“You mean that much to me.” He held my face with his strong hands and looked me in the eye, smiling. “I thought I was going to have to work a lot harder than that.”

“I’m easy. What can I say?” I raised my eyebrows, eliciting another smile from this outrageously gorgeous man. Even first thing in the morning, he looked amazing. I loved his hair, mussed during sleep. I ran my hand over the rough stubble on his cheek. The man was just flat-out bloody gorgeous, and the more time I spent with him, the more convinced I was of his integrity. My ignorance to Richard’s true nature had really rattled me, but I had my eyes wide open now and they were seeing the man I wanted to give myself to completely.

“You make a phone call, I’ll make coffee.”

He kissed me, and when he pulled back I grabbed his bicep. “Don’t you want to stay in bed a little longer?” I hoped he would understand my implication.

He answered by pushing me onto my back and staying in bed a lot longer.

Later, I shamelessly ogled his incredible body as he walked out of the room.

I spoke to Heath, who wasn’t thrilled with my last-minute request but agreed begrudgingly. I’d taken no annual leave in almost twelve months. No sooner had I hit the red circle on my phone than it started ringing. It was Dad.

“How is she?” I asked.

“Not great. I’m not going to lie.”

I shook my head. “Well, I appreciate your honesty.”

“I’ve put in a few calls and have managed to secure a place for her at Dartmoor West Wellness Centre. It comes highly recommended by Dr McGibbons.”

“That’s really great, Dad. When is she going in?”

“Monday. I’m going to take a few weeks off work so I can spend as much time at the centre as needed. It’s time I got my priorities in order.”

“That makes me really happy, Dad.” I felt a heavy load lift from my shoulders. “Really happy.”

“I’ll keep you updated.”

“Thanks, Dad. Bye.”

Chapter Thirty

Leo

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, standing next to my bike and strapping on her helmet.

“For a start, you haven’t seen where I live. I could do with a change of clothes if that’s okay with you?”

“Course. I’d like to see where you live.”

***

“St Kilda?” she questioned when I pulled up outside my apartment building.

“Why so surprised? Too upmarket for a thug like me?” I pulled her to me and tickled her sides, knowing it would be torture for her, but it would make her laugh.

She laughed, and the sound made me happy. “Not at all. St Kilda has some dodgy parts.”

“Oh, thanks a lot, funny girl.” I tickled her, making her laugh harder.

“I was going to say it’s my favourite suburb in Melbourne before you jumped to conclusions, Mr Chip-on-his-shoulder.” She smirked and I couldn’t resist kissing her, because I could never resist kissing her.

“I was brought up in the country and longed for city life. Once a year, Dad brought me to Melbourne and took me to Luna Park and the beach. We’d fish off the pier and eat ice cream. St Kilda became my favourite place in the world.”

I took her hand and led her up the steps. I lived in a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor of an interwar building that, quite frankly, had seen better days. “It’s not fancy, but it’s all I need.”

Juliette stood in the middle of the main living room and did a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn. She said nothing as she took it in. An old but extremely comfortable lounge chair was up one end with the TV, and an overflowing bookshelf and a table and chairs were set up by the back window up the other end. The kitchen was through a door on one side, and opposite it, a door led through to the two bedrooms and bathroom. It was a simple design.

“I love it.” She said it like she meant it then took a seat at the table overlooking the shared garden to the rear of the building.

“I’m glad.” I sat down opposite her and waited until she looked at me. “Stay here with me this weekend.”

“I’d like that.” Her cheeks reddened slightly as if I’d just asked her on a first date. Then it occurred to me we’d never had a first date. We’d stumbled from one drama to the next and our time together had been uncertain and fragile.

She sat forward in her chair and rested her elbows on the table. “How long have you lived here?”

I looked to the ceiling and counted in my head. “Eight years. I’ve lived here since I finished high school. Angus was my housemate while we were at uni and then he ditched city life and headed home.”

“You were at uni?” she asked, but her cheeks immediately reddened, embarrassed by her question. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound surprised. That was rude.”

“Not at all. I went to uni for a few years but didn’t finish my degree.” I wasn’t ready to tell her the reason I withdrew. “I’ve been working events and bars ever since. Plus the fights help pay the rent too.”

“I wanted to live on campus, but my mother wouldn’t let me. I lived at home until I graduated and got a job.”

“So why didn’t you get an apartment in St Kilda when you were earning your own money if you like it here so much?”

“My city apartment was a university graduation gift from my parents.”

“Wow. That’s some gift.”

“I know.” She shifted on her chair and fidgeted with the end of her long ponytail hanging over her shoulder. “It was ridiculously extravagant and I didn’t want to accept it, but refusing it would’ve ruffled feathers. My mother didn’t like having her feathers ruffled. It would’ve been viewed as a childish act of defiance if I’d refused it. Mum used it as another example of all they did for me and brought it up if I ever put a foot out of place.”

“So accepting the apartment was a double-edged sword?” I wondered out loud. “Part of you didn’t want to owe them anything that could be used against you, but the little girl in you still yearned to please your mum and dad?”

She nodded. “They were like two opposing forces. Dad wanted me to be independent whilst Mum wanted my absolute obedience.”

“Men are wired differently from women.”

“I get that, but there’s a balance. Neither of them ever really made me feel loved unconditionally.”

“And you think risking your safety fighting and whatever else you probably do to fill the void is the only answer?”

She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Here we go again.”

“I’m just trying to understand you completely, but I’m sorry. Today was meant to be about having some fun.” I stood up and walked around the table, crouching down next to her and taking hold of her hand. “I want to take you on a first date. Where would you like to go?”

She placed her hand behind my head and leaned down to kiss me. “I think we’re past the first date stage.” She smiled against my lips.

I sat back so I could look her in the eye. “We might have muddled things up a bit, but I’m trying to rectify the situation here. You kissing me like that just makes me want to throw you on the bed and steal your virtue.”

Juliette threw her head back and laughed. “Pretty sure that’s long gone.”

“You know what I mean.” I jumped up, kissing her on the way. “I’m going to get changed. Help yourself to anything in the fridge or cupboards. I want a first date with you.” I desperately hoped Google was going to come to my rescue. Romantic dates were a foreign concept for me, but I was willing to give it a crack.

“Hey, Leo,” she called out as I walked towards the bathroom. I turned back. “I’m glad I took the day off.”

“Just so you know, I was going to talk you into it one way or another.”

She stood up and sauntered towards me. Fuck, she was sexy.

She put her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear. “Now I wish I’d said no.”

How was it possible this girl had never felt sexy before? She didn’t take my breath away—I gave it to her willingly. The realisation hit me and warmth spread through my body. I was falling in love with this girl.