Run

Chapter 25

It had been a slow recovery but Rowan finally started to feel like her old self, having the remaining stitches removed from her skin had been a godsend. Driving her crazy as they itched and pulled at her healing wounds as they started to scab over. Soon after staying with Leo for a few weeks she had decided that she no longer wished to move back into her apartment, everything that had happened there; she didn't feel safe. Worried that when the next Purge came around they would attempt to do the same thing and eradicate them for good.

Cali and Eva had also agreed not to return, after burying their father and grandfather they decided to use the money he had left them and move into a new apartment. It was in a nicer neighbourhood and security was a lot stronger, they too did not want to suffer as they had, through another night on the streets. They had asked Rowan to move in with them, she was apprehensive, she did not wish to intrude. Feeling like a burden to Leo, Rowan didn't want to put that responsibility on someone else's shoulders.

She had hoped that once she had received the all clear from the doctor that she could get back to work, but she had found out that whilst she had been recovering that her bitch of a boss had already had her replaced and she was out of a job. Rowan was furious, she had no home, no job and no money, she felt helpless for the first time in a long time. Rowan only had a small amount of savings in her bank account and had contemplated returning home to her mother. What stopped her was Leo, she really liked him and could feel herself falling for him. It had scared her, she had never felt this way for anyone before, her heart ached for him. The constant thoughts in her head made her doubt his feelings for her, she thought she wasn't good enough for him, that she was damaged goods and that he would never feel the same about her. However the moment his lips pressed against hers he made those dark fears and doubts disappear. He reassured her many times that he wasn't going anywhere, that she was stuck with him but it was now up to her to believe him and put her trust into someone. She knew that she had to take a risk and that life was so short, after being shot more than once, it made her realise that fact.

During her stay at his apartment, they had made out a few times, quite heatedley and Leo was true to his word. He never pressured her in any way, the fact that she was still healing physically and mentally, Leo didn't want her to get hurt.

Rowan had remained stuck in his apartment for two days straight, determined to find a new job but since the night of the purge a lot of people in the city were in the same boat. Finding a decent job with good pay was hard to find, causing her to feel worthless and wondering whether not going to college was a mistake. All the good jobs wanted degrees, or some sort of experience, all the jobs she had worked in her life had been waitressing.

It was almost seven and the sun had begun to set in the sky when Leo arrived home from a job, he had a friend who had worked in security who owed him a favour, he managed to find something for Leo and help him get back on track. Walking through the main door to the apartment he wasn't surprised to see Rowan distracted by her laptop. Closing the door behind him, he placed his backpack on the ground and slowly made his way over towards her.

Rowan sat with her back hunched, with her chin resting on her hand and her right on moving around on the mousepad. She was so focused on what was in front of her that Rowan failed to realise that Leo was standing behind her, it was until he placed his hand onto her bare shoulder that she jolted in her seat.

'Jesus!' she yelled as she quickly turned around, looking up at Leo, who was now smirking at her 'Are you some kind of ninja?! Fuck!'

'I'm sorry. I couldn't resist'

Rowan shook her head and turned back in her seat, facing the computer screen. Leo leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder, Rowans quivers as goosebumps break out over her body. It had been a hot day, one of the hottest so far that summer, Rowan had decided to put on her cotton nightdress hoping that it would help her cool down.

'How was your day?' she asks him, watching from the corner of her eye as he walks away removing his thin jacket and hanging it up by the door.

'Same shit, different day. What about you?'

'There is nothing, I have been checking everyday and I'm either underqualified or the job has been taken. I swear I am about to lose my shit'

'Something will turn up' he assures her as he walks over to her, pulling out a chair from the dining table he sits down beside her.

'I just feel so useless'

'Hey, you just got shot and almost died. Stop being so hard on yourself'

'I've never not had a job before, I just want to help out. I have medical bills to pay, and I feel bad that I am living here rent free. I need to get off my ass' she sighed, her eyes still focused on the screen in front of her.

'Row, look at me' Rowan hesitates for a moment, lifting her chin out of the palm of her hand she turns her head to face him, his gaze meets hers 'You need to stop putting yourself down, I told you before you can stay here as long as you need and you don't need to pay me anything'

'I know, I just don't want to get in your way and overstay my welcome'

Leo places his hand softly against her cheek and moves closer, Rowan could spell the scent of his cologne.

'You are never in the way' he tells her 'If I had my way i'd keep you here forever'

Rowan blushes for a moment before a small smile spreads across her features.

'Are you sure about that?'

'Oh yeah'

Moving closer Leo presses his soft, warm lips against hers, her eyes slowly closing as her lips move into rhythm against his. All the worries and stress being erased from her mind instead it was replaced by a yearning. She needed him and wanted him but she was too nervous to tell him, taking a leap she decided to make a move and take herself out of her comfort zone. Rowan pulls away from his lips, a look of concern grows on Leo's face, worried that he pushed her too far. He is surprised as he watches Rowan stand from her seat and instead places herself into his lap, straddling his chair. The hem of her night dress rises up exposing her milky, soft skin of her thigh, Leo cannot help himself and strokes her thigh with the rough skin of his fingers. The goosebumps return as they spread across her body, her heart beating fast in her chest as her breathing becomes heavy. Leaning close to Leo, Rowan places her lips against his, their kiss turning passionate as his tongue slips into her mouth, massaging against her. Her hands instinctively move to the back of his head, her fingers running through his dark brown hair as her nails gently graze against his scalp.

Leo then moves his hands from her thighs before finally coming to a stop on her hips, she can feel the warmth building inside of her as it gradually moves between her legs. She had never felt this turned on before as she had never felt as comfortable as she did with Leo. Rowan could feel his hardness growing beneath her as it rubbed against her core, she began to shift in his lap, Leo broke their kiss concerned that she was uncomfortable.

'Are you okay? Do you want to stop?' he asks looking up at her.

'No'

Leo begins to move, as he tries to stand up.

'I mean, no I don't want to stop'

'Are you sure?'

'Very, I'm just not very good at this'

'I beg to differ'

It takes a while for Rowan to understand what he is insinuating, she blushes and looks away for a moment before meeting his brown eyes.

'I love it when I make you blush'

'Stop'

'What? Its cute'

'It's embarrassing, I look like a tomato'

Leo moves his hand and places it onto the back of her neck, pulling her face towards his as he crashes his mouth against hers. Sharing another tender kiss, this time gentle as Rowan feels her body melt against his. Soon after she pulls away, breaking the kiss, she looks down at him once again as she brushes her fingers against his stubbly cheek.

'I'm ready'

'Ready?' he asks quietly as he doubts what he had just heard 'Are you sure that you want to do this'

'Yeah. I want you to make love to me Leo'