Page 54 of Sins of Leo

Leo couldn’t have punched harder if he’d tried. Ruth’s words struck, and Maria visibly flinched before her expression hardened.

“You’re just as rude as your father.”

“Wait, are you saying he turned down your mother? I can see why. He never was one for cheap reproductions.” Ruthdeliberately let her gaze drop to Maria’s chest, and that was the final straw.

The woman stomped off, and Ruth sighed. “That was terrible of me.”

“I would have said entertaining. Jealous much?”

She stiffened. “I am not jealous.”

“It’s okay. As my wife, you had every right to put that tart in her place.”

She craned to give Leo a side-eye. “Wife?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I thought it would help to avoid unwanted attention.”

“It failed. That hussy flirted with you right in front of me.”

“I was talking more about the single men. And I agree it failed because they can’t keep their eyes off you.”

She arched a brow. “Get your eyes checked. There’s no one watching me.”

Could she be so oblivious? Did she not see them sipping their beers, their gazes watching her every move.

“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” he stated instead.

Her mouth rounded.

Before she could bluster, he dropped a kiss on her lips. “I think it’s time for bed, wife.”

She blushed, and he loved it.

Loved.

There was a word he never thought to think or feel again. However, a few days with Ruth and he was realizing life had so much to offer.

He kept his arm around her as he walked her back to their hut. Once inside, she cleared her throat. “I should wash up before bed.”

“I’ll go with you. Just in case.”

He could tell she wanted to argue but instead nodded. He followed her into the outhouse and kept an eye as she soakeda washcloth from their bag and wiped it over her face and arms. When she hesitated, he murmured, “You should probably take advantage of the bathing opportunity, as we might not get another for a while.”

She bit her lower lip. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re standing right there.”

“I am, and I’m not going anywhere.” He tilted her chin and plucked the cloth from her hand. “Take off your shirt and let’s finish washing that luscious body of yours.”

She stared at him before grabbing the hem of her top and lifting.

Not arguing.

Not hiding.

She stood there in her bra, shivering slightly as he dragged the cloth over her shoulders, and down between the valley of her breasts. Her breath sucked in as he dragged it over her belly.

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