Page 10 of Leon
"Absolutely."
Turning in his arms, she pressed an indulgent kiss on his lips before dancing away from him.
"I'm just going to pop the toast and then breakfast is ready."
They worked together in silence and then sat at the small dining table tucked beneath the large bay window, overlooking a sagging gazebo with vines choking the lattice work. The sun was a pale orb in a gloomy looking sky, and she wondered if it was going to rain. That would make it even more delightful. The sound of the rain beating down on the roof while she was wrapped in his arms sounded perfect.
"We should do something about it." She nodded to the gazebo as she munched on eggs.
"The caretaker is supposed to see to it." Leon thought he had never had a more delicious omelet, or maybe it was because she had prepared it. "He's been down with the flu."
"It needs patching up or replacing."
"Probably the latter."
Picking up his coffee cup, he followed her gaze and felt a sense of contentment washing over him. Last night and this morning felt like heaven to him. Being here like this with her made him feel whole.
"Do you think living together every day will be this wonderful?"
If he seemed surprised at the question, he did not show it. Putting his cup down, he gave her a level stare. "No."
"No?" Her brows lifted. "That's not the answer I expected."
"We're never going to be a perfect couple and you, and I would be bored if that was the case. We will fight. I already know how stubborn and contrary you can be and moody." He grinned as she cast him a wry look.
"Not to mention your ridiculous arrogance."
"That does not sound like me." A smile played around his lips as he stared at her. She had brushed her hair, and he had helped her with the braiding. The one thick plait was resting on her left breast. The sweater was a chunky ice blue one worn over cream-colored leggings. She wasn't wearing makeup and looked too young to be a wife.
She toyed with the rim of her cup, her expression cautious. "It's difficult to be apart from you."
"Yes."
Finishing the rest of the cup, he rose to pour some more, arching a brow at her. When she refused the offer of a refill, he came and sat back down.
"I don't care for it. I want to tell the world that you're mine and I'm yours. You know that."
She nodded. "I need some more time."
He managed to tamp down the impatience. "So, you keep saying."
"He's sick."
"Is he really?" he asked mildly, causing her to give him a narrow-eyed look.
"You think he's lying?"
"Or pretending so that he can keep you tied to him."
"He's my father and I'm all he's got."
"You have a husband now and your first duty is to me."
"Leon..."
Waving away the rest of her response, he continued. "I can insist that you perform that duty, but I am giving you the time you asked for." His expression turned grim. "But know this: I'm not going to sit around and wait forever."
"Is that a threat?" Her voice had cooled, and she wondered what had happened to change the atmosphere between them.
