Chapter 10 - THE KISS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Leo and I were sitting in his garden when I finally told him how I felt.
The evening was quiet.
The air smelled of rain.
He sat beside me on a stone bench.
“Leo.”
He looked over.
“Yes?”
“I think about you.”
His expression changed.
“Myra.”
I swallowed.
“Not because you paid the bills.”
He said nothing.
“Not because you protected me.”
I looked at him.
“Because you listen.”
His eyes softened.
“Because you never ask me to be grateful for being treated decently.”
I took a breath.
“And because when I'm with you, I feel like myself.”
Leo closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked almost pained.
“Myra.”
I leaned closer.
He didn't move.
“Tell me to stop.”
His eyes opened.
He looked at me.
Then whispered:
“I can't.”
I kissed him.
Gently.
Carefully.
And when he kissed me back, it felt nothing like the relationship I'd left behind.
There was no bargain.
No debt.
No expectation.
Just a choice.
When we parted, Leo rested his forehead against mine.
“Are you sure?”
I smiled through tears.
“Yes.”
May you like
He closed his eyes.
Then kissed me again.
