Free Web NovelChapter 37: Chapter 38
"But..."
"There’s easily a decade difference in our age, and you’re my daughter’s friend. How can I..." Laiva said, trying to keep her composure, her voice steady despite the obvious tension in the air. She was trying to play it cool, but Leon wasn’t going to let her dodge the question.
He stayed firm, his eyes locked on hers. "...Do you want this or not?" he asked, his voice calm but direct, cutting through her hesitations.
Laiva paused, her gaze dropping briefly as she took a deep breath. She wasn’t the type to let emotions sway her, but something about Leon’s straightforwardness left her unable to brush him off.
"You don’t make things easy, do you?" she finally said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"I’m not trying to," he replied. "I just want the truth."
She sighed, her posture relaxing slightly as she met his eyes again. "It’s not about what I want, Leon. It’s about whether this is the right thing to do."
"And what if it is?" he countered. "What if the only thing stopping you is overthinking?"
Laiva stood there for a moment, studying him. She wasn’t a woman easily swayed, but she couldn’t deny the pull she felt—the way his words resonated with something she hadn’t let herself feel in years. Finally, she shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
"You’re impossible," she said, but her tone was warmer now.
"I’ll take that as a yes," he said, a small smile breaking through his usually serious expression.
Laiva didn’t respond with words. Instead, she stepped closer, her movements deliberate, and reached up to gently touch his face. It was her way of giving him the answer he was looking for—without needing to say it outright.
Slowly, she pushed him onto the sofa, her hands resting on his chest as she climbed on top of him. Her gaze locked onto his, and her voice carried a teasing edge. "...Leon, you lost 10 million just because you wanted to say you like me?" she asked, her tone half incredulous, half amused.
He nodded without hesitation. "Yes... I don’t mind losing my whole bank account if that’s what it takes."
Hearing his words, Laiva bit her lip, a faint smile playing on her face. "Dumb young man..." she murmured before leaning in, burying her face into his neck.
For a moment, they stayed like that, the warmth of their closeness filling the space between them. Her breath tickled his skin, and her voice softened as she whispered, "I don’t mind... but I just don’t want Emily to find out about this. Not yet."
Leon’s hand gently rested on her back, his touch firm but reassuring. "She won’t. I’ll make sure of it."
Laiva pulled back slightly, her lips hovering near his, her eyes searching his face. "You’d really do all this... for me?"
"I already have," he said, his voice steady, his eyes unflinching as they met hers.
Her heart skipped a beat at his sincerity. Without another word, she leaned in, closing the small distance between them, and pressed her lips to his. The kiss started soft, tentative, but quickly deepened as both of them gave in to the emotions they had kept at bay.
Leon’s hands slid along her waist, his touch growing bolder as his fingers traced the hem of her top. Laiva’s breath hitched, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, her hands rested on his shoulders, her nails lightly grazing his skin as she leaned into him.
His lips moved from hers, trailing along her jawline and down to her neck, his movements deliberate but filled with care. Slowly, he tugged at her top, pulling it up inch by inch, revealing the soft curve of her waist.
Laiva’s cheeks flushed, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as her hands instinctively reached for the buttons on his shirt. For a moment, it was just them.
As his hand reached for the strap of her bra, ready to slip it off her shoulder, the sudden shrill ring of her phone shattered the moment. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Both of them froze. The sharp sound seemed impossibly loud in the quiet room, breaking through the haze of their closeness.
Laiva blinked, reality crashing down on her as she pulled back slightly. "That’s... my phone," she said breathlessly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leon let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back against the sofa as he ran a hand through his hair. "Perfect timing," he muttered.
Laiva glanced toward the small table where her phone was vibrating insistently. She reached for it, glancing at the screen. Her face tensed slightly.
"It’s Emily," she said, meeting his gaze.
"Answer it," Leon said.
Laiva hesitated for a moment, adjusting her disheveled top before swiping to answer. "Hello?" she said, her voice slightly unsteady as she tried to mask the flustered tone.
"Mom?" Emily’s voice carried through the line, soft but concerned. "Are you okay? I just... I don’t know, I had this weird feeling and wanted to check on you."
Laiva took a deep breath, composing herself. "I’m fine, sweetheart," she said, her tone regaining its usual warmth. "Why are you calling so late? Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing’s wrong," Emily replied. "I just missed you... and wanted to make sure you were okay. Is Leon still with you?"
Laiva’s eyes flicked to him. He was sitting there, his shirt still slightly unbuttoned, watching her with an unreadable expression. "Yes," she said simply. "He’s here."
"Okay. Just... take care, alright? And tell him I said thanks again—for everything."
"I will," Laiva said softly. "Now get some rest, okay? Love you."
"Love you too, Mom."
The call ended, and Laiva set the phone down with a sigh. She looked at Leon, an apologetic smile playing on her lips.
"Well," she said, a hint of humor in her tone, "that was... a mood killer."
Leon smirked faintly, adjusting his shirt. "Emily’s timing is impeccable."
Laiva chuckled, though her cheeks were still slightly flushed. She smoothed her hair, her expression softening as she met his eyes. "Maybe it’s a sign we should slow down."
Leon’s gaze didn’t waver. "If that’s what you want, I’ll follow your lead."
Her smile grew, and she reached out, her fingers lightly brushing his hand. "You’re a good man, Leon. That much, I’m sure of."
Leon paused for a moment before he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I’ll check something," he said, his fingers quickly swiping through property listings.
Laiva, sensing his distraction, moved closer to him. Her head gently rested against his chest, her warmth a comfort in the quiet room. "What are you looking at?" she murmured, her voice soft, as if the question was more out of curiosity than anything else.
"I’m looking at properties," Leon replied, his voice steady as he scrolled through the listings. "I think we’ll need a bigger space soon. Maybe for... us."
Laiva lifted her head, meeting his gaze. "Us?"
Leon glanced at her and smiled. "You, me...and our kids Jake.. and Emily"
Laiva’s gaze softened, and she nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe something by the water. I’ve always wanted a view like that."
Leon handed her the phone. "Pick one."
She took the phone, her fingers brushing against his. As she scrolled through the listings, Leon’s eyes softened, watching her. It was a small moment, but it felt significant, as if they were starting to build something together.
"Let’s go to sleep," Leon said, breaking the silence. "It’s already late."
He moved to stand up, his hands gently lifting her in a princess carry, and Laiva let out a soft laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her toward the bedroom.
As he gently laid her down on the bed, Leon leaned over her, his gaze softening as it lingered on her face. "Goodnight, Laiva," he whispered, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear before carefully tucking the blankets around her.
"I have a lot of work to do in the morning," he muttered as he drifted off to sleep.
