Page 42 of Leon

He exhaled, the knot in his chest loosening just a little. "I'll talk to her," he said finally. "But... after the week. I want her to have this time, unburdened."

Lisa gave a quiet, accepting nod. The conversation drifted, but an understanding lingered between them. Love wasn't about shielding each other from every hurt. It was about facing what came, side by side, even if the path ahead was uncertain.

"You and dad," he began.

"What about us?"

"There's always been that tension between the two of you..." He waved a hand. "That need of yours to argue or buck his will for you."

"He's a bully," she said tightly.

Leon nodded. "But underneath, you love him."

"Of course I do. He's my dad. What... Oh." Understanding dawned. "I see where this is going." Reaching across the table, she covered his hands with hers. "I would like to say it's not the same thing, but it probably is."

He nodded. "There's always these compelling dynamics between a father and a daughter. It has been that way for centuries and still is. I don't want to wedge myself between them, Lisa. I don't want to be the bad guy here. All I ever wanted was to love her above anything else." His expression was bleak. "Now it's starting to be so damned hard, that I'm losing hope."

She squeezed his hand. "You said it yourself. You love her."

"Yes, but I'm not happy and I doubt she is either."

"Leon..."

He shook his head. "I cannot talk about it anymore. I'm sorry."

She was about to say something else when her pager beeped.

"Dammit, I'm not supposed to be on call." She dragged it out and rose. "I hate to leave you alone..."

"No," he shook his head. "I'm going to turn in for the night anyway." Walking over, he kissed her cheek. "Thanks for being here."

"I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

But he could not settle. Even minutes after his sister left, he was still wandering around the dining area restlessly, his mind in a turmoil. He had not been with his wife for more than a week, and he had a feeling that some of it was sexual frustration. He needed her. At first, he would call and ask her to meet him somewhere and they would sneak away to be with each other, but that was something he was no longer interested in.

The novelty had worn off and the frustration had started to set in. He had foolishly thought that he could deal with the situation. Had even assured her that they would and could work it out. That being apart from each other would make the coming together even more special. But he had been quickly disabusedof that idea. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he left the mess on the table and headed upstairs. His apartment had started to feel like a prison.

When he first married her, he had been so excited with the idea of her coming to live with him. He had never wanted that before. A woman sharing the same space with him. His relationships in the past had never gotten to that stage. But all of that had changed with Kadian. Ignoring the biting cold from the wind that had sprung up, he opened the terrace doors and stepped out.

Plans of them having dinner out here and making love on the plush sofa had become a bitter dream. He ached for her. He was hungry to feel and taste of her skin. He needed more and if that did not materialize, then what?

Was he going to leave her? Could he? What the hell then was the solution? She had told him that her old man was changing or had not complained about her taking the week off. What did that even mean?

And why the sudden change of heart?

Heaving out a breath, he stepped away from the rail and shoved his hands into the pockets of his sports jacket. They were going to have a very long conversation and based on the result, it would be a turning point in their lives.

*****

Anthony kneaded her knotted shoulders slowly.

"You've always carried your tension here." He concentrated on the base of her neck, clever fingers rubbing away the knots that had tangled and settled until now. Lisa could already feel them untangling.

"And you have a way with your hands." She smiled wearily and leaned into him. "That hits the spot. Darling, you're even more drained than I am."

"I can take it." He continued to rub slowly. "While I do this enormous service which is taking quite a bit out of me, why don't you tell me what's eating away at the marvelous mind of yours?" he asked gently.

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