Every whisper from him pushed the guilt deeper into Charlotte's chest.
Why was it so hard for her to just say it?
Honestly, what's so difficult about a few simple words...?
She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her sobs with all her might.
Leonid felt the tremor in her shoulders, the suppressed emotion almost choking her. He gently patted her back and whispered:
"Forget talking... just cry now. Let out everything that's weighing on your chest."
Then he continued in a softer, more tender tone:
"You have nothing to hide from me, right? And if there is... I'm always here to listen. Whatever your way, just trust me."
He bent down and buried his face in the curve of her neck, quietly inhaling her scent, while his hand kept patting her back in a steady, reassuring rhythm.
Five minutes passed until Charlotte's shoulders relaxed and the sound of her broken sobs softened.
"So… do you want to open up now, after all this crying?"
He asked gently, hiding behind his tone a burning desire to unlock her silence.
He stepped back a little, lifted her chin softly, searching her tired features for permission, for a sign, for a word…
But Charlotte surprised him with a stubborn shake of her head, a repeated refusal that did not waver.
He furrowed his brows for a moment, as if he was about to say a lot, then sighed silently and pulled her back into his chest again.
"I'll give you freedom... you choose the time that suits you."
He said calmly, while his eyes kept watching her, as if tirelessly searching for a crack in her wall.
"Anyway... let's rest tonight."
Without any preamble, he lifted her in his arms like a bride.
At that very moment, Charlotte clung to his neck and buried her face in the curve of his neck, as if seeking a temporary refuge in his embrace.
Leonid climbed the stairs with steady, calm steps.
Tonight he used a different approach... gentler, more understanding.
But she was still there, behind that immovable wall.
Just... what was he doing to her?
He frowned with annoyance as he passed Daniel and his girlfriend's room and entered their bedroom.
Carefully, he placed Charlotte on the bed, then stood upright. Before leaving to check the doors and windows as Daniel had asked him earlier, he lightly patted her head and quietly withdrew.
From the corner of her eye, Charlotte watched him, and as soon as he disappeared behind the door, she brushed strands of hair behind her ears and got up from the bed. She grabbed her small bag and pajamas and headed to the attached bathroom.
She closed the door behind her and stood before the mirror. She removed her light makeup, washed her face, brushed her teeth, then turned on the shower to bathe.
After finishing, she put on soft cotton pajamas and stepped out of the bathroom.
But she suddenly froze at the threshold, stiffening as if she had hit an invisible wall.
In front of her, Leonid was standing with his bare back facing her, having just finished checking the windows and door moments ago.
At that moment, he was slowly taking off his shirt, preparing to change clothes.
Charlotte stood frozen, staring at that muscular back and toned chest, both still bearing the marks of their previous night, some shallow scratches, others deeper like an instinctive signature on his body.
On the other hand... her own body still bore the same marks.
But hers were not scratches; they were soft traces.
"Are you enjoying looking at me shamelessly?"
Leonid asked in a calm, suggestive tone, turning half his body toward her. Then with a sideways smile, he lowered his hands to his pants, preparing to take them off.
Charlotte's eyes widened in shock, and she quickly turned back to the bathroom, closing the door behind her as if fleeing an unfinished thought.
From inside the bathroom, his mocking laugh slipped in, then his voice:
"Seriously? Acting like you've never seen anything before..."
A short silence followed, then the sound of the handle being pulled.
The door swung open quickly, and Leonid appeared, bent over the frame, looking at her with a seductive gaze and a towel over his shoulder.
In the dim bathroom light, the redness of her cheeks and ears was clear, as if her face glowed from within.
Leonid turned his face for a moment, trying to suppress a smile that played on his lips, but his eyes betrayed him; he was clearly enjoying his effect on her, even if it didn't help him get her to speak.
"What are you doing?!"
Charlotte shouted, stepping back quickly, wrapping her arms around her body in obvious shyness.
"Oh, please, don't misunderstand."
Leonid chuckled softly, then opened the door wide and gestured with his thumb toward outside:
"I need the bathroom too, so I'll finish changing inside."
He paused for a moment, his voice dropping into a teasing whisper:
"Unless you'd rather I change here... while you keep sneaking glances at me?"
"No!"
Charlotte screamed, rushing out, embarrassment flooding her features, while Leonid watched her with a raised brow, thoroughly enjoying seeing her struggle to look composed under the weight of his actions and suggestive words.
Charlotte pursed her lips as she passed him, but her steps slowed when he suddenly stopped her with his arm.
Leonid reached out, grabbed the side of her face, then gently turned it toward him so their eyes met.
His gaze was intense, saturated with unspoken things.
Charlotte's heart fluttered as her lashes fluttered warmly; she slowly closed her eyelids and tilted her head slightly while his thumb lightly traced her neck, touching the spot where the mark of his touch still glowed.
"How is this possible? I thought it had faded…"
Leonid whispered softly, continuing to scratch her skin gently with his fingernail.
Charlotte's breath hitched, her eyes widened, her body stiff in place if she could move, where would she run to?
There was no escape from his closeness... nor from his effect.
Her cheeks flamed, and she bit her lower lip softly to suppress a moan that almost slipped out, desperately trying to hide her shyness, unsuccessfully.
She finally closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment... and to him.
Suddenly... his thumb stopped.
Leonid's eyes lit up with a look of discovery, as if he had realized a hidden secret.
"Were you hiding it with makeup?"
He asked quickly, gently lifting her chin to force her eyes to meet his. But Charlotte averted her gaze as soon as she opened her eyes, as if looking directly at him threatened to burst her heart.
Leonid remained silent for a moment, waiting for an answer that never came.
When her silence stretched, a compliment slipped from his lips without him realizing:
"That's amazing..."
Charlotte then turned her gaze to him and asked in a soft, embarrassed voice:
"What did you say?"
"Nothing…"
Leonid stepped back, raising his hand from her face, answering quickly, trying to hide the turmoil that shimmered in his eyes despite everything.
In truth, he had thought the marks of their intimate night had completely vanished from her body, as if nothing had happened.
But the reality was different... she had hidden them with makeup.
He gave her a long look, then whispered in his deep voice, pointing to her neck:
"You look cute... like this."
He paused for seconds, then added in a low tone that carried a hint of possession:
"You belong to me... clearly."
Then he turned quietly and headed to the bathroom, closing the door behind him without another word, leaving Charlotte alone with a heart pounding in confusion.
"I look cute... and I belong to you?"
She raised her hand to her neck, feeling the cold chain of her necklace that contrasted with the warmth of her body burning with shyness.
"Is he talking about—?!"
She pressed her lips quickly, turned sharply, then threw herself onto the bed, holding her breath.
It was embarrassing, more than it should be.
Leonid stiffened behind the door.
His heartbeats were neither painful nor overly passionate, but like the rhythm of a new life slowly settling inside his chest.
He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and felt calm envelop him before heading to the shower to bathe.
Finally, he returned to his equilibrium. Maybe tonight he could enjoy a peaceful sleep without insomnia.
Leonid stepped out of the bathroom after a cold shower, drying his hair and body before wrapping a towel around his waist and quietly opening the door.
He walked with steady steps toward his bag, slipped into a pair of loose sweatpants that barely clung to his hips, and ran a hand carelessly through his silvery hair.
Setting the towel aside, he approached the bed and lay down beside Charlotte, who was lying on her stomach, pretending to be asleep.
Leonid slowly reached out and combed his fingers through her chestnut hair. It was cool to the touch, but no longer wet unlike his own, which still dripped gently.
"Are you going to keep pretending to be asleep?"
he asked quietly, leaning toward her. Charlotte felt a warmth bloom within her once again, but she stayed still.
"I'm not pretending anything. Just let me sleep,"
she said, brushing his hand from her hair and turning her back to him with some hesitation.
"Sweet dreams."
Leonid watched her in silence for a moment, then gave a small shrug and got up to turn off the light.
Darkness enveloped the room. He slipped under the blanket quietly and wrapped his arm around Charlotte's waist.
"Sleep well,"
he whispered, gently massaging her stomach. This time, she didn't push his hand away his touch eased her menstrual cramps and brought a quiet sense of comfort.
"Mm…"
A soft moan escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, surrendering to sleep.