Chance on You (Pub 4)

48 - Kisses

Isla glanced at her phone as she scrubbed the upstairs tub, not lunchtime yet. She wasn't hungry, but Leo often called when he didn't have a meeting. They would talk, often about nothing. His calls made her feel special.

Everything had changed even when the children were around. Their relationship wasn't a secret. Relationship was a big word that Isla didn't understand. It meant kissing, but he still paid her every week. Their friends treated them like a couple. At church they held hands and Leo kissed her at the sign of peace instead of shaking her hand.

At a recent coffee, Father said he hoped to see them soon for marriage preparation. Isla blushed but couldn't respond. Dating made her nervous enough. Marriage scared her. Why did the books make it out to be no big deal?

She scrubbed harder. Finally she stood and rinsed the cleanser residue away. She jumped when her phone rang. His deep voice sent pulses throughout her body.

"How was your morning?"

"I cleaned the tub."

"I owe you for that."

"What do you owe me?"

"Anything you want, kisses, a dinner date, kisses."

She laughed, but quickly frowned. He never said, but she wasn't naïve to think he was happy with just kisses. How long would he be a gentleman? Paul hadn't lasted two nights. Leo had lasted over a month.

"I don't mind being your maid. It's my job."

"I know, but relax after lunch."

She smiled. "I will." He had bought her a tablet for Christmas so she could read online.

"I have to go. Zach and I are going out for lunch."

"Okay. Have fun."

"Love you, Isla."

"I love you too."

She stood holding her phone. Working for him felt awkward, but he needed her. Except for sleeping alone, she did everything a wife would do. She couldn't think about not sleeping alone. More than once Leo mentioned she should go to school, but she didn't know what she would study. Did he want her to get educated so she could leave? No. No. No. He loved her.

Every afternoon Leo walked toward the car smiling. It had been almost a year since they met, which was a lot of afternoons, but his smile wasn't just for his kids but for her too. He dropped his bag at Cody's feet and greeted his kids before sliding in next to her. Some days he leaned over for a kiss and others he squeezed her hand or thigh when he asked about her day. The gesture didn't matter because they all sent tingles to places she shouldn't be thinking about.

Later in the kitchen Leo helped clear the dishes and load the dishwasher. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and push her hair off her neck. She didn't wear it up anymore. When his lips nuzzled into her neck, she stopped washing the pot.

"Can we get a babysitter on Monday night? I want to take you out."

"On Monday night?"

"It's a special night." He stepped away, and a shiver went through her. He took his heat with him. She dried her hands and turned to ask, but her eye hit the wall calendar instead. Valentine's Day. In the convent, it had only been a day to honor the saint.

Leo smiled. "Your first real Valentine's Day. We need to make it special."

"Sometimes I think I fell asleep on the train from Philly and this is a dream."

He shook his head. "It's real. Remember, I'm the one with vivid dreams."

So many mornings, he had announced he dreamed about her. She was glad his nightmares had stopped. Part of loving him was worrying about him.