Chapter 41
Leo
Yawning, I pad through Ria’s silent home.
It has been a long night. Hunter wanted to go through his whole speech with me and discuss his surprise for Jade for their honeymoon.
She has planned the whole wedding, but the honeymoon was Hunter’s job, and boy, has he planned the perfect trip for his Tink.
It made me think again about how I’ve ripped this special time away from Ria, and I know I need to correct it.
But the niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach keeps telling me this thing that is happening between us is fleeting and that she will present me with divorce papers once this deal is done.
Hovering outside her door, my hand stalls on the handle. My heart hammers in my chest, but pushing my thoughts down, I grip the handle and twist. I’m all in with this; I can’t stop now.
The room is dark, but the glow from the hall light hits where she is tucked on her side, her deep brown hair fanned out on her pillow, a small content smile on her lips and a tiny gray ball of fluff curled into her chest. Her hand is protectively resting on the cat's back, as a soft purring fills the room..
Slipping out of my clothes and standing in just my boxers, I contemplate walking back out and hang my head. She’s your best friend's sister, you asshole. You need to tell him what is happening.
“I can hear your brain working from here,” Ria mumbles sleepily. “Get in bed, Leo.”
As soon as I slide in behind her, she shuffles back until she is perfectly tucked into my chest. The cat meows in protest when she moves and crawls back to be close to her. I get it, little lady.
“Did you name her?”
“Nila.”
“Beautiful, but why?”
“Nila represents the color of the sky or ocean and symbolizes beauty, depth, and strength and she is utterly beautiful,” she says wistfully.
Trust Ria to think of a name that reminds me of her.
Squeezing her closer to me, I kiss the top of her head.
“Yeah, she is.” Taking a few calming breaths, I continue.
“I’m going to make it up to you, baby. You deserve the perfect husband and perfect life.
I’m going to make it right.” A soft snore rumbles from her and I grin down at her, looking so peaceful.
She may not have heard me, but I’m going to make this right.
Being wrapped around Ria in the morning is like a dream I never want to wake up from. Before her, I would sneak out or sometimes not even stay which I guess is why I managed to slide out the other day so easily without her noticing. Apparently it’s a skill I’ve been able to master.
Not today.
Today I want to stay exactly where I am.
Sighing in contentment, I tighten my hold on her only to have a tiny paw claw at my hair. “Ow. Nila, stop that.”
“She needs to go out,” Ria mumbles as she stretches.
“I’ll do it.” Yawning as she sits up, the strap of her tank slips off her shoulder as she rubs the sleep out of her eyes.
Her normally pristine hair is wild and all over the place, and when Nila jumps into her lap, she grins.
This is how I want all my mornings to be.
“You stay in bed. I'll take her to her litter box.” Reaching across, I scratch behind Nila’s ears.
“I’ve got to get up anyway. I skipped my yoga workout last night in favor of Nila cuddles.”
“I know which I would prefer to do.”
“Have you ever tried yoga?”
“Of course I have.” I roll my eyes.
“Want to try and not lie to me?”
“Fine. No, I haven’t.”
“Oh, this is going to be fun.” She jumps up and Nila follows, weaving in and out of her feet as she pulls out her yoga clothes.
“I’m sorry. I don’t follow?” Sitting up, I watch as she skips to the door.
“Grab your workout clothes. I’m about to show you all the ways I can bend you into a pretzel.”
“I thought I was the one doing the bending?”
“Equal opportunities, Leo.” She winks and walks out of the bedroom, Nila hot on her heels.
Ten minutes.
That’s all it takes for me to question all my life choices as I lie flat on my back on a yoga mat in the garden, staring up at the sky as the sun starts to rise over London.
The birds all chirp around me. The setting is so peaceful and tranquil surrounded by Ria’s stunning plants that I shouldn’t be feeling like I’ve been run over by one of London’s famous red buses.
“That’s not right, Leo,” Ria mocks from her ridiculous pose next to me. Seriously, how has she done that?
“I’m not sure what you’re doing is right either.” She gives me a wry smile and releases her leg effortlessly before bending her body, resting her palms flat on the mat.
“You’re supposed to clear your mind and flow through the movements. Stretching out your spine.” Twisting her head to the side, she smiles. “Come on, try again.”
“I’m able to say no to literally every other person in the world, but not you. Oh, no.” Rising to my feet, I mimic her pose but groan when I try to reach the ground without bending my knees. “Oh, no, for you I’ll willingly put myself through torture and call it relaxation.”
“Wow, this must be what it’s like training with Deeks. Never did I think I’d see the day that Leo Brent would be grumpy,” she mocks, slowly lifting her chest until her hands leave the ground and she stands, bending her body into the pose that I’m supposed to be trying to copy.
“I’m not grumpy; I’m in pain.” I try and fail to copy her, wobbling on my heels until I spectacularly fall back onto the mat.
“I think I’ll stick with lifting weights.
” Nila pounces onto my chest, and I give her chin a tickle.
She gifts me with a loud purr but digs her claws into the thin material of my T-shirt, causing me to hiss.
“Christ, are all the women in my life trying to cause me physical pain today?”
Ria laughs and bends backward, lifting her leg over her head and looking at me, a devilish glint in her eyes. “What was it you said to me? Pain can give way to pleasure.”
“Yeah, no, that’s not for me.” Tilting my head to the side, I continue to watch her. “I have no idea how you thought I would be able to do that.”
“This is just a beginner pose.”
“I honestly never thought you, Ria, of all people, would lie to me, but here you are lying directly to my face.”
She giggles, effortlessly moving to hold a different position. “Okay, this might be more advanced than I let on.”
“I didn’t have you down as a cruel woman.”
“Not cruel, just a little devious.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“I’m sure you’ll survive."
“Only time will tell.”
“Going to try again?” She holds a new position, her chest pushed up to the sky, and I watch as all her muscles flex to keep her in place.
“I’m more than happy to admit that this isn’t a sport for me to partake in.” Rolling onto my side, I trace her exposed clavicle, loving the small gasp that escapes her, but she remains in position. “But I’m very happy to be a spectator.”
Unfurling her body, she rises to stand with her hands on her hips, and she looks down at me. “Want me to put on a show for you?”
“I would absolutely want you to put on a show for me.” I grin back, standing, with Nila tucked into my chest. “But how about I make us breakfast while you find your Zen.”
“Convenient how the kitchen window is overlooking this exact spot.” She tilts her face up to meet mine.
“I guess I’m just lucky.” Wrapping my arm around her, I pull her into me and drop a kiss to her lips. “In more ways than one.”
“Smooth,” she mumbles against my lips. “Now go watch like a creeper.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“There is a Mr. Lucas in reception for you, Mr. Brent,” Rebecca, my assistant, says from my open office door. “I did tell him that you’re extremely busy and as he doesn’t have an appointment that you may not see him, but he was quite persistent.”
“Is he still in reception?” I frown and give Rebecca my full attention.
“I put him in one of the side meeting rooms on the ground floor. He was starting to cause a scene."
“Thank you, Rebecca. I'll head down to see what he wants.”
“I’m sorry. I know you’re super busy right now, but he was refusing to leave.”
“No, you’ve done the right thing. Don’t apologize. You head off for lunch now, and I’ll deal with this.” I button my suit jacket up and head to leave my office when Ria and Grace come around the corner.
“Oh, no, you’ve got your serious face on.” Grace shudders and then laughs. “Did the Seals lose again?”
“No. Ria, can I have a word?”
“Of course.” She looks concerned as she follows me toward the elevator, and Grace continues toward Ria’s office. “Mr. Lucas is in reception and he wants to speak to me.”
“Why is he here?”
“I have no idea, but I’ll find out and fill you in.” I press the button to call the elevator.
“I’m coming with you.” She crosses her arms across her chest.
“I don’t want you within five feet of that man.”
“I can handle myself, Leo. This is my company, remember.”
“I know.” The elevator doors open and we both step on.
“So I’m coming.”
“Okay, I can’t stop you.”
“Too right you can’t.”
“But just know, if he steps out of line I will stand up for you, and if that means punching that prick, I’ll do it.”
“If he needs a punch, Leo, I’ll be the one to do it.” The elevator doors open and she struts out. “Come on, show me where he is,” she shouts over her shoulder, and fuck me, I love this take-no-shit version of Ria.
Catching up with her, I guide her to the meeting room Rebecca told me she had put Mr. Lucas in, and she strides in.
“Mr. Lucas, what can we do for you?” Straight to it, she doesn’t even take a seat.
“I asked for Leo not you,” he snarls as he stands.
“Too bad. This is my company, so you’ve got me and Leo. Lucky you.”
He stares at her for a minute before relenting. “Fine, take a seat.” He motions to the seat opposite him.
“You’re in mine.” She lifts her chin, and he rolls his eyes before standing and moving to the one he just asked her to sit in. I watch as she strolls to the other side of the room, pushes the chair back in, and stands behind it. “I think I’ll stand.”