Page 11 of Leon
"Consider it a warning."
Pushing back his chair, he rose. "I need some air."
She watched him walk out of the room and cursed herself for bringing it up. She knew that it was a sore topic between them, but something had compelled her to mention it.
Putting her cup away, she realized that her appetite had fled. She had received Grace's text, but hadn't said anything to her husband, not wanting to spoil their time together. What on earth was her dad doing eating donuts? She could not help but wonder if Grace and Leon were right? Was he faking his illness to keep her at his side?
No, her father loved her. He could be very difficult at times, but he loved her. She had to believe that he would not do anything to deliberately hurt her. And why should he when he had no idea what she had done? That she was married to his sworn enemy's son. The man he constantly referred to as a thieving piece of crap.
She cringed at the thought of him finding out before she could tell him. She wanted Leon to understand. After all, he was hiding their marriage from his own father as well.
Pushing back the chair, she cleared the table and started to run the water to wash them. She would give him time to cool down before going to find him.
*****
The air was invigorating with the scent of rain. The clouds were a leaden, angry-looking gray, but that did not stop him from extending the walk. The brisk wind whipped at his jacket and ruffled his hair. He was upset. Why the hell shouldn't he be? They could have this every damn day of their lives, instead they had to steal time to be with each other.
He kicked at a loose stone in his path, sending it skittering a few feet away.
He wanted her with him. The apartment was lacking and empty without her. It's funny how since meeting her, his life has completely changed. He was no longer carefree and looking forward to the light and uncomplicated relationships he had enjoyed. Had he really enjoyed them? He wondered.
Stopping at the lake, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket and stared broodingly at the water flowing over smooth stones.
Women had never posed a challenge to him in the past. He knew what he looked like, and the combination of his name was a great catch. But all that ended when he laid eyes on her. He had never bought into the idea of love at first sight, lust yes, but not something as important as love.
But seeing her standing there wearing that slinky ice blue dress, had done it for him. From that day, nothing else had mattered to him and no one else had meant so much to him. He loved her absolutely. There was nothing she could do to change that. No matter how frustrated and angry he was, it would always be her.
But he was getting more and more impatient. He was tired of attending the round of functions without her by his side. He knew that he generated news. He was after all, the son and heir of a very important man.
He gazed out across the horizon and could just make out the little town. Here, they would not be noticed or recognized. The caretaker had been a friend of his mother's and was discreet. They could stroll into town and have dinner at the little seafood place by the sea. There would be no reporters dogging his footsteps and snapping pictures. But their time was so limited, he begrudged even sharing her with anyone else.
He was about to turn and go back when he saw her. She had donned a jacket and zipped it all the way up to her chin. Tendrils of hair had been whipped from the braid and were floating around her face.
He stayed where he was, even though he was through being upset with her. He understood loyalty and could not blame her for wanting to spare her dad from heartache.
She stopped a few inches from him and stood there as if gauging his mood.
"It's going to rain."
"Yes."
She fiddled with the hair blowing against her cheek. "I'm sorry. I don't want to fight."
"You think I do?"
She shook her head and looked so miserable, he had to go to her.
"Damn you," he whispered hoarsely. Tilting her chin up, he brushed his lips over her and felt the tremors and the tearful sigh. Holding her against him, he stared blindly over her head. There would be no more argument between them for the rest of the weekend.
*****
"I tidied up and made you supper," Maggie hovered just inside the doorway of the tiny living room.
"Thanks." He did not even bother to look over at her as he made notations in a book he had opened before him. Their relationship was a secret that she kept because she genuinely cared for the man. And wished he cared for her as much. But that was asking too much. She worked in the bookstore and when his daughter was away, she sneaked around and spent time in his bed. She knew he was pretending to be ill, and knew the reason for it, but she was too loyal to him to say it to anyone. And she was still hoping that he would see past his bitterness and allow them to have a life together.
"Is there anything else?" he asked without looking up.
"I want to spend the night."
