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And my husband—my sexier-than-sin husband—is wearing nothing but a pair of low-slung faded jeans as he stands in front of the stove with a sizzling pan in his hand.
“What’s going on?” I ask, slowly dropping my bag.
He glances over the big curve of his shoulder and grins. “Hey, beautiful. Just cooking dinner for you.” He turns off the burner and sets the pan aside.
“It smells incredible,” I say, my throat constricting a little.
I’m not sure he’ll be hungry after I tell him what I need to tell him.
Dinner forgotten for the moment, Leon steps toward me and wraps me in his arms. His lips brush across my hair and down my cheek before landing softly on my mouth. The pressure is light at first but his lips become more insistent and his tongue slides over mine, his hands moving up to cup my head, fingers tangling in my hair. I taste the smoky flavor of his favorite whiskey and the deeper, sweeter taste that’s purely Leon.
I lean in, sighing against his mouth.
“I’ve missed you,” he says when he pulls away.
“I’ve missed you, too. But…can we talk?”
“Before dinner? I made mushrooms in that black truffle oil you love.”
“Yeah. Right now, actually, would be good.” I shift back and forth on my feet, nerves starting to tighten my stomach.
“Okay. Let me grab some wine first. I have something to tell you, too.” He pours each of us a glass and takes my hand, leading me to the living room and settling me onto the sofa.
“Now, what’s on your mind?” Leon says as he slides in beside me, his leg pressed against mine, his fingers drawing lazy circles on my knee. I try to ignore the desire that shivers up my spine.
“I did a lot of thinking while I was gone…about how we’re both always gone…” My voice trails off. “We’re never together anymore, and I can’t live like this. We’re not in a marriage. It’s like we’re roommates, not husband and wife.”
I chew on my lip as Leon stiffens, his hand retreating from my knee.
“What is it you’re trying to say, Court?” he asks, his voice low.
“I quit my job,” I blurt out.
There’s a stunned silence between us and I see confusion cross Leon’s face.
And then helaughs.
Leon laughs long and loud before he takes the glass of wine out of my hand and kisses me, his laughter vibrating against my lips.
I push him away and look at him, confused. And, frankly, a little worried at his laughter. I just told him I quit my job—that I took away part of our income and part of what makes meme.
And helaughs?
“What’s so funny?” I ask, a little peeved he isn’t taking it a bit more seriously.
“I quit my job, too.” He’s shaking with laughter now.
“Youwhat?”
“I gave six weeks’ notice, but yeah. I quit. Exactly because of what you said. We need a marriage.”
“Why didn’t you talk to me about it first?” I’m so stunned that I don’t realize how silly the question is.
“Why didn’tyou?”
“I—I don’t know,” I stammer. “It was just a spur of the moment thing. When I saw my supervisor I just sort of lost it and…I quit. I’ve thought about it before, you know, after my eightieth time sitting in a hotel room alone. But today I just had it. I’ve spent enough time away from you. I don’t want to miss anymore of our life together. Are you mad?” I peer up at Leon from beneath my eyelashes.
“Far from it, baby. Far from it.” His hand is back on my knee now.
