Chapter 11

Kaitlin

The following weeks were quite eventful, with Andrew's successful transplant. I was fired from Passion Palace after Mr. Harris reported the gala incident to Joel. I didn't feel too bad about it, as Andrew had already gotten his transplant. Now, I'm just focusing on helping Andrew recover, while I look for another job. Not as an escort.

It's been over a month, and I haven't spoken to Leonardo ever since, even though he keeps calling and sending me texts and flowers every day.

"If you're going to continue to brood, why don't you just return his calls and grant him an audience?" Bianca's voice brings me back to reality, causing me to sigh.

"What are you talking about?" I ask even if I already know what she's driving at.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Bianca chides. After the gala incident, I finally opened up to Bianca about what was happening with Leonardo and me.

I'm happy; my brother is going to live, and he's going to have his life back. We all are.

But I can't help but feel sad. I miss Leonardo, and I hate that I do. I tried convincing myself that what we had was all business, but deep down, I know it wasn't.

"It's best this way," I murmur, staring mindlessly at the chicken soup in front of me. Bianca came over to visit and we're both making dinner.

"For who exactly?" Mama asks as she walks to the stove, pushing me aside to take over the cooking. I didn't even notice when she walked in. Mama knows about Leonardo because of the flowers he's been sending to the house. But she doesn't know how we met. I can never tell her.

"It's obvious that whoever this man is, you like him enough to be moping around the house all day," Mama says, a little annoyed. "What could he have done that you can't forgive him for?"

"I'm not angry at him," I say with a sigh, looking down at my feet. I'm angry at myself for falling for him.

Leonardo doesn't want to date me because he likes me. He wants to acquire me for himself as his personal toy that only he can play with.

"Then you'll have to tell him that so he can stop sending you flowers before my house turns into a florist shop," Mama says, her voice firm.

"Fine, I'll talk to him," I grumble.

Mama shakes her head as she hands Bianca some spring onions to chop. "Why don't you go check on your brother and see if he needs anything? You're of no use here anyway."

Sighing, I take off my apron and go do as Mama says.

When I get to Andrew's bedroom, he's just getting off the phone and smiling. "Who was that? Your girlfriend?" I tease as I walk deeper into the room.

He throws a pillow at me that I'm quick to dodge. "No, that was Vincent. He's coming over with Vera. I told him they could join us for dinner."

I nod as I sit on the edge of his bed. Vincent has been Andrew's best friend since junior high. I have a feeling his smile has to do with Vincent's twin sister. Andrew has a crush on her.

"You came to see if I'm still breathing, didn't you?" he asks, a weak smile playing on his lips.

"I just came to see if you needed anything," I say, smiling. He was discharged from the hospital a few days ago.

It's been four weeks since his transplant, and his skin is gradually looking less pale. Although he's still weak, the doctor assures us he will improve with time.

"I'm fine; you and Mama have to stop fussing; if I need anything, I can just walk over and get it."

"Or you could just call Mama or me to get it for you. The doctor said you shouldn't stress yourself."

He rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "You're both just looking for an excuse to fuss over me."

I don't deny it as I reach for his hand and wrap mine around it. "I'm glad you're getting better, so allow me to fuss over you."

He laughs, giving me a slow shake of his head. "Still don't want to talk about the man who keeps sending you flowers?"

"Nope."

I stayed with Andrew in his bedroom until his friends arrived. When dinner was ready, we all ate together.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, I couldn't sleep. After so much tossing and turning, I got dressed and headed to Leonardo's house.

When the cab stops in front of his townhouse, I step out feeling a little stupid. It's almost midnight. What if he's not home?

The night is chilly, and the sky is cloudy like it's about to rain. I wrap my arms around myself, praying that he's home, as I head to his front door.

Before I ring the doorbell, the front door swings open, and Leonardo is standing there shirtless, his hair disheveled like he had been running his fingers through it. From the look of it, he hasn't been able to get any sleep either. Or does he have company?

The intensity of the wind increases, whipping against my skin and causing my hair to fly around."You shouldn't be out in the cold," he groans, pulling me inside.

I let out a breath as the warmth of his living room envelopes me. He walks over to his couch, picks up a throw blanket, and drapes it around my shoulders.

"I'll make you a coffee," he says, now walking toward his kitchen.

"I don't want coffee," I say, stopping him in his tracks. "I want to know what this is. Why won't you let me be? Why are you insistent on having me? I'm not a toy or some property you can acquire."

"And I already told you I don't see you as a toy." He turns to face me.

"Then what is it that you want? I need to know. We started off on business, and I need to know if this is still business for you. What exactly is it that you want from me?"

"I want you to be mine, Kaitlin. Not because I want to acquire you, but..." he trails off, swearing under his breath. "You want to know if this is business for me? No, it's not. This isn't business. I care about you, Kaitlin, way more than I'd like to admit. I've never felt this way about anyone else, and…" He inhales deeply, pulling his fingers through his hair.

I feel a strange mixture of relief, fear, and hope. I feel relief because I now know his intentions are sincere, and I feel fear because letting him into my heart terrifies me.

"You're all I think about; you're always in my thoughts. So, no. It's. Not. Business. For. Me." With each word, he closes the gap between us, making us stand so close I can feel the warmth of his breath on my face. The intensity in his eyes is almost overwhelming. I've never seen him so raw, so open.

"Leonardo," I whisper, my voice trembling.

He reaches out, gently cupping my face in his hands. His touch is warm and reassuring, grounding me in the moment. "I care about you, Kaitlin," he says, looking into my eyes.

Without thinking, I stand on my toes, throw my arms around his neck, and pull him down for a kiss. The moment our lips meet, a jolt of electricity courses through me, igniting every nerve ending. His lips move against mine with a gentle urgency.

I taste the faint hint of coffee on his breath, mingling with the warmth of his mouth, creating an intoxicating blend that leaves me breathless. His hands slide around my waist, pulling me closer until there's no space left between us. I thread my fingers through his hair, my body slowly melting against his with each kiss.

His kiss becomes hungry, like he's trapped in a desert, and I'm his only chance at being saved. A soft gasp escapes my lips as Leonardo hooks my legs around his waist, carrying me out of the room without breaking our kiss.

When we reach his room, he kicks the door shut behind us, setting me down just long enough to help me out of my dress. Our breaths are ragged, feverish gasps. Our movements are frantic, almost desperate, as we undress each other. My dress slides off my shoulders and pools at my feet.

I run my hands along the chiseled perfection of his torso. His skin is warm and smooth under my fingers, every muscle defined and sculpted as if by an artist's hand. He pauses for a moment to take me in, his eyes dark with desire, and then he closes the distance between us again, his hands roaming my body.

He lifts me onto the bed, the soft sheets cool against my heated skin. I lie back, watching him as he quickly sheds his sweatpants, his movements swift. Leonardo joins me on the bed, his body covering mine, and the heat of him is intoxicating. His mouth finds mine in a fierce, hungry kiss, and I arch into him, needing more, craving the connection that only he can provide.

His hands travel down my body, caressing every curve, igniting a fire deep within me. He positions himself above me, and I feel the anticipation coil tightly in my core. His gaze locks onto mine, intense and unyielding, as he enters me slowly, the sensation exquisite and overwhelming.

We move together in a primal and perfect rhythm, a seamless dance of passion and longing. Each thrust, each caress, brings us closer to the edge, the world outside disappearing as we lose ourselves in each other.

The intensity builds, pleasure and desire that leaves us breathless and desperate for more.

Our bodies move in perfect harmony, every touch and kiss driving us higher.

In this moment, I realize our connection is undeniable, something powerful and profound that transcends the physical.