I hold her a little tighter, watching the slow rise and fall of Leona's chest as she sleeps, her cheek resting against me. Her soft breaths and the way she clings to me, even in her sleep, make it impossible to tear my gaze away. I already miss her, and I haven't even left yet. It's a strange thought to have, considering I'm still lying here, her warm body pressed against mine. But there it is—gnawing at me, tugging at something deep inside.
Somewhere in the stars,my private ship is already en route, speeding through space to take me back to the responsibilities I've been neglecting for far too long. Ethan's been doing damage control, but he can only handle so much. I've got to return and sort things out myself. My absence hasn't gone unnoticed, and it's causing ripples in the business. But despite all that, I can't bring myself to move. Not yet.
Leona shifts slightly, her lips parting as she lets out a soft murmur, still deep in sleep. A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. Her cheek, smooth and inviting, is too tempting not to touch. So I do. I poke her gently.
"Hmmnn…" she responds, her voice groggy but still so damn cute. Yet she doesn't wake up. I poke her again, and again, until finally, she stirs, her eyes fluttering open, and sits up, fixing me with a sleepy, half-hearted glare. It's supposed to be intimidating, I think, but it's anything but.
I chuckle softly, the sound rumbling in my chest.
"Scary," I tease, though I'm still grinning. She's anything but.
"What time is it?" she asks, her voice heavy with sleep. She rubs at her eyes, and my heart does this ridiculous thing where it tightens in my chest. Damn, I'm in deeper than I want to admit.
"I need to get ready, Siren," I say, my tone soft as I let my fingers brush her waist. It's hard not to keep my hands on her. They seem to have a mind of their own when she's around.
Her brows knit together, confusion clouding those beautiful brown eyes of hers. "Prepare for what?" she asks.
"I have to leave," I reply, a hand trailing along her side, lingering at her waist, dangerously close to moving lower. The self-control it takes to keep things in check is monumental. Here she is, on top of me, looking so damn perfect, and all I want to do is pull her even closer. But I can't. Not right now. Maybe not ever.
Her face falls at my words, and it takes everything in me not to kiss that little pout away.
"Why?" she asks, her voice quiet, like she's trying to hide how disappointed she is.
Me, though? I'm lost for a second, my eyes glued to her lips. God, will I ever get the chance to taste them? To bite them, maybe, just a little? The thought alone nearly sends my resolve crumbling, but I snap out of it just in time.
"Work," I answer, finally pulling myself back to reality. "I have to be there in person."
She shifts slightly, a faint frown tugging at her lips, and I can't help but notice how downcast she looks. That flicker of sadness in her eyes does something to me—makes my heart swell and ache at the same time. It's strange, really, this pull I feel toward her. Stronger than I ever expected.
"I mean, it's not like you were going to stay here forever," she says, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face, trying to act like it doesn't bother her. But I can see through it. I can see through her.
Without thinking, I pull her back down onto me, wrapping my arms around her waist and holding her tight. She fits so perfectly, her body molding to mine like she's meant to be here. It's a little too easy to fall in love with her like this.
"I'm sorry," I murmur into her hair, breathing in her scent, "I planned to stay longer—at least several months—but things got interrupted."
She's quiet for a moment, the tension in her body easing slightly as she rests her head against my chest.
"I guess so," she says softly, though I can hear the disappointment lingering in her words.
I tilt my head down, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Don't be so sad, Siren. I'll call you every day. And when I can, I'll pop in, even if it's just for a little while."
She shifts slightly, lifting her gaze to meet mine. "Promise?"
Her voice is so soft, so full of quiet hope, that I feel a pang in my chest. Damn it, I can't say no to her. "Promise," I reply, my voice low and sincere.
We stay like that for the next hour, just holding each other, the silence between us comfortable but tinged with the bittersweet knowledge that I'll have to leave soon. My ship's waiting, and I can't avoid my responsibilities any longer. But for now, I let myself enjoy this moment with her, knowing that the next time might be further away than I'd like.
Eventually, the call from my pilot comes in, breaking the stillness. Leona walks with me to the exit of the resort, her hand in mine, and I can feel the reluctance in her every step. When we reach the door, I turn to her, cupping her face in my hand. She looks up at me, those big brown eyes full of something I don't want to think too hard about, and for a second, I almost say to hell with it and stay. If she asks me, I'll stay.
But she doesn't ask.
I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, and linger there for a moment longer than I should. "Later," I whisper, my voice a little rougher than I intended.
Leona looks up at me through her lashes, those pleading eyes making it damn near impossible to walk away .But I let go, pulling away before I change my mind.