Chapter 50 Kisses
CHAPTER 50
Kisses.
The apartment was stunning wide open spaces, soft lighting, and a direct view of the ocean through the large windows. The sound of the waves carried inside faintly, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Ruby walked further in, taking everything in.
“This is… amazing.”
Leo watched her explore, his hands in his pockets. She moved toward the balcony and stepped outside. The evening breeze welcomed her again. From there, the ocean looked even more breathtaking under the dimming sky.
Leo joined her a moment later. They stood side by side in silence.
Ruby spoke softly.
“I don’t want today to end.”
Leo glanced at her. “It doesn’t have to.”
She looked up at him, there was something in her eyes something warm and real.
“This is the best surprise I’ve ever had,” she said.
Leo’s expression softened. “Good.”
The night settled gently around them, wrapping the beachfront apartment in a soft, calming quiet. The sound of the ocean filtered through the slightly open balcony doors, steady and rhythmic, like a lullaby in the background. Ruby stepped back inside, her fingers trailing lightly along the glass door as she closed it halfway. She turned to look at Leo, who was watching her from across the room. There was something different about the way he looked at her tonight.
“You’re staring,” she said softly, a teasing note in her voice.
Leo didn’t deny it. “You’re hard not to look at.”
Ruby felt her cheeks warm, but she smiled. “You say things like that so easily.”
“I don’t say them often.”
That made her pause.
And somehow… it made the words feel more real.
She walked further into the living area, glancing around again as if still trying to take it all in.
“So… what’s next?” she asked.
Leo checked his watch briefly. “Dinner.”
Ruby blinked. “You planned that too?”
“Of course.”
A soft knock came at the door just then, as if on cue.
Ruby laughed in disbelief. “No way.”
Leo walked to the door and opened it. A staff member from the building stood outside with neatly packed food trays. Leo thanked him briefly and brought everything inside. Ruby hurried over, curiosity lighting up her face.
“What did you order?”
“Something simple,” Leo replied, placing the trays on the dining table.
Ruby opened one of them and gasped softly.
“This isn’t simple.”
There was grilled fish, creamy pasta, fresh salad, warm bread, and even dessert.
“Leo…”
He shrugged lightly. “You like good food.”
She looked at him, smiling. “Thank you.”
They sat down together, facing each other across the small dining table. The soft lighting above them cast a warm glow, making everything feel intimate they just looked at each other. Then Ruby picked up her fork.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
They began eating slowly, talking in between bites.
“This is really good,” Ruby said, tasting the pasta.
“I made sure of it.”
She smiled. “You always do.”
A comfortable silence followed for a few minutes, filled only with the soft clinking of cutlery and the distant sound of waves.
Then Ruby suddenly paused.
“What?” Leo asked.
She tilted her head slightly, a playful look in her eyes. “Open your mouth.”
Leo raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Just do it.”
He looked at her suspiciously. “Ruby—”
“Trust me.”
After a second, he sighed and leaned forward slightly. “Fine…..”
Ruby smiled and carefully lifted a forkful of pasta, holding it out toward him.
“Here.”
Leo stared at her for a moment. “You’re serious?”
“Very.”
He hesitated… then took the bite.
Ruby watched him expectantly. “Well?”
Leo chewed slowly, then nodded. “Not bad.”
Ruby gasped dramatically. “Not bad?”
He smirked. “I mean… it’s edible.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“Your turn,” he said.
Ruby blinked. “What?”
Leo picked up his fork and mirrored her earlier action. “Open your mouth.”
She laughed. “No.”
“Yes.”
“Leo—”
“Fair is fair.”
She hesitated, then slowly leaned forward, opening her mouth slightly.
Leo fed her a piece of grilled fish.
Ruby chewed, her eyes widening. “Okay… that’s actually really good.”
Leo smirked. “I know.”
They both laughed softly.
The playful moment shifted something between them. The distance that once existed felt completely gone now. After dinner, Ruby helped clear the table, despite Leo insisting she didn’t have to.
“I want to,” she said.
When everything was done, they moved to the couch. The room was dim now, lit only by a soft lamp and the faint glow from outside. Ruby curled up slightly, pulling her legs close.
“Come here,” Leo said quietly.
She looked at him. “What?”
Instead of answering, he gently pulled her closer.
Ruby didn’t resist. She settled against him, her head resting on his chest. Leo wrapped an arm around her, holding her comfortably.
Ruby could hear his heartbeat, steady and calm beneath her ear. Her fingers lightly traced the fabric of his shirt absentmindedly.
“This feels nice,” she murmured.
Leo’s hand moved gently along her arm.
“Yes.”
She tilted her head slightly to look up at him. “Are you always like this?”
“Like what?”
“Soft.”
Leo let out a quiet chuckle. “Only with you.”
Her heart skipped. Ruby shifted slightly, turning so she was facing him more directly and now their faces were close it was very close that they could feel each other breaths. For a moment, they just looked at each other.
He reached up, brushing his fingers lightly against her cheek.
Ruby leaned into the touch without thinking. “Leo…”
He didn’t let her finish the words as he kissed her. This time, it wasn’t sudden like before It was slow, intentional. Their lips met gently at first, then lingered. Ruby’s hand moved to his shoulder, holding onto him as the kiss deepened slightly. Leo’s hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer into him. The world outside disappeared again. All that mattered was the warmth between them. The soft, steady rhythm of their breathing.
The way their lips moved together, learning, exploring. Ruby felt a shiver run through her as the kiss grew more intense. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were slightly breathless. Ruby rested her forehead lightly against his.
“You’re did that again,” she whispered.
Leo smiled faintly.
“And you didn't not stopping me.”
She smiled back. “I don’t want to.”
That was all the permission he needed. He kissed her again, softer this time, lingering. After a while, Ruby relaxed fully against him, her body sinking comfortably into his embrace. Leo adjusted slightly, making sure she was comfortable. She rested her head against his chest again, her hand lightly gripping his shirt. Outside, the ocean continued its quiet rhythm. Inside, everything felt still.
Ruby’s eyes slowly began to close.
“Leo…” she murmured sleepily.
“Hmm?”
“Don’t disappear in the morning.”
Leo’s expression softened.
“I won’t.”
She nodded faintly, already drifting.
Within minutes, her breathing evened out.
She had fallen asleep in his arms.
Leo looked down at her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
Then he leaned his head back against the couch, holding her a little closer.