When does it end?

When does it end?

Trista’s Office – The Next Morning

I sat at my desk, fingers tapping against the polished wood as I tried—and failed—to focus on
the email in front of me. The words blurred together, unreadable. My mind was elsewhere.
Back in my apartment.
Back to last night.
Back to Leonard.
The argument that happened last night had been inevitable. The moment he saw that damn
letter, scrawled with WITH LEO, his entire demeanor had shifted immediately, He decided that
he wanted me to leave with him, insisting that I wasn’t safe in my own home. She refused. He
stormed out.

If I decided to be honest, I would admit only to myself that I didn’t feel safe last night.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair trying to get rid of any knot at least to look
presentable. I hadn’t slept last night, not really. Every time I tried to close my eyes, his words
replayed in my head like a broken record. You’re not safe. We need to leave. Now.
I hated that he was right.
I hated even more that I’d refused to go with him.
I kind of regretted it after he left, I would only admit that to myself once again.

A sharp knock at the door made me jump. Before I could even give a coherent answer, the door
swung open, slamming against the wall.
Why did he even bother knocking if he wasn’t going to wait for my response I thought to myself
while rolling my eyes at him.
Leo.
He filled the space like he owned it, like he had every right to barge in here and take control
over me and my office His dark gaze locked onto me, unreadable, intense.

Good morning to you, too, I muttered, forcing irritation into my voice.
He didn’t even bother responding, also ingmored my obvious sacarsm.
He probably lost his manners while stomping aggressively into my office.
He strode toward my desk, his movements tense and controlled.
“You should have come with me last night. Trista” he said with zero amusement obvious in those words.

I scoffed, leaning back in my chair trying to look confident, I’m not running way, Leo. I just uproot
everything because you say so?”
You think this is about running? His voice was sharp, edged with frustration.
Damn, this man isn’t even trying to hide his emotions, I am enjoying this too much.
“This is about survival, Trista.” he said.
I met his gaze, challenging. I’ve survived just fine without you, you don’t think I can do that
again?
His jaw tightened hard.

“That’s why you were trembling when you saw that letter? He retorted.
I swallowed hard but I couldn’t answer.
His hands slammed down on my desk, making me jump slightly.
Damn it, Trista. This isn’t just about you anymore, why can’t you get that?
Something about his tone sent a shiver through me. Then what is it about?
His next words hit me like a bullet.
“The child.”
My blood ran cold.

I forced my expression into one of indifference at the mention of my child, my fingers curled
against the edge of my desk. There is no child.
Leo’s eyes darkened. I dare you to lie to me again.
My stomach twisted, but I held my ground. i don’t owe you an explanation Leo, I forced myself
to meet his gaze. It doesn’t change anything, Leo.
His expression was unreadable, but she could see the storm brewing behind his eyes. it
changes everything Trista.

The hell it doesn’t. He pushed away from the desk, stepping around to my side. Before I could
even react, he was towering over me, forcing me to meet his unwavering gaze. You flinched last
night I noticed, Trista. When I mentioned the child, you flinched.
I swallowed, my throat dry.
He was too close.
This is too close for me.
Too overwhelming.
And damn it, too right.

This is the safest I have felt since last night’s incident.
But I couldn’t do this. Not now. Not with him most especially.
It doesn’t change anything, I whispered.
Leo’s fingers curled into fists at his sides. It changes everything.
A shiver ran down my spine.
The air between us thickened, something shifting, I’m sure Leonard also noticed.
He is too close, his presence feels so overwhelming. i could feel the heat radiating off him from
our close proximity, the tension crackling like a live wire.
I should step away.
But I didn’t.

Leonards’s gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes in his own subtle way of informing
me of what he is about to do and i knew—knew—what was about to happen.
And yet, i didn’t attempt stop it.
This kiss was inevitable.
I should have pushed him away.
Should have told him to leave.
But when his gaze flickered to my lips again, when the air between us thickened with something
dark and heavy, I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t.
Then he kissed me.

His mouth crashed against mine, raw and desperate, as if he’d been holding back for too long,
like he needed me so bad. A gasp slipped from my lips, and his hands were on either sides of
me—gripping my waist, pulling me closer.
Then his other hand moved from my wait to my neck caressing me softly while trying to deepen
the kiss, my skin felt so hot and in need.
I shouldn’t have let this happen.
But damn it, I wanted it to.
Heat surged through me as he lifted me onto my desk, his body pressing firmly into mine. My
fingers tangled in his hair, my nails scraping against his scalp as I deepened the kiss. He
groaned against my mouth, his hands sliding beneath my blouse, fingertips grazing over my
bare skin.

A shudder ran through me.
This was dangerous. Reckless.
But God, it felt good.
Too good.
His lips left mine, trailing down my neck, his teeth scraping against my skin. My head fell back, a
moan escaping before I could even think stop it.
Then—
The door burst open.

A sharp inhale.
A heavy silence.
Nobody uttered anything.
Leo and I tore apart, both of us snapping our heads toward the doorway to see the
Chad.
His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides like he desperately needed to use them for
something as his gaze flickered between i and Leo.
Then, slowly, his lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
He still stood frozen, his expression a twisted mix of shock and something far more dangerous.
I shoved against Leo’s chest, scrambling off the desk as Chad stepped inside and shut the door
behind him.

Well, he drawled, his lips curling into a smirk. Isn’t this a sight?
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to steady my breathing. Chad, what are you doing here?
He ignored the question, his gaze flickering between me and Leo. His smirk deepened, but
there was no amusement behind it.
So that’s it? he asked, voice low. After everything, you just decided crawl back to him?
Leo tensed beside me. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, the barely contained rage
rolling off him.
This isn’t your business, I said sharply.
He let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. Oh, but it is, sweetheart. You see, Especially not
when it turns out to be a damn lie.”

Leo stepped forward, his stance rigid. Watch your mouth, it seems you’ve lost your hold on it.
Chad smirked. Oh, protective now, are we? His gaze flickered to Me. Funny. You used to be
mine, too.
Something ugly twisted in my stomach at chad’s words. I was never yours, Chad.
His smirk disappeared slowly.
His eyes darkened, something dangerous flashing behind them. Oh, but you were. And if I had
known you’d be throwing yourself at him again, maybe I wouldn’t have wasted my time being so
nice.

Leo moved before I could react, gripping Chad’s collar and slamming him against the wall.
Say that again, Leo growled.
Chad didn’t flinch. Instead, his smirk widened. Hit me, and I’ll make sure Trista pays for it.
My stomach twisted violently.
Leo’s grip tightened.
Then, after a long, tense moment, he let go.
Chad adjusted his collar, smoothing out the wrinkles on his shirt from Leonard’s assault. His
gaze settled on me, and something in it made my skin crawl.
You’ll regret this, he murmured.
I lifted my chin. I won’t regret anything chad, Get out.
His jaw ticked. But he didn’t argue.

He turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Silence.
I let out a slow breath, rubbing my temples in an attempt to eradicate the brewing migraine I am
about to experience.
Leo exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. That bastard—”
I shook my head. Chad has always been like this. He doesn’t handle rejection quite well.
Leo scoffed. That’s an understatement, a big one.
I forced a small, humorless laugh.I will talk to him later.
Leo turned to me, eyes dark with warning. That’s a bad idea.
I didn’t answer.
Because I was still going to have that conversation with chad.

I knew deep down that Chad wasn’t done with me.
He is one cocky bastard.
And that terrified me more than I was willing to admit.