Eye of the Storm

Chapter 28

We sit down on his bed and talk through the day together for a while. We talk about Lorenzo and everything Alexia said, about our therapy and trauma. Eventually Leo stands up, walking towards a chest of drawers near the door.
"Do you mind if I change my shirt?" he asks, looking down at his shirt, stained with what the day has thrown at him. I shake my head quickly. He walks up to his drawers. A strange feeling rises within me where I want him to take his shirt off, but the thing is, I don't want him to put another one on. I try to shake off the feeling, but it seems to linger in the back of my mind. He pulls of his shirt and my breath hitches in my throat as I see his back, his shoulders, his arms. His skin looks soft with sweat forming in some areas. Red spreads across my face and I force myself to look away. He's fit. I shouldn't be thinking like this! I can't help it...

"Esme?" Leo asks. I look back at him, his bare torso. I guess he must work out because I can see his abs, his healthy-looking body.
"Y-yes?" I stumble over my words, flustered.
"My eyes are up here, honey," he jokes. I catch his gaze and we both laugh a little. "I was just going to ask for you to look at my cuts," he signals to his injuries on his stomach and arms, which now are covered in bandages. I nod. He comes and sits down next to me and I slowly unwrap his bandages, being careful not to hurt him. They're all healing up well, but they're going to scar. My injuries look puny compared to his. A couple bruises and scabs. After applying disinfectant, I wrap his cuts up again gently.

"All done," I push myself back further onto the couch, resting in the plush comforter, letting the sweet smell of vanilla that engulfs the room surround me. Leo leans into me, his fingers intertwining with my hair, letting it dance around his fingertips.
"Your hair is beautiful," he mummers. "It's like a raven," suddenly he's a lot closer to me and we're both sitting in his bed, leaning against the wall. He buries his head into my neck. "So… mysterious..." the red from before spreads across my cheeks once more, as he leaves small kisses down my neck. His hand reaches around and grabs my neck from the other side as he assaults my neck with soft kisses.
"Leo!" I gasp. It's always so interesting seeing this side of him, a side that only comes out when we're alone. A side of him, just for me. My breath stops as I feel him nibbling gently on my skin and I try my best not to gasp again as I already look like an idiot.

Leo lays my body carefully on his bed, my head on the pillow as he holds himself above me.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispers softly into my ear, sending chills of excitement down my body. It's so strange. Lightning is buzzing through me, but I've never felt calmer, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be right now.
"I'm sure," I nod, smiling. Leo kisses my forehead softly, lovingly, before returning my nod.

The day is gone, and night takes over, the moonlight gliding through Leo's open window. The wind tickles my skin gently.
"It's a beautiful night," I say, staring up into the light blue ocean of Leo's eyes. His long lashes sweep over his eyes as he turns to face me. Everything about him is beautiful. From his wild ocean eyes, to his high cheekbones. His long black hair, to his compassionate, wounded heart. You can smell the salt in the air from the sea not too far away. The water and the sea have always been a big part of me, of who I am. And now every time I look into Leo's eyes, I see that ocean. His long fingers comb through my hair and down my back as I lay my head on his chest. He plants a kiss on my forehead.
"Are you staying the night?" he asks. Honestly, in my mind there's nothing worse than going home right now. I nod. "Good," he pulls the blankets up further over us, allowing me to close my eyes. Allowing me to show vulnerability and safety. Allowing me to slowly drift off into a well needed slumber.
For the first time in a long time my dreams are filled with happy thoughts. No more guilt, no more panic. No more planes!