Leanna

[He Wins]

"It was a first for me seeing such deep brown eyes full of emotions. Your eyes have always been honest and genuine. I was happy just staring at you until my greed wanted more. I knew by then I was falling for you."

I didn't know how to respond. I was always a sucker in expressing my feelings. I didn't even know how this man could easily express his. Contrary to his stoic face, he could say some cheesy lines if he wanted to. 

I hid my emotions beneath a pout. "Wasn't it because you're just enjoying being in love for the first time?"

Ahh . . . I really wanted to hit myself.

You're supposed to be expressing your feelings! Not argue with him! Idiot!

Cain smiled and gently pinched my nose.

"It's not being in love that makes me happy . . . It's being in love with you that makes me happy."

. . .

. . .

I bit my lip.

Say something!

Even though he didn't say it, I felt that he wanted me to say something to him. Wanted me to re-affirm our relationship.

Our affection.

He wanted to hear some kind of assurance from me that I feel the same way he does.

Idiot! Say something!

Anything!

What should I say?

. . .

. . .

What should I say when my feelings couldn't fit into words?

. . .

. . .

The silence was so thick I could cut it with a knife.

. . .

. . .

"I love you, Leanna."

I gasped. My brain, like always when facing this man, short-circuited. My stomach churned in violent motion. My heart pounded hard against my chest like it wanted to come out. I breathed through my mouth when I felt breathing with my nose was not enough.

Cain's 'I love you's' was not like any other 'I love you's' that I heard from Tristan nor my friends nor from my families. When he said the words, his face was calm, voice smoky, not a shred of doubt.

But that was not it –– it was his tone.

His helpless tone.

It was like he couldn't help it, he was already hopelessly in love with me.

"Do you also love me?"

I was surprised when his voice turned serious and confrontational.

I averted my gaze.

How in the world did our conversation ended like this?

"Y-you already know the answer . . . ," I stammered. "I wouldn't be here with you today if I didn't."

My hand covered my lips when his face edged forward to mine.

"I want to hear you say it."

"I-I already did a while ago."

"I want to hear you say it again."

How stubborn!

"Please . . ."

I lost it when his tone turned pleading.

Is this his newfound voice to get what he wanted? –– 'Cause it's working!

"T-t . . . I-I . . ."

"Leanna . . . Please . . ."

Oh, God!

When his child-like pleading tone didn't work, he changed it into a soft, brittle voice that was about to cry.

"D-don't . . . ! I love you! I love you! Alright?!"

I was overwhelmed with too much emotion, and I blurted out the words.

Cain's face held a satisfied triumphant smirk.

Damn it! I lost again!

----

[Jump]

*inhale

*exhale

Deep breathes Leanna!

Deep breathes!

Deep breathes!

You can do this! You're a strong independent woman!

I looked over at the cold, indifferent man, tightly stiffened on my back. His excitement was palpable even from miles away. His expression said of a bored man but the slight twitched of his lips said otherwise.

It dawned on me that Cain's idea of a date was not the usual walk in the park, candlelight dinner for two, or cheesy romantic movies.

No.

. . .

. . .

IT WAS A FREAKIN' JUMPING OFF A PLANE FOR HEAVENS SAKE!

I should have known that he was holding his lust for extreme sports on our first date when he grabbed me and jumped on that waterfall. That jumping off a ten feet waterfall was a taste of what was about to come.

The strong wind was splashing violently on my face. The sun shone bright, and not one cloud was in the ocean blue Vegas sky.

I urged not to look down, but curiosity won. I almost vomited when my stomach roiled, looking fourteen thousand feet below.

The drop is too far down!

"Alright everyone, make sure everything is tight before heading out. In about a minute, we're going to jump after young master and young miss," Russell announced, enjoying watching my pale, nervous, trembling self.

I ignored him and paid no mind at Cedrick and Two as they stretched their limbs and tightened their equipment like it was an everyday chore. 

I had to remind myself that if Cedrick, the nerdy secretary of Cain, could do it, so could I. What's jumping fourteen thousand feet high from the sky right? What could possibly go wrong?

"Leanna, is everything good with you? Do you need some time?"

Cain gently whispered behind my ears as his hand wiped the cold sweat off my forehead.

I could only shake my head. Afraid a shriek would escape my mouth if I opened it.

I nervously held my sweaty palms together while silently counting the thirty seconds before we jump. Negative thoughts continuously flashed through my brain. It was like a plague eating away my courage until my courage couldn't take it and sprinted away from me.

Damn you courage!

I looked over at Cain and swallowed the lump in my throat as tears fell from my eyes.

"P-please don't make me do this! Please don't make me do this!" I cracked.

Why did I ever sign up for this? I miss being on land! I was not built for extreme sport! Heck, I couldn't even withstand a two minute roller coaster ride!

Cain didn't even take a peek at my hysteric face. His calm gaze was on the horizon.

"Leanna . . . Will you hate me?"

I paused, stopping my frantic prattling.

His husky voice enchanted me into answering. "I . . . I can never hate you."

Cain finally met my gaze. His face broke in a grin, soo concerning my hairs stood on end.

"Good then."

He then pushed me out of the plane.