Chapter Two: A Truth and Lies
Jamie's POV
I'm locking the front door of the cafe when I see him.
Same black coat. Same stupidly tall frame. Same eyes that make my stomach drop straight between my legs.
I freeze so hard my keys slip and jingle loud against the glass.
He's just… standing there under the streetlight like he's been waiting for me to notice him. Like he owns the whole damn night.
My brain short-circuits…Run, you idiot….Scream.
Do literally anything except stand here getting wet like a loser.
But my feet won't move. My mouth won't open.
He starts walking toward me, slow, like he has all the time in the world. Like he knows I'm not going anywhere.
I finally find my voice. It comes out tiny. "You."
He stops a couple feet away. That half-smirk thing he does tugs at his mouth. "Hey. It's just me. You looked like you saw a ghost."
My whole body unclenches so fast I almost laugh. I'm such a mess.
"Oh. Yeah. Leo, right?" God, why does his fake name sound so good coming out of my mouth?
He steps closer. "You offered me a drink last time. Figured I'd take you up on it before I leave town."
The cafe's dark and locked, obviously, but my dumbass brain goes straight to: he came back for me. He actually came back.
"It's closed," I say, then immediately want to slap myself. "But, uh… I know somewhere else?"
I swear his eyes flash when I say that. Like he won the lottery.
And then, because I'm apparently suicidal, I grab his wrist.
His skin is cold. My fingers wrap around it and I feel his pulse jump under my thumb. He goes completely still, like nobody ever touches him. Ever.
I should let go…I don't…I tug him down the street like I'm not shaking.
The bar is loud and sticky and perfect. We slide into a corner booth and it's like the rest of the world disappears.
I'm talking way too fast, hands moving, words spilling out because if I stop I'll have to think about how he's staring at me.
"I've lived here my whole life. Saving for college so I can finally get out. That's why I'm always at the cafe, plus weekend shifts, plus…"
He's just watching. Chin on his hand…Eyes doing that thing where I feel naked even though I'm fully clothed.
"What about you?" I ask, because I'm an idiot who wants to know everything and nothing at the same time.
He takes a slow sip of whiskey. "Private security. Job's done. Flying out tomorrow."
Lies. I know they're lies. But the way he says it, soft and sad, makes me want to believe him anyway.
I blush so hard I feel it in my toes.
We talk for hours. Or I talk. He listens. And every time I laugh he looks at me like he's trying to memorize the sound.
When we leave, the air is freezing. My apartment is three blocks away and I'm praying he doesn't notice my hands shaking.
We stop at the steps.
This is it. Say goodnight. Let him leave.
But I don't want him to leave.
I never want him to leave…I look up. His face is shadowed, unreadable.
My mouth opens before my brain catches up. "Do you… wanna come in?"
He doesn't answer with words. He just starts walking up the stairs.
I almost trip over my own feet trying to follow.
We're giggling like idiots by the time we reach my door. Actual giggling. I don't even know who I am right now.
Inside, the door barely clicks shut before his mouth is on mine.
Oh my god.
It's messy and desperate and perfect. Jackets hit the floor. My shirt's gone. His hands are everywhere, cold and huge and I'm burning up.
He pushes me against the wall and I wrap my legs around him like I've done this a thousand times. I haven't. I really haven't.
His stubble scrapes my neck and I moan so loud I should be embarrassed.
He carries me to the bed like I weigh nothing.
I'm naked before I even realize it. He's staring like he's starving.
I should be scared…I'm not…I'm aching.
"Condom?" I gasp against his lips.
He freezes, shakes his head, actually looks pissed at himself.
"I have one," I pant, fumbling in the drawer, shoving it at him like my life depends on it.
His hands shake while he rolls it on. I've never seen him shake before.
Then he's kissing down my thigh, slow, teasing, hooking my leg over his shoulder.
I'm already whining.
"Fuck, just…just put it in already…"
He pushes in.
Holy shit….I think I saw stars…Actual stars.
He's huge and I'm crying and it hurts so good I can't breathe.
"Relax, princess," he growls in my ear, voice wrecked. "Not even all in yet."
I sob his fake name when he bottoms out.
He fucks me like he's trying to ruin me for anyone else.
I want him to.
I beg. I claw at his back. I come so hard I forget my own name.
He follows right after, groaning my name like it hurts.
We collapse. Sweaty. Wrecked. He doesn't pull out. Just rolls us so I'm on his chest, still inside me, arms locked around me like he's scared I'll vanish.
I fall asleep like that.
*****
Morning light wakes me up and yes…He's still here.
I never thought he'd stay.
He's watching me, eyes soft, thumb brushing my cheek.
"Morning," I mumble, smiling like a lovesick idiot.
"Morning," he says, and his smile is real…It's so beautiful it hurts.
Then he asks, "How old are you?"
Shit.
"Twenty-one," I lie automatically. He doesn't even blink. "Try again."
I hide my face in the pillow. "Twenty."
"Jamie."
God, the way he says my name.
"…Nineteen," I whisper.
He goes stiff. Actually pulls away.
"Oh, fuck," he breathes. Like I just stabbed him.
"I'm legal!" I yelp, sitting up, clutching the sheet.
"You're a kid," he says, voice hollow. He's already pulling on clothes.
"How old are you then?" I demand, trying not to cry.
He doesn't answer. Just looks at me like he's memorizing me one last time.
Banging on the door saves us.I know who it is before I even open it.
Mark. Drunk. Pissed as always.
He stumbles in, sees Leo half-dressed, loses his mind.
"Who the fuck is this?"
Leo doesn't even raise his voice.
"Leave. Now. And never come back."
Mark swings.
Leo catches his fist like it's nothing. Twists. Punches him so hard I hear the crunch.
Blood everywhere.
Mark's on the floor crying.
Leo leans down, whispers something I can't hear, and Mark crawls out like a dog.
I'm shaking, that wasn't self-defense.
That was… something else.
Leo turns back to me.
I'm scared now. Actually scared.
He sees it.His face falls.
He cups my cheeks, kisses me soft and slow and final.
"Bye, Jamie.", Then he was gone out of the door.
I stand there naked, covered in him, tasting him on my lips, staring at the closed door.
I should be relieved but I am not.
I slide down the wall and cry like the stupid kid I am.