OFF LIMITS
Chapter Four – Tangled Hearts, Tangled Sheets
Leah:
I had barely slept. My hoodie still smelled faintly of Kurt's cologne, and my eyes were sore from crying. Every time i closed them, Kingsley's words replayed in my mind like a scratched record.
"She's not my type."
The silence in my room was deafening.
What did he mean by that?
Her phone buzzed again.
Daniel.
Another message.
Leah, please… open the door. I'm outside.
Her breath caught.
She hadn't expected him this early. But there he was, standing in the rain again. Just like that night when her world started unraveling.
Leah hesitated. But something inside her—somewhere between pain and longing—moved her feet toward the door.
The moment she opened it, Daniel pulled her into a tight, trembling hug.
He didn't speak at first.
He just held her.
And Leah… let him.
**
Minutes passed. They sat on the floor of her room, backs against the wall, shoulders brushing.
"I was scared," Daniel finally said. "I couldn't sleep… not knowing where you were, if you were okay."
"I'm sorry I worried you."
"I'm sorry I made you feel like you had to run."
She turned to him, eyes soft. "You didn't. I just… needed air. And answers I don't even understand."
He reached out, brushed her hair behind her ear. "I hate seeing you like this, Leah. Sad. Lost. Confused."
She didn't pull away.
"I hate feeling like this," she whispered. "Like I'm being pulled in different directions. Like… everyone wants a piece of me, but no one sees all of me."
Daniel leaned closer. "I see you. I always have."
Their lips were inches apart.
His thumb grazed her cheek.
She closed her eyes.
And then… they kissed.
Not the kind of kiss that asks for permission.
The kind that demands it.
It was messy, emotional—fueled by tension, longing, pain, and the kind of need that had been burning slowly over time.
Hands roamed. Bodies pressed. Breath caught between them.
And just when Daniel's lips trailed to her neck, just when her fingers hooked under his shirt—
The door burst open.
"Leah?!"
The silence in Leah's room was deafening.
Her heart hammered as they stood there, clutching the doorframe, the remnants of her kiss with Daniel still burning on her lips. The thrill of defiance surged through her veins, stronger than any guilt or hesitation. She hadn't expected Kingsley and Kurt to barge in like that, but deep down, she knew exactly what she was doing. She wanted to make Kingsley jealous. She wanted to remind him—force him to realize she wasn't some girl to be overlooked. Not anymore.
She turned to Daniel, her lips curling into a playful grin. He gave her a knowing smile, and she leaned in, just close enough to let her lips brush his cheek.
Kurt greeted her warmly, already walking over to Daniel. "We just wanted to check on you, make sure everything's okay after last night."
Leah forced a smile, her fingers lingering on Daniel's arm a little longer than necessary. She could feel Kingsley's gaze on her—hard, accusing, and brimming with tension. But he said nothing.
Kurt and Daniel began talking, their voices light and easy, a contrast to the heavy air between Leah and Kingsley. Leah leaned against the wall, pretending to listen, but her attention was entirely on Kingsley. She didn't look at him directly, but she could feel the heat of his jealousy radiating in the space between them.
She let her fingers trace Daniel's arm as if marking him as her own. She pressed herself closer to him, letting the intimacy of the moment sink in. The more she did it, the more she could sense Kingsley's discomfort.
She could almost hear him seething from where he stood, but he said nothing. Instead, Kingsley slumped into the chair across from her, his eyes glaring at the floor. He was struggling—caught in the crossfire of his own pride and emotions.
Leah was getting what she wanted. She could see it in his clenched jaw, the way his fingers dug into the armrests. He was jealous. And it felt good. She could see the control slipping from him, one inch at a time.
Just then, Kingsley's voice broke through the air, cold and cutting. "Are you done?"
The words were like a slap in the face. But Leah didn't flinch. Instead, she met his gaze with a knowing look.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice sweet, her smile almost too innocent. She leaned back into Daniel, letting her hand slide up his chest. "We're just talking.
Kingsley's eyes darkened, his fist tightening at his side. But he remained silent. He couldn't say anything. Not when she was playing this game so well.
Kurt chuckled lightly, trying to break the tension. "You know, this is a little awkward, guys. Maybe we should all just sit down and relax?"
But Kingsley didn't move. He just stared at Leah, his jealousy so thick it practically oozed from his every pore.
Finally, Daniel turned to Kingsley, a slight smirk on his face. "You alright, man?" His voice was light, but the edge was unmistakable.
Kingsley didn't respond. He simply stood up, the tension in his posture evident. His eyes flickered to Leah, but there was something new in them now—an unreadable mixture of anger and confusion.
"Enjoy yourself," Kingsley muttered, his voice tight with frustration.
Leah didn't move. She didn't even flinch. Instead, she gave him one last look, a silent challenge in her gaze.
Kingsley turned sharply and walked out of the room. Leah didn't look back.
Kurt gave a long sigh, looking between Daniel and Leah, then at the door Kingsley had just stormed out of. "This is… something," he muttered, shaking his head.
Leah just shrugged, her fingers still resting on Daniel's chest. "It's fine," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "He'll get over it."
Daniel looked at her, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "You sure about that?"