Susan stayed silent, letting his words sink in, feeling the pain in his voice as he spoke. She could picture it: a young Leo, tougher than most, hardened by necessity and circumstance.
"Over time," he continued, his tone darkening, "I got deeper into it. I met people who showed me how things worked… who taught me how power worked. And once I got a taste of that, there was no going back. It was like finally being handed a weapon after years of fighting empty-handed. I didn't have to beg or struggle for scraps. I could control things. And in my world, that control—that power—it's everything."
His voice softened as he glanced down at her. "I know what you think of this life. It's dangerous, it's cruel. And it changes you. There are things I've done, Susan, that…" His voice trailed off, the words left unspoken. She looked up, meeting his gaze, searching his eyes for something—regret, vulnerability, anything that made him more than just the cold exterior he showed the world.
She reached out, cupping his face with her hand, her thumb brushing against the rough stubble on his jaw. "You don't have to explain. I'm not asking because I want to judge you, Leo. I'm asking because… I want to understand you."
He studied her for a long moment, his hand covering hers, squeezing gently. "You know, I've been around people my whole life who wanted something from me—money, protection, power. But you…" He looked away, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What do you want from me, Suzy?"
"You…" she replied softly, wondering if he'd believe her, and if he did, how would he react?
"You just want me…hmmm" he repeated gruffly.
The admission hung in the air between them, raw and vulnerable. She felt her heart swell, her fingers tightening on his cheek as she took in the weight of his words. The man who rarely let anyone close was opening up to her in ways she'd never expected.
"Would you ever want to stop?" she asked him, dreading his reply. The truth was that she cared about him. She wished she didn't, but she did, and there was no point in denying it any longer. But if he kept on with a life like this, how long was it going to be until he got into trouble he couldn't get out of? She cared about him so much she was worrying about a future she wasn't even sure she was going to be a part of.
Leo on the other hand smirked at her question. "Now, why would I want to do that?" he asked, "What do I have to lose?"
She wasn't sure she had the answer to his question, so she remained silent. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling the rise and fall of his chest. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the water. She felt his arm around her tighten, as if in silent acknowledgment.
For a long time, they simply lay there, the world outside slipping away as they held each other in the warmth of the water. No words were needed—the silence spoke for itself, a shared understanding that transcended everything they'd been through and everything that still lay ahead.
After they left the bathroom and were in bed later that night, Leo leaned down and his lips plundered hers. This kiss…was different. Susan moaned softly, a sound of surrender? Honestly, she didn't care. Maybe it was a sound of need. Or want.
He took her. There was no other word for it. He took possession of her mouth as if he owned it, as if he had exclusive rights to her mouth and refused to share it. Ever.
Her body melted against his, and she loved the hardness of his chest, his thighs, shivered as his hands roamed up her body to her neck. He cupped her nape, holding her so that she couldn't escape him. As if she wanted to. She was a willing captive. This…this was what she'd dreamed about. Fantasized. Wanted so much. So desperately.
"I'm going to make love to you," he said with breathless urgency, his lips barely separating from hers. "If I don't have you now, I'm going to go mad."
Susan chuckled at his exaggeration. "Yes," she whispered. "I want you so much, Leo."
His hands fumbled with the tie at her robe, his lips never leaving her mouth.
It was as though he couldn't bear to stop kissing her. He devoured her even as he yanked her robe open. And then his hands pressed against her naked skin, and she moaned and trembled, going completely weak against him.
"Soft, so soft and beautiful. Like silk," he murmured as his palms caressed her sides, moving up until he cupped her breasts.
Finally, he moved from her mouth, his lips brushing over her jaw and to her ear and then lower, down her neck. He nipped then sucked at the tender skin, eliciting shiver after shiver. His mouth continued downward, and she caught her breath as he sank to his knees on the bed. He snaked his arms inside her robe and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her harder against his body.
His mouth was precariously close to her breasts, so much so that his breath beaded and puckered her nipples into tight knots. And then he slid his mouth over one, rolling his tongue gently over the peak. Her robe fell away, and she was naked in his arms. He sucked at her breast, his dark head flush against her body. How erotic it looked, this proud, strong man, his arms wrapped tight around her—as though he'd never let go.
Before she allowed herself to become too entrenched in that fantasy, he released her nipple, and she groaned her protest.
He glanced up, his eyes glowing. "You're so beautiful, Suzy," he said in a low husky voice that was passion-laced.
His grip loosened just enough that he could move back upwards, his shirt scraping along her bare skin. She reached out with her fingers to snag at his buttons, wanting them gone and to feel his bare skin against hers. But he collected her hands in his and held them tightly together. "Oh, no, Barbie. This is my seduction. And I intend to seduce you thoroughly."
His gaze locked with hers, and she was afraid to speak. Afraid to break the spell. He straightened to his full height over her. She felt strangely vulnerable beneath his intense gaze. Shy and a little uncertain.
Her hands crept upward in an attempt to shield herself.
"Do not hide such beauty from me," he whispered.