Page 43 of Leon

Lifting her head, she looked at him and felt her heart melting. In the theater, he was a magician, with steady hands and rock-hard focus. His hair was mussed with strands falling carelessly over his forehead. He was not super star handsome, but more endearing. But he was the love of her life. He annoyed her with his inability to keep an area clean and tidy, but she would never exchange him for anyone else. He was well and truly hers and he understood her more than anyone else did. She was a very fortunate woman.

"The mangled leg of that teenager not enough to make me feel sad and pissed off?"

"No. Unfortunately we have seen worse." Lifting his hands, he reached down to pull her up and led her to their bed. "What is it my love?"

She waited until he had slipped out of his comfortable and ratty old robe which she had never been able to persuade him to get rid of and slide in next to her.

"I had dinner with Leon." She snuggled against his hard wiry body.

"Ah." The single word had a wealth of meaning. It had taken him considerable courage and several days of praying for courage to face her family when he realized that he had completely gone over her. The men in her life intimidated him, the father more than the brother. While he admired and respected his brother-in-law, the man was too handsome, too much of everything for Anthony to ever really relax around him. "What now?"

"He's having problems with the marriage."

His hand was around her shoulder, his fingers absently rubbing at the bare skin. "I'm not surprised. I have yet to meet the wife, but the circumstances of their union make it difficult for them to really be happy and steady."

Turning her head, she gave him a quizzical look. "You think it's not going to work out?"

He shrugged. "I'm not a psychic who can predict the future, but in my opinion, marriage needs a solid foundation and a hell of a lot of communication. They live apart and have stolen moments. The excitement and novelty are bound to wear off eventually."

"He loves her."

Bending his head, he kissed the tip of her pretty nose. "I'm sure he does, or he would never have gone as far as to tie the knot. Your brother and you are the types to have pretty much anyone." His eyes met hers in amusement. "Makes me wonder what on earth you're doing with me."

"The sex is amazing and you're adorable. And you give a good massage."

"Glad to be of service." He grinned at her and sent her heart into a dizzy spin. "Aren't they going away to Scotland?"

"Yes." She moved against him restlessly, hooking one foot over his thighs. "I'm hoping that during that time away, they will manage to sort out their worries."

"Isn't her dad and yours a big part of all of it?"

"Something like that. It's more her dad than mine. There is something about the man that's not quite right. I think he wants to keep the poor girl under his thumb for the rest of her life. And he lied to her about what happened in the past."

"Is he going to tell her?"

"He's tormented and torn in two. He does not want to come between them."

"The bond between a man and his daughter can be very strong and very daunting." He gazed at her. "I was afraid of doing that once."

"Coming between me and dad?"

He nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "As much as you argue and fuss at each other, the bond is still strong. He's always of the assumption that you could have done better."

"That's where he and I part ways." She started unbuttoning his top.

"I thought we were too tired?"

"Never. I did mention the great sex."

"I believe you said amazing."

"Whatever." She sat up and tossed her silk nightie over her head. "Let's get started."

Chapter 12

She should have been able to enjoy the plane ride. Since she had never been on a private jet before—and goodness! This one was more like a five-star hotel with its beautiful leather and chrome interior, plush décor—the bedroom, or whatever it was called, was a deep sapphire blue and larger than her own. The bathroom was a wonder, and during the very long flight, she spent a good twenty minutes in there acquainting herself with the amenities. She would have stayed longer and enjoyed it better if he had joined her, but from the moment they boarded, he barely touched her.

And he spent most of his time around the solid oak desk, working. The surface was strewn with papers. He had told her briefly that he had left something unfinished and was tying up some loose ends.

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