5 blocks away but the taxi drive is short. I pay the fee before stepping onto the side walk looking up at the sigh. Some things will never change. I smile stepping inside and immediately feel more comfortable. The bar isn’t busy so I take a seat at the main bar, the bartender a very friendly young guy takes my order and I sit there looking at the patrons laughing, chatting, playing pool and some watching some or other sport on the old TV. I don’t know any of the people here but the friendly atmosphere, the smell of smoke and beer and the occasional chat with the other patrons are enough. After a while I feel relaxed as I sit there listening to two guys arguing over football teams making me giggle. The next moment my back goes rigid when a familiar deep voice whispers in my ear

“You look stunning love” he says and I spin around facing him. My eyes scan him from his gorgeous face down his tall figure all the way to his shoes and back up, drinking him in. His steel blue shirt and black slacks compliments his muscular figure perfectly, but as my eyes meet his I see the all too familiar sadness and regret. I can’t help the smile from crossing my face

“You clean up real good Mr Colt. Join me?” I ask gesturing to the seat next to me, he smiles gratefully sitting down. Our eyes locked on each other and I feel this strange pull toward him, like he’s a magnet and I’m a piece of metal unable to resist

“How are you?” I ask taking a sip of my drink, he smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes

“I’m fine. And you? You done packing yet?” he asks and I shrug

“Most of it yes. Listen Dean about the other-“ he cuts me off holding up his hand

“Vi I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have done that” he says knocking the sense out of me. His eyes cast downward, he can’t look at me. s**t that kinda hurts. I straighten up and look at him with an intense gaze, my voice is soft but the taste of disappointment stings my tongue as I speak

“You regret kissing me” I say more a statement than a question making his eyes snap to mine. He grabs both my hands squeezing them as the panic flashes in his eyes

“No Vi. I will never regret that, ever. I’ve never felt that with any woman before” he says sincerity in his voice and on his face. Now it hurts even more

“So what do you regret?” I ask not giving away the pain of the rejection, or trying very hard not to

“I-I regret not telling you. I wasn’t honest Violet” he says and I search his face waiting for him to continue, but he just cast his eyes down again.

“Well no time like the present, tell me now” I say placing my finger under his chin guiding his eyes back to mine. Dear sweet angels those eyes. He gives me a soft smile but I can see he’s tired, the circles under his eyes are much darker than a few days ago. Wonder when the last good night’s sleep was?