Chapter Five

Leo

As we pulled into the parking lot of the planetarium, my heart raced with anticipation. I had meticulously planned this evening, wanting to make it unforgettable for Emma. She had shared her love for the stars with me, and I wanted to give her an experience that would capture that wonder.

I glanced at her as I parked the car, and the awe and curiosity in her eyes made my heart swell. "Ready for the next part of our evening?" I asked, unable to keep the smile from my face.

Emma nodded eagerly, her gorgeous blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Absolutely," she replied.

We walked hand in hand towards the entrance, and I could practically feel the chemistry and connection between us growing stronger with every step. When we reached the front doors, I paused for a moment, turning to face her. "I hope you like surprises," I teased.

"I do," Emma admitted, her eyes widening. "What have you planned?"

I opened the door and led her inside. The planetarium was dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background. Emma gasped as she took in the scene. "Leo, this is incredible," she whispered.

"There"s more," I said, guiding her toward the theater. "I rented out the entire planetarium for us tonight."

Emma"s eyes widened in shock. "You rented out the whole thing? Just for us?"

I nodded, feeling a rush of satisfaction at her reaction. "I wanted to do something special for you. You deserve it."

She looked around, obviously still processing my gesture. Had I gone too far?

"This is too much, Leo," she said, shaking her head. Her long honey-blonde hair swung around her shoulders. "You didn"t have to go to all this trouble just for me."

I took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. "Emma, I enjoy spending my money doing things I love, and especially on the people I care about," I told her truthfully. "While I do put a substantial amount into investments and savings for when I retire, it"s moments like these that bring me joy. If this makes you happy, then I am happy."

Emma"s expression softened, and she looked down at our joined hands. "I"ve always had to make my own way," she said quietly. "I"m not used to someone spending so much money on me. You may not know this, but Sawyer and I grew up poor. Our father was a long-haul truck driver until he was injured in an accident when we were little. He lost the use of most of his lower body and has been in a wheelchair ever since, living on disability. Our mother never went to college and cleaned houses for a living. It was never enough. When Sawyer showed such amazing athletic prowess and a talent for hockey, it was like my parents saw stars in their eyes. He became their hope, their dream of a better life. When he was finally signed to the big leagues, it was like our family won the lottery. My brother's provided for us ever since, and while I benefited because he paid for my college education, I"ve never been comfortable taking handouts. I"m determined to make my own way, even though I'm nothing special like my brother."

Admiration surged through me, and I reached up to cup her cheek with my hand. Her skin was warm and soft, drawing me to her like a moth to a flame. "That's where you're wrong," I said softly. "You are most definitely special. You have an incredible spirit, Emma. And you're already paying forward what you've been given by helping to educate and care for the next generation. I believe in you."

Emma looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I dream of opening my own preschool and childcare center one day. To tell the truth, I"ve always wanted to be a mom too. I would tell each of my kids how much I love them every single day."

"You will be amazing at both," I said, my heart swelling in my chest at her admission. Her willingness to be vulnerable stirred something deep within me. No woman had ever made me feel this way before, and I didn't know what to make of it. All I knew was that I wanted more of her.

I led her to the center of the planetarium, where we lay down on the sloped carpeted floor, our bodies close together. I pressed a button on the remote I'd been carrying in my pocket all evening, and the night sky came to life above us, twinkling with stars as if we were on a mountaintop far, far away.

Soft music played in the background, creating a magical ambiance that enveloped us. I turned to Emma, my heart pounding with a mixture of desire and affection. "Emma," I whispered, unable to resist brushing a lock of golden hair back from her face. "You really are an amazing woman."

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with emotion. "Leo," she whispered, her voice trembling with intensity. When she leaned forward suddenly and kissed me, I was surprised even though I'd been longing to make her mine all night. All the sexual tension and anticipation between us ignited into a blazing fire and I kissed her deeply, allowing my hands to roam over her curves as she responded with equal passion.

"Leo," Emma whispered, her voice a soft plea that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Are you sure you want to take this step, Emma?" I asked, my heart a hard thump in my chest.

Emma looked up at me and the desire in her gaze was unmistakable.

"Yes," she breathed.

I ran my finger down her silky jawline, down her neck, until it stopped at the neckline of her dress.

My lips found hers again and hers opened on a deep inhale, my fingers pressing her hips to mine. Her breath hitched as our tongues danced together, an electric current passing between us. Time seemed to stand still as I explored every inch of her mouth, savoring the taste of her, reveling in the intoxicating sensation. She melted against me, her hands tentatively finding their way to my chest. I deepened the kiss, my fingers tangling in her soft hair as the world fell away around us. We were lost in this moment, this connection that felt like it was always meant to be.

As the passion between us grew, I couldn't help but marvel at how perfect Emma felt in my arms. Every touch, every caress only fueled the fire burning within us.

With a surge of desire, I lifted Emma up effortlessly and pulled her over my body, reaching around to find the zipper of her dress. I pulled it down slowly, leaving a trail of kisses along her neck. Straddling me, she sat up and smiled as she pulled the garment over her head and tossed it the side. Her breasts were large and full, and I touched my fingertips to the outline of her erect nipples beneath the fabric of her lace bra.

She inhaled and reached behind her back. The hook unfastened, and I hungrily pulled the bra down, feeling my cock harden. Her breasts exposed, I lifted myself up to take one in my mouth. My tongue swirled around her nipple, and I sucked gently as I listened to her appreciative moan.

"Are you really sure, Emma?" I asked again, looking up at her as I let my hands move down the bare skin of her stomach.

"Yes," she whispered, her eyes never leaving mine. "I want this more than anything." When she began to fumble with the buttons on my shirt, I knew she meant what she said. And I didn't care if it took me all night, I was going to make this woman explode in my arms.

With a growl, I moved her off me and practically ripped my shirt off my body. She laughed and we proceeded to undress as quickly as we could, anxious to continue where we left off.

"I'm going to make you feel amazing, Emma. Just like you deserve. Tell me what you like. How you want it."

She lay down next to me on her back and I moved over her, sliding her ankles apart and urging her to open her thighs with my palms. She opened up to me and I smiled. I lowered my head, ready to taste her, but I paused for a moment. "You're so beautiful," I whispered, leaning forward to kiss her inner thigh, my hands resting on her legs, keeping them open for me.

I kissed her inner thigh again, letting my mouth trail upwards, slowly, teasingly. Her breath hitched, her hips rolling slightly. I could feel her heat radiating up through me, and I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

I slid my tongue between her folds, tasting her sweet nectar for the first time. Her taste exploded on my tongue, and my cock jerked with desire.

Emma moaned softly, her hips bucking against my mouth as I teased her, running my tongue over her sensitive skin, tracing the lines of her folds and exploring her in the most intimate way. I could feel her growing more aroused as I focused on that little bundle of nerves, my tongue lapping at it with dedication.

Her fingers grabbed at my hair, holding my head in place as her hips moved against my face. She was making the most incredible sounds, and I was in pure heaven, between her soft thighs.

"Leo, please," she said, her hips dancing and grinding against my face. "I need more. Please. More."

I teased at her entrance, probed at her gently. When she groaned loudly, I knew I'd found what she needed and plunged my finger into her, feeling her heat and wetness surround it as she gasped in pleasure. I moved my finger inside her, in and out, matching the rhythm of my tongue. I couldn't help but moan, feeling the connection between us growing stronger with every touch.

"Leo," Emma whispered, her voice trembling with desire. "I'm so close."

I wanted to see the moment her eyes closed, to watch her face when she came. I didn't care if I couldn't breathe, I didn't care if I was on the verge of drowning in her juices. I wanted to make this gorgeous woman fall over the edge. I slid my free hand up her body, grasping her left nipple in between my fingers. Emma's back arched off the floor and I felt something deep inside of her clamp down on my fingers. I continued to tease her most sensitive spots as she moved beneath me, her body twisting as pleasure took over her control.

When she pushed at my head, I moved back, grinning like an idiot schoolboy. I'd felt that. I knew there was no faking that, and I'd given her the ultimate pleasure. I moved up her hot body, kissing her in the sweetest of places until I found her lips.

She kissed me hungrily, moving to push me over so that she could straddle me. When her hot mouth moved from my mouth to my ear, I couldn't stop the shudder of anticipation that wound down my spine.

"I'm going to do that to you now, Leo," she whispered and started to move down my body. I groaned when her fingers closed around my length, when she breathed across the tip, and when her curious tongue darted out to taste me, I nearly lost it. She opened her lips and closed around me, sinking down my shaft. I let her have her way, let her drive me to heights I've never experienced before, reveling in the wet heat of her mouth. I nearly lost all control when she sank down as far as she could.

"Emma, you have to stop, baby. I can't give you what you really want if you keep that up."

She giggled as I pulled her up and turned her to her back, sinking between her thighs. I

looked down at her sweet face and shifted to bring her hips up to me. On my knees, I guided myself to her and teased her entrance with the tip of my cock.

"I want you," I said. "More than I've ever wanted any other woman."

"Make me yours, Leo," she said. "Now."

I paused, my eyes locking with hers, and I could see the desire mirrored in her gaze. With a low growl, I thrust into her, feeling her muscles clench around me. Her head fell back and our moans filled the room.

I began to move, my hips rolling in a slow rhythm, enjoying the feel of her tight warmth around me. Her hands gripped my shoulders, bringing me down to kiss her. Our lips locked as we moved together, as her legs wrapped around my waist.

I watched as her eyes fluttered, her breathing becoming more ragged with each of my thrusts. Her nails dug into my back, urging me on as our bodies moved together in perfect synchronization. I felt her heat building, her muscles becoming tighter around me.

Emma's moans grew louder, and I could feel her muscles begin to spasm around me. She bit her lip, grinding her hips against me as she reached her peak. Her body shuddered beneath me, her back arching again in pure ecstasy. Her eyes locked onto mine, and in them I saw nothing but pure bliss.

I couldn't hold back any longer. I thrust into her one last time, feeling her nails rake down my back as I exploded inside her. My body trembled with the force of my climax, and she ground her hips up to meet me, to pleasure me, to give herself to me completely.

I finally rolled away from her and pulled her back into my arms, kissing the beads of sweat off her forehead.

We lay there quietly, our bodies still entwined, and I held her close, as we gazed up at the starry expanse of the simulated night sky above us. The music still played softly in the background, creating a perfect backdrop for our shared moment.

My thoughts began to drift, and I couldn"t help but think about what I had set out to do—use Emma to get back at her brother Sawyer for breaking my leg and nearly ending my career. But as I lay there with her, I felt a pang of guilt and confusion. How could I ever hurt someone as kind and genuine as Emma? She was everything I had never expected to find, and the thought of breaking her heart felt like a betrayal of everything I was beginning to feel for her.

Eventually, we made our way back to the car, the cool night air refreshing against our skin. As I opened the door for Emma, the scent of her perfume mixed with my aftershave, creating a heady blend that made my senses tingle. Our fingers brushed together as she climbed into the car, and the electricity between us was undeniable.

***

I settled into the driver"s seat, glancing over at Emma with a smile. "Ready to head back?"

She nodded, her eyes still glowing with the remnants of our shared experience. "Yes, but I don"t want this night to end."

I smiled, feeling the same way. "Neither do I."

As I drove her home, the conflict within me grew. How could I balance my desire for revenge against her brother with the genuine feelings I was developing for this woman with whom I was feeling more intimately connected than I ever had with anyone before?

When we arrived at her apartment, I walked her to the door, our hands still entwined. We shared a lingering kiss, the chemistry between us as strong as ever. But just as our lips parted, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. I reluctantly pulled away to glance at the screen.

The message was from a number I didn't recognize, and a chill ran down my spine as I read the words typed in all caps:

"STAY AWAY FROM HER. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH."

Anger and protectiveness reared up in me like a lion, but I forced a smile for Emma"s sake.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, frowning.

"Nah," I said, hastily putting the phone back in my pocket.

"Goodnight," I continued, brushing a kiss against her forehead. "I"ll see you soon."

"Goodnight, Leo," she replied, her eyes filled with warmth and affection.

As I walked back to my car, the threat lingered in my mind. I didn"t know who had sent the message, but I knew one thing for certain: I wasn"t going to let anything come between me and Emma. Not now and maybe not ever.