Deeper Healing

05| Alone Together

Leilani Edwards

"Leilani," he murmured breathlessly, his enchanting eyes looking deeply into mine. I never knew my name would ever sound so beautiful and serene coming from someone's mouth.

My breathing became softer, my body squirming a little as my muscles relaxed in the firm grasp of his strong arms.

This was the second time he was staring intensely at me like this, my face inches away from his. There was something about that gaze of his I'd never find in any other man as if at that moment, our souls made a bridge.

I had met him again by pure coincidence and I wasn't going to shy away from the strong feelings I yearned to feel again. Feelings only he could evoke in me by simply looking into my eyes and holding me like I was his most prized possession.

I wasn't supposed to meet him again. My body wasn't supposed to be reacting to his touch the way it was. I hated how my body melted into his touch and my feelings flared into life the second his hot breath fanned my skin. Everything about him screamed my next mistake.

For the record, he was the one in leather this time around and instead of putting his life in danger, I had saved it from a psychotic lawbreaker.

Nikolai pulled me up gently until I fully stood on my feet. Even in my strappy high heels, I was still a few inches shorter than him and he could still gaze down at me. He took a step backwards, one of his hands still on the small of my back.

His eyes descended from my mine to my torso and confusion clouded my mind for a split second. What was he doing?

"Shit, I'm sorry," he muttered.

I looked down at myself and noticed the coffee stain on my white double-breasted blazer dress. It was embarrassingly visible. Heat crawled up my neck and stung my cheeks. I suddenly felt extra self-conscious and looked around me. People were beginning to stare at me uncomfortably.

"It's fine. Don't worry," I replied, embarrassment lacing my voice.

In response, Nikolai stood directly in front of me, his tall and muscular figure shielding me from people's stares. I gave him a feeble smile and watched him as he took off his leather jacket and placed it on my shoulders.

"Is this okay?" he asked me softly, helping me slip my arms into its sleeves.

"Of course. Thank you," I answered, letting out a peal of shaky chuckles.

His jacket was a few sizes bigger, dropping a few inches above my dress. The sleeves were slightly longer, covering most of my palms, but I couldn't help but feel cute. Nikolai's jacket literally enveloped me in his rich intoxicating scent that I couldn't channel out of my senses for days.

I was fucked. The last thing I needed right now was to cling to the memories of another man whose intentions I wasn't aware of when deep down, my heart was still breaking for an asshole who never deserved it in the first place.

When I looked up at Nikolai, he was mysteriously smiling at me with a glint I couldn't decipher lighting up his eyes. I couldn't help but smile back at him, looking at my outfit and then back at his face. "I don't look goofy, do I?"

"You wear it better than I do. Leather is your material," he commented.

My smile involuntarily widened and I rubbed my palms against the jacket, straightening it. "Thank you," I breathed, averting my eyes from his.

Even if I wished I could just run away and pretend my life hadn't pulled yet another major card at me, I was in the situation and I had to act rationally. There was no need to be a bitch.