Page 50 of Mastered By Love

Making love with Gagewasperfect.Nothing will ever be as perfect again.

But like all forms of love, it will never last.

And the lights are off, so he can’t see the tears rolling down my cheeks.

* * *

Gage

Leah’s still sleeping when I finish showering and dressing for the day.Curled on her side, she holds the sheet tight in her fist.Her full lips are parted slightly, her face soft and sweet.I’m hit with a bolt of tenderness so strong, I freeze in place, staring.

I haven’t had an orgasm in front of another person since before the sex tape leaked.But I did that with Leah.I trusted her with more than she even knows.

And that’s why I need to continue working on myself.I want to give her a solid relationship, one untouched by the baggage and hang-ups from my past.

I write her a note.I have an appointment.I’ll be back this afternoon before work.

I look over at her sleeping form, turn the paper over, and lower the pen to the page once more.

I am the predator

She is the prey

But her kisses consume me

She swallows me whole?—

I drop the note next to her phone where she’ll find it when she wakes.

* * *

Leah

Gage’s side of the bed is cold when I wake.I sit up, listening for sounds of him in the shower or kitchen.The penthouse is silent.

At least the curtains are slightly open, allowing in a sliver of morning light.Gage must have parted them before he left.He knows I don’t like waking up in the dark.

I go to grab my phone and find a piece of paper next to it.Gage left me a note that he has an appointment.

I’m a little bummed he isn’t here to wake up with me.I wonder if we would’ve had sex again if he’d stayed.

I turn over the paper and find…a poem?

I trace the words with my fingertip.My face stretches in what is probably the world’s goofiest smile.He wrote me a poem.No one has ever written me a poem before.

His gesture gives me a surge of confidence as I leave for my meeting with Olivia Santiago.

And apparently, her friends.Because as I walk toward the coffee shop where we’re supposed to meet, she texts me.A couple of her friends are insisting on coming as well.

I groan so loudly, another pedestrian takes a comical step to the side, avoiding me.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” I reassure him.

“Are you sure?You look like you’re gonna hurl.”

My laugh sounds a touch hysterical as I wave him away.“No, I’m good, promise.Thanks.”

He quickens his pace until he’s far away from me.