bowl, poured a glass of Orange juice and put them both on a tray, carefully making my way to his bedroom.
"Hey baby," I said as I entered.
He looked miserable. His usually perfect, dark blond hair was disheveled. His blue eyes were dulled to a grayish color, emphasized by the dark circles underneath them, and his skin left no trace of its trademark sun-kissed glow; except for his nose, which was bright red.
"Hey," he smiled weakly at me and fell into a coughing fit.
"You sound worse than this morning," I said placing the tray over his lap.
"I feel worse too," he said before rubbing the raw skin on his nose with a tissue.
"When's the last time you took medicine?" I asked as he started eating the soup.
"Ummm probably noon," he answered before slurping a spoonful into his mouth.
"You're supposed to take it every four hours, it's close to 6 now!" I grabbed the tablets from his nightstand and dropped them in his hand.
"I was so exhausted; I didn't think about it. This is why I love you, Jer, you always take care of me," he grinned taking the pills followed by a swig of Orange juice.
I smiled at him, taking off my shoes along with my blazer, getting comfortable on his spacious bed.
"So, how was it today? You look great, so I assume you didn't die of anxiety." Leo asked in between spoonfuls.
"Not as bad as I thought it would be, the office looks great and everything ran smoothly. Katherine was a big help, thank you very much." I admitted.
"Don't thank me, I told you everything would be alright, you're perfect... everyone can see it but you," he said stroking my hair then rubbing my back.
"I love you," I said kissing him on the cheek, a blush falling over mine.
"How were my interviews," he asked.
"Horrifyingly boring, I don't know how you do it. Only one interview stood out."
I started getting back into business mode, preparing my argument in my head.
"I think we should hire him right away. I'm pretty sure he's like both of us combined, in the best way possible. His name's Charlie Burh, he's from England. He could be the right-hand man we're looking for, although he only applied to be a ghostwriter. Also, seeing he's from another country would give us a more international outlook on things!"
"Whoa, whoa, down girl," Leo giggled at my enthusiasm.
Letting go of the helium-like breath I was holding I nodded. "Sorry, I felt inspired again, like when we first started this back in Uni!"
"Jerrie," he interrupted, "we're not at work now, we can talk about this later, OK?"
"You asked about it," I said confused.
"Yeah, but I was expecting a one or two-word answer, not a lecture. I make the final decision on all employees anyway."
"I know," I said dryly.
I secretly hated when he would say things which made me question if he thought of us as equal partners. Not that I ever brought it up with him, we both knew people are his specialty and if the comment was brash, I was sure it was meant with good intention.
"Then relax and don't worry your pretty little head about it," he said placing his empty bowl on his nightstand.
I nodded, a little disappointed because I wanted to talk more about my day and interview with Charlie. I guess it would have to wait.
"At the moment, there's another problem we need to solve," he said deepening his voice and rubbing my thigh.
I turned to look at his face, his cheeks were now flushed, and his eyebrows were low over his squinting eyes. My eyes traveled lower and I saw the noticeable rise beneath his blanket. I let out a small scoff, wondering how he could be in such a mood when he was ill.
"No, no, I'm way too tired," I said moving his hand away.
"I'm tired too, but I can't help it, you know I love that dress."
Not a moment later, I felt his lips on my neck, trying to seduce me.
"No Leo, you're sick, this could be bad for both of us," I reasoned.
He ignored me and pulled me closer.
"If we're both sick who is going to run our business, isn’t that what you said this morning?"
I tried to pull away, and he pushed me down on the bed. He wasn't speaking and I knew he wouldn't listen unless I were to say something in his favor. The drumbeat of my heart started to play like a soundtrack in my ears, loud and primal.
"I'm really not in the mood," I tried again. "Leo," I squeaked out as his large hands roamed my body.
I pushed at his shoulders trying to look in his eyes, when I finally did, I knew he wasn't there anymore. The color, a deep dark gray, like storm clouds. The intensity as ferocious as the creature he was named after, the King of the jungle; and I was his next meal.
"I'm sorry, I need this," he growled yanking up my dress.
The drumbeat stopped.
I began to kick and flail trying to wiggle my way out of his grip, but every move made him more aggressive. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill. A wicked smile formed on his beautiful face and I couldn't refuse them anymore. He pried my thighs open and held them there with his knees.
"Leo... please," I begged, trying to reason again. He ripped my panties off and penetrated me with full force. I yelped at the painful thrusts still trying to move. He responded by squeezing his hand around my throat, leaving me gasping for air. His gold pendant necklace, modeled after a Caesar coin and depicted a lion’s head on one side and his name on the other, tapped me on the chin every time he moved.
I stopped struggling, there was no point.
After what felt like forever he finally climaxed on my leg, which he cleaned up with my newly shredded underwear before he tossed them into the small trash can next to his bed, with the other fluid-filled rags he'd used earlier. He rolled over, out of breath. My heartbeat moved to my sore eyes, giving me a headache. I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed, readjusting my dress, which was now torn at the seam, and trying to detangle my hair with my fingers.
"Are-Are you mad at me?" Leo asked, almost childlike, after several moments of silence.
"You promised. You said you wouldn't do it again," I said so quietly I was sure he couldn't hear.
"I know, I know baby, and I am so sorry, I don't know what came over me. You have to believe me, Jerrie. Please don't be mad," he begged.
"I'm not mad," I deadpanned. I wished that was a lie, but it wasn't; at least not in the context, he was using. I was numb.
"I promise I'll make it up to you, you can have whatever you want. Hire the guy you were talking about! If you think he's the one, I trust you, ok?" He put his hand on my shoulder.
