Page 58 of Leo

Her eyes widened at that. Yes, that was his main goal. He had gone to considerable expense, taken time out of his very busy schedule to make certain she accomplished something while onthe trip. He had called it a working trip and in part, it had been exactly that.

She had accompanied him a lot. She had used some of the recipes she had gathered, and it had been a success. Paris was also the place where he had taught her the art of making love.

Not just having sex. He had taught her to be bold and that her body was a work of art. He had introduced her to so many things. She had shaken off her initial shyness, the awkwardness that always been there, brought about by her two previous relationships.

He had introduced a passion so intense, she had felt as if she was burning from the inside out. His magnificent body with its sinewy muscles had become a map for her to explore, something she had never done before.

Her body felt feverishly hot as her mind wandered over the night when she had fallen ill, and he brought her soup and tea. The lovemaking had gone on for almost the entire night. He had explored her body and left her weak and shaking with yearning.

Realizing that the tea had gotten cold, and time was passing, she rose and went to get ready to leave. She was going to have to find a way to fix things between them.

*****

She looked up suddenly from the dough she was kneading to make her oatmeal and banana bread to see him walking towards her.

“They said I should come straight here.”

He looked so breathtaking handsome that she had to swallow the lump that had settled in her throat. His suit was a dark charcoal color, the inside shirt, of the palest pink. His overcoat was a darker shade of gray, the cashmere discreetly expensive.

His brown hair caught the overhead light and picked out strands of gold. He looked rich, powerful, and successful, except for the strained look on his face, indicating he had not slept last night as well.

“Hi.’ His smile was wobbly and uncertain. She had spent the morning trying to come up with the words to say to him. “I was going to call…”

“I am leaving.”

“What?” Moving away from the counter, she wiped her hands in her apron and came towards him. “Where are you going?”

“Something came up. I am going to Europe.” He glanced at his expensive Romano’s original watch briefly. “I am on my way to the airfield now. I just thought I would swing by and let you know.” He glanced around. “This place is coming along.”

“Yes.” She absently lifted a hand to brush back tendrils of hairs that had escaped the net she had on and left a trail of flower on her cheek. The fact that made him want to wipe her cheek clean and kiss her senseless, sent a wave of nostalgic despair coursing through his body.

He had not slept last night and had given into the longing to take a look at her. He had entered the bedroom quietly and stood there staring at her sleeping form huddled beneath the cover.

The yearning to slide in next to her had been so acute, it had left him shaking.

“This is sudden, This trip.”

“It is, yes.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“A few days, maybe a week. I would like you to give me your word that you will not do anything hasty.”

“What do you mean? Oh!” She placed a hand automatically on her stomach.

“I want your word, Sherrian.” His voice had become like a flint, his expression formidable. “I do not want to get my lawyers involved, but dammit I will. Wait until I get back so we can discuss the options. Agreed?”

She bristled at his tone and the words. “You think I would try and get rid of…?”

“I don’t know.” It appears I really do not know you after all. I have to go.” He turned and walked away and then stopping just inside the doorway, he turned to look at her, eyes roving over her face as if memorizing her features.

For a brief second, so brief, she thought she had imagined it, the harshness was stripped away to reveal the naked pain and despair. But it was gone so quickly and so was he.

She stood there staring at the empty doorway and felt the finality of his words hammering at her. She had never seen that side of him before.

*****

Michael handed her the box of tissues and sat across from her. The shop was empty of both customers and employees. She had survived the day, barely after he left and gone about her day baking and attending to her various duties. Then she had locked her office door and stretched out on her small sofa and cried until she fell asleep.

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