Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

“My parents died in a drug deal gone bad. I loved them because they were my parents, but after they died, I found out that they weren't good people.” The words tumbled out in a rush. There was so much darkness in my past, so much that I didn't want to say.

“I'm sorry, Charlotte,” Leo said quietly. I loved that he pulled me closer to him, sharing his strength with me and silently telling me he wasn't going to let me go.

I clung to him, praying that he wouldn't let go. “When I say they were drug dealers, I don't mean that they sold some brownies with special butter. They ruined people's lives. They were sus

pected of several murders.”

I hoped that Leo didn't think I was like them. Their blood ran through my veins. They'd raised me until I was six and I was sure that a part of them was still with me. I had done my best to root out any bad habits they might have passed on, but there was no fighting genetics.

They were bad people. What made me any different than them?

What made me good enough for Leo? If either of us didn't deserve one another, I didn't deserve him.

Yet, Leo wasn't letting me go. If anything he was holding me tighter.

“I hate that they left me that secret. I hate that they left me.” My voice faltered. “I still have nightmares about the day they died. Even though they weren't good people, they were all I had.”

I pushed away the memory of leaving my home and everything I knew. How alone in the world I had felt and how terrified I was that no one would ever love me again. I was the orphaned daughter of drug dealers- who would want me?

I took a deep breath. “But, I'm glad I got Bastian instead of them,” I informed him, putting strength back into my voice. That was the only part of my life that I was grateful to my parents for. They gave me the opportunity to have a brother like Bastian. “So, when you say that you don't deserve me, I don't believe it.”

“I still think you're everything I could ever want.” He pressed a kiss to the back of my head, his arms still tight around me. Never once during my confession did he loosen his hug.

I shifted my weight to look at him. Night was falling quickly and it wouldn't be long before I could no longer see his eyes, but for now, they were still blue. And full of love. “You've always been there for me and Bastian. If anything, I don't deserve you.”

Leo brushed a strand of hair away from my eyes and held me tighter. “Now, it's my secret too. You don't have to carry it by yourself anymore.”

He kissed my hair, holding me as close to him as possible, and for the first time in years, I felt truly wanted and safe.

***

The helicopter blades sliced through the air and hummed with power, but I barely noticed as it landed. Sleep tugged at my eyes and I couldn't resist it. I didn't mean to fall asleep in Leo's arms, but safe under his care with a blanket of stars, I had drifted off.

“Is it time to go?” I murmured, sleep blurring my voice.

“Shh,” Leo whispered, picking me up and carrying me to the helicopter in his arms. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the black shadow of Murdoch leap down and scurry behind us to pick up our things.

I was nearly asleep again by the time the helicopter took off. I couldn't believe how tired I was, but given that I had been up since before dawn, ran an auction, had amazing sex under a waterfall, and finally got to tell Leo my darkest secrets, I supposed I was allowed to be a little sleepy.

Leo took my hand as the helicopter soared through the air back to the mansion. His hand was warm and strong around mine and I knew that he'd never let me go. He knew my secret now and he didn't care. He didn't care what my parents had done, just that I was his.

It made me love him even more.

I didn't remember the flight home at all, but the jolt of the helicopter landing startled me awake. With blurry eyes and clumsy feet, I jumped out of the chopper. Leo helped me away from the whirling blades. I held onto him, trusting that he would make sure I didn't hurt myself.

“Come on, sleepy head,” Leo said gently, scooping me up in his arms once we cleared the helicopter pad. “You can't even walk you're so tired.”

I didn't fight him, even though I usually hated being carried. Being carried usually made me feel small and helpless, but not with Leo. With his arms around me, I was precious and protected. I snuggled into his shoulder, breathing in his comforting scent and letting him be in control.

I feel him take the stairs, his strong arms and back lifting me effortlessly. It was only at the top that he let out a chuckle and shifted my weight around. To be fair, they were steep stairs and I had a stomach full of chicken.

“Here you go, sleeping beauty.” Leo carefully laid me down on the bed and then pulled off my sandals. He paused, but left the dress on since it was now dry and moving me would be more work than it was worth.

“Don't leave,” I begged, catching his hand before he could turn. “Stay with me.”

He paused, clearly thinking about my brother sleeping just a few rooms down. “Okay,” he whispered, kicking off his own shoes and pulling off his t-shirt before sliding into bed next to me.

Now that he was with me, I pulled the dress up and over my head, pressing my bare skin against his. He wrapped his arms around me, placing my head on the hollow of his shoulder. He was so warm and comfortable, I knew I would never be content with a regular pillow ever again.