Page 57 of Time To Live Again

I toy with the unruly curls that have fallen around his face. “It scares me,” I admit. “When I decided to take off this week, ending up in bed with the most attractive man I know was not even remotely a part of it. This is like a dream I don’t want to wake up from.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“You have no idea.”

He cocks an eyebrow at me.

I laugh. “Right. What am I saying? Of course you do.”

“So?”

“It’s a lot to take in. I’m extremely attracted to you. It’d be easy to dive in headfirst and not look back. But is it smart to get involved when I’m only here for a couple more days, and then you’re off into the world somewhere? I can’t imagine how hard it’s gonna be to say goodbye to you now. If we add more to it?—”

I flip onto my back and groan. I’m already somewhat attached. And we’re both experiencing major life changes. We lie there in silence for a few minutes, then Leo moves to hover over me, his warm eyes locked on mine. How could I not fall in love with him?

“Whatcha thinking about?” he asks.

“About…why do I have to be an adult? We could probably have wild sex every minute until I leave.”

“Mom gave me the rest of the week off.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“Oh, really? Whatever shall we do?” I envision our naked bodies entwined, reflected in the mirror. Him pinning me to the mattress, teasing me until I fall apart in his arms. Damn! I’m turned on every second I’m with him.

“Ooo, you’re blushing. Someone has a naughty mind.” He squeezes my butt, and his hard love stick presses against my leg. “Tell me.”

A giggle slips out, then I give him a stern look. “Nope, not happening. I won’t be able to walk tomorrow. Focus.”

He composes himself. “All right, I’ll be serious again. Just because you’re leaving soon and I’ll be traveling doesn’t mean we can’t visit each other in between. We also have video calls and text messaging. I’ll do everything in my power to see your beautiful face in person and to kiss your addictive lips.”

“These lips?” I tease him by tracing my bottom lip with the tip of my tongue.

“I’ll take whatever I can get.”

If things work out the way he predicts, he’ll end up with everything.

And so will I.

24

OLIVE

Istep out of the elevator on the first floor by the front desk. Looking around, I try to absorb all the details of this special place before I leave tomorrow. Almost all the Christmas decorations are gone, but even bare, the lobby still reflects beauty, charm, and history. I gaze ahead at the entrance, unable to believe it was only one week ago that I arrived.

I wander over to the crackling fireplace in the Blue Room. The holiday atmosphere is gone here too, but the coziness remains. I glance at myself in the mirror over the mantle and remember what I looked like inside and out on the first day. Mentally and physically drained, lost, shy, insecure…the list goes on. I’m still that woman, but I’m an improved version now. My issues won’t disappear in a week, but the confidence and inner strength I’ve gained here will help me confront them when I return home.

I ease onto the couch where I first saw Leo. The cushions feel different, firmer somehow. I remember wanting to lose myself and vanish. How silly that was. If that’s all I wanted, I could’ve easily gotten lost on my couch at home.

From my first conversation with Leo, he encouraged me to accomplish what I came here to do. His support was subtle, never imposing. Well, maybe a little. He pushed me to tap into an auxiliary power I didn’t realize I had. He’s become my biggest cheerleader and positive influence.

A light tapping sound jolts me out of my thoughts. I focus my eyes and find Marla coming toward me, exuding professionalism in a perfectly pressed white button-down and navy blue pants. “I’m sorry. Would you prefer to be alone?” she asks, stopping behind an armchair on the other side of the coffee table.

With confidence and determination, I wave her over. “Not at all. Feel free to stay. Just walking down memory lane. The first time I saw Leo was in this room, and I wondered if I’d ever have the courage to talk to him.”

With a kind expression on her face, she says. “Let me guess, he took care of that for you.”

“Yep. He said one word, and I fell right into his universe.” I can’t hold back the lovesick smile spreading across my face.

“Hmm,” is all she says, then roams over to the tea and coffee service in the room’s corner. I can’t read her at all, which is annoying as shit. While we spent time with her last night, I caught her observing me with a facial expression I couldn’t figure out. And the constant questions, like she was screening me for a job! Leo had to interject at one point again.

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