*Bianca*
I woke up early the next morning to the comforting feel of Leo’s strong arms surrounding . I lifted my head to stare at the clock on the nightstand. It was six in the morning. I suppressed the groan I wanted to release before burying my face into Leo’s bare chest.
Normally, my fiance’s warmth would be enough to soothe back to sleep but I was still embarrassed over my behavior the night before. Here I just wanted to have a nice dinner and maybe so hot sex with Leo to help him destress from work but I had kind of ruined it by overreacting to Darion’s sudden arrival.
I had been beyond mortified to be caught in such an intimate position with my future husband. I felt as if I was on display and panicked when I realized that.
My heart sank. I most likely ruined the night because of how I freaked out. At least Leo didn’t seem upset with over it. He was still willing to cuddle despite my behavior.
I looked into Leo’s face. There was just enough light streaming through the bedroom window for to make out his handso features. His chiseled jaw was slack and relaxed as he slumbered on. His dark lashes were brushing his cheekbones and I resisted the urge to run my fingers over the smooth skin of his cheeks, not wanting to wake him. He deserved to sleep in after the week he has had.
I had no doubt he was going to be the best husband. He was already so attentive toward . He rarely complained about the struggles he went through at work despite how much of a headache I imagined it was.
He truly wanted what was best for , for us, and for our child. The fact that he was willing to leave the mafia so that we could be a family filled with so much gratitude. I knew it wasn’t easy for him. This life was all he ever knew.
He must really love if he was working so hard to leave it.
My affection for him was suddenly so strong that I couldn’t help but nuzzle myself deeper into his chest. I felt him stir and after a mont, his thick fingers wound themselves into my hair. He stroked my head tenderly before pressing a kiss to the top of it.
I felt him shift to look at the ti before he pulled more tightly to him. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, his voice thick with sleep.
“I slept fine,” I lied but then I bit my lip. “I’m sorry about last night.”
I felt him stiffen in surprise before he pulled away slightly so he could look at . “Why are you apologizing?” he asked in bewildernt. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I completely overreacted when Darion ca in,” I said quietly, still feeling ashad. “We were having a nice night and then I completely ruined it.”
Leo pushed so of my bangs away from my eyes. “You didn’t ruin anything,” he told firmly. “It’s who should be apologizing. I shouldn’t be allowing Darion to walk around here like he owns the place. I’ll talk to him and set him straight, don’t you worry.”
I bead at him and rewarded him with a kiss. He responded imdiately, deepening it and pulling closer to him.
It felt like not that long ago when it seed like we were fighting all the ti. We were both so stubborn that I feared we would always be at odds with one another until one of us had enough and left.
But now, we were able to communicate openly. Leo listened attentively to and lately, he started checking in to make sure I was doing alright.
“You be safe going to the airport,” Leo ordered as we finished getting dressed. His eyebrows furrowed as he buttoned up his dark gray shirt. “You sure you don’t want one of the guards to drive you? LAX is a beast, even in the morning.”
I rolled my eyes at Leo. I was going to go pick up Anna from the airport today. I just wanted it to be and her since it’s been a while since I saw my best friend.
“I’ll be fine driving myself,” I said, getting on my tiptoes so I could kiss him, hoping to calm him. “Besides, I won’t really be alone since you still insist on being followed around like a common criminal.”
Leo just smirked and wrapped his arms around . He teasingly tapped my nose. “You need to be watched, my little danger magnet” he said.
I scoffed but kissed him goodbye before we headed out to our separate cars. I was practically bouncing in my seat as I pulled into LAX. Anna bead when I pulled up next to her and ca out to give her a big hug.
“It feels like it’s been a lifeti,” she said, squeezing tightly.
I giggled and helped her carry her bags into the car. “It might as well have been,” I said. “It’s so good to see you, Anna. I’ve missed you.”
Anna grinned and hugged again. It was like nothing changed as she climbed into the passenger seat and we started to drive off toward the school.
“We have so much to catch up on,” she gushed but her eyes were on the window as she watched buildings pass by. “Man, I can’t believe I’m actually going to be studying here for a whole sester!”
Her enthusiasm was more than a little contagious. “We’re going to have to take full advantage and hang out a lot,” I told her.
Anna was wide-eyed when we got to campus. She was moving her head back and forth like a flamingo, trying to take it all in at once. She was practically giddy by the ti we t up with Isabella and Taylor so that we could all give Anna a tour.
It felt nice to be out with my friends like this. Taylor and Isabella were pointing out so cool spots that they thought Anna would like to study at or just sit and read. It was fun to see so of my favorite people mingling together.
It sounded like we would have a lot of ti over the next few months to hang out since we had so overlapping classes. I pulled Anna along behind .
“You guys go on ahead to the cafeteria,” I told Taylor and Isabella. “I’m going to introduce Anna to Professor Bennett and see if he can give us so pointers for the rest of the sester. Sotis, he’ll give extra credit for asking questions before class.”
Taylor and Isabella rolled their eyes at my goody-two-shoes studious nature before waving and heading off to get so lunch.
“Professor Bennett is the best,” I was telling Anna as we headed down the hallway toward the professor’s room. “I had him last sester and he’s really passionate about his research.” I stopped talking when we opened the door.
The large office was devoid of people except for the professor in question and none other than Darion. I froze, unable to look away as Darion handed my favorite professor a wad of cash. Professor Bennett looked displeased and like he didn’t want to take the money but like he had no choice.
I watched with dismay as Darion left the room with a definite smirk on his face.
“Bianca?” Anna asked, her voice making it obvious that she hadn’t noticed the exchange. “Are you alright?”
“Sorry, yes,” I said, shaking my head. I turned to go. “I’ll be right back. Chat with Professor Bennett.” And before she could protest, I was gone, making my way quickly down the hall.
Thankfully, Darion hadn’t made it that far. I still had to jog to catch up with him. He barely looked at as I stepped in front of him.
“What do you want?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at in annoyance.
I glanced around to ensure we were alone in the hallway before stepping toward him. “I saw that little exchange with Professor Bennett,” I said. “Why did you just hand him money?”
Darion rolled his eyes at , as if I was the most botherso person. “If I tell you, then I’ll have to say that they’ll accept anyone into this school nowadays.”
I scowled at him. “Just answer the question, Darion.”
Darion stared at like I was a cockroach he just stepped on and my guts got on his shoes.
“It’s none of your business but I just paid your precious professor off so I won’t have to waste my ti studying or doing the work for this course. My mother has connections to the school so it really was effortless to get it done.”
He sounded like he was bragging, which was probably the real reason he was telling all of this willingly.
I felt my cheeks turn red with anger. “You’re a coward,” I snapped. “You think you’re being so clever but you’re just disgusting and lazy.”
He stiffened but then smirked at . “That is rich coming from a little hypocrite like you,” he drawled. He gestured at vaguely. “You think you’re any better than ? Your soon-to-be husband is a criminal lord. You have no right to tell that I’m in the wrong.”
I should have known better than to provoke him, especially since I knew very well that if he was chosen to take over for Leo, he would have to be at least as tough as my fiance. His eyes darkened and he stalked toward , forcing to back up into a corner. I refused to show fear though and t his gaze evenly.
“You’d best stay out of my business if you know what’s good for you,” he said darkly. “And I would keep that loud mouth of yours silent about what you saw and what I told you.”
I didn’t say anything and resisted the sigh of relief when Darion stepped away from and stalked off without another word.
My breathing was a bit labored from the fear when I heard my na behind . I turned to find Anna hurrying toward . “Bianca, are you alright?” she asked. “You ran off like you saw a ghost or sothing. And then you took a while to co back so I thought I should check on you.”
I smiled at my best friend, hoping that it looked convincing enough for her not to question further. “I’m alright,” I said. “I guess I’m just a little tired. I wanted to get so air.”
Thankfully, Anna seed to believe and she suggested that we go catch up with Taylor and Isabella, to which I agreed.
I couldn’t really enjoy myself after that though. I just kept thinking that despite the fact that Darion threatened to stay quiet, I had to tell Leo what I saw.
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