Page 26 of Fool Me Once

“Nothing will change.”

Leah knew it wouldn’tchange the quality of the food, but Frank would change, and she didn’t see howthat was a bad thing. Just by looking at him, she knew he was happier. She hadno regrets.

They stayed long enough tofinish their coffee and baked goods. Leaving Frank behind to be with his woman,Leah linked her arm through Cain’s as they left the shop.

“Come on, are you angrywith me?” she asked.

“I will be angry with youif he quits.”

“He won’t quit, but hemight want to take a few more vacations. Besides, you like my cooking.”

Cain grumbled. “She betternot hurt him.”

Leah smiled.

“You know, for being atough guy, you’re really kind of sweet.” She rested her head on his shoulder.Today was a good day. She felt like she had helped put something right back inthe world.

This was a good thing. Theright thing.

Cain took them back to hisplace. She left her keys with Frank, seeing as she drove him to the café, so he’dbe able to bring her car back.

Once they arrived at home,Cain went to his office, and Leah decided to take a swim in the pool. It hadbeen too long since she swam.

She changed into herswimsuit, then made her way outside to the separate building that housed thepool. It wasn’t as big as a full-sized pool, but big enough to do some laps,which she did.

She felt on cloud nine.Helping Frank felt so good.

Now, she couldn’t help butthink about another man. Cain.

Her thoughts went straightto the other night—his kisses, his hands on her body as he tore off her dress.How good he’d felt between her thighs. There had been pain on the initialpenetration, but that changed, only she didn’t get to know what it changedinto, because Cain ruined it.

Time passed. Leah floatedon her back and stared up at the ceiling, which was clear, allowing her to lookat the night sky. Stars glinted above them.

She wondered if there wasanother dimension, where her life was playing out, and on that night, Caindidn’t leave. He stayed. She wondered what would have happened.

“Are you asleep?”

Leah stood up in the pooland saw Cain crouched down, near the edge.

“No, I wasn’t asleep.”

“You want to tell me whatyou were thinking about?” he asked.

Leah stared at him, and asmall part of her was tempted to tell him exactly what she was thinking about,but instead she offered him a smile and looked at him.

He’d opened the top fewbuttons of his shirt, showing off some of his chest. His sleeves were rolledup, and it was like his arms appeared thicker somehow. She couldn’t explain it.

“I wasn’t thinking aboutanything,” she said. The little white lie falling from her lips.

She had stepped out of thepool and reached for a towel.

Cain stood up, and shemarveled at how tall he was. She licked her lips as she felt heat flood betweenher thighs. She had complete control over her body, over everything, as shelooked at him. This was just attraction. It meant nothing. She still hated himfor how he behaved.

Then, Cain began to movetoward her, and she tilted her head back; she had no choice.

The moment he was withintouching distance, Leah wondered what he was going to do or say. She nibbledher bottom lip, and he reached for her.

She came alive the momenthe touched her, and then without even asking for permission, he pressed hislips against hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him in close,not wanting to let him go.

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