The Heirs: A New Gamble

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Sophie

Leo and I hit the gym after classes the next day. I can tell his mind is all over the place. He confided in me during our date last week how he feels like this whole Gabe Rossi situation is his fault. He hasn't said as much since, but I can sense his tension and stress.

He takes out his stress on the weighted barbell he's currently benching like he's got a vendetta. I stand over him, giving him a look. Leo lets out a grunt as he places the bar back on the stand. I round the bench and stand in front of him.

Leo widens his legs and I step between them as he runs his hands up the back of my knees to my thighs.

"You're going to pop a vessel, Moretti," I tease.

"You're dramatic."

I smirk. "You know this."

He huffs a laugh and I get a small smile. I'll take it.

"Want to talk about it?" I ask, running my hands through his hair. I'd been trying to wait for him to talk, not wanting to push.

He squeezes my thighs and lets out a heavy breath before looking up at me.

"Not sure what more there is to say," he sighs.

"Hey," I straddle his lap. "There is nothing you did wrong. There is nothing you could have done differently. This isn't on you. I don't know why you continue to shoulder it all," I frown.

"I could've played it better...smarter..." Leo frowns, not making eye contact with me.

I grab his chin and force him to look me in the eyes.

"No. You did the right thing. And you can't rewind time. This isn't. On. You."

Leo stares at me for a long moment.

A warm surge tugs inside of me at the way he looks up at me. He runs his fingers through my hair and pulls me closer to him, lips whispering over mine.

I bridge the gap between us and take his bottom lip between mine, kissing languidly, hoping that I can make him forget all the rest – if only for the moment that our lips are joined.

He lets out a low groan when I roll my hips over him.

I grin, pulling away.

"You'll be the death of me, Lupa," he grunts.

I sigh on a laugh as I stroke his hair, "It's going to be okay."

He and I both know that I'm only saying words. There's no guarantee in this dangerous life.

Leo cocks his head at me, looking like he has something on his mind, maybe something he wants to say. I'm starting to understand his cues a little more each day.

"Go on," I whisper, encouraging him. "Say what you're thinking."

"When I'm with you, I forget the rest of it..." he mutters.

I let out a long exhale and try to think of something clever to say back to that.

I've spent most of my life thinking of flirty, clever retorts – but in this moment, I have absolutely nothing clever to say. My throat closes and something warm and familiar floods my eyes.

That rush of feelings that have been cumulating the last months form a tight, fiery ball in my chest and demand to be released.

Leo, though, Leo Moretti in all his grumpy stoicism with his emotional faults, beats me to the punch.