Page 50 of Read With Your Heart

Leon steps up to me, cupping the back of my head like he did in the shower. “You have nothing to be sorry about, pretty lady.”

“This is all so embarrassing,” I admit quietly.

“Hey,” Leon says, tipping my head up so I look into his pewter eyes. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I should have never married him,” I whisper. But I did. I’d said, I do, and I’d stuck with him because I hadn’t known how to leave.

He licks his lips and focuses on me. “What did he do to you?”

Immediately, my head shakes. I won’t tell him. I won’t tell anyone. I’m an intelligent woman who has a career in educating others, but I’ve been very stupid.

“He lay a hand on you? Smack you around? Call you names?” I don’t look up at him. I try to hang my head as shame washes over me, but he maintains his hold on my chin, keeping my head up.

“Okay, baby,” Leon says, stroking his thumb over my lower lip. He squats before me. “Not tonight.” He quickly kisses the corner of my lip before leaning away.

“Tell me something else.” He pauses, and I nod. “Who’s Levi?”

“Trent has a younger brother. He’s Lys’s age and attends the high school. I see him almost every day, so his plea on behalf of Levi isn’t warranted.” In all honesty, Levi’s been distant with me this week, only giving me half-hearted waves from down the hall.

“He important to you?”

“I’ve practically raised him since he was two. Their father is an alcoholic—drunk most of the day and collecting disability.”

Leon’s head slowly bobbles as if he understands.

“Okay.” He quiets. “Why don’t you get ready for bed?”

“What are you going to do?” Fear and need wrap around me. I don’t want him to leave me. I need him to stay with me. The energy coming off Leon in the bar was near volatile, like a volcano ready to erupt. He was ready to go after Trent, and I imagine the damage he could do would not be pretty. Instead, I need that strength next to me tonight, but I don’t know how to ask.

“Just want to take a breather,” he admits.

I reach out for his cheek and focus my eyes on his. “Thank you for standing up to him. No one’s ever done that for me before.”

Still tracing over my lower lip with his thumb, Leon stares at me. “Did anyone ever know they needed to stand up to him?”

I swallow and shake my head. Trent’s friends heard him talk to me, how he spoke to me. They’d laugh, as if I was one of the guys. Only one ever caught my eye and saw that Trent’s words hurt. Once, he saw Trent grab me harder than necessary, but he still didn’t speak up. He let Trent handle his woman.

“I promised I’d ask before I touched, but I don’t seem to have the willpower to keep my hands from you before asking permission crosses my lips. I don’t want to leave you alone right now.”

“I don’t want you to go,” I whisper. He slowly smiles his crooked grin, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, which still glow a deadly platinum.

“Be right back then,” Leon states and stands. When he releases my face, I instantly miss his touch, realizing I was calmer with his hands on me. Shakily, I stand once he leaves my room and dress for bed. I cover myself in a robe and head to the bathroom for my nightly routine. When I return to my room, Leon is propped against the headboard, lower body under the blankets. His naked chest is on display, and I can’t stop my eyes from roaming over those fine plains of strength. His eyes watch me as I hesitantly remove my robe, revealing a nightie similar to the one I wore when his finger trailed down the middle. I don’t feel sexy or seductive tonight. I’m tired and climb onto my side of the bed before slipping under the covers. Leon scoots lower so we lay face-to-face, staring at one another.

“How’re you doing?” he questions, his eyes trying to read mine.

“I’m shaken, but it’s nothing new.”

“He was on the porch the other night, wasn’t he? And he’s been at the school, too?” I don’t question how Leon knows these things. “I’m worried about your safety.”

My eyes fill with tears. “I’m safe with you.” I remind him of what he told me.

“Yes, you are,” he says, his smile more genuine as his fingers brush my hair around my ear. We stare at one another a minute.

“I’d never hurt you like that,” he assures me, and I believe him. “You’re one of the best people I’ve ever known,” Leon says, watching my eyes. “Pure. Fresh. I’ve never had that.” His finger draws down the side of my face. “Don’t ever let anyone make you think otherwise, not even me.” He licks his lower lips. “‘Doubt the stars are fire; doubt the sun doth move; doubt the truth to be a liar…’” His voice trails off, but I know the rest of this one—but never doubt I love.

“Shakespeare,” I whisper. Is he saying he loves me?

“That was deep,” he says, a nervous chuckle in his voice as his eyes shift to my throat where I swallow.