Run

Chapter 23

The ride in the elevator was a quiet one, Leo had been more than patient as she took her time walking inside of the building, still insisting on carrying her heavy bag with some of her belongings. He had reassured her that there was no rush, scared that she would hurt herself further and it was the last thing he had wanted. He cared for Rowan, and he felt something that he hadn't felt in a long time stirring inside of him. Leo wanted her so badly, ever since they first met and he had come so close to losing her. In his eyes Rowan was beautiful inside and out, with a big heart as she longed to protect those closer to her but it hurt that she always put herself in harm's way. He didn't want that to happen again, he would do everything in her power to keep her safe and protected.

The elevator dinged once it reached Leo's floor, the doors pulled open and Leo started to walk out. Rowan quietly and slowly followed behind him, already feeling tired from the short amount of walking, she hated not feeling like herself. She would work sometimes twelve-hour shifts at the diner, and on her feet all day. Her feet would blister and her legs would ache, but the pain she was feeling was like nothing she had felt before. Rowan felt drained and out of breath, the pain medication that the doctors had given her was beginning to wear off.

Leo stopped at a pea green coloured door, Rowan's bag still hanging from his shoulder as he slid a small key into the lock before turning the door knob and pushing the door open.

'Here we are' he tells her as he walks inside, he stands aside allowing Rowan to walk into his apartment. They stepped into the living room, it was smaller than Rowan thought it would be, she wasn't quite sure what she thought his place would look like in detail. Leo closed the door behind him, placing her bag down on the floor by the couch and stands in front of her.

'Nice place'

'Thanks' he replies with a smile 'Okay, so behind you are the bedroom and bathroom'

Rowan slowly looks to the open doorway leading to the bedroom, feeling curious to have a peak, she turns back to face him.

'Cool'

'And through that doorway is the kitchen, if you call it a kitchen'

'I'm sure it's fine'

'I know your probably tired and want to have a rest, so I changed the sheets on the bed for you and I am going to crash out on the couch here' he tells her.

'Leo I'm not going to kick you out of your own bed'

'You need to rest, heal and you can't do that on the couch. Don't worry it pulls out into a bed'

'Leo...'

'Rowan it's fine'

'I can't let you do that, please. I can sleep out here, I really don't mind' she argues, hoping that he would give up the idea and keep his bed for himself.

'No way, Row'

'Row?'

'Sorry, Rowan'

'No, it's okay, I like it. How about a compromise?'

'Compromise?'

'We share your bed' Rowan chuckles as his eyes widen in surprise at her suggestion.

'Are you sure about that?'

Leo was unsure at the idea, the last thing he wanted was Rowan to think that he was after something, she had been through a lot in her life. He recalled what she had told him on Purge night, about the man that had hurt her and abused her. He would gladly hunt down the man and kick his ass if Rowan hadn't beat him to the punch, it disgusted him that there were people out there who happily abused and manipulated children. The very thought of it made Leo feel sick, people like that he thought should be shot. He felt protective over Rowan, and wanted to go out of his way to help her and get her back onto her feet. Leo could not deny he felt a pull towards Rowan, an attraction to the beautiful brunette, he wanted to take things slowly and not scare her off.

'Leo it's fine, we're both adults and it's just sharing a bed'

'I don't know'

'Look, it's means we both get what we want. I hate the idea of you sleeping on that thing, I feel bad for putting you into this situation, I am grateful for everything you have done for me Leo. I do'

'You have nothing to feel bad about Row, I am happy that you are here. It means I get to see you every day' Leo gently places his hand against her face, cupping her cheek 'I mean it'

Leo leans forward and presses a soft kiss against her lips, the kiss surprises her, her body remains in shock for a moment before she is able to respond. Their kiss is slow, tender, sending shockwaves through both of their bodies. His hands rest onto her waist as he pulls her body carefully against his own. The kiss turns passionate as Leo moves his tongue inside her mouth, their tongues move in perfect rhythm as the kiss deepens. Rowan struggles to catch her breath as she ends the kiss, she rests her forehead against his, their eyes meet as the smile softly at one another.

'I've wanted to do that for a long time' he tells her.

'I'm glad you did'

Rowan presses another kiss onto his reddened, plump lips before pulling away again.

'Let's order some take out and relax'

'Sounds like a good idea' she tells him as they pull apart, Rowan decided to take a look around the apartment as Leo looked for some menus. Deciding to calm down her erratic heartbeat before it exploded, it had turned into an interesting afternoon so far, she was curious what would happen in the long run after staying for a short time.